Motorsports

Carlin Dunne dominated the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, setting the new course record for motorcycles today from pole position for the second year in a row on a Ducati Multistrada 1200 S.

This win marks Ducati’s third-straight victory at the historic “Race to the Clouds”. Both Dunne and Spider Grips Ducati teammate and six-time winner Greg Tracy finished the race under the 10-minute barrier, which is a first for any motorcycle in the race’s 90-year history. Dunne crossed the finish line at the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak with the record-setting time of 9:52.819, beating his previous record of 11:11.32, while Tracy was less than six seconds behind, placing second with 9:58.262.

“Today was an emotional day,” said Dunne. “The year of work the Spider Grips Ducati team put into preparing for Pikes Peak got us across the finish line in under 10 minutes, an achievement we’re very proud of. When we heard that we won and broke the record for the second time, I was speechless. The one-two finish proves the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is the ultimate bike to conquer Pikes Peak.”

Dunne reached speeds above 144mph (230kmh)  throughout the mountain’s straights, and traversed 156 turns, ranging from hairpin, blind, decreasing radius, and multi-apex turns, while consistently gaining elevation up the technical 12.42-mile (20km) course. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, or “Race to the Clouds”, is situated in a range of the Rocky Mountains, 16km west of Colorado Springs and races from a start line altitude of 2,862 metres (9,389ft) to a finish line at 4,300 (14,100ft).

“Ducatisti around the world are celebrating the victory of Carlin Dunne and the Spider Grips Ducati Team – we are all very proud,” said Dominique Cheraki, General Manager of Ducati North America. “Three years ago we chose the Multistrada 1200 S to compete at Pikes Peak to showcase its on-and-off road capabilities, class-leading ergonomics, handling, and performance. When we were alerted that the entire course would be paved in 2012, there was no doubt that the Multistrada 1200 S was still the right choice and breaking the record today proves this.”

Japanese automotive manufacturer Suzuki have just announced the final dates for their Girl Torque trackday.

The event, held especially for women bike riders, started a year back at the Donington Park motor racing circuit in England.  This year the event will take place on Wednesday, August 29th at the Cadwell Park motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England. Suzuki will be welcoming all female riders for the event, regardless of make of machine owned, to celebrate everything that is great about bikes and biking. Tyco Suzuki riders Josh Brookes, Alastair Seeley and Conor Cummins will be in attendance, as well as World Superbike star Leon Camier. Also in attendance will be three-time former British Champion and Suzuki’s Racing Director John Reynolds. He will be on hand to mentor those on the track, and offer his expert advice and tips. KAIS Suspension will also be on hand to assist with the set up and each rider will be provided with a transponder, so that they will be able to view their best lap times at the end of the event. All the best girls, keep riding.

 

 

Japanese automotive manufacturer Suzuki have just announced the final dates for their Girl Torque trackday.

The event, held especially for women bike riders, started a year back at the Donington Park motor racing circuit in England.  This year the event will take place on Wednesday, August 29th at the Cadwell Park motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England. Suzuki will be welcoming all female riders for the event, regardless of make of machine owned, to celebrate everything that is great about bikes and biking. Tyco Suzuki riders Josh Brookes, Alastair Seeley and Conor Cummins will be in attendance, as well as World Superbike star Leon Camier. Also in attendance will be three-time former British Champion and Suzuki’s Racing Director John Reynolds. He will be on hand to mentor those on the track, and offer his expert advice and tips. KAIS Suspension will also be on hand to assist with the set up and each rider will be provided with a transponder, so that they will be able to view their best lap times at the end of the event. All the best girls, keep riding.

 

 

Defending MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner beat current championship leader Jorge Lorenzo to claim his 4th win of the season in a thrilling race at the Laguna Seca circuit.

In doing so, Stoner closed the gap with Lorenzo to only 30 points, and is now only 9 points behind his Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa. Stoner blazed his way to glory while opting for the softer compound tyres, whereas everyone opted for the hard ones. This would prove to be the Australian rider’s master stroke as he made his move on the championship leader with just 11 laps to go. Stoner and Lorenzo were followed by Dani Pedrosa who had to settle for the 3rd place.

The trio started the race at the front of the grid with Lorenzo on pole position and they quickly pulled away from the rest on the dusty Californian track. It was surely looking as a three-way horse race to the finish. British rider Cal Crutchlow finished fifth after failing to find a way past Andrea Dovizioso as the two riders battled it out for claiming the 4th position. Ultimately,Dovizioso proved to much for the Brit who came home 5th.

American Ben Spies, who has been in the news recently regarding his future with Yamaha had completed a torrid weekend on his home circuit by crashing out. Seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi failed to finish for the first time this season, sending his bike into the gravel with merely two laps remaining.

Defending MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner beat current championship leader Jorge Lorenzo to claim his 4th win of the season in a thrilling race at the Laguna Seca circuit.

In doing so, Stoner closed the gap with Lorenzo to only 30 points, and is now only 9 points behind his Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa. Stoner blazed his way to glory while opting for the softer compound tyres, whereas everyone opted for the hard ones. This would prove to be the Australian rider’s master stroke as he made his move on the championship leader with just 11 laps to go. Stoner and Lorenzo were followed by Dani Pedrosa who had to settle for the 3rd place.

The trio started the race at the front of the grid with Lorenzo on pole position and they quickly pulled away from the rest on the dusty Californian track. It was surely looking as a three-way horse race to the finish. British rider Cal Crutchlow finished fifth after failing to find a way past Andrea Dovizioso as the two riders battled it out for claiming the 4th position. Ultimately,Dovizioso proved to much for the Brit who came home 5th.

American Ben Spies, who has been in the news recently regarding his future with Yamaha had completed a torrid weekend on his home circuit by crashing out. Seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi failed to finish for the first time this season, sending his bike into the gravel with merely two laps remaining.