Honda CRF Motorcycles in North Kingstown, page #51

Moto blog

MotoGP Lifts Rookie Rule, Caps Factory Prototype Entries and Adjusts Other Regulations

As expected, MotoGP organizers have officially lifted the rule barring rookies from racing for factory teams, but the Grand Prix Commission also tweaked some other regulations including a cap on factory prototype machines. We’ve discussed the lifting of the rookie rule already, with the main impetus being to allow a manufacturer such as Honda to sign up-and-coming Moto2 star Marc Marquez when he is expected to move up to the premiere class next season. As of Jan.

A Lap of the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course with John McGuinness – Video

The Isle of Man TT is a very special event. Once the most prestigious motorcycle event in the world, the TT requires a certain type of character to ride superbikes at an average speed of over 130 mph through the quaint villages and over the rolling hills of the 37.73-mile Mountain Course. But don’t take my word for it, take the word of 19-time TT winner John McGuinness.

Honda Developing V4 MotoGP Production Racer

Honda is reportedly developing a production racer based on its RC213V racebike that could be sold to teams looking to compete in MotoGP. The new racebike is expected to be of a lower-spec than the RC213V prototype but perform better than a CRT machine with a production-based engine. According to a report by racing site MotoMatters and French magazine Moto Journal, the new V4-engined production racer will be sold to race teams instead of being leased, as is the case with current satellite teams and their race prototypes.

MotoGP to Re-Visit Rookie Rule

MotoGP organizers are re-opening discussion for the series’ rookie rule which prevents new riders from entering the series with factory teams. Introduced following the 2009 MotoGP season, the rule was designed to give satellite teams the chance to field young up-and-coming talents  they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to sign. The theory was the rule would protect the satellite teams and spread out the talent pool.

A real Monster of a bike

The bike above was once a Ducati Monster S4. It was restyled by Italian custom builder Ferruccio Codutti who took a year crafting the look out for aluminium for one of his customers. Ignoring the grotesque nose, Codutti's work is impressive as the front end was made by the man himself.

How about Edwards at Repsol Honda?

Casey Stoner's decision to retire at the end of the season has had a real shake-up for the Repsol Honda line-up along with the discussion, rumour and speculation of who will take his vacated seat for next season. With silly season occurring much earlier following Stoner's announcement at the French GP in May, rumours and speculation have been banded around with three candidates leading the way: Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. Lorenzo, until he was confirmed to stick with Yamaha for another two seasons, was the most plausible of the trio as both himself and Casey are the top two riders in the world right now, making him the obvious choice after the Australian departs.

WSBK: 2012 Misano Results – Video

Max Biaggi strengthened his hold on the 2012 World Superbike Championship lead with a pair of wins at Italy’s Misano circuit. The Aprilia rider out-battled the Althea Ducati duo of Carlos Checa and Davide Giugliano to win Race One before taking a relatively easier Race Two victory. Before the races, WSBK riders lined up on the starting grid to hold a banner expressing their support for the Emilia region in northern Italy which has been suffering from earthquakes and continuing aftershocks since late May.

Bradl learns Laguna on a 'Blade

As neither the 125GPs or the Moto2 classes race at Laguna Seca, Stefan Bradl smartly used his time between the Le Mans and Catalunya Grand Prixs to learn the California track and the Corkscrew ahead of the US GP on July 29th. Riding a loaned Fireblade from Honda America, the German took the to undulating circuit on a trackday, reportedly passing other riders very politely - watch a small glimpse of him here. “Moto2 and Moto3 don’t race at Mazda Raceway so we thought it was a good idea to have a first taste of this tight and twisty circuit." said the 2011 Moto2 champion said.

Isle of Man TT 2012: Supersport TT 2 Results

Michael Dunlop added another chapter to the Dunlop family history in the Isle of Man TT, winning the second Monster Energy Supersport race of the 2012 event. Dunlop led at the end of all four laps for his third career TT win. His uncle, Joey Dunlop, is the all-time leader in TT wins at 26 while his father Robert Dunlop has five.

Isle of Man TT 2012: Sidecar TT 2 Results

Dave Molyneux and passenger Patrick Farrance won the second Sidecar TT race to sweep the sidecar class in the 2012 Isle of Man TT. The duo won the first Sidecar TT race earlier in the week where they led every lap but this time Molyneux and Farrance had to mount a comeback on the final lap for the win. The Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle led after the opening lap on an LCR Honda sidecar with a time of 20:16.09, averaging 111.692 mph.