Here is your opportunity to meet Honda’s best riders.

Honda’s “Champion’s Dinner” is sure to be one of the most extremely popular events on the Phillip Island MotoGP calendar and includes the opportunity for greeting the international team competitors in person.

A victory each in a MotoGP, Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will surely be attending the dinner, posing for photographs with supporters and conducting interviews by highly acclaimed motorsports broadcaster Leigh Diffey and prior Honda 500cc Grand Prix competitor Daryl Beattie.

The occasion will also include Honda’s Randy De Puniet, San Carlos Honda’s Toni Elias and Alex De Angelis, rookie Yuki Takahashi will also be present.

Reports from HRCA Manager Rhys Griffiths state the tickets for the affair are selling rapidly.

“With the Honda riders doing so well at recent rounds, the fans are really looking forward to getting the chance to meet these guys and find out what makes them tick,” said My Griffiths. “Our dinner guests get the benefit of the riders being in their ‘pre race’ mode which means they are typically very relaxed and happy to chat before qualifying on Saturday. The food is fantastic at this venue as well so it should be a great night!”

A select few places are still accessible for the dinner which is being held on Friday, October 16th at Infused situated in downtown Cowes, just a brief drive from the track.

Pricing is $140 per person for a three course meal with drinks obtainable at bar prices.

The eagerly awaited 2010 Spanish championship (CEV Buckler), the promoter (Dorna) and the Real Federación Motociclista Española (RFME) confirm that the ensuing categories will occur:

- 125 GP
- Moto2
- Stock Extreme

Alike 2009, the Kawasaki Ninja Cup will commence alongside the aforementioned subjects.

The 125GP class will carry on in the same context as the current year.  125cc bikes of Grand Prix status will be due, and riders must be between 14 and 23 years-old.

In Moto2 the minimum required age will be 15, and the bikes will need a Honda CBR 600 RR motor. The chassis must be a prototype, not developed from a production model, that conforms with the technical and safety rules established by the FIM for their Grand Prix counterparts. The single tyre rule will also be present. Any possibility of modification in motor parts will be heavily restricted.

The corresponding technical rules for Moto2 will be published shortly.

Stock Extreme will comply with the FIM’s regulations for Super Stock 1000, and entrants from the age of 16 will be permitted.

For 2010 the CEV Buckler will run two classes that collate with Grand Prix categories, and will establish a route for those that compete in the Spanish series to have more chance of an eventual World Championship ride.

Britain’s freshest manufacturer Mac Motorcycles will produce a functional prototype within a period of months and also have motorbikes for sale by mid-late 2010 it is revealed.

They will begin manufacture of its initial prototype – said to be the Spud - within a few weeks and has faith it will position out the company’s stand as the subsequent British motorbike manufacturer.

A second and third model named the Ruby and Peashooter, will also be available by the end of the season and manufacture will commence shortly after that.

“We know these are sporting deadlines, but we think we can achieve them,” states company founder Ellis Pitt. 

Red Bull stuntman Ronnie Renner states he is feeling anxious prior to his attempt to smash the world record for the highest jump on a motorbike.

Renner is attempting to defeat his own 2008 record of 59ft 2in and explains he has been hitting 60ft in practice jumps, but hasn't jumped in 10 days. The leap, which is launched off a quarter pipe and is imperative to micro-maneuverings on the ramp and in the air, will occur in Chicago on Saturday.

Renner's ramp is more superior and angled slightly differently to the last time. "I hit the thing in second gear because any faster and the suspension just collapses. Then I give it everything she's got to get maximum take-off speed."

Vital to the triumph of the jump is the whip Renner attains in the air, as bounding off a quarter-pipe means he clutches a small amount of horizontal momentum, however he still has to clear 65 horizontal feet to gain the landing ramp.

Renner states he is going to utilise more commitment to the jump than he's ever tried before: "We got paramedics here after all man".

A characteristic big-air freestyle jump reaches 35ft in height. Renner will be aiming for well over 60ft.

Comparing the EC 515 FSR, it's extremely difficult to see any difference from the 450 without the help of the stickers on the swingarm. Like the KTM, the only variance between the 450 and the 515 is the measurements of the pot.

It's a smark looking bike, but that's a stand down from previous Gassers, which are thought to be stunning. Gas Gas has gone to a fresher and newer styling similar to the KTM, with one-piece rearguard and sideplates, grooved top guards and radiator shrouds that complete the black tank.

The switchgear is miles ahead of anything else ever seen. Instead of the periodic boulders of plastic with fixed buttons awaiting damage, Gas Gas has introduced a small circular dial with in-built LED lights neatly placed behind the bars.

The different displays that were originally located on the speedometer are now included in the dial as LED lights. The cockpit is small, functional and imposing. It seems finally someone has given us the difference.

Casey Stoner has never been careful at shouting his dislike for the circuit. Even though he is the winner of the last two races in Britain, he is most likely secretly elated to be coming to a track where he has provem victory before.

“We did the best job we could at Sachsenring and now I’m a bit more confident about going to Donington. The best thing for us would be to have similar weather and temperature as in Germany because I think the conditions there played into my hands, as did the circuit, which has some long corners where I was able to relax a little on the bike,” says Stoner.

“I’ll be happy if we can have another weekend in similar temperatures at Donington. The track has never been one of my favourites but I have had good results there. The bike has been going really well for the last few races even though we could do with a little more traction.”

Ducati Marlboro colleague Nicky Hayden is ensuring steady development with the Desmosedici GP9. He showed good signs that he is coming to grips with the new bike, he hopes to continue that in Great Britain.

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COSWORTH has shifted concerns its engines won't be as competitive when the company revisits the Formula One picture next year.

The company is due to produce a power plant to three new outfits and agreed an entry by the FIA, however fears have grown regarding the performance of its V8 motor.

Line-ups showing Cosworth engines had originally been granted dispensation to send them up to 20,000rpm, in an effort to allow for an expected lack of power next year.

A single World Championship’s lengthiest running epics may arrive to a halt as prematurely as this weekend, Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar’ seems set to complete arrangements to re-locate his victorious lower cylinder category project to the higher class.

The Spaniard is going forward with an impending deal with Ducati to stream line a satellite team next year, he explains “the idea is to work with Ducati and we are going forward with this plan. We have to tie up the last few details –the matter of the rider more than anything- and hope to be able to announce something at Donington at the latest.”

Existing Aspar 250cc champion Álvaro Bautista seems the appropriate selection for the placement in the new team, however this not confirmed as yet. He is keen to progress to 800cc comps, already in talks with a selection of premier managers.

Gabor Talmacsi has taken his first leading class point at the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland. Fifteenth in Germany caused the Hungarian a historic acknowledgement that has not yet satisfied his desire for greater things before the end of the year.

"I got my first point in MotoGP, today and I'm happy for that,” said Talmacsi. “It is something that will stay in my record. Nevertheless, we want to progress more.”

Similar to team mates Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso, Talmacsi had to travel around tyre deterioration in the front during the course of the race which went for 30-laps. An error occurred and the 28 year-old handled the problem as well as anybody else has so far this year, even though he has some degree of limited 800cc experience.

“Maybe I overrode, but I had some problems with the front tyre, and from a certain moment on I could not keep in contact with my group,” he stated afterwards. “I tried to find a good rhythm and go as fast as I could. I'm confident: we all have the same target: to fight for good positions. We have simply to work hard.”

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Aussie Ducati rider Casey Stoner has excelled in the wet conditions at the Sachsenring, gaining the quickest lap in the initial practice session on Friday.

Although suffering from a medical condition over the prior month, Stoner has proven he is onto the road to recovery as he fashioned a clock time of 1:22.779 on his 16th circuit, this puts him three tenths of a second quicker than the playing field.

Regardless of crashing out at the Sachsenring in he preceding year, Dani Pedrosa (1:23.034) demonstrated no concern with his second placing, while World Championship leader Valentino Rossi (1:23.088) plus Randy de Puniet (1:23.133) were not far following.

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Triumph’s innovative Thunderbird cruiser is just as high-quality as the evaluations, according to the initial people who test rode it.

Plenty of riders gathered to Jack Lilley Triumph in Ashford, Middlesex, to test ride the 1600cc parallel twin cruiser on its opening weekend.

Nobody had an awful word to say about the fresh bike.

Dave Lilley, the owner of Jack Lilley Triumph, states: “Every bike Triumph has brought out in recent years has been a success and this looks like it will follow that trend.
“We sold two bikes on the first day, and expect more to follow as we can work out part exchange deals on Monday.”

Lilley, who has been advertising Triumph’s since 1991, says the new T-bird will receive even more recognition as word flows through just how fantastic it is.

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The Rizla Suzuki team jumped into the final round in the U.S. with excitement following the proven incorporation of a novel engine in the GSV-R and a string of top 5 outcomes in the leading races, but not for Loris Capirossi or Chris Vermeulen in California.

Capirossi smashed out of the competition at Laguna Seca (his second DNF this year) leaving him disappointed and placing tenth in the World Championship standings. He may now get some hope to put that correct at Sachsenring, where he ended seventh last year, although he was nursing a painful arm injury.

The Italian rider gave his thoughts prior to the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, stating, “The last couple of races have been a bit tough on us, which has been pretty difficult as we have worked so hard to get everything right. The crew have certainly been giving all they can and we just didn’t get the solutions we were looking for.”

He also explains, “We have still managed to learn a lot of things about how the Suzuki GSV-R behaves in different situations and on different types of Bridgestone tyres, so all that will be very useful to us in Germany. Sachsenring is not a track that needs a lot of power and speed, but it does require careful balance because you are on the side of the tyre so much. It is a track that I certainly enjoy racing at and believe that we can do well at - we will just have to see what happens this weekend!”

His colleague Vermeulen at slightest finished the race at Laguna, but the Aussie’s eighth placing was definately under the expectations required, considering his prior two visits at this track saw him on the podium, tyre preference apparently letting him fall.

Looking in front to the journey to Sachsenring, Vermeulen explains, “I got a third at Sachsenring last year and although that was in the wet I am sure we can try and repeat that this year in whatever weather we have to contend with. The bike is still working well and seems to improve every time we go out on it The crew have got a good base package and if that works from the start at Sachsenring

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The VACC has restated its shout for better road sharing systems including the expansion of infrastructure that permits motorised scooters to share bike lanes.

It has also been proposed that scooters be permitted to share transit and bus lanes, whilst also being able to do boxed turns on demanding intersections.

“The global economic slowdown has forced many Australians to re-consider their personal transport options,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, stated. “Many commuters have cut costs by leaving the car at home but some do not like the idea of having to cram onto an already over burdened public transport system. Therefore, Powered Two-Wheeled (PTW) vehicles have become an attractive alternative.

“Scooters are a cheap, efficient and accessible mode of transport. But they deserve the same status and respect as other vehicles on the roads. In the VACC’s opinion, the Victorian Government has failed to recognise this. VACC believes the Government and the infrastructure plans should make provision for scooters through an integrated transport policy.

“The community and environmental benefits of scooters are clear. Scooters use smaller parking spaces than cars and leave a tiny carbon footprint. However, some people are put off from using them because they feel vulnerable riding on the roads.

“VACC repeats its call for scooter riders to be allowed to share bicycle lanes. VACC is calling for designated and signed “Safe Routes”, safety boxes, access by scooter riders to certain designated bicycle, transit and bus lanes and allowing boxed turns on certain busy intersections.

The Piaggio Fly 125 is also available in four colours, they are Midnight blue, Black, White and Silver and is now available at all authorised Piaggio Vespa Gilera dealers.

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Even though Indianapolis has become Nicky Hayden’s true home event, the Laguna Seca Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is always a special weekend on the calendar for the Kentucky Kid.

Nicky Hayden entered the history books back when he won the first race at the Californian track after it’s re-emergence on the MotoGP schedule in the 2005 MotoGP season, Hayden then managed to repeat the result in 2006 en route to his first World Championship title that year, writing his name into Laguna Seca folklore.

Nicky Hayden returns again this year, with a DNF in 2007 and fifth place last year, Nicky Hayden will be appearing in America for the first time as a Ducati rider and is determined to put on a spectacle for his loyal fans, even though he has had a tough start to the season thus far.

“This year we’re racing in America on the 4th of July weekend and it’s perfect,” said Hayden. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday than at the US GP! Also the fact my brothers will be racing on the same weekend in the AMA championship helps make it special for me. This will be the first time my American fans get to see me on a Ducati so that will be cool because there are a lot of Ducati fans in the states. No predictions or anything but we’ll go full gas and see what happens.”

Nicky Hayden currently sits at 15th in the championship standings, a total of only 26 points to his name so far in his debut Ducati 2009 season, However Nicky Hayden has a good opportunity this weekend at his best track. “We still have a lot of work to do but it has been nice to see a little progress over the last few weeks and at Laguna I really need to take another big step,” the Ducati rider added.

“I don’t have any big plan or anything, it’s not that easy! All I know to do is keep trying and working at it and hope it will come. Laguna is a great track and very challenging. There are a few points that stick out but in general it is different to most tracks, which usually have a few different sections, whereas Laguna is basically just one section and you have to put it all together to make a good lap.”

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On  Friday at the Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, three MotoGP Legends were present, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Kenny Roberts Sr. and their crews all took to the track to shake down their Yamaha Super Karts in a preparation session for their Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix exhibition event.

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi will also drive with the three former multi-World title winners on Thursday at Laguna Seca, Rossi was obviously unable to attend the practice as he was in the middle of taking care of business on his way to his 100th GP win of his career at Assen. Likewise Rossi’s former team-mate Colin Edwards, who will oversee Thursday’s activities as the Grand Marshal for the Super Kart event, was also tied up in The Netherlands, where he achieved fourth place at the TT.

“That’s the most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever driven!”said Roberts when asked for his thoughts on the Super Kart machines.

Meanwhile having tested the Super Kart which Valentino Rossi will drive, Lawson added, “I cannot believe its perfect right out of the trailer.” Wayne Rainey spent the session testing his own Super Kart and like Eddie Lawson was also highly satisfied with the results.

Note that the Yamaha Super Kart exhibition will be held on Thursday 2nd July at 3.30pm local time and will be free for fans to attend.

The Super Karts are sure to offer an exciting spectacle for viewers.

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