2013 WSBK Imola: Tom Sykes on pole postion again

Mr Superpole did it again and for the sixth consecutive this season and take home another Tissot watch.

Tom Sykes will start in pole position for the seventh round of the 2013 championship at the circuit of Imola with a stunning lap of 1’45″981 breaking the lap record that he had set last year.

Not even a red flag caused by his own Kawasaki team mate Loris Baz during SP3, could stop Sykes who headed the timesheets during the first two stints.

Sykes was already on his way of taking a record braking lap, only for SP3 to be red flagged because Baz at the Rivazza had a spectacular crash. The Frenchman walked away unharmed, but his Kawasaki was literally destroyed and leaving fluids on the track, that necessitated a 15 minute clean-up.

When the pit lane re-opened Sykes was back out and went even faster than before and take his 17th WSBK pole position of his career. Not even Jonathan Rea who is having an excellent weekend so far had an answer for Kawasaki rider and he would end up more almost sixt tenths adrift, but the Pata Honda rider scored a second place start and his best qualifying session this season.

Taking off on the front row with the two and in third will be Althea’s Davide Giugliano, who is also is performing very well, as he out qualified standing’s leader and factory Aprilia rider Sylvain Guintoli who will open the second row with his team mate Eugene Laverty alongside. Leon Camier with his Suzuki GSX-R 1000 took 6th but unable to break the 1.46 barrier but he was ahead of Marco Melandri who suffered a crash in the earlier FP2.

Ayrton Badovini took his 1199 Panigale R to 8th afte Baz’ crash dropped him down to 9th. Chaz Davies closed out the top ten with Leon Haslam in 11th and Michel Fabrizio will have to start in 12th after suffering technical issues, while Carlos Checa had two crashes, one in FP1 and a second during SP1 at the Variante Tamburello that left him down in 13th.

2013 WSBK Imola SP3 results:

01- Tom Sykes – Kawasaki Racing Team – Kawasaki ZX-10R – 1’45.981
02- Jonathan Rea – Pata Honda World Superbike Team – Honda CBR 1000RR – + 0.575
03- Davide Giugliano – Althea Racing – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – + 0.732
04- Sylvain Guintoli – Aprilia Racing Team – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – + 0.876
05- Eugene Laverty – Aprilia Racing Team – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – + 0.950
06- Leon Camier – FIXI Crescent Suzuki – Suzuki GSX-R 1000 – + 1.184
07- Marco Melandri – BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team – BMW S1000RR – + 1.240
08- Ayrton Badovini – Team Ducati Alstare – Ducati 1199 Panigale R – + 1.415
09- Loris Baz – Kawasaki Racing Team – Kawasaki ZX-10R – senza tempo

2013 WSBK Imola Starting Grid:

01- Tom Sykes – Kawasaki Racing Team – Kawasaki ZX-10R
02- Jonathan Rea – Pata Honda World Superbike Team – Honda CBR 1000RR
03- Davide Giugliano – Althea Racing – Aprilia RSV4 Factory
04- Sylvain Guintoli – Aprilia Racing Team – Aprilia RSV4 Factory
05- Eugene Laverty – Aprilia Racing Team – Aprilia RSV4 Factory
06- Leon Camier – FIXI Crescent Suzuki – Suzuki GSX-R 1000
07- Marco Melandri – BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team – BMW S1000RR
08- Ayrton Badovini – Team Ducati Alstare – Ducati 1199 Panigale R
09- Loris Baz – Kawasaki Racing Team – Kawasaki ZX-10R
10- Chaz Davies – BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team – BMW S1000RR

from Twowheelsblog

MotoGP : Valentino Rossi back on top at last ; Valentino Rossi renoue enfin avec la victoire

Two-and-a-half years after his last victory, Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory) won the seventh round of the 2013 MotoGP world championship today at Assen, Netherlands. The Italian finished clear of Marc Marquez (Honda HRC) and Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech3). Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory) heroically raced with a broken collarbone and claimed a superb fifth place.

Deux ans et demi après son dernier succès, Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory) a remporté le Grand Prix des Pays-Bas à Assen, septième manche du championnat du monde MotoGP. L’italien devance Marc Marquez (Honda HRC) et Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech3). Héroïque, Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory), clavicule cassée, termine à une superbe cinquième place.

The last time Rossi won a MotoGP race was in Malaysia in October 2010, but he returned to his winning ways today to notch up the 80^th victory of his career in motorcycle racing’s premier series.

The seven-time champion qualified in fourth place and got away to an aggressive start. He passed Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) on Lap 1 and tucked in behind Marquez and Pedrosa, who had leapt from fifth on the grid. On Lap 5, the Italian eased into second spot before going ahead next time round. He then focused on pulling out a gap to cross the line two seconds clear of his chasers.

Pedrosa was unable to match Rossi’s pace and was eventually passed by Marquez on Lap 17, then by the on-form Crutchlow (pole winner) with six laps remaining. The latter’s attempts to claim second place were thwarted, however, when he nudged the Spanish rookie’s rear tyre on the last lap.

Lorenzo suffered a broken collarbone on Thursday and underwent surgery the following night. That didn’t prevent him from lining up for the start in spite of the pain. The world champion started from 12^th on the grid and climbed six places in the course of the opening lap! He even passed Crutchlow into fourth spot on Lap 5. However, the effort had exhausted him and he was passed again by the British rider and heroically decided to settle for fifth which brought him valuable championship points, only two less than archival Pedrosa.

Bradl, Álvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini), Aleix Espargaró (Power Electronics Aspar), Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech3) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) rounded off the top 10, ahead of Nicky Hayden (Ducati) and Randy de Puniet (Power Electronics).

Pedrosa (137 points) still tops the championship, followed by Lorenzo (128) and Marquez (113).

Il n’était plus monté sur la plus haute marche du podium depuis le GP de Malaisie en octobre 2010. Valentino Rossi met ainsi un terme à deux ans et demi de disette en accrochant une 80^èmevictoire à son palmarès dans la catégorie reine MotoGP.

Quatrième sur la grille, le septuple Champion du monde s’est montré très agressif dès le départ. Il double Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) dès le premier tour pour rester au contact de Marquez et Pedrosa, très bien parti depuis sa cinquième place. L’Italien se hisse en deuxième position au cinquième tour avant de s’emparer de la tête au tour suivant. Rapide, le « doctor » creuse rapidement l’écart sur ses poursuivants et rallie l’arrivée avec une avance confortable de deux secondes.

Incapable de suivre le rythme imposé par Rossi, Pedrosa cède, dans un premier temps, à Marc Marquez lors du 17^ème tour avant de s’incliner face à un superbe Cal Crutchlow à six tours de l’arrivée. Auteur de la pole, Crutchlow a manqué l’opportunité de s’emparer de la seconde place en touchant le pneu arrière du rookie espagnol dans le dernier tour.

Victime d'une fracture de la clavicule jeudi, opéré la nuit suivante, Jorge Lorenzo a pris la décision de courir malgré une épaule convalescente et douloureuse. Parti de la 12^ème place, le Champion du monde en titre a réussi à gagner six positions à l’issue du premier tour.  Il se hisse à la quatrième place lors du cinquième tour aux dépens de Crutchlow. Epuisé en fin de course, le Majorquin cède finalement à la pression du Britannique mais termine à une cinquième place héroïque et cruciale pour le Championnat. Ainsi, il ne concède que deux points à son rival Pedrosa et conserve sa deuxième place à neuf points du leader.

Bradl se classe sixième. Álvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini), Aleix Espargaró (Power Electronics Aspar), Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech3) et Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) complètent le Top 10 devant Nicky Hayden (Ducati) et Randy de Puniet (Power Electronics).

Pedrosa reste aux commandes du classement général avec 137 points suivi de Lorenzo à neuf points. Marquez est troisième avec 113 points.

2013 MotoGP Assen results:

01- Valentino Rossi – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – 26 laps in 41’25.202
02- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 2.170
03- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 4.073
04- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 7.832
05- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 15.510
06- Stefan Bradl – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC213V – + 27.519
07- Alvaro Bautista – GO&FUN Honda Gresini – Honda RC213V – + 31.598
08- Aleix Espargaro – Power Electronics Aspar – ART GP13 – + 32.405
09- Bradley Smith – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 33.751
10- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13 – + 33.801
11- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13 – + 34.371
12- Randy De Puniet – Power Electronics Aspar – ART GP13 – + 57.674

Fantastic ‘Historics’! ; L’Historic, c’est fantastique !

This weekend’s action in Ypres includes two events for Historic cars: a round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship (32 starters), and a round of the Belgian Historic Rally Championship (58 starters).

Le Rallye d’Ypres, c’est aussi deux épreuves réservées aux véhicules historiques : une manche du Championnat d’Europe Historic FIA (32 partants) et une manche du Championnat belge des véhicules historiques (58 partants).

There was a big crowd in Boezinge for Wednesday evening’s ‘Historic’ shakedown, and the official figure of 8,000 spectators underlines the continuing appeal of these cars of yesteryear.

Their itinerary is a little different from the official ERC route but many of the stages are shared by all three events. To give an idea of the relative performance of the different generations of cars, the best ‘Historic’ competitor would be about 10^th in the Geko Ypres Rally’s overall standings!

The prestigious entry for the European series includes four-time Ypres winners and former European champions Patrick Snijers (Porsche 911 Carrera) and Robert Droogmans (Ford Escort), plus Belgium’s Paul Lieater (Ford Escort), the multiple French Historic Rally Champion Frédéric Chambon (Porsche 911 Turbo) and two Lancia 037s, one of which is in the hands of the championship’s leader ‘Pedro’, from Italy.

After Friday evening’s rainy SS2 (‘Mesen’), the agile Ford Escorts appeared to be in control, with Paul Lieater in front. However, the situation has since changed (or the results were wrong!) because two Porsche 911s are now in front after SS8: the 911S of Italy’s Zampaglione and the 911 RSR of the 2012 European champion Myrsell, from Sweden. Snijers took a penalty for early arrival at a time control early in the rally before suffering an engine problem.

The Belgian Championship event is currently led by Ford Escort driver Piet Declercq who is comfortably clear of Briton Chris Browne. Jimmy McRae is listed as sixth overall in an Opel Ascona.

Il y avait un monde fou à Boezinge, mercredi soir, pour le Shakedown des Historiques, plus de 8000 personnes d’après des sources officielles. C’est dire l’engouement du public pour les « anciennes ». Leur parcours est sensiblement différent de celui des « modernes », mais beaucoup de spéciales sont communes. A titre de comparaison, le meilleur chrono des Historiques correspond à peu près au 10^e meilleur temps des « modernes »…

Le plateau de la 5^e manche européenne est prestigieux avec les quadruples vainqueurs du Rallye d’Ypres et champions d’Europe Patrick Snijers (Porsche 911 Carrera) et Robert Droogmans (Ford Escort), le Belge Paul Lieater (Ford Escort), le multiple Champion de France Historique Frédéric Chambon (Porsche 911 Turbo), deux Lancia 037 dont une pilotée par l’Italien « Pedro », leader du championnat…

Vendredi soir, à l’arrivée de Mesen (ES2), sous une pluie battante, les agiles Ford Escort dominaient la situation, Paul Lieater en tête. Mais depuis, les choses ont évolué (ou les classements sont erronés !). Après l’ES8, deux Porsche 911 seraient leaders. L’Italien Zampaglione (911 S) devancerait le Suédois Myrsell (911 RSR, Champion d’Europe 2012). Patrick Snijers a pointé deux minutes en avance en début de rallye avant un problème moteur.

Ce sont des Ford Escort qui mènent la manche du championnat belge. Piet Declercq devance largement le Britannique Chris Browne. Jimmy McRae serait 6^e au volant d’une Opel Ascona.

’70S SPIRIT: THE IMSA 240Z

The 1970s: a decade full of such automotive greatness that it’s almost impossible to sum up everything we love about it. The cars that we know from that era weren’t just fast and cool looking, they were a bit outrageous. It was a time of wide wheels, wide fenders, bright colors and production-based race cars that were routinely making two or three times the amount of horsepower they were originally designed for.

Selecting a single vehicle to represent the decade is a challenging task, but if forced to I would probably pick something like this Datsun 240Z.  Maintained by the history masters at Canepa, this Datsun is a car that truly embodies all that was great about motorsport during the ’70s.

First off, there’s the fact this car was built from a production Datsun 240Z – a model which could easily be considered one of the most important cars of the 1970s. The excitement for the Z began the moment the the new affordable sports car arrived from Japan and never really let up.

In fact, according to its background info, this particular  Z actually began life as the first 240Z chassis imported to the US for the 1970 model year. That’s something hard to verify given its subsequent transformation to a race car, but whatever the case there’s a lot of history that comes with this beautiful machine.

It’s a history that would be made not on the street but on the race track. It began in 1974 when a racer by the name of Brad Frisselle formed a privateer team called Transcendental Racing. Brad had previous experience racing Datsuns, so the team chose to use the 240Z as the basis for their entry into the IMSA Camel GT series – designing, building and testing the race car from the ground up.

But of course, Brad was not alone in the venture. A very talented team of men worked to construct the car and make it competitive. An experienced builder named Dave Kent handled the body, chassis and roll cage fabrication while John Knepp of Electramotive handled the engine build.

Handling the aerodynamic design for the car was Yoshi Suzuka, who had previously worked with the BRE team, and would later go on to work with Indy Car teams, Nissan’s factory prototype program and more. At the time, such a focus on aerodynamics wasn’t too common in this type of racing – especially with a privateer team.

Another former BRE team member who worked on the build was Mac Tilton, who designed the car’s suspension system. His company, Tilton Engineering is now one of the most respected names in motorsport, with its products appearing everywhere from F1 to NASCAR.

So with the groundwork laid and a solid platform to go racing with, Frisselle tackled IMSA for the 1975 season. Along the way he took three victories and won IMSA’s Most Improved Driver Award that year.

The success was accomplished not just through Brad’s technique behind the wheel, but by the overall professional approach taken by the whole team. At the time, the Frisselle Z was considered one of the most advanced entries in the GTU class, and the Transcendental team was known as one of the most organized and detail-oriented in the paddock.

During the 1976 season the team saw even more success. Out of the eleven events they entered in ’76, they won eight of them – easily taking the IMSA GTU championship that year. What was even more impressive is that they were able to defeat the Datsun works team, which was campaigning its own Zs at the time.

Following the success with the Z, Brad continued on with a career as a team owner and driver in sports car racing, working with the Brumos team in a Porsche 935 and also campaigning a Chevy Monza in both Europe and the United States. He would also compete in the SCCA Can Am series and then drove for Mazda’s factory IMSA team before retiring from racing after the 1980 season.

Fast forward now to the early 1990s, when it was decided that the long-forgotten Datsun deserved a full restoration. Overseeing the effort would be John Cavaglieri, who served as the team’s original crew chief. That car was stripped down to bare metal and the long process began.

What’s especially cool about the restoration is that many of the original team members were involved with bringing the car back to its former glory. For example, brand new molds for Yoshi Suzuka’s body work were built and subsequently new panels were fitted to the car.

When it came to time to address the engine, the original builder, John Knepp, was called in. He proceeded to completely rebuild the triple Solex-fed L-series motor with the help of his assistant, Don Reynolds.

During the rebuild John used a number of development parts from Nissan’s GTP program, with new piston and cam designs along with fully modernized electronics. An entirely new fuel system was installed as well.

With its competition-spec rebuild. word has it the fully-built L-motor is now outputting an extremely impressive 400 horsepower.

Along with the motor, the transmission, chassis and suspension were all completely restored too.

The idea for the restoration was to give the car the same attention to detail and presentation it had while running in IMSA. The Z’s Concours-ready condition is apparent from the moment you first see it.

Like every other car that passes through the Canepa facility, the Z’s spotless condition is more reminiscent of a guarded show piece rather than a competition veteran.

Although the car began life as a 240Z, Datsun fans will probably wonder why the car has 280Z tailights. Well, IMSA rules required the race cars to have a similar appearance to production cars of the same year, thus the swapping of the 280 tail panel.

Looking inside the cockpit, the same cleanliness and attention to detail from the exterior carries over.

You can also see the updated electronics and instruments that were installed during the car’s ground up restoration.

While as much has been left period correct as possible, you’ll also find some very important upgrades made to bring the Z up to modern safety standards.

That’s something which is very important, because this car is absolutely not a museum piece.

Besides being restored to an extremely high cosmetic standard, the car was also thoroughly built to run on the track just like it did during the mid ’70s.

Today the Z can be found running at a number of vintage races, including the Rolex Reunion and the Sonoma Historics. To me it’s just awesome that the people who restore, build and race these legendary machines have no qualms about taking them out and driving them as they were meant to be.

Whether its sitting under the lights in the Canepa garage, resting in the paddock at Laguna Seca or running down the Corkscrew at full song this Datsun is out there as another reminder of what might be motorsport’s greatest era. I may not have been able to experience that amazing decade for myself, but thanks to cars like this I can certainly feel like I was right there for the glory days of IMSA.

Mike Garrett
Instagram: speedhunters_mike
mike@speedhunters.com

Photos by

Larry Chen
Instagram: Larry_Chen_Foto

and

Sean KlingelhoeferInstagram: seanklingelhoefersean(at)speedhunters(dot)com

Brad Frisselle IMSA GTU Datsun 240Z

Engine
Race-built Nissan L-Series by John Knepp, Nissan GTP-derived cam and piston design, triple Solex carbs

Suspension/Chassis
Mac Tilton-designed suspension, custom chassis and roll cage fabrication by Dave Kent

Exterior
Yoshi Suzuka wide-body conversion from original molds with original Transcendental Racing livery

InteriorSparco Seats, Momo steering wheel, modernized electronics and gauges