We are heading on this road again in October to check why this road is ranked "The world's most dangerous road".
Himalaya is always fun to ride but need someone who can survive in less oxygen and with more adventures.
samedi 9 mai 2015
BAJA 500: UTV STYLE
Racing Ensenada’s SCORE Baja 500 is a dream for many, on the bucket list for most and is like some sort of evil drug for those addicted to its mystique. Two wheels or four, handlebars or a steering wheel, it doesn’t really make a difference. It’s about a common goal: to beat the Baja by finishing—and for an elite few, winning.
The steering wheel and cage used to be the major separation between us ATV/motorcycle racers and car/ truck guys. The UTV might just be the melting point in the middle. As quickly as you’ve seen its popularity taking over our industry, it is becoming mainstream and prevalent in racing, and for a lot of the same reasons. Just a few years ago, UTV racing was evolving from hopped-up, custom versions of the very utilitarian Yamaha Rhino and finishing a race like the Baja 500 was not a reality. Fast-forward to the recent 2014 Baja 500 and the UTV class has 17 entries, making it the third-largest class in the entire race. Even more impressive is that nine of them made it to the finish line, bringing the finishing rate to more than 50 percent.
Amazing improvements in machinery by the OEMs, combined with very serious efforts by a bunch of different teams, has led to this success. While it’s by no means a “cheap” way to go racing, if you have been bitten by the Baja bug, the availability of multiple, quality raceworthy UTVs make for a great starting platform, and a cage is definitely the safest way to race in the desert.
The recent OEM interest, involvement and evolution is proving to draw from the car and truck-racing crowd. Availability, affordability and the safety of a roll cage appear to be a major draw on gaining competitors from the bike and ATV crowd. Whatever the draw, UTV racing is making a serious presence in Baja, and it looks like they’re here to stay.
THE MACHINES
The allure of Baja is that anyone can win on a perfect day. But the reality is that it usually requires a perfectly prepped machine, a great driver, support program, teammates, mechanics, logistics and planning. There were plenty of great-looking machines on the starting line, and as with most any Baja race, the bestprepped teams were congratulated with a trip to the finish line.
The allure of Baja is that anyone can win on a perfect day. But the reality is that it usually requires a perfectly prepped machine, a great driver, support program, teammates, mechanics, logistics and planning. There were plenty of great-looking machines on the starting line, and as with most any Baja race, the bestprepped teams were congratulated with a trip to the finish line.
Eventual winner Marc Burnett has raced Trophy Trucks here in the past, but this year he’s driving the Monster Energy-backed #1904 Can-Am Maverick like a boss, with a win at a the San Felipe 250, a second at the IV 250 and back for a commanding win at the Baja 500. For a little backstory, Marc Burnett’s race Can-Am blew a motor testing his Fox shocks just a day before contingency. They were the last UTV team to tech after working all night swapping motors and fixing issues, and they still managed to come out on top. The #1913 Lone Star Racing Polaris was driven by Brandon Sims to a solid second place. While everyone had their fair share of issues in this Baja 500, the FOX/LSR-suspended team was the only one really in striking distance of the MB Racing Can-Am as the race got closer to the finish. Sims and the #1913 car were only seven miles behind the leader during the final stretch. Justin Lambert drove the factorybacked #1908 Cognito Motorsports Polaris to a solid third-place finish, more than an hour behind first and second place. The #1908 Cognito car is centered on their suspension, chassis components, FOX shocks and rolls on ITP tires.
John Angel and Brian Bush drove the super-clean-looking #1920 UTV INC Polaris to a close fourth-place finish, just 16 minutes behind the Cognito car and a podium finish. Matt Parks drove the factory-backed #1932 Polaris Jagged X machine, arriving at the finish line just 12 more minutes behind fourth.
I got a last-minute chance to drive the #1921 TireBlocks Polaris with Jamie Kirkpatrick, and it was ready as ever. Coming off a fourth place at San Felipe, the TireBlocks car picked up some new sponsorship with JRI shocks and GPS off-foad products for the Baja 500. Jamie and his dad, Dan, had a great run going, turning a rear start into second-overall UTV by race mile 80. They were held up multiple times by bad placement in the really congested bottlenecks that happened in the second half of their section. The car was actually flawless all the way to the finish, and were it a Baja 1000, we would have had completely different results.
Derek Murray drove the factorybacked#1917 Can-Am Maverick Max to a seventh-place finish about 35 minutes behind us. Apparently they were plagued by the same bottleneck issues and were running behind us for the entire second half of the race. Murray Motorsports was second at San Felipe, won the Imperial Valley, and entered the Baja 500 with the points lead.
Cory Sappington drove the #1904 Desert Toyz Can-Am to eighth, but mid-race issues had him a solid two hours behind the Murray brothers. Alonso Lopez was the last official UTV finisher, just behind Sappington in his awesome Alba-powered GlassKraft XP 900. Alonso had ATV Baja champion Wayne Matlock driving the Mike’s Sky Ranch section for him, but CV issues early on kept them playing catch-up all day and night.
THE FINAL TALLY
Seventeen UTV teams is an incredible statement; nine finishing is even bigger. The machines are getting better and better by the day, and the UTV class will only be getting stronger and faster. With the new ownership, rule changes and added costs, the ATV Pro class at Baja is suffering. There was still a solid showing of sportsman-based teams, but Dofo Arellano and Javier Robles were the only two teams on the Pro ATV roster for this year’s 500. Arellano bested MCR’s Javier Robles team by two minutes after a solid battle all day long. The MCR/Robles team still has a solid points lead due to Arellano’s DNF at the IV 250.
Seventeen UTV teams is an incredible statement; nine finishing is even bigger. The machines are getting better and better by the day, and the UTV class will only be getting stronger and faster. With the new ownership, rule changes and added costs, the ATV Pro class at Baja is suffering. There was still a solid showing of sportsman-based teams, but Dofo Arellano and Javier Robles were the only two teams on the Pro ATV roster for this year’s 500. Arellano bested MCR’s Javier Robles team by two minutes after a solid battle all day long. The MCR/Robles team still has a solid points lead due to Arellano’s DNF at the IV 250.
Hellas Rally Raid 2015 ; Day 5
SS1 Surprise from Souday with a quad at 3rd place.
3 41 VERKADE Maikel NL M1 2 FE 450 21:26:46
4 4 RIEZEBOS Jasper NL M1 3 KTM 450 EXC 21:51:44
5 40 PABISKA David CZ M1 4 KTM 450 EXC 21:56:53
6 20 PRAZZOLI Massimo IT M1 5 KTM 350 EXC 22:01:50
7 12 COTTI Michele IT M1 6 Honda CRF 450X 22:54:00
8 35 PEDEMONTE Angelo IT M1 7 FE 450 22:44:20
9 203 KUBIENA Tomas CZ QU 1 Hawk 690 23:02:20
10 210 PLECHATY Martin CZ QU 2 EATV 690 23:06:10
11 17 ENNSMAN Roland A M1 8 Yamaha WR 250F 23:17:06
WSBK ; Giugliano s’offre la Tissot-Superpole pour son grand retour à Imola / Giugliano grabs emotional Tissot-Superpole at Imola
De retour en piste ce week-end après une longe absence, Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) a décroché la quatrième pole position de sa carrière en WorldSBK grâce un excellent chrono de 1’46.382 réalisé dans la chaleur samedi après-midi à Imola. Blessé juste avant l’ouverture de la saison 2015, l’Italien avait dû manquer les quatre premières manches et réussit jusqu’ici parfaitement son retour à la compétition.
Tom Sykes et Jonathan Rea du Kawasaki Racing Team l’accompagneront en première ligne après avoir respectivement fini à 0.084s et 0.121s de la pole position.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team), Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), qui a chuté en qualifications, et Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) composeront quant à eux la deuxième ligne après avoir devancé Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing Team), Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) et Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) tandis que David Salom (Team Pedercini), Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) et Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), victime d’un problème technique en Superpole 2, partiront de la quatrième ligne.
Les Français Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) et Christophe Ponsson (Team Pedercini) sont respectivement qualifiés aux 15e, 17e et 19e positions.
Retrouvez toutes les interviews post-qualifications dans la section vidéo de WorldSBK.com, dans laquelle vous pourrez aussi consulter de nombreux contenus exclusifs.
Les courses de la catégorie WorldSBK ont lieu dimanche à 10h30 et 13h10.
With the action on track as hot as the air temperature off it, today’s Tissot-Superpole qualifying sessions at the 4.9km Imola circuit was scintillating, with Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) securing the 4th Pole Position of his WorldSBK career thanks to a 1.46.382s lap time. For Giugliano today’s result marked an emotional return to the series following his injury at the official pre-season test in Australia.
The Kawasaki Racing Team duo of Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea will join the Italian rider on the front row of the grid tomorrow in what are shaping up to be two very unpredictable races as the top 5 on the grid are separated by a mere 0.472s.
Row two will comprise Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team), Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), despite a small crash in the session and the 2nd Aprilia RSV4 RF Jordi Torres.
Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing Team) heads the third row, he will be joined by Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) and Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) while David Salom (Team Pedercini), Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) and Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) will start from row 4.
Michel Fabrizio, his Althea Racing team mate Matteo Baiocco, reigning World Champion Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) complete the top 15 riders on the grid ahead of tomorrow’s two 19 lap races.
The earlier 15 minute Superpole 1 session saw Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) progress to Superpole 2. Camier was however unable to take part in the final Pole Position shootout after suffering a technical problem in the closing minutes of the opening qualifying session, resulting in his 12th position on the grid.
Check out all of the latest interviews from Imola in the video section at worldsbk.com where you will also find lots of exclusive content.
WSSP ; Cluzel arrache la pole Supersport à Sofuoglu en Italie / Cluzel wins Imola WSS Pole Position fight with his final lap
Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) s’est emparé de la pole position pour la cinquième manche du Championnat du Monde Supersport 2015, sa quatrième cette année et sa quatorzième dans la catégorie, en se montrant tout juste 0.037s plus rapide que Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), qui mène le classement général avec 25 points d’avance sur PJ Jacobsen (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) et 35 sur le Français.
Marco Faccani (San Carlo Puccetti Racing), le Champion en titre du STK600, s’est quant à lui assuré un premier départ en première ligne, en finissant à plus de huit dixièmes de seconde de Cluzel.
Malgré un problème technique survenu à quatre minutes du drapeau à damier, Jacobsen a réussi à s’installer en tête de la deuxième ligne, devant Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) et Alex Baldolini (Race Department ATK#25 MV Agusta).
Gino Rea (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda), Ratthapark Wilairot (CORE Motorsport Thailand), Riccardo Russo (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda) et Kyle Smith (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) complétaient le Top 10, devant Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres), onzième à 1.6s de la pole.
Le départ de la course sera donné dimanche à 11h40.
Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) his fourth Pole Position of the 2015 World Supersport championship, finishing the 45-minute qualifying session only 0.037s ahead of one of current series leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who claimed second place on the grid for tomorrow’s 17-lap encounter after heading most of the session. Marco Faccani (San Carlo Puccetti Racing) will join the duo on row one, the young Italian who won last year’s STK600 crown claiming a maiden WSS top-3 race start.
Despite a technical problem in the final 4 minutes American PJ Jacobsen (Kawasaki Ponyexpres Intermoto) will head row 2 while last year’s race winner Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) is in contention and will start 5th alongside former podium finisher Alex Baldolini who is enjoying a strong start to 2015. The Italian completes row 2 with his privately entered Race Department ATK#25 MV Agusta.
Gino Rea (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda), Ratthapark Wilairot (CORE Motorsport Thailand), Riccardo Russo (CIA Landlords Insurance Honda) and Kyle Smith (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) complete the top ten.
Tomorrow’s race is scheduled to start at 1140 local time.
WRC Rally de Portugal 2015 ;Evolutions aéro pour les DS3 WRC / Streamlining evolutions for the DS3 WRC
Il n’y a pas qu’en circuit où les teams travaillent sur l’aérodynamique des véhicules. Au Rallye du Portugal, Citroën Racing propose une nouvelle aéro et une nouvelle livrée pour ses DS3 WRC/Michelin
Depuis le Rallye Monte-Carlo, les DS3 WRC officielles sont équipées du moteur 1.6 Litre turbo à injection directe et cascade de pignons de la Citroën C-Elysée WTCC, d’une commande de boîte de vitesses semi-automatique, de nouvelles suspensions arrière et d’un aileron arrière redessiné.
Ces évolutions ont permis à la DS3 WRC de rester au contact des nouvelles VW Polo R WRC en termes de performances. Au Portugal, un nouvel ensemble bouclier + ailes avant viendra compléter un kit aérodynamique offrant moins de trainée et plus d’appui aéro. « Validé en soufflerie et lors de nos essais, le gain obtenu sur les coefficients de traînée et de portance est significatif », affirme Yves Matton, patron de Citroën Racing, qui ajoute que la DS3 WRC n’a cessé d’évoluer depuis son lancement en 2011.
Ces évolutions techniques s’accompagnent d’une nouvelle livrée sur les trois DS3 WRC, mêlant blanc banquise, noir pena nera et gris aluminium, quelques touches de vert fluo. Comme dans le commerce où les clients peuvent personnaliser leur DS, les pilotes ont pu choisi leur couleur de toit : blanc pour Kris Meeke, gris pour Mads Ostberg et rouge pour Khalid Al-Qassimi.
La DS3 WRC/Michelin avait signé un doublé au Portugal 2011 (Ogier, Loeb), année de son lancement. Citroën a également remporté les éditions 2010 (Ogier), 2009 (Loeb), 2007 (Loeb), et aussi 2004 (Araujo) et 2003 (Araujo) hors WRC.
It’s not only racing teams that seek to fine-tune the aerodynamics of their cars. The Rally de Portugal will see Citroën Racing’s Michelin-equipped DS3 WRCs run a new aero package, as well as a new livery.
Since January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo, the factory DS3 WRCs have been powered by the same direct-injection 1.6-litre turbocharged engine as the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC, along with semi-automatic gearshift, a new rear suspension arrangement and a revised rear spoiler.
These evolutions have helped to keep the DS3 WRC competitive compared with the latest-spec VW Polo R WRCs. In Portugal, the French cars will feature a new front wing/bumper assembly as part of their new aerodynamic package. “The work has been signed off in the wind tunnel and in testing. The drag coefficient and downforce gains are significant,” says Citroën Racing boss Yves Matton who adds that the DS3 WRC hasn’t stopped evolving since its introduction in 2011.
Meanwhile, a new livery featuring a combination of white, black and aluminium grey with fluorescent green details will be seen on all three DS3 WRC. As is the case with DS road cars, which customers can customise, the drivers are free to choose their roof colour (Kris Meeke: white / Mads Ostberg: grey / Khalid Al-Qassimi: red).
VINTAGE BAJA 500 - VINTAGE VAULT
by Verne Simons
Photographers: TEN Archives
As we sit here writing Vintage Vault toward the end of 2014, the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is under way in Baja, Mexico. While we wish we could be there, either as a racer, spectator, or as support crew, someone has to put the best magazine in the world together. Still, we can do a little bench racing and continue to show you images from The Enthusiast Network’s vast photo archives. So, to that end, how about a few more vintage images of Baja Jeeps to go with the theme?
Flattie Racer Uno
For some reason, we have an inordinate number of images from the 1974 Baja 500, and apparently several photographers were on hand for the race (Four Wheeler magazine had a vehicle in the race that won its class!). We came across several images of this interesting flatfender race vehicle and decided to share them. In this photo, taken by Jack Brady, we can see the Jeep sitting on the starting line. The flattie seems to have headers with four primary tubes indicating a V-8 power plant, and the front suspension uses multiple shocks and coil springs.
For some reason, we have an inordinate number of images from the 1974 Baja 500, and apparently several photographers were on hand for the race (Four Wheeler magazine had a vehicle in the race that won its class!). We came across several images of this interesting flatfender race vehicle and decided to share them. In this photo, taken by Jack Brady, we can see the Jeep sitting on the starting line. The flattie seems to have headers with four primary tubes indicating a V-8 power plant, and the front suspension uses multiple shocks and coil springs.
Coil springs, visible here, combined with what sure look like radius arms (in the previous image) makes this Jeep very interesting. In fact, we wonder if the stretched Flattie body is sitting atop a modified early Bronco frame? We don’t know who the driver of 311 is, but the co-driver is clearly Jeff Book as visible on the side of the Jeep in this image by Bob D’Olivo for Petersen Publishing Company. Other modifications visible are a Saginaw power steering box, a few KC Daylighter auxiliary lights, Sand Blaster tires, a transmission cooler, and what sure looks like a Dana 44 front axle.
CJ-6s are just cool, and this sweet image of old number 110 by Jack Brady for Image International from the 1974 Baja 500. The Mefford CJ-6 looks to have long front fenders, so it’s a ’72 or newer and is piloted by Ray Russell. We spy some Warn locking hubs on the front Dana 30, and the Jeep also has a pretty clean shackle reversal to help smooth out the bumps. The front bumper has a nice brush guard, KC lights, and a train horn to alert slower cars of the Jeep’s presence. We are betting 110 was running an AMC V-8 (maybe a 401) and an auto tranny.
Old 110 hits a water crossing with speed. Well, we are betting a bit more than 5 mph anyways! This photo is by Eric Rickman, shot for Specialty Publications.
From: http://www.fourwheeler.com
‘80 Yamaha XV750 – Open Road Cycles
Written by Marlon Slack.
Australia receives a lot of things from South Africa – their wine, their rugby team and occasionally, nervous men sweating their way through customs with cocaine in their bum. But this time around we’re lucky enough to be sent Jacques Pieters – a former carpenter who is turning his hand at creating custom bikes under the guise of Open Road Cycles in Perth, Western Australia. Featured here is his first build in his new country – a distinctive 1980 Yamaha XV750 dubbed ‘The Dirty Mexican’ that draws together a host of interesting themes to make a tracker that, while it might not be able to jump any borders, certainly turns a few heads.
After exchanging the orange-and-red barren landscape of South Africa for the orange-and-red barren landscape of Western Australia, Jacques killed some time by trawling Gumtree – the Australian version of Craigslist. In between ads for stolen dirt bikes and late night meet-ups in public toilets he found the old XV Yamaha and decided to build it into something suitable to wheel out for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. A frantic rush to get the bike ready meant the upholstery was left until an hour before he was due to leave – Jacques found some material emblazoned with Mexican art hanging around from a bike he’d built back home and laid it over the seat. It drew some appreciation from the crowd and someone on the ride dubbed the Yamaha ‘The Dirty Mexican’. The name stuck.
After the DGR the Yamaha was stripped down for a more calculated, careful build. Despite how effortless and proportionate this XV looks it’s no small task to turn a porky 80’s cruiser into a lean-looking custom. To this end Jacques enlisted the help of a few small custom workshops and some advice from the ever-helpful guru of XV’s – Greg from Hageman Cycles. Jacques wanted to build something in that vein… but a little rougher and a little more ‘out there’ than the usual polished café racer.
While the XV was being stripped down the bike underwent all the usual upgrades and modifications you’d expect in a fastidious build. It had new wheel bearings fitted, new brakes and brake lines and a new headlight and fork gaiters, controls, grips and turn signals.
The wiring loom was stripped back and simplified. The engine was painted, the notoriously unreliable stater replaced, new VM34 Mikuni carburettors fitted and a custom-made slim-line exhaust and air filter mounts. The existing subframe was modified and painted along with the frame and swingarm. Compared to the rest of the work, that’s all the easy stuff.
The front wheel is actually an XV rear, modified to fit so it could run a wider tyre. The tank was altered by Jacques with the help of Sideshow Cycles who also helped with a one-off front fender and the raised lines that run through both.
The rear fender was also modified, rearsets fitted and then finally the paint scheme was completed. The deep red flake and candy job with gold lettering took ‘countless hours’ according to Jacques (who received help from local shop Custom Modifications) and I don’t doubt him. It was clearly worth every second.
The end result is a bike that’s hard to fit in any particular category. It’s got the basic outline of a tracker – with its high pipes, bars, and knobby tyres – but it also has rearsets and a low-mounted front fender. The strong metal flake and gold lettering brings to mind an LA bobber while the seat fabric that gave the bike its name points to an origin further south.
All of it comes together to make a distinctive, beautiful bike that balances the bombastic paint scheme with just enough patina to make it work. Open Road Cycles are currently working on another XV – a 1000 this time – and I’m hoping they’ll be able to produce another Japanese V-twin custom that’s as well-crafted and histrionic as this one.
[Photos by Manny Tamayo]
via PIPEBURN
CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA 2015 ; the VILLA d'ESTE. DASHING GOOD LOOKS.
Does classic beauty make your heart beat faster? Then set a course for the Villa d’Este luxury hotel – and don’t spare the horses. The Concorso d’Eleganza 2015 will provide the stage for the world’s most breathtaking classic cars and motorcycles from 22 – 24 May 2015. And this year, the beauty contest on the banks of Lake Como will direct its spotlight squarely on the 1970s.
An era of timeless beauty.
The Concorso d’Eleganza 2015 will take place under the motto “Seventies style – the jetset is back”, prompting BMW to assemble the most magnificent Art Cars from the decade at hand. From Roy Lichtenstein’s BMW 320i to the BMW M1 used as a canvas by Andy Warhol, the examples on display will reflect the spirit of this artistically vociferous and socially extraordinary period in history. As well as the numerous classic cars competing for the awards and prizes, visitors will also be treated to the Concorso di Motociclette, which has shared the bill at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este since 2011 and presents the galleries with motorcycles of exceptional allure and beauty.
Pioneering concepts.
“Without a past there is no future” is the sentiment embodied by the engrossing prototypes and concept cars poised to grace the Concorso d’Eleganza once again in 2015. A plethora of manufacturers will use the spectacular backdrop of Lake Como to sharpen the gaze of the global public on their very latest creations. After the MINI brand unveiled a concept car here in 2014 under the auspices of BMW Group Classic, this year the BMW brand will present a very special example of its own. Prepare to be surprised...
Open-door policy for joy.
This year the Public Days (Saturday and Sunday) will take place in the grounds of Villa Erba. While visitors on Saturday will have the motorcycle concours at which to marvel, not to mention the Art Car highlights and the “30 Years of the M3” exhibition, the line-up on Sunday will be headlined by the Historic Car field of hopefuls and the array of concept cars and prototypes.
A home from home.
No time to travel to Lake Como in person? No worries – BMW Group Classic will be reporting directly from the Concorso d’Eleganza 2015 to your home. As well as exclusive glimpses behind the scenes, its dispatches will feature the hottest news from the winners’ enclosure and a suitably lavish reel of impressions from lakeside. Simply follow the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2015 live on the website or via the BMW Group Classic Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
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