Suzuki: John Hopkins not considered for Estoril

Hopkins was not considered for Estoril

John Hopkins was never considered as possible injury cover for Alvaro Bautista at this weekend’s Portuguese MotoGP race in Estoril.

Bautista plans to race his factory Suzuki GSV-R machine in Estoril this weekend just six weeks after he suffered a broken left femur during practice for the season’s opening round in Qatar in March.

But if he is unable to ride at a competitive pace and is in too much discomfort with the injury, Suzuki has test and development rider Nobuatsu Aoki on standby to take his place should the Spaniard be forced to withdraw.

Hopkins is Suzuki’s contracted replacement rider and he stood in for Bautista in Jerez earlier this month. The American finished in a respectable 10th position in his first MotoGP ride since the end of 2008.

But Hopkins, who scored a best result of fifth place in his British Superbike debut at Brands Hatch yesterday, is unable to act as cover for Bautista this weekend because of his BSB commitments with the Samsung Suzuki squad at Oulton Park.

And factory Suzuki MotoGP boss Paul Denning told MCN that it was not even considered to have Hopkins in Estoril this weekend in case Bautista is unable to ride.

Denning said: "We are just not in the business of letting a lot of people down and a large number of people have come on board as part of the Crescent BSB team based on John’s involvement."

"John did a brilliant job in Jerez to prove his own ability, but to be in a championship over the course of a year to show his strength and consistency and to compete in a fist fight that BSB is, that is just as important for his future career."

"We’re just not willing to break agreements basically. To pull John out of a BSB round to be at Estoril when he might not even ride the bike just doesn’t make any sense. Nobuatsu will be in Estoril for the whole weekend because he is testing on Monday, so if we need him he will be there."

Via: Motorcyclenews.com

Polaris to Buy Indian, But What Happens to Victory?

Black and cream Blackhawk powered by a Power Plus 105 inch motor and built by Indian Motorcycle in Kings Mountain, NC.

Some motorcycle brands know how to quietly crawl into a corner and die. Others…not so much. One such brand is Indian, which stopped making motorcycles in 1953, and was then, like the waxen corpse of Evita Peron, taken out every decade and paraded about. Some new Indians actually have been built, first by a reformed Indian Motorcycle Company of America in Gilroy, California, and when that company went bust in 2003, by yet another Indian Motorcycle company in North Carolina from 2009 onwards. The new bikes are reportedly fine machines.

We at MD don’t know much about the new Indians, just that they are big, expensive and have little in common other than styling with the original Indian products (but given the last Indians rolled off the line in the early years of the Eisenhower administration, that’s hardly a surprise). Not really a mass market product, as a basic 2010 Chief will set you back $26,000. So that’s why we were surprised to learn that on April 19^th, Polaris (maker of snowmobiles, quads and Victory cruisers) announced it had acquired the privately held Indian Motorcycle company.

The terms of the deal are undisclosed, but that won’t stop us—and you—from endless speculation. Since the price and terms are secret, does that mean Novator Partners (the UK-based investor that sold Indian) is embarrassed to be dumping an under-performing company at a loss? Or did they make a buck and want to keep their rivals guessing? Why does Polaris want the Indian name? Will the Victory moniker get dumped, with 2012 Victory models getting giant fenders, Chief and Scout badges?

Details are scanty. Polaris did say Victory would be kept as an “autonomous business unit,” which would make sense, as a great deal has been invested in new manufacturing facilities. Still, Polaris’ expertise in marketing, manufacturing and distribution (and its massive dealer network) could be what Indian needs to become a bigger brand. It would also seem logical to keep Victory as an “entry-level” luxo-cruiser (although that seems to be a “jumbo shrimp” or “Microsoft Works” kind of contradiction), with Indian as an aspirational brand—think BMW to Rolls Royce more than Chevy to Cadillac.

Whatever happens, we know we’ll find out more, as Polaris has top-notch (and very responsive) PR staff. Dirck and I look forward to our first-ever Harley v. Indian luxury-touring shootout. I’ll bring the Cohibas and single-malt scotch. Dirck will have to loosen up the MD expense account

Via Motorcycledaily.com

Scott Redding to Ride at Thundersprint 2011

Courtesy of the Thundersprint

Bennetts, the title sponsor of this year’s Thundersprint, are bringing their brand ambassador Scott Redding to race in the quirky “Grand Prix in a Car Park” which will be held in Northwich town centre over the weekend of May 7 and 8.

Scott is currently a hot contender for this year’s Moto 2 Championship and is tipped as one of Britain’s brightest hopes for World Championship success in the future.

Bennetts’ Communications Manager, Michael Mann, said: “Bennetts’ heart and soul is in motorcycling and this is why we take such great pleasure in nurturing future British talent. Scott is an outstanding rider in his generation and is also a thoroughly charming young man.

“Since it seems that every member of Bennetts’ staff is coming to the Thundersprint, either to work or simply just to join in the fun, we felt that we couldn’t leave Scott out of the party – so when he’s not out on the tiny, town centre track you will find him on our stand.”

Scott was just as pleased to be riding in the “Shopping Trolley GP” – so named because the Thundersprint track runs alongside one wall of Northwich’s Marks and Spencer’s store. Scott said: “GP racing is a serious business so it will be great to have a relaxed couple of days. Having a play on the Bennetts’ Yamaha R1, alongside some of the great GP riders from the past, and spending the rest of the weekend with eight gorgeous Bennetts’ Babes, looks like a result to me! Make sure that you come and join me.”

Thundersprint organiser Frank Melling said: “We are really looking forward to having Scott riding with us. He is a fantastic young rider with a great attitude to life and bike racing. He’s going to be a lot of fun to have with us.”


Scott Redding is Britain's best hope for success in the Moto2 Championship and will be attending this year's 2011 Thundersprint event.

Most Friendly Whales In The World

Please STOP the WHALING now!

A famous zoologist and presenter of BBC TV in the studio, Mark Carwardine guided tours for enthusiasts by showing them these majestic animals for twenty-five years. Mark Carwardine said: “This is probably one of the most memorable experiences. Just imagine what it is – watching, like a huge friendly whale approaches the boat of your own accord, looks you straight in the eye, strongly hinting that he wants to communicate.”

TRON Motorcycle Suit Looks Straight From the Moviedon’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about the new TRON movie. I mean the original TRON was

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about the new Tron movie. I mean the original TRON was a lot of fun, but was obviously hamstrung by the lack of movie magic technology at the time, creating sometimes comical special effects. Now free of those problems, I think the new movie will at the very least live up to its predecessor. The coolest scenes (from both movies) involve the bikes, of course, and with your authentic Tron Movie Replica Leather Motorcycle suit, you’ll look just as badass.

Admittedly, while I wouldn’t want to wear this baby on a hot summer day, the replica is incredibly detailed. The full set includes a jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. It is made of CE approved body armor and form molded leather detailing. It even has light sensitive reflective accents for… well something. Being form fitting, it also has heavy duty stretch spandex inserts. Yeah, you better start hitting the gym before you decide to don this masterpiece. They do come in his or her sizes as well, so you could get one for the girlfriend/wife and be a matching pair. I could even see it making a good Halloween costume, assuming you don’t melt from the heat, anyway.

While it won’t make you super strong or protect you against quite as much as a super powered exoskeleton, there’s still plenty to like here. You could make a kick ass ensemble with one of these weird motorcycle, too. It would be a fun experiment just to see how many people would get the reference. Considering the movie isn’t out yet, probably not all that many. Best to wait till the movie is actually released before doing an official poll. Of course at a price of $995 for the full set, you’ll need to be dedicated to the cause of TRON and open up your wallet.

Funny Race in Staffordshire Village

Annually, MAD club organizes the New Year charity race called Hoar Cross Downhill Soap Box. The race is run over a 1.25 mile course downhill, so all who want to participate in the race come here every time as well as thousands of visitors because the most unthinkable carts are involved in the competition.

[via Telegraph ]

Mission R electric-powered racing motorcycle

Mission Motors revealed its “Mission R” electric-powered racing motorcycle at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show. Mission Motors’ latest electric superbike has 141hp and 14.4 kWh of energy.The liquid-cooled AC Induction motor produces 115 ft. lbs. of torque the moment the rider cracks the throttle, rocketing the bike from a standstill to over 160 mph in one gear. Power is managed by the MissionEVT 100kW motor controller, with customizable regenerative braking maps, throttle maps and more. All vehicle and ride data is accessible via WiFi or 3G connections. Top speed is 160+ mph which it can reach in its one and only gear. Aerodynamics and exterior styling are by Tim Prentice of Motonium Design, Inc., and emphasize low frontal area.

via: Mission Motors