FIM and Dorna WSBK Organisation announce the creation of the WorldSSP 300 Championship for 2017. [Read more…]
Archives for September 2016
Idle Chatter: Team Up Folks!
Just the other day I decided to indulge in some nostalgia and ended up watching Lone Wolf McQuade where Chuck Norris tears down an entire drug cartel almost singlehanded. Unfortunately in the real world however much we may want to be like Texas Ranger J J McQuade, truth is it is the team that matters as much as the leadership [Read more…]
OCTOBER 2016
Looking Forward to Cross-manufacturer Racing
IN THE 1970S AND ’80S MOTORCYCLE RACING WAS THRIVING even though we did not have a purpose-built racetrack. Most Indian motorcycle manufacturers used to send factory racing teams for the all-India race meet at the Sholavaram circuit. Starting with the Suvega in the moped class, Scooters India had a team, Yezdi Motorcycles used to have a team and Aravind Pangaonkar, head of TVS Racing, was part of the Yezdi racing team at that time. Royal Enfield factory used to be represented by Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhaskar Rao. Even Bajaj Auto had a factory team. The spectator turnout used to be in excess of 30,000.
After a dip in the competition Indian racing is thriving again with all the one-make series and the opportunity for the young talent to take part in the Asia talent series and the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Now I would like to see some cross-manufacturer racing. The one series I would like to see in India is the KTM RC390 Cup. The 390 Cup is held in South America, North America and Europe, but not here in India where the bike is manufactured.
Today MotoGP has become so technical that a wrong choice of tyre compound can make the difference between winning and losing a race. The choice of going with a soft compound gave Dani Pedrosa a clear advantage and victory in the San Marino MotoGP. It was Valentino Rossi who came out on top after passing Lorenzo on lap two, but did not have an answer to Pedrosa’s pace. In the past you had one front and one rear tyre which you had to use. One could not go wrong. None the less, it was great to see Dani on top of the podium.
Aspi Bhathena
Editor
New Ducatis incoming
Italian marque Ducati is looking to expand their Scrambler and Multistrada model lines. Good things are just around the corner
First Ride Aprilia SR 150: Italian Icon at Indian Price
At Rs 65,000, ex-showroom in Pune, the SR 150 is probably the most affordable Aprilia ever but apart from its affordability, India’s first moto sport scooter is every bit an Aprilia [Read more…]
New Hero Achiever 150 Launched
Hero MotoCorp have introduced a suited-up Achiever ahead of the festive season, from Rs 61,800 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Idle Chatter: The Bikes Are Here, Now the Roads Should Follow
For years, we hankered for superbikes on Indian roads. For years there were none. Now there are plenty. Perhaps it’s time the roads became worthy of the bikes? [Read more…]
Triumph Open new Vijayawada Dealership
The iconic British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph, opens its 13th dealership in India in Vijayawada. [Read more…]
Mahindra launch Special Edition Mahindra Mirzya
Mahindra two wheelers launch bike in association with upcoming movie ‘Mirzya.’ [Read more…]
Idle Chatter: The Logistics of Motorcycle Racing
We buy tickets or switch on our telly over a weekend afternoon, chew our nails and pray for our favourite rider to finish ahead of all the others. Once the chequered flag has come down and the podium ceremonies are done with, it’s a wrap for us. Few of us can imagine the kind of logistics involved in the world of MotoGP [Read more…]