Le Mans 24 Hours / 24 Heures Moto

Watch the teaser of Le Mans 24 Hours, final of FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC)

A une semaine du début des essais libres de la finale du Championnat du monde d'Endurance FIM (EWC), patientez avec le teaser des 24 Heures Moto.

Motori Minarelli workers appeal to Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi isn’t new to receiving requests for help from Italian factory workers who find themselves risking their jobs due to the economic crisis.

In 2009 an important Italian newspaper published on their front page an appeal from the Yamaha workers of the Gerno di Lesmo plant to Rossi, to help sway Yamaha from moving their production line from Italy to Spain.

The Yamaha rider has now received a new appeal from 56 employees of the Motori Minarelli, who make components for motorcycles and scooters and will become redundant in mid-October.

This appeal wasn’t published on the front page of a newpaper, but posted on Rossi’s official Facebook page by a certain Nicola that tells the story of the Motori Minelli company and how due to the economic crisis, but also bad business choices by the owners, 56 of them will lose their jobs next month.

Rossi hasn’t been the only famous rider to receive a similar appeal. Three months ago, World Motocross champion Tony Cairoli received an open letter from 240 Husquavarna workers after they found out that Pierer Industries (KTM) who bought out the company were moving all operations from Italy to Austria.

While Cairoli, who conquered his 7th World title last month, responded via Twitter saying that he was an athlete by profession, and just a rider and didn’t know the dynamics of Pierer Industries and Husqvarna, Rossi has yet to post an answer or a comforting word.

via Twowheelsblog

Caterham Seven 165 races into Frankfurt

Caterham has introduced the Seven 165today on the inaugural day of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new model gets its name as a reference to its power-to-weight ratio and comes with a 3-cylinder, 660cc turbocharged engine from Suzuki. It represents the smallest engine to ever power the Seven as it produces just 80 HP (59 kW) and a peak torque of 107 Nm (79 lb-ft). The British marque says the main idea behind this new iteration of the Seven was to keep weight down as much as possible.

The small Euro 5-compliant power unit will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission sourced from Suzuki but modified in-house by Caterham's engineers. The company promises the Seven 165 will offer the same "level of pure driving fun" as the flagship Seven 485.

Production is scheduled to commence January next year with sales beginning in spring at a starting price of less than 17,000 GBP.

Source: Caterham

1962 BUICK INVICTA WAGON BY RIDETECH

• POSTED BY MOTO VERSO
 

Normally this 1962 Buick Invicta Wagon isn’t anything special but RideTech have made this one look stunning. They have called it the AirWagon and has a really cool deep two tone blue color scheme done by Sikkens. It’s a bit of a Marmite car you’ll either love it or hate it but I felt it worthy of a post on Moto Verso. Another nice touch is the modern matte silver bumpers and exterior trim transforms the normal Invicta into a super cool ride. Several hundred hours of blocking and paint prep have made the AirWagon flat and smooth. All engineering, fabrication, paint and bodywork, wiring, interior work, and assembly was performed by the craftsmen at Precision Coachworks in Jasper, Indiana.

The lowered stance of the AirWagon is accomplished through a complete ShockWave™ / CoolRide™ air suspension system from Ridetech. The new RidePro e™ computerized compressor system incorporates a remote control and the optional LevelPro auto leveling system. The AirWagon automatically inflates to a pre-programmed air pressure every time the car is started which is really cool. I really like the rims they have fitted to the Invicta, they have a classic vintage look but also a modern appearance. The shear length of the car makes it look even better especially when it’s parked up and the air suspension is down.

Jasper Engines and Transmissions has rebuilt the original 401 cu” Nailhead engine and supplied a 700R4 overdrive transmission to make the long highway seem much shorter. A Holley 950 Commander throttle body EFI system and a MSD Buick distributor are major power upgrades. A custom serpentine belt drive was fabricated using March pulleys. It is all kept cool by a Be Cool aluminum radiator with a Spal electric fan. Billet Specialties 18×8 SLD89 soft lip Vintec wheels and Nitto 255-45/18 555 series tires are stopped by a 4 wheel disc brake system from Stainless Steel Brake Corporation.

Images: ridetech.com

Website: ridetech.com