Monday, June 30, 2008

New S1000RR; an extreme styling departure for BMW.

Also looking to make its WSBK debut is the new BMW S1000RR.

Unconventionally conventional for BMW Motorrad, the S1000RR will be powered by a 4-cylinder engine and trade BMW's signature Boxer engine and Duolever suspension entirely for more traditional track-oriented components.

Of course, to accord to World Superbike homologation regulations, there will be upwards of 1,000 units in yearly production. Expect BMW loyalists (the ones who don't recoil at the very non-BMW styling, at least) and lovers of exotic sportbikes alike to buy them up as soon as they roll out of the factory.

BMW also boldly claims that even with a cutting edge traction control system and currently top secret engine innovations (which should put out at the very least 200+ hp in Superbike form), the price will be somewhat competitive with Japanese and Italian rivals.

This is hard to believe given the 25k MSRP for a far less racey BMW HP2 Sport, however the pricing of a numerically limited flagship model a brand wants urgently to be seen by the public (to benefit the sales of the rest of the model lineup), is often very unpredictable.

Video:



From the rare bits of audio which I've been able to sample, the new BMW clashes with the new Aprilia's brutal, guttural cackle and impatient revs and possesses more of a (dare I say, very slightly Japanese) primal, organic and breath-like, surging moan.


Update: Spaniard Ruben Xaus, recent winner of World Superbike race 2 at Misano
(and currently riding a Ducati), comments on his contract to race the new BMW next season:

"When I met the BMW guys, I was very impressed by their commitment, their passion for racing and their ideas about the future. We discussed how the WSBK project was going and I realised that I wanted to be a part of it straightaway. It is not often that you get the chance to start a completely new project, but I am really looking forward to the challenge. Although it's going to be tough racing a new bike, I believe BMW will give me a good bike and great support and that's all I ask for." -Ruben Xaus

"Ever since we announced that we would enter the 2009 Superbike World Championship, there has been a lot of speculation about and interest in our bike and our riders. Everybody has already had some information about our new S1000 RR bike, and today we can reveal one of the riders who will join us in this great adventure next year. Ruben is a strong and combative rider, full of enthusiasm and with a passion for racing. This fits our philosophy completely and together we will take on this new challenge. We know that the Superbike World Championship is a very hard and competitive series, but we are not entering it just to make up the numbers: we will be taking part because we want to win! Of course, we are starting with a brand new bike but, together with Ruben, we believe we can progress quickly and maybe surprise a few people along the way." -Peter Mueller, Executive Vice President Development & Model Lines, BMW Motorrad.

(Click images to enlarge)


New Aprilia RSV-4 "Race Machine"

Aprilia has released photos and video of their new World Superbike Championship destined, 200+ horsepower V-4 powered "race machine".


(Click images to enlarge)

It is said to be largely derived from Aprilia's MotoGP experience. I expect their previous, somewhat successful WSBK outings contributed as well.


Lets hope that the production model retains some of the prototype's crackling idle and demonic snarl:



Apparently Alex Hofmann of MotoGP fame is handling testing:



Stay tuned for updates.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

WSBK & MotoGP Results from Assen and Misano

(Click images to enlarge)

Superbike Race 1, Misano:

1 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 39'27.918 (154,197 kph)
2 11 Corser T. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R1 0.542
3 21 Bayliss T. (AUS) Ducati 1098 F08 2.249
4 111 Xaus R. (ESP) Ducati 1098 RS 08 3.028
5 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 5.408
6 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 5.518
7 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098 RS 08 6.202
8 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 18.279
9 38 Nakatomi S. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 19.072
10 41 Haga N. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 19.132
11 34 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 28.098
12 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R1000 34.385
13 88 Aoyama S. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 34.572
14 23 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 34.902
15 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R1 39.979
16 194 Gimbert S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R1 44.669
17 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 49.290
18 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR1000RR 59.304
RET 86 Badovini A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R
RET 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08
RET 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 F08
RET 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-10R
RET 43 Pridmore J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 13 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R
RET 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-10R

Notes: What a race! Lots of passing throughout the race and throughout the field. This was as close as it gets and anyone could have taken it. Corser was on pole and Bayliss was also in top form; it looked to be a Battle of Troy in the making. From the start it looked like Ducati (not counting Corser on the Yamaha R-1) domination as Xaus, Biaggi, and Bayliss all looked very fast. After his great start, Bayliss faded a bit citing his choice of harder tires than other front-runners, but probably for the same reason surged back late.

Max Biaggi was blatantly taken out by Fabrizio and neither looked happy. Xaus barely missed out on a podium and Haga just didn't look himself winding up in 10th. The big story of course is German Suzuki rider
Neukirchner, who took advantage of the race-long battles up front to win late. Corser made few mistakes, but just couldn't handle the young German.

Superbike Race 2, Misano:

1 111 Xaus R. (ESP) Ducati 1098 RS 08 39'19.710 (154,734 kph)
2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 1.035
3 21 Bayliss T. (AUS) Ducati 1098 F08 4.158
4 41 Haga N. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 5.466
5 11 Corser T. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R1 6.759
6 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 13.468
7 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 15.221
8 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 16.687
9 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098 RS 08 17.030
10 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R1000 17.681
11 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 F08 21.356
12 34 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 28.676
13 23 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 31.304
14 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 32.339
15 38 Nakatomi S. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 33.716
16 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R1 34.171
17 86 Badovini A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 40.638
18 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 41.136
19 88 Aoyama S. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 49.699
RET 43 Pridmore J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 194 Gimbert S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R1
RET 13 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R
RET 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-10R
RET 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-10R
RET 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR1000RR

Notes: Another instant classic. One big story here was Haga coming alive literally out of nowhere, clearly having changed something on his bike. This was a faster race than the first, with first place Xaus finishing in
39:19 versus the winner of the first race's 39:27. It was a one-two (Xaus-Biaggi, respectively) finish for Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati- whom also took the win in Superstock 1000 with Alex Polita in the cockpit. A huge weekend for that team despite Biaggi being T-boned without a chance in race 1.

The surprise finish came when both of the Troys in turn went wide on the same corner (though not at the same time), leaving both the Sterilgarda
Go Eleven Ducati teammates as well as Yamaha Teammates Corser and Haga to battle it out (in the case of Yamaha, for 4th) to the line with Bayliss alone in the middle.

A bit of a funny moment came at the podium when Biaggi took obviously too long with his post-race comments and thankyous and got a shove out of the camera from race winner and teammate Xaus (who is a lot bigger than Biaggi). If it were anyone else it looked like a joke and I'd leave it at that, but Biaggi has a history of not getting along with teammates...
Anyway...!

Neukirchner couldn't pull off the same miracle as in race 1 and it was another tough break for Turkish rider
Sofuoglu, who has plenty of excuses for a lackluster performance this season after equally plenty hype. Tough breaks for Kawasaki riders all around. The ZX-10s definitely haven't been the most reliable nor uncrashed bikes this year...

Checa, Lanzi and Smrz all made a good, consistent showing. Valentino Rossi was seen trying to watch the race whilst being bombarded by fans seeking photographs/autographs, etc. All around a very fun show and an example of why i think in '07 and '08 WSBK has been higher quality racing than MotoGP. With all the new brands coming into WSBK next year I doubt this trend will end too abruptly, either.

Misano Superstock 1000 results:

1 53 Polita A. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 23'37.092 (150,301 kph)
2 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1.471
3 21 Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 2.382
4 155 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 5.234
5 19 Simeon X. (BEL) Suzuki GSX-R1000 6.999
6 8 Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 7.826
7 89 Colucci D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 11.349
8 78 Foray F. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 13.493
9 23 Seaton C. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 14.110
10 88 Foray K. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R1 15.238
11 45 Verdini L. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R1 17.081
12 71 Corti C. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R1 17.546
13 77 Burrell B. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 18.799
14 20 Barrier S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R1 23.705
15 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 23.818
16 87 Jones G. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 25.024
17 132 Tiberio Y. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 29.595
18 16 Schouten R. (NED) Yamaha YZF-R1 30.075
19 12 Aldrovandi A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 31.504
20 34 Giugliano D. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 38.389
21 117 Sacchetti D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 38.575
22 14 Backlund F. (SWE) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 39.211
23 5 De Boer D. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 40.034
24 18 Bond M. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 49.273
25 7 Mähr R. (AUT) KTM 1190 RC8 49.442
26 99 Ten Napel R. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 50.200
27 24 Jerman M. (SLO) Honda CBR1000RR 51.785
28 66 Srdanov B. (NED) Yamaha YZF-R1 52.191
29 90 Drobný M. (CZE) Honda CBR1000RR 59.213
30 92 Stibilj J. (SLO) Honda CBR1000RR 1'12.140
31 32 Baroni L. (ITA) KTM 1190 RC8 1'18.718
RET 119 Magnoni M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R1
RET 111 Perotti F. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8
RET 57 Stronach C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R
RET 58 Gianfardoni R. (ITA) Ducati 1098R
RET 30 Savary M. (SUI) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8
RET 96 Smrz M. (CZE) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 154 Lorenzetti T. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8
NP 996 Gallina J. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R

Misano Supersport Results:

1 88 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 37'08.387 (150,198 kph)

2 18 Jones C. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 5.347
3 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 9.183
4 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R6 13.784
5 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 15.863
6 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Triumph 675 15.967
7 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R6 21.689
8 77 Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 24.070
9 47 Clementi I. (ITA) Triumph 675 26.075
10 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R6 30.387
11 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 32.578
12 9 Walker C. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-6R 34.648
13 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 36.040
14 25 Brookes J. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 37.896
15 125 Marrancone D. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R6 40.167
16 113 Lunadei R. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 40.841
17 37 De Angelis W. (RSM) Honda CBR600RR 40.960
18 83 Van Keymeulen D. (BEL) Suzuki GSX-R600 43.302
19 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR 45.275
20 199 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 47.944
21 4 Alfonsi L. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 49.173
22 38 Leblanc G. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 49.431
23 80 Brannetti A. (ITA) Yamaha YZF-R6 51.984
24 81 Gowland G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 52.547
25 12 Hidalgo J. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R6 1'06.850
26 34 Nemeth B. (HUN) Honda CBR600RR 1'10.227
27 51 Barragan S. (ESP) Honda CBR600RR 1'13.881
28 72 Magda A. (HUN) Honda CBR600RR 1'29.572
RET 28 Scambia R. (ITA) Triumph 675
RET 31 Kallio V. (FIN) Honda CBR600RR
RET 17 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR
RET 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph 675
RET 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R
RET 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Honda CBR600RR
RET 44 Salom D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF-R6
RET 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR
RET 111 Tode A. (GER) Honda CBR600RR
RET 11 Holland R. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR

Notes: I love seeing the Triumphs mix it up in the 600s this year!



Bayliss has a significant lead, but it's still up for grabs. I'm extremely impressed with Neukirchner, and at his age with his riding level we have to assume by default that even if it doesn't happen this year; this guy will be a world champion.

_________________________


MotoGP from Assen:

Not the most exciting nor unpredictable race of the year... but a few surprises!

1 C. STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 42'12.337
2 D. PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team + 11.310
3 C. EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha + 17.125
4 N. HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team + 20.477
5 A. DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP + 27.346
6 J. LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team + 28.608
7 C. VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 32.330
8 S. NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini + 34.892
9 J. TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha + 38.566
10 S. GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team + 38.817
11 V. ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team + 46.025
12 T. ELIAS SPA Alice Team + 48.213
13 M. MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team + 59.594

Notes: Yep, Stoner won everything throughout the entire ordeal... kudos to Ducati for building such an amazing bike and obviously to Stoner for his performance, but not to MotoGP for really lacking excitement these days other than the points race. Big moments came when Rossi crashed out early, and when Hayden's new Honda pneumatic valve engine, almost comically if it weren't so frustrating for him, cut power right in front of the finish line on the final lap, allowing Colin Edwards, whom rode well in his own right, to steal the podium.

Pedrosa came in 2nd and that puts him in the season lead on points. Here are the point standings:

Rider Country Team Points
1 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team 171
2 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 167
3 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 142
4 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 114
5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha 98
6 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP 79
7 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team 70
8 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 60
9 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 57
10 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 57
11 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 51
12 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team 33
13 John HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team 32
14 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 32
15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 25
16 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team 24
17 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 22
18 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team 16
19 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2
20 Tadayuki OKADA JPN Repsol Honda Team 2


I enjoy both MotoGP and WSBK but watching the races back to back in the same sitting, I couldn't help but notice how alive and competitive the Superbike event seemed, and how spread out and uneventful the MotoGP race was. During WSBK the Aussie commentator joked that since Valentino likes watching superbike races, he's welcomed to ride here next year. Thinking back, that could be interesting... (Yes, I know it will never happen).

250 Assen results:

Pos. Rider Nation Team Total time
1 A. BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team 40'54.117
2 T. LUTHI SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte + 4.597
3 M. SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 6.003
4 A. DEBON SPA Lotus Aprilia + 9.034
5 H. BARBERA SPA Team Toth Aprilia + 9.079
6 H. AOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 250 + 11.515
7 M. KALLIO FIN Red Bull KTM 250 + 12.874
8 Y. TAKAHASHI JPN JiR Team Scot 250 + 13.622
9 R. LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 21.168
10 J. SIMON SPA Repsol KTM 250cc + 28.789
11 H. FAUBEL SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 37.607
12 R. WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG + 37.741
13 F. LAI ITA Campetella Racing + 38.729
14 A. BALDOLINI ITA Matteoni Racing + 39.165
15 L. PESEK CZE Auto Kelly - CP + 43.037
16 E. LAVERTY IRL Blusens Aprilia + 54.171
17 A. ESPARGARO SPA Lotus Aprilia + 54.334
18 F. WATZ SWE Jaap Kingma Racing + 1'24.430
19 D. PRADITA INA Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia 1 Lap
20 I. TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia 1 Lap
Not classified

M. POGGIALI RSM Campetella Racing 7 Lap

M. PASINI ITA Polaris World 13 Lap
Not finished 1st lap

R. GOMEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia
Not starting

K. ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing


125 Assen results:


Pos. Rider Nation Team Total time
1 G. TALMACSI HUN Bancaja Aspar Team 9'04.520
2 J. OLIVE SPA Belson Derbi + 0.128
3 S. CORSI ITA Jack & Jones WRB + 0.255
4 S. CORTESE GER Emmi - Caffe Latte + 0.340
5 B. SMITH GBR Polaris World + 0.425
6 E. RABAT SPA Repsol KTM 125cc + 0.568
7 M. DI MEGLIO FRA Ajo Motorsport + 0.846
8 A. IANNONE ITA I.C. Team + 0.928
9 N. TEROL SPA Jack & Jones WRB + 1.438
10 R. DE ROSA ITA Onde 2000 KTM + 2.554
11 S. BIANCO ITA S3+ WTR San Marino Team + 2.829
12 S. BRADL GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 3.021
13 T. KOYAMA JPN ISPA KTM Aran + 3.201
14 M. RANSEDER AUT I.C. Team + 3.600
15 H. VAN DEN BERG NED Degraaf Grand Prix + 4.547
16 D. AEGERTER SWI Ajo Motorsport + 4.592
17 S. BONSEY USA Degraaf Grand Prix + 4.819
18 J. CLUZEL FRA Loncin Racing + 10.548
19 R. KRUMMENACHER SWI Red Bull KTM 125 + 10.643
20 P. NIETO SPA Onde 2000 KTM + 10.849
21 P. TUTUSAUS SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 11.094
22 R. LASSER GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 11.854
23 A. MASBOU FRA Loncin Racing + 13.716
24 L. ROSSI FRA FFM Honda GP 125 + 13.828
25 R. MURESAN ROU Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 16.155
26 M. VAN DER MARK NED Dutch Racing Team + 18.201
27 R. GULL SWE Ajo Motorsports Jnr. Project + 25.692
28 J. IWEMA NED Abbink Bos Racing + 29.208
29 E. DUBBINK NED RV Racing Team + 29.949
30 J. VAN DE BUNT NED Degraaf Grand Prix + 36.419
Not classified

T. NAKAGAMI JPN I.C. Team 2 Lap

L. ZANETTI ITA ISPA KTM Aran 2 Lap
Not started race re-start

R. LACALENDOLA ITA Matteoni Racing

S. GADEA SPA Bancaja Aspar Team

S. REDDING GBR Blusens Aprilia Junior

E. VAZQUEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia Junior

J. LITJENS NED Abbink Bos Racing

M. MARQUEZ SPA Repsol KTM 125cc