Mad Mike Whiddett drifts Highlands Motorsport Park

‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett kisses the barriers as he drifts his Red Bull Mazda RX-8 around the Highlands Motorsport Park just outside Queensland, New Zealand.

How close is ‘close enough’ when you’re drifting a tuned Red Bull Mazda RX-8 around the Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand? If you’re ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett, the answer is about half an inch or a coat of paint. Can’t say we blame the guys behind the catch fencing for flinching…

Incredible as it seems – given the Kiwi’s already stellar following and formidable drift reputation – this was the first time anybody, ever, had drifted the facility just outside Queensland. And those who’ve seen Mad Mike’s demonstration runat the Goodwood Festival of Speed among others will know he’s not one to shirk from a challenge like that. So just click ‘play’

Source – HighlandsNZ

86 MOTORCYCLES CJ360 BRATRAT

Cristobal Quintana from Santiago, Chile seems to have found his feet with the 86 Motorcycles formula. Bare tanked ratty-brats. Each time we feature one of their bikes I’m reminded of why I’m up early on a weekend writing this, and you might be late at work reading this; I just want to go ride, simple. I love high-end engineering and mile deep paint but most of the time I just want to thrash the shit out of something and enjoy myself.  Cristobal’s bikes look as if they would scratch that itch.

Honda’s CJ360 is a rare old thing, a slightly less fancy version of the CB360; one less cog and no electric start, perfect for customising. Cristobal found this donor with a missing clutch, wiring harness and controls but the engine had good compression so an investment of time was deemed a sound one.

A simple frame loop and cross stitched seat ticks the brat box and relieves the Honda of it’s rather portly rump. A battery box was fabricated from steel and should oxidise nicely. Apart from front and rear lights the rest of the loom was binned, fun and simplicity overruling sensibility and legality.

Firestones on painted wires with stripped and polished drums look the part, a fatter 4.50 out back and a 4.00 up front. Fresh fork gaitors, a new set of wide bars with vintage style grips are a good period looking option; low and lean. Bars always look so much better without all the interference of switches and knobs.

The tank is obviously stripped bare, which is actually pretty low maintenance if you at least coat the underside. But Cristobal and his buddy don’t seem too fussed about shiny and clean so will no doubt just rag it around enjoying the wonderful Chilean scenery.

Check out their other builds over at 86motorcycles and their Tumblr page for images of dudes enjoying bikes with stunning backdrops.

via The Bike Shed

Roger Albert Clark Rally entry looking good

pour tout savoir : http://www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org The entry for this year’s Roger Albert Clark Rally (28-30 November) is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and cosmopolitan in the event’s history, with a raft of potential winners and eleven overseas entries already placed. With a month to go until the event starts from a new rally HQ in Sunderland, entries for the main event have already passed the 40-mark and continue to arrive at a steady rate. The overseas entry includes drivers from Holland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Austria and Belgium, with more expected. Leading entries for the historic event include the rapid Ford Escort Mk2s of Matthew Robinson, Seamus O’Connell, Paul Griffiths, Guy Woodcock and event newcomer Rudi Lancaster, while Chris Browne heads the Escort Mk1 entry. Entries are expected from at least another eight likely front-runners. A major feature of this year’s rally is the strength of the overseas entry, which is topped by reigning Swedish historic champion Martin Hagman (26) in his Ford Escort RS1800. He will be co-driven by his father Jan on his first foray to the UK. In the Open Rally, the Escort Mk2s of former winners Martyn Hawkswell and Dave Hemingway will line-up against the Escort of Barry Stevenson-Wheeler for what promises to be an excellent contest. Meanwhile, the battle among the oldest cars in Category 1 (pre ’68) has just warmed up with an entry for Paul Mankin in his Lotus Cortina. He will take on the similar car of veteran Bob Bean, who has an unrivalled record of competing on this event and the original RAC Rally. Jim Valentine and Stephen Higgins head the typically strong Saab entry in their pair of two-stroke 96s. Dutchman Mark Schmidt will be part of a four-car team from Holland in his glorious Category 1 Austin Healey 3000. The orange Healey will tackle the event for the third time and Schmidt says that his ambition this year is simply to finish after two non-finishes in previous attempts. Making just as impressive sight in the forests will be the 1964 Ford Falcon of Swedish driver Per Garansson.

NEW AND NOTED: MOTORCYCLE GEAR

This month we’re looking at new vintage gear from Italy, a retro helmet with modern technology, a new urban moto jacket, and an incredible deal on selvedge denim riding jeans.

Hide that credit card.

Premier Trophy Helmets with retro styling are fast catching on, but there’s often a niggling doubt about how safe they are. If you’re the type who prefers a full-face lid, here’s a new option for you from Italian maker Premier.

We’re told that the Trophy is the first retro full face to get full ECE R22-05 homologation for both the helmet and the 2mm-thick anti-scratch visor. There are several different models, but they all have a clean and elegant look similar to the Premier lids worn by racers like Phil Read back in the day.

The shell is made from a mix of Dyneema plus carbon and aramidic fibers, and weight is under 1300 grams. Prices range from £180 for the gloss white model to £220 for the upcoming Carbon model, via online retailer Urban Rider. Proof that you don’t have to sacrifice safety for style.

Dainese 36060 In 1972, Lino Dainese made his first pair of leather motocross trousers in a tiny workshop in the Italian village of Molvena. Since then, the company has stayed on the cutting edge of motorcycle gear, but it’s now taking a look back to its past.

The new ‘36060’ range launched a couple of days ago in New York. Named after the post code of Molvena, it fuses modern materials with vintage looks. The company describes the styling as ‘masculine’ and ‘classic,’ and it’s right up our street.

Pricing and availability hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we know that there will be several jackets, reinforced trousers, and four different styles of footwear. Plus goatskin gloves and a matching range of casual gear to wear off the bike.There’s a preview here.

Maple Jeans We’re big fans of the Kevlar-lined selvedge riding jeans made by Maple Moto in England. But at £300 ($500 or more), they’re out of the range of many budgets.

So Maple have created eight new styles of jeans, and shifted to a direct sales model. By cutting out the middleman, they’re able to bring down the price without compromising quality.

There are four new styles of Kevlar-lined jeans for £178, and four styles of unlined jeans for £98. Ordering is via Kickstarter—and in less than two days, orders worth more than £25,000 have been placed. The goal is to reach £30,000 by Christmas Day, so we can safely say that this project is a Go.

Reserve your pair of Maple jeans right here.

REV’IT! Elysee Weatherproof gear seems to be getting more stylish by the month. This is one of our favorite new releases, an overcoat-styled jacket designed for urban and commuter riding.

There’s a Hydratex coating on the inner shell for complete rain resistance, a thermal liner, and knitted collars and cuffs to keep out the wind. Shoulder and elbow armor is CE-approved Knox Lite, and there’s a pocket for a heavy-duty back protector.

The styling is discreet enough to take into the office, even if you’re the type who has to wear a suit to work. Available in black or dark brown, and for around $350.

The 2015 Bike EXIF calendar (now with $10 Revzilla gift card) Our motorcycle calendaris back with a bang, showcasing machines from the Wrenchmonkees, Classified Moto and Cafe Racer Dreams. And this year, our friends at Revzilla are offering a special bonus—a $10 Gift Card.

The 13-month calendar is a mighty 17 x 12 inches in size. It’s printed on 128gsm art paper with a 260gsm laminated art card cover, discreetly hole-punched.

Each calendar is delivered shrinkwrapped with a board stiffener for protection, and is remarkable value at just $15.99. And with a $10 Revzilla Gift Card included when you order direct from the publisher or Amazon … well, you do the math.

US and Canada: Order direct from the publisher Octane Press for fast shipping.

UK, Europe and Japan: Order from Amazon UK.

Australia and New Zealand: Order from Calendars.com for the cheapest shipping (but minus the Gift Card).

via