ERC: slides to Latvia victory: Lappi tout schuss en Lettonie

Latvia’s Rally Liepaja, round two of the 2014 FIA European Rally Championship, was won by Finn Esapekka Lappi (Skoda Fabia S2000/Michelin), ahead of Russia’s Vasiliy Gryazin (Fiesta S2000) and Irishman Craig Breen (Peugeot 207 S2000).

Le Finlandais Esapekka Lappi (Skoda Fabia S2000/Michelin) a remporté la deuxième manche du Championnat d’Europe des Rallyes FIA 2014, le Rally Liepaja (Lettonie), devant le Russe Vasyli Gryazin (Fiesta S2000) et l’Irlandais Craig Breen (Peugeot 207 S2000).

After skipping the opening round of the ERC, Skoda Motorsport was in Latvia with a factory Fabia S2000 equipped with Michelin X-Ice North tyres for Esapekka Lappi, winner of last season’s final round.

Still buzzing from his second place in Monte Carlo, Frenchman Bryan Bouffier (Citroën DS3 RRC) was fastest on SS1 but damaged his radiator in an ‘off’ on the following test. That handed first place to Russian youngster Vasiliy Gryazin in his Ford Fiesta S2000/Michelin.

A sequence of three fastest times allowed Lappi to take control by the end of Day 1, however, 2.6s clear of Gryazin. Craig Breen, who said he didn’t feel confident in his Peugeot 207 S2000, was third, ahead of Pole Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Fiesta R5) and Germany’s Sepp Wiegand (Fabia S2000).

The fast stages suited the top speed of the Mitsubishi Lancers and, on Saturday evening, Estonia’s Siim Plangi figured in sixth spot overall and in front in the Production class, ahead of Martins Svilis (+4.2s, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX). Plangi even claimed the next morning’s SS7, despite the fierce battle for the lead between Lappi and Gryazin.

Another three stage victories saw the Finn pull out a handy cushion to win the Latvian event, following in the footsteps last year’s winner and fellow Skoda driver Jan Kopecky. Second place was the best ERC result to date for the 20-year old Gryazin, while Breen celebrated his birthday and the final factory appearance of the Peugeot 207 S2000 with a podium finish. Kajetanowicz and Wiegand were fourth and fifth.

Plangi and Svilis both retired on Sunday, which handed the Production victory to local driver Janis Vorobjovs (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X), ahead of Vitaliy Pushkar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X). The Junior classification was topped by the Czech Republic’s Jan Cerny (Peugeot 208 R2/Michelin), ahead of Finn Risto Immonen (Citroën C2). Stéphane Lefebvre (Peugeot 208 R2) was eliminated by an engine failure.

Following the postponement of the Sibiu Rally Romania (perhaps until October), the next round of the ERC will be late-March’s Acropolis Rally.

Absente au Jännerrallye, l’équipe Skoda Motorsport était de retour en championnat d’Europe ce week-end sur les pistes enneigées de Lettonie avec, au volant de la Fabia S2000 officielle chaussée de pneumatiques Michelin X-Ice North, le Finlandais Esapekka Lappi, vainqueur de la dernière manche européenne 2013.

Sur son élan du Rallye Monte-Carlo, le Français Bryan Bouffier (Citroën DS3 RRC) a remporté l’ES1, avant de commettre une petite faute dans la spéciale suivante et d’endommager son radiateur. C’est le jeune Russe Vasiliy Gryazin, qui court sous licence lettone, qui s’est retrouvé en tête au volant de sa Ford Fiesta S2000/Michelin.

Mais Esapekka Lappi a signé trois meilleurs temps consécutifs pour prendre les rênes du rallye à l’issue de la 1^ère journée, avec seulement 2s6 d’avance sur Gryazin. Peu en confiance au volant de sa Peugeot 207 S2000, Craig Breen pointait à la 3^e place devant le Polonais Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Fiesta R5) et l’Allemand Sepp Wiegand (Fabia S2000).

Sur ces pistes très rapides, les Mitsubishi Lancer ont profité de leur vitesse de pointe : l’Estonien Siim Plangi était 6^e du général et leader de la catégorie Production avec 4s2 d’avance sur Martins Svilis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) samedi soir. C’est d’ailleurs lui qui a signé le meilleur temps de l’ES7, le lendemain matin, alors que le duel Lappi / Gryazin battait son plein pour la victoire.

Le Finlandais a enchaîné une série de trois meilleurs temps pour prendre ses distances sur Gryazin et remporter le Rally Liepaja 2014, succédant ainsi au pilote officiel Skoda Jan Kopecky au palmarès de cette épreuve. A 20 ans, Vasiliy Gryazin signe son meilleur résultat en ERC avec la 2^e place finale, devant Craig Breen qui s’est offert un podium pour son anniversaire et pour la dernière course officielle de la Peugeot 207 S2000. Kajetanowicz et Wiegand complètent le top-five.

En catégorie Production, Plangi et Svilis ont tous deux abandonné dimanche. La victoire revient au Letton Janis Vorobjovs (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) devant Vitaliy Pushkar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X). Le Tchèque Jan Cerny (Peugeot 208 R2/Michelin) remporte la catégorie Junior devant le Finlandais Risto Immonen (Citroën C2). Stéphane Lefebvre (Peugeot 208 R2) a dû abandonner (moteur cassé).

Le Sibiu Rally Romania étant remporté à une date ultérieure (peut-être octobre), la prochaine manche ERC 2014 se déroulera fin mars sur les pistes du Rallye de l’Acropole.

Classement Rally Liepaja

1. Lappi/Fern (Skoda Fabia S2000/Michelin), 2h13min11s5 – 2. Gryazin/Chumak (Ford Fiesta S2000/Michelin), +34s7 – 3. Breen/Martin (Peugeot 207 S2000/Michelin), +1min36s8 – 4. Kajetanowizc/Baran (Ford Fiesta R5/Michelin), +2min35s5 – 5. Wiegand/Christian (Skoda Fabia S2000/Michelin), +3min16s1…

NEPAL’S RS MOTO GC125

As far as most people are concerned, Kathmandu in Nepal is about as far away from Western civilisation as it’s possible to get. It conjures up images of lost Himalayan citadels, ancient legends, monks, Yak’s milk tea, impassable trails and the Yeti… So we were more than pleasantly surprised to get this sweet like 125cc build from Raajib Sayami of RS MOTO in the ancient mountain city. …Who knew?

“I wanted to do something with motorcycles but I was just playing bass in a band with pretty much no idea about building machines.  This is my attempt at least to start learning. And I’m still learning”

The bike is a 1982 Honda CG125, but remaking her into something more desirable wasn’t going to be straight forward in a place with strict rules that no-one quite understands. “The rules and laws are crazy in Nepal. You can’t change any parts on the motorcycle, and if you do change anything, it’s considered modification, which is illegal. So if you do anything to a motorcycle, it’s on your own risk when you drive in town. No one knows how much you gotta pay for what you did on your bike..sometimes just changing a different type of mirror cost you Rs 5,000. Traffic police in Kathmandu just don’t like to see bikes that look different.”

“I did what I love to – it’s my freedom. I started working on my bikes, people got interested looking at my bikes and then I helped a few friends and friends of friends. I always get help from people when I need it. Working with motorcycles became a way of educating myself. The last two years or so my life has been motorcycles. Last year I decided to give name my operation a name: RS MOTO.

…All I remember is the frame and few parts of the engine in a box on my friend’s basement floor. Everything I needed was there, it was just in pieces. Then I decided to make something new that was true to the original motorcycle. I wanted to make this bike alive and running.”

The tank comes from a CG110 mounted to the standard frame, although the swingarm has been lengthened. The front forks are from a Honda CBZ and the rear light is made by Stanley and the front from an XL. The engine is standard but has been rebuilt, and free breathing carbs suck in the air while burnt gases exit through a wrapped pipe with home built custom exhaust. Wiring is all new. The handlebar is from a Ducati 796.

Despite the bike’s remote roots, it’s not here for any other reason than we like it. It’s a well-made custom bike worthy of sharing on The Bike Shed. Thanks to Raajib and RS Moto. See more on his Facebook Page. “This bike is light and small and easy to ride in a traffic and gulli way (small alleys) of Kathmandu… Just a fun everyday city ride.” What more could anyone want?

The Great Australian Ride 2014

Red Bull Stratos - The Full Story

October 14, 2012, Felix Baumgartner ascended more than 24 miles above Earth's surface to the edge of space in a stratospheric balloon. Millions across the globe watched as he opened the door of the capsule, stepped off the platform, and broke the speed of sound while free falling safely back to Earth. Felix set three world records that day—and inspired us all to reach beyond the limits of our own realities, and reimagine our potential to achieve the incredible. 
 
GoPro was honored to be a part of this epic achievement, with seven HERO2 cameras documenting every moment. From the airless freeze of outer space, to the record-breaking free fall and momentous return to ground—see it all through Felix's eyes as captured by GoPro, and experience this incredible mission like never before. No one gets you closer than this.

Shot 100% on the HD HERO2® camera from http://GoPro.com.

Vous pensiez avoir tout vu du saut de Felix Baumartner, le parachutiste autrichien qui a battu le 14 octobre 2012 le record du monde de saut en chute libre ? C'est raté. L'un de ses sponsors, la marque de caméras embarquées GoPro, a mis en ligne vendredi 31 janvier une nouvelle vidéo de l'exploit, avec des images inédites.

Celles-ci, vertigineuses, permettent de suivre au plus près le saut de plus de 39 000 mètres du casse-cou. On apprend également, grâce à l'enregistrement de la conversation entre Baumgartner et l'organisation au sol, que le parachutiste a failli s'évanouir lors de sa performance.

En un peu plus de 24 heures, la vidéo de GoPro a été vue à plus d'un million et demi de reprises. De bonne augure pour la marque, qui compte exploiter ces images en diffusant une publicité dimanche lors de la finale du Super Bowl, le championnat de football américain.