ACE CAFE RADIO

    samedi 29 août 2015

    6 Heures du Nurburgring : Porsche reste invaincu en qualifs ! / Porsche maintains unbeaten pole record!


    Porsche/Michelin a signé sa 4e pole position de la saison grâce à Marc Lieb et Romain Dumas (Porsche 919 Hybrid N°18), devant la N°17. Les Audi R18 e-tron quattro et Toyota TS040 Hybrid s’élanceront depuis les 2e et 3e lignes de la grille de départ des 6 Heures du Nürburgring.
    Dix-sept prototypes, dont six hybrides « usine » ont pris part aux qualifications LMP immédiatement après les GTE. Le thermomètre indiquait alors 23°C et malgré les nuages et quelques orages prévus dans l’après-midi, la séance allait se dérouler sur une piste sèche.
    La Porsche N°18 fut la première en piste avec Marc Lieb au volant, suivie de l’Audi N°7 (Fässler). Comme ce matin lors des essais libres 3, les deux Porsche pointaient en tête du classement après le premier run, avec la N°18 devant la N°17 pilotée par Timo Bernhard (+0s199)
    Alex Wurz a hypothéqué les chances de la Toyota N°2 avec un tout-droit dans l’herbe, alors que les Audi apparaissaient aux 3e et 4e rangs.
    Puis Romain Dumas et Mark Webber se sont installés dans les prototypes de Stuttgart.
    Un peu moins rapide que Lieb, Dumas est parvenu à maintenir la N°18 en pole, alors qu’un premier mauvais chrono de Webber permit aux Audi de pointer 2e (N°8) et 3e (N°7).
    Le pilote Australien s’est repris au tour suivant pour remettre la Porsche N°17 sur la première ligne de la grille de départ. Les Porsche furent les seuls prototypes à franchir la barre des 1min37s.
    Le meilleur tour de la séance a été réalisé par Lieb en 1min36s192. La Porsche N°17 a fini à 0s069 de la moyenne de la pole (1min36s473).
    « On m’a dit au dernier moment que j’allais être le premier pilote sur la N°18 », expliquait Marc Lieb. « C’est bien car on a de bonnes chances d’avoir un tour clair en tout début de séance. Le team et les ingénieurs ont fait du bon boulot. Notre voiture était très plaisante à piloter. »
    Les Audi ont conclu à plus d’une seconde de leurs cousines, et les deux Toyota à plus de deux secondes. La Rebellion R-One fut la plus rapide des LM P1 non-hybrides.
    En LM P2, la nouvelle Gibson-Nissan de Strakka Racing a encore prouvé sa pointe de vitesse avec Jonny Kane au volant, auteur du meilleur tour au premier run. Mais son équipier Leventis n’a pu conserver la pole qui est finalement revenue à l’Oreca05-Nissan KCMG N°47 devant les Ligier N°26 et N°28 G-Drive Racing.
    Le départ des 6 Heures du Nürburgring sera donné demain dimanche à 13h00.
    Porsche claimed its fourth pole position from four this season thanks to the combined efforts of Lieb/Dumas (1st) and Bernhard/Webber (2nd) who were nominated to qualify the N°18 and N°17 Hybrid 919s respectively. The N°8 and N°7 Audis, and the N°1 and N°2 Toyotas will occupy the second and third rows of tomorrow afternoon’s grid.
    The LM Prototype qualifying session featured a total of 17 cars, comprising the six factory hybrids, the three non-hybrid P1s and eight LM P2 machines.
    For the start of the 20-minute run (which saw qualifying revert to the WEC’s usual ‘average of two drivers’ system after the more conventional ‘winner-takes-all’ procedure applied at Le Mans), the weather was as nice as it has been all weekend.
    The thermometer stood at more than 23°C and the conditions were sunny, although a little cloudy – perhaps a sign of the storm that is now being predicted for later today.
    Happily, the track stayed dry for the pole shootout.
    Eager to get started was the N°18 Porsche which was first out of the pit lane with Lieb at the wheel, tailed by the N°7 Audi (Fässler).
    In keeping with the form shown during this morning’s free practice, it was the two Hybrid 919s that emerged on top after the first round of flying laps, the N°18 car narrowly beating its N°17 stablemate (Bernhard) by 0.199s.
    Wurz didn’t help Toyota’s chances when he went wide on grass and the two Audis logically appeared in third and fourth places.
    The Stuttgart machines pitted after a single flyer each, allowing Dumas (N°18) and Webber (N°17) to climb aboard.
    Although slower than Lieb, Dumas kept the N°18 car on top, but a poor first time from Webber allowed the Audis to go second (N°8) and third (N°7). The Australian made up next time round, though, to reassert the domination of Porsche which was the only team to lap underneath the 1m37s threshold.
    The session’s fastest time remained the property of Lieb whose 1m36.192s contributed to an average of 1m36.473s for his car. The second-placed N°17 Hybrid 919 ended up 0.069s adrift...
    “I learned at the last moment that I would be first out in the N°18 car,” reported Marc Lieb. “That’s good because you have a better chance of getting a clear track and ‘clean air’. The team and engineers did a fantastic job. Our car was so much pleasure to drive!”
    The Audis ended up more than a second behind, and both Toyotas were more than two seconds off the pace. The fastest non-hybrid LM P1 prototype was the N°12 Rebellion R-One (Prost/Beche/Heidfeld).
    In LM P2, the brand new Gibson-Nissan provided further evidence of its speed when Kane topped the class’s order early on. However, team-mate Leventis was unable to defend Strakka Racing’s advantage and Sunday’s field will finally be led away by the N°47 Oreca05-Nissan (Howson/Bradley/Tandy) which shrugged off pressure from the N°26 and N°28 Ligier-Nissans (G-Drive Racing) which came second and third.
    The 2015 6 Hours of Nürburgring will start on Sunday afternoon at 1pm. There will be no warm-up session.

    Kopecký leads on ŠKODA’s home round of the ERC




    Jan Kopecký leads round seven of the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship, Barum Czech Rally Zlín, after a fast, furious and very hot opening leg in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia R5.
    Kopecky, confiant, choisit d’ouvrir la route
    Co-driven by Pavel Dresler, Kopecký is on course to win the event for the fourth time and clinch another Czech national title after a dominant performance on a blisteringly hot day in southern Moravia.
    “It’s been a great day for us,” said Kopecký. “The Fabia R5 has worked very well. We hit a big hole on the first stage this morning, which shows how strong the car really is. We have made no mistakes, we have a good pace and we have built up a nice gap behind us.”
    Last year’s event winner Václav Pech is second, 35.4s behind Kopecký, in his Mini John Cooper Works S2000 – his local knowledge of the fast, bumpy and narrow stages ensuring an exciting battle for victory.
    Kajetan Kajetanowicz has a great chance to further extend his lead in the ERC, after a magnificent day in his Pirelli-shod LOTOS Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5. The Polish driver has been pushing hard – so hard, that he arrived at the end of SS5 with his brakes on fire.
    Craig Breen arrived in the Czech Republic second in the championship, but lost two and a half minutes and all hopes of victory after picking up a puncture on SS5. The number of punctures had increased to three by the end of the day, and the fight is now on to salvage the best result he can and maintain his strong fight for the ERC title in his Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16. He is 11th overnight.
    Despite it only being his second Tarmac rally, Alexey Lukyanuk is fourth in his Ford Fiesta R5 – the Russian and Estonian champion driving brilliantly in such unfamiliar conditions, saying that the experience he is gaining is “enormous”.
    Pavel Valoušek is fifth in his ŠKODA Fabia S2000 after an excellent mistake-free day. He is ahead of promising youngster Miroslav Jakeš (Citroën DS3 R5), while former ERC Junior star Jan Černý is seventh in a Fabia S2000.
    After a brief pre-event test in the wet, French 208 Rally Cup champion Charles Martin was unhappy with the set-up of his Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16 at the start of the event. He lost 35s with a right rear puncture on SS2, but has felt increasing happier with the car and snatched eighth place on today’s final stage.
    Hermen Kobus is going well in his ŠKODA Fabia R5, and with a new car on a new event, the Dutch driver was rightly pleased with to be ninth after a good leg one performance. Antonín Tlusťák damaged the front of his Tajmac-ZPS Fabia S2000 on SS2, but a good run sees him complete the top 10.
    GPD Orsák Rally Sport Fabia S2000 team-mates Petter Kristiansen and Martin Hudec are enjoying themselves. The Norwegian driver is 17th after a trouble-free day, while the Czech former motocross rider is 18th on only his second rally since the Circuit of Ireland.
    Plenty of other drivers hit problems on leg one. SS4 was stopped after Martin Vlček crashed his ŠKODA Fabia S2000 into a gas pipe, and escaping gas forced a re-route of competitors! Sepp Wiegand had a disastrous start when an injector problem slowed his GPD Orsák Rally Sport-run ŠKODA Fabia S2000 on the opening Zlín super special. With no power, he pulled over to let a faster car overtake, but in doing so hit some railings and broke the right rear suspension. The 2014 ERC vice-champion then had to stop and replace a puncture on SS7.
    Number six seed Jaromír Tarabus stopped in SS3 with an electrical fault that led to a failure of his ŠKODA Fabia R5’s high-pressure fuel pump. Ford Fiesta R5 driver Roman Odložilik hit a log that stops drivers from cutting corners, and broke the connection to the left-front wheel. Raul Jeets crashed his MM-Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5 into a house on SS4 and Tomáš Kostka retired his stunning green Fabia R5 from fourth place after SS7.

    MotoGP : Marquez en pole à Silverstone / Silverstone pole for Marquez


    Vainqueur en 2014, Marc Marquez (Team Honda Repsol) a décroché sa sixième pole position de la saison en signant un nouveau record du tour lors des essais qualificatifs du Grand Prix de Grande-Bretagne, 12ème manche du Championnat du monde MotoGP à Silverstone.
    Le double champion du monde en titre a bouclé un premier tour rapide en 2.00.564 battant ainsi son propre record (2.00.691). L’Espagnol a enfoncé le clou quelques minutes plus tard en signant 2.00.234 lui assurant ainsi une sixième pole position de la saison.
    Leader du championnat à égalité de points avec Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) n’a pu rivaliser avec Marc Marquez pour la pole mais se place en première ligne en deuxième position. Avec 2.00.522, c’est le seul pilote à avoir battu l’ancien record de Marquez.
    Dani Pedrosa (Team Honda Repsol) complète une première ligne 100 % espagnole en 2.00.716.
    En retrait lors des essais libres, Valentino Rossi s’est ressaisi lors des qualifications pour se hisser sur la deuxième ligne (2.00.947), dernier pilote à être descendu en dessous de la barre des 2.01. Il devance les deux pilotes du team satellites Monster Yamaha Tech 3, Pol Espargaro (2.01.031) et Bradley Smith (2.01.140) qui évolue à domicile.
                            
    Scott Redding (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) et Andrea Iannone (Ducati) occupent la  troisième ligne. 
    Pilotes les plus rapides de la Q1, Aleix Espargaró (Team Suzuki Ecstar) et Yonny Hernández (Octo Pramac Racing) sont parvenus à gagner une place en Q2 en finissant devant Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), seulement douzième sur la grille de départ signant ainsi sa plus mauvaise qualification depuis Assen 2013. 
    Loris Baz (Forward Racing) s’est classé quinzième derrière Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) et son ancien coéquipier Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini).
                              Baz se qualifie premier de la catégorie Open en Angleterre
    The 2014 British GP winner Marc Marquez (Team Honda Repsol) collected his sixth qualifying victory of the season thanks to a new lap record for the British track, host of Round 12 of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship.
                             Márquez : « J’aurais pu être très proche des 1’59 »
    Marquez began by posting a benchmark of 2m0.564s to beat his own record before sealing his sixth pole position of the season moments later with a 2m0.234s.
    Joint championship leader Jorge Lorenzo (equal with his Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team-mate Valentino Rossi) failed to challenge but will start from second on the grid. His time of 20.522s also bettered the existing record.
                            Lorenzo : « Satisfait d’être en première ligne »
    Dani Pedrosa (Team Honda Repsol, 2m0.716s) will make it an all-Spanish front row.
    Valentino Rossi recovered from a slowish free practice performance to clinch a second-row start and was the only other rider to get below the 2m1s mark (2m0.947s). He finished clear of Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Espargaro (2m1.031s) and home hero Bradley Smith (2m1.140s).
                          
    Row 3 will be the property of Scott Redding (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and Andrea Iannone (Ducati). 
                          MGP-12-Aleix Espargaro-30
    The fastest Q1 runners Aleix Espargaró (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Yonny Hernández (Octo Pramac Racing) earned a slot in Q2 by lapping faster than Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) who will start from 12th, his worst qualifying position since Assen 2013. 
                           LBQ1Silv
    Loris Baz (Forward Racing) was 15th behind Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and his former team-mate Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini).

    Freefly Systems ALTA // Swing Arm City (Behind The Scenes)

    Freefly Systems gave us the chance to take the ALTA for a test spin in the desert.. so we loaded up our friends, forgot all our water and, took it to Swing Arm City.

    Freefly Systems ALTA // Swing Arm City (Behind The Scenes) from Camp 4 Collective on Vimeo.

    NEW AND NOTED: MOTORCYCLE GEAR



    This month’s gear roundup has a distinctive retro vibe. But rest assured—we’ve chosen top-to-toe pieces that mix classic styling with modern safety standards. We’ve also thrown in a seriously protective undershirt, that no one will ever guess you’re wearing.


    DMD Seventy Five The Bell Moto 3 helmet from the 1970s is an all-time design classic. Unfortunately, a lid made forty years ago will not offer much protection. These days the Moto 3 is an expensive paperweight—a rough example will cost you at least $100 on eBay, or up to $400 for one in good condition.

    If you love the Moto 3 style but want 21st century protection, DMD’s latest design should answer your prayers. It has a carbon/Kevlar shell, a removable and washable liner, and full ECE homologation. (Plus DOT for those of you Stateside.) It’s available from next month in yellow, white, matt black and electric blue. Keep an eye on the DMD website for release details.

    Resurgence Rocker jacket The Canadian company has made a name for itself with jeans built around its high-tech PEKEV material. It’s an alternative to Kevlar with extraordinary abrasion resistance—well beyond the tough CE Level 2 standard.

    Resurgence has now aimed its sights above the belt, with the new £299 Rocker jacket. It’s got classic denim jacket styling, a full PEKEV lining, removable Knox Flexiform armor at the elbow and shoulder points, and a spine protector. DuPont Teflon fabric protection helps repel water, and the hardware is high quality too—with adjustable brass waist buckles and a YKK zip. Available in Green/Brown, Camouflage and Black. [Buy]

    Knox Urbane Undershirt If you find regular armor uncomfortable or you just can’t resist wearing a regular jacket while riding, Knox has the answer for you. The English company has been protecting racers for 30 years with its high-end armor systems, and has now responded to the increasing trend for ‘casual’ riding gear.

    The £108 Urbane has a tough, flexible mesh chassis with CE-approved protectors in the shoulders and elbows. There’s a lightweight, breathable back protector that covers the spine and kidney area, and a front pocket so you can add a chest protector if need be. The construction is designed to work in warm weather and underneath classic or vintage motorbike jackets. [Buy]

    Crave 365 Protective Jacket The influence of fashion is creeping into motorcycle gear design—and that’s generally a good thing. For many riders, anything that reeks of MotoGP or track days is a no-go. But few brands push the envelope as far as Crave, makers of the popular Axe reinforced motorcycle shirt.

    Crave’s latest release is a classy full-length jacket that looks more at home on a North Sea oil rig or a winter’s street in Stockholm. But the windproof ‘365’ has a 100% Kevlar lining and a hood roomy enough to cover a ski helmet. The wax-impregnated cotton outer shell is water-repellant to five meters, and there are pockets for shoulder, elbow and back protectors. Available in Brown or a lighter ‘Rusty’ color (top image), for €329. [Buy]

    uglyBROS Motorpool Black Over the past couple of years, the Motorpool has become a hugely popular riding jean in the café and custom scene. It’s a good summer choice because it’s breathable, the fit is stretchy, and the styling is a smart mix of function and fashion.

    The $329 Motorpool is now available in a solid black 11oz denim version—a little stealthier than the original grey, Stained Olive and camo versions. Removable, CE-approved knee and hip protectors are included as before, but the back pockets are larger and there are now slanted side cargo pockets for easier access. Make sure you buy direct from the maker or a reputable retailer—there are imitations around. [Buy]

    Alpinestars Oscar Monty Boots The eagerly anticipated Oscar range is now starting to trickle into stores, and one of the highlights is the ‘Monty’ boot. There are shades of Red Wing’s classic ‘Moc Toe’ styling here, but unlike the Red Wing, this is a boot designed for riding.

    It’s reinforced at the toe, heel and ankle for impact resistance, and also sports a removable microfiber sole and a breathable mesh liner. The rubber compound sole is oil resistant, and the boots are CE certified to Level 2 standard. Available in black or brown, and yours for $260. [Buy]
    via BIKEexif

    Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A wins ‘Best of Show’ at 2015 Pebble Beach Concours


    A 1924 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A owned by American collector Jim Patterson was chosen by the jury as the winner of ‘Best of Show’ at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, in a return to the tradition of a pre-War car taking overall honours…
    Although the basis of the car was built in 1924, it only acquired its stunning sport cabriolet bodywork by Carrosserie Worblaufen in 1931, when it was acquired by the company. It was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1932, and went on to win the Grand-Prix d'Honneur at Cannes a year later. It’s now part of the Kentucky-based Patterson Collection; owner Jim Patterson is only the fourth owner in its lifetime. The Isotta Fraschini now joins an elite list of automobiles regarded to be among the most beautiful and best-preserved in the world.
    Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2015 
    All the news from this year's Monterey and Pebble Beach events can be found in our regularly updated overview.

    Honda CB450 – Steel Bent Customs


    Sunsets. A cold beer. Hearing that Nickleback have split up and been sent to prison. Life’s all about the simple things, and today’s bike is exhibit ‘A’ from the high court of less is more. With a über minimal approach, a slammed stance and a decidedly agrarian look, the latest bike from Michael Mundy and his Steel Bent Customs is one sweet knobbled bobber worthy of a Sunday ride or twelve. Meet the ‘Seven-1’.
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_09
    ‘It’s a 1971 Honda CB450,’ says Mike from his Florida workshop. “Or more correctly, the ‘Seven-1’. About 5 or 6 years ago during the early days of Steel Bent Customs, I found the donor bike about a mile away. It was back when I was still building bikes in my home garage. Anyhow, I know fate when I see it.”
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_03
    The 60s and 70s model 450s are rare, so Mike knew as soon as he saw the bike for sale that he wanted it. “I had to throw my 2-year-old son in the truck, attach the trailer and go grab it.” Start ’em young, that’s what we always say. “So off we went.”
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_05
    “I brought the bike home and quickly realized that there wasn’t much that was salvageable besides the engine and part of the frame. Clearly a bobber was an easy choice, so I tackled the rear first. The pre-fabbed hard tail was originally built for the XS650, but I modified for the 450 frame. For a mix and match, I think it came out pretty good.”
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_06
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_08
    Mike’s design for the seat support consists of an upside-down trailer leaf spring and subtle-yet-slick black suede seat. The tank is aftermarket Harley peanut unit, and the front end is off a CB650 which was selected for its longer downtubes. The handlebars are custom-made from a donor lower triple tree with some inverted levers.
    Finishing touches were added in brass to match the velocity stacks and the headlight which Mike sourced from an early model Ford. “The hubs are stock CB450s laced with stainless steel spokes to Harley 19″ rims front and rear,” notes Mike.
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_01
    The tires are a Michelin dirt bike design and Mike notes that they create an nicely intoxicating ‘whirring’ sound as she rolls down the road at freeway speeds. The ‘oil bag’ holds the minimal wiring and a small battery. She’s kickstart only, and Mike notes that she’s surprisingly reliable for a 44 year-old bike.
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_07
    “I’ve actually shredded the title. It’s a precaution to make sure I never sell her.”
    “She will always be very special to me. She’s followed me from the home garage to the current Steel Bent shop. I’ve actually shredded the title. It’s a precaution to make sure I never sell her. I figure if I ever fall on hard times, the trouble of applying for new paperwork will give me time to come to my senses and change my mind.” Smart man.
    20_08_2015_steel_bent_customs_honda_cb750_04
    [Photos by Erick Runyon] via PIPEBURN

    demain les 4H de Valmont dans le Pays de Caux

    photos en 2014








    plus sur  rallying.blogspot.fr/2014/09/les-4h-de-valmont-en-pays-de-caux.html

    Pech takes early Barum ERC lead after Zlín super special


    Pech takes early Barum ERC lead after Zlín super special
    Václav Pech leads the Barum Czech Rally Zlín after setting fastest time on the opening super special stage around Zlín city centre, which was watched by thousands of enthusiastic spectators.
    On a stage delayed by yellow flags, the Mini John Cooper Works S2000 driver set a time of 7m08.3s on the 9.51 kilometre test, 3.6 faster than second-quickest Jan Kopecký (ŠKODA Fabia R5), who struggled to find grip on hard compound Michelin tyres.
    It was a disastrous stage for Sepp Wiegand who was slowed by an engine problem in his GPD Orsak Rally Sport-run ŠKODA Fabia S2000. With no power, he pulled over to let a faster car overtake, but in doing so hit some railings and broke the right rear suspension.
    Alexey Lukyanuk had no intercom, couldn’t hear co-driver Alexey Arnautov, and had to rely on his memory to guide his Ford Fiesta R5 through the stage, losing almost 10s.
    With all 129 starters doing the stage in reserve order, the last car didn’t cross the finishing line until after midnight – an hour later than scheduled. Unfortunately, that last car was driven by Kopecký, who will have less time in bed tonight than anyone else, as he is running first on the road tomorrow morning!