Deuxième Tissot-Superpole de l’année pour Giugliano à Portimao / Portuguese Tissot-Superpole won by Giugliano

L’Italien partira devant Tom Sykes et Chaz Davies au Portugal.

Après avoir manqué le début de la saison 2015 suite à un accident survenu juste avant l’épreuve de Phillip Island, Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing-Ducati SBK Team) avait fait un retour tonitruant à Imola, où il s’était qualifié en tête de la grille WorldSBK, et a décroché une deuxième Tissot-Superpole pour sa troisième épreuve cette année ce samedi à l’Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, à Portimao.

Giugliano sera donc en tête de la grille de départ pour la cinquième fois de sa carrière en WorldSBK après avoir battu Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) et son propre coéquipier Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing-Ducati SBK Team) de respectivement 0.116s et 0.359s.

Pilote le plus rapide en Superpole 1, Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) a fait une fulgurante remontée pour s’assurer la quatrième position devant Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) et Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing), qui plaçait une troisième Ducati dans le Top 6.

Le Champion en titre Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) a de son côté pris la septième position devant Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), le leader du classement général, qui est tombé dans le virage 3 dès son deuxième tour lancé et a donc manqué tout la seconde partie de Superpole 2.

Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) complètera la troisième ligne après avoir fini devant Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing Team) et David Salom (Team Pedercini).

Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) partira quant à lui seizième, devant Nico Terol (Althea Racing) et Christophe Ponsson (Team Pedercini Kawasaki), pour la septième manche de la saison 2015.

Grids for tomorrow’s 20 lap races decided in 15 minute thriller.

The 7^th Pole Position of the 2015 season has been won by Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) who claimed the 5^th Pole Position of his career in this afternoon’s Tissot-Superpole session, after overhauling Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and team mate Chaz Davies by 0.116s and 0.359s respectively on his way to the fastest lap of the weekend (1.41.764s). Giugliano was last on Pole Position at Imola.

Behind the top 3, row two will see Alex Lowes, Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) and Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing) who made it 3 Ducati machines on the front two rows.

Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) achieved his best qualifying result of the season in 7^th while championship leader Jonathan Rea crashed at turn 3 at the start of his second flying lap, and will start tomorrow’s two 20 lap races from the middle of row 3 in 8^th alongside Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) who will start 9^th.

Row 4 has the BMW Motorrad Italia entry of Ayrton Badovini, Leandro Mercado and David Salom (Team Pedercini).

Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Roman Ramos (Team Go Eleven) make up row 5 in positions 13 to 15 respectively.

Superpole 1 saw Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) and Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing) progress to the final shoot-out, courtesy of being the fastest two riders in the first 15 minute session. Lowes’ time of 1.42.499s in Superpole 1 was, at that point, the fastest lap of the weekend!

1969 Triumph Bonneville by Origin8or Cycles

Words by Martin Hodgson.

If you had to name your bike after a Beatles song “Here Comes The Sun” would suit this Bonnie Bobber to a Triumph T. Both the bike and song are ’69 models but Rob Chappell of the famous Chappell brothers bought this bike into the 21st century without losing any of the 60’s charm. What you might not know is that although they often build bikes together, Chris is in the USA under the Chappell Customs brand while Rob resurrected his forum username of old to brand his Toronto Canada operation Origin8or Cycles. “This makes it easier to distinguish who is building what” says Rob.

A Toronto business owner emailed Rob regarding a 1968 Daytona T100R he wanted turned into a bobber, but after some discussion on direction the customer mentioned he would like to make the engine a 650 which of course turned into looking for an actual 650 instead. As luck would have it a quick internet search turned up this particular 1969 Bonnie just a short drive away, although it was in less than stellar condition. Rob and the client emailed back and forward, with a design idea sketched before the client sent one final message “I’m just going to back off and let you build the bike you want – I trust your vision!”

With the Bonnie completely torn down Rob set about turning the frame into a classic bobber style and nothing says bobber like a springer front end and hard tail rear. Factory Metal Works supplied the hard tail rear end which measures 4″ stretch and 2″ drop and also provided the perfect rear fender to match.

The Springer front end is a Moto-Iron 4″ under stock length Harley items that are fitted with custom bearings to work with the Triumph frame and both mods give the wee ole Bonnie a killer stance. The bars, clamps and cables to work with the new front end all come courtesy of Lowbrow Customs and if you want one of those cool chain tensioners then you’ll need to know it was sourced from Monster Craftsman.

With parts out to paint and powdercoat, Rob got stuck into the engine build to bring the heart of the Bonnie to life. Builder and client discussed the idea of going to a big capacity 750cc kit, but with a nice clean engine in their possession the decision was made to stick with the stock item. The cylinders were honed, before new rings and a complete gasket kit were installed.

New plumbing lines and manifolds were fitted up before Rob decided to ditch the gummed up Mikuni’s in favour of the classic favourite Amal’s. Tri-Spark electronic ignition provides the spark, while a 200watt stator and new coils, plugs and wires take care of the electronics. Exhausts can make or break a bike and Rob chose perfectly fitting right side high pipes from TFMW. Now the owner has Classic Triumph power without the hard starts and constant oil leaks, Chappell never takes a short cut!

With the build having taken place through the Canadian winter Rob was longing for the thawing sun to brighten the finishing part of the build. Look back at the paint job; it was exactly that imagery that inspired the paint work on the build. Normally Rob paints all his builds but he’d recently met young spray gun slinger Mat Tobin from Jensen’s Customs, over a couple of beers they thrashed out Rob’s idea and set a timeline. The job is simply remarkable, brutal white like the Canadian snow adorns the frame and hits all of the tins. The bobber perfect peanut tank shows off the rising sun bringing light to the end of the build, with waves of orange and gold, while clever sunspots are incorporated along the top.

The theme flows all the way back to the rear fender, stopping along at the custom vertical oil tank that also features a neat replication of the Origin8or Cycles logo. White on a bobber can be a risk, but with the metallic laden orange and gold and the skill of the painter the finished product is absolutely stunning! Then the seat was stitched up by Rob and his brother Chris over at Tuffside – made from custom tweed and leather.

To finish out the perfect bobber look the front is fitted with a 21″ wheel from TC Bros while the stock 19″ rear remained and to match the narrow look of the bike Metzeler Lazertec’s were chosen. One request from the owner was the panther (Cat) tail light which the owner said was original from the 70’s and it strangely works amazingly well.

With the build finished and the owner truly blown away by what Rob had achieved in fulfilling his desire for an incredible Triumph Bobber he had one final request. That ’68 Daytona that first brought the client to Rob, he wants that one bobbed now too, because why have one incredible Origin8or Cycles bobber when you can have two!

Photos by Mat Manser.

via PIPEBURN

Everything you wanted to know about automotive investments...

...but were too afraid to ask, will be taught at The Classic Car Symposium on 8-9 June 2015, in Cologne. Tickets are still available...

The English-language symposium is organised by the Historic Automobile Group International – which publishes the prestigious HAGI Index – in co-operation with Mercedes-Benz Classic. The focus of the event is the cultural heritage of the automobile and its modern status as an investment, as well as the latest developments in the field of restoration. Among the speakers at the lecture event are Fritz Cirener of Bosch Mobile Tradition, who will be joined by HAGI expert Dietrich Hatlapa, Prof. Dr. Frank Herrmann from Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Andrea Dragoni from Carrozzeria Touring, Richard Keller of the Musée National de l'Automobile, and Michael Bock of Mercedes-Benz Classic.

The Classic Car Symposium Cologne will be held on 8-9 June 2015 in the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. Tickets are priced at €450; applications should be directed toconference@historicautogroup.com. You can find further information here.

The road to Le Mans: Nissan Motorsports

Aux 24 Heures du Mans 2015, Michelin est partenaire de 20 teams que nous présentons jusqu’au début de la semaine mancelle. Nouveau venu dans la catégorie LM P1, Nissan Motorsports sera l’une des attractions de cette 83e édition.

Le Japon adore Le Mans et si, pour l’heure, seul Mazda est parvenu à s’imposer (1991), Toyota et Nissan essaient depuis de longues années. Entre 1986 et 1999, Nissan n’a pas ménagé ses efforts.

En 1986, Nissan se lance dans l’aventure avec deux prototypes (R85V et R86V) à moteur V6 3000 cm³ bi-turbo et châssis March, un modèle qui évoluait en championnat d’Endurance japonais. La Nissan de Weaver/Hasemi/Wada prend la 16^e place finale, à près de 100 tours de la Porsche victorieuse ! L’année suivante, les Nissan R87E N°23 et N°32 abandonnent.

C’est un peu mieux en 1988 avec une 14^e place finale pour Allan Grice, Mike Wilds et Win Percy sur une Nissan R88C propulsée par un V8 3000 cm³ turbo. En 1989, la R89C est équipée d’un nouveau châssis Lola et d’un V8 3500 cm³ turbo. Les trois prototypes officiels Nissan abandonnent.

En 1990, Nissan est champion du championnat JSPC avec la R90CP et décroche la pole position et la 5^e place pour Hasemi/Hoshino/Suzuki. Les deux autres prototypes usine ont abandonné. Nissan stoppe son engagement officiel au Mans.

Nissan revient néanmoins en 1995 dans la catégorie GT1 avec deux Skyline GT-R engagées sous la bannière Nismo. La N°22 (Fukuyama/Kondo/Kasuya) prend la 5^e place de catégorie.

Nissan est de retour en 1997 avec de grandes ambitions. Le développement des trois R390 GT1 a été confié à l’équipe de Tom Walkinshaw. Hoshino/Comas/Kageyama terminent 12^e, alors que les deux autres voitures abandonnent (surchauffe boîte de vitesses). En 1998, c’est carrément quatre Nissan R390 GT1 – fiabilisées et encore plus performantes - qui sont engagées aux 24 Heures du Mans. Après 18 heures de course, deux Nissan figurent dans le top-five.

Nissan décroche enfin son 1^er podium manceau avec la R390 de Suzuki/Hoshino/Kageyama, 3^ederrière deux Porsche 911 GT1. Les quatre Nissan R390 GT1 officielles terminent dans le top-ten.

Après la 8^e place, en 1999, d’une Courage C52 à moteur Nissan et l’abandon de la R391 engagées par Nissan Motorsports, la marque nippone ne revient dans la Sarthe que comme motoriste en 2011. En 2012 et 2014, Nissan est impliqué dans les projets futuristes DeltaWing et Zeod RC, les fondations d’un retour officiel cette année avec trois prototypes à moteur avant.

We’ll be counting down the days to the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours by presenting each of Michelin’s partner teams at this year’s race. Nissan Motorsports is the big newcomer to the LM P1 class and is one of the 83rd edition’s main attractions.

The Japanese are huge fans of Le Mans and, although Mazda is the country’s only carmaker to have won the race to date, Toyota and Nissan have both been trying for years. Nissan made an especially concerted attempt between 1986 and 1999.

In 1986, it brought two prototypes (the R85V and the R86V) which were March chassis powered by a twin-turbo 3,000cc V6 and which were active in the Japanese endurance championship. The Weaver/Hasemi/Wada car came 16^th, but almost 100 laps behind the winning Porsche!

The following year, both Nissan R87Es retired.

Things improved slightly in 1988 when Allan Grice/Mike Wilds/Win Percy came 14^th in a three-litre turbocharged V8-powered Nissan R88C. The 1989 version (R89C) featured a new Lola chassis and a 3.5-litre turbo V8 but all three factory prototypes retired.

In 1990, Nissan won the JSPC with the R90CPwhich qualified on pole position and finished fifth in the hands of Hasemi/Hoshino/Suzuki. The two other factory cars retired and Nissan ended its Le Mans programme.

Even so, it returned in 1995 with two Nismo-entered Skyline GT-Rs. The N°22 car (Fukuyama/Kondo/Kasuya) came fifth in the GT1 class.

Nissan returned with high hopes in 1997. Development of the three R390 GT1s was subcontracted to Tom Walkinshaw and Hoshino/Comas/Kageyama came 12^th. The two other cars retired with an overheating gearbox issue.

The following year, the armada was expanded to four cars which were more competitive and more reliable. After 18 hours of racing, two of them were in the top five. The Japanese make went on to claim its first Le Mans podium with the R390 of Suzuki/Hoshino/Kageyama who finished behind two Porsche 911 GT1s. All four cars reached the top 10.

After the eighth place in 1999 of a Nissan-engined Courage C52 and the retirements of the Nissan Motorsports-entered R391, the Japanese make didn’t return to Le Mans until 2011, as an engine supplier. In 2012 and 2014, it was involved in the avant-garde DeltaWing and ZEOD RC projects which laid the foundations for its comeback this year with three front-engined, front-wheel drive prototypes.

Cars entered for the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours

N°21 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo (LM P1): Tsugio Matsuda / Mark Schulzhitskiy / Lucas Ordonez

N°22 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo (LM P1): Harry Tincknell / Michael Krumm / Alex Buncombe

N°23 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo (LM P1): Olivier Pla / Jann Mardenborough / Max Chilton

Le Mans record

1986: 10^th C1, Nissan R85 V (Weaver/Hasemi/Wada)

1988: 13^th C1, Nissan R88 C (Grice/Wilds/Percy)

1990: 5^th C1, Nissan R90 CP (Hasemi/Hoshino/Suzuki)

1995: 5^th GT1, Nissan Skyline GT-R LM (Fukuyama/Kondo/Kasuya)

1997: 5^th GT1, Nissan R390 GT1 (Hoshino/Comas/Kageyama)

1998: 3^rd GT1, Nissan R390 GT1 (Suzuki/Hoshino/Kageyama)

1999: 5^th LMP, Courage C52 (Cottaz/Goussens/Ekblom)