Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BREAKING: Formula 1 Teams Association announces breakaway series for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/breaking-formula-1-teams-association-announces-breakaway-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/breaking-formula-1-teams-association-announces-breakaway-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/breaking-formula-1-teams-association-announces-breakaway-series/#commentsFiled under:



It's official: F1 is broken. At least, with the FOTA's announcement it will create a rival championship, it appears that F1 as we have known it is all but broken. Max Mosley and the FIA have gone back and forth with the FOTA for months, with neither side able to agree on a compromise and both sides claiming the other party is being intransigent.

After meeting at Renault's Enstone, England headquarters the eight "rebel" teams (Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, Renault, BMW, Brawn, Red Bull, Toro Rosso) decided there was no way to proceed with the FIA, so it would proceed without the FIA. The crucial bits of their follow-up press release state:
"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship.

"These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.

"The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series."
The release goes on to address issues the FOTA has with the "commercial rights holder," by which they mean Bernie Ecclestone. If they mean what they've written, a more stable and less expensive F1 would be a victory for teams and fans. Track owners would probably also profit, since they pay Ecclestone more than ten million pounds simply for the right to hold an F1 race -- and that's part of the money the teams want a bigger share of.

Many observers have said the teams won't set up another championship because they're too focused on selling cars. But the FOTA has already spoken to Carmelo Ezpeleta, whose Dorna Sports company is in charge of Moto GP, and who has experience in taking control of the series from the FIM. If he can provide a turn-key solution, the teams can stick to doing what they do best.

We suspect the FOTA is correct and that brands, sponsors and promoters will follow the breakaway series rather than hang back with Williams, Force India and eight other teams in the F1 reset series. The question is: if those eight teams follow through, and assuming they take their contracted drivers, which series will get your attention next year?

For now, though, bring on the lawyers. Thanks to all who tipped in.

[Source: Autosport]

BREAKING: Formula 1 Teams Association announces breakaway series for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestoneBernieEcclestonebreakingf1formula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotamax mosleyMaxMosleymoto gpMotoGpmotorsportsThu, 18 Jun 2009 20:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Setting the Pace: BMW X6 M debuts as MotoGP safety car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/12/setting-the-pace-bmw-x6-m-debuts-as-motogp-safety-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/12/setting-the-pace-bmw-x6-m-debuts-as-motogp-safety-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/12/setting-the-pace-bmw-x6-m-debuts-as-motogp-safety-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


BMW X6 M MotoGP safety car - Click to view in high resolution
Coupes, sedans, convertibles, even sport-wagons... BMW's venerated Motorsport division - known to all the world by the letter M - has tuned all sorts of vehicles from the Bavarian automaker's lineup, but with the launch of the new X5 M and X6 M, this is the first time the tuning division has been tasked with tweaking a crossover or SUV... or anything with four-wheel-drive, for that matter. Purists might view it as a bridge too far for the garage that has turned out such precision driving tools as the original 3.0 CSL, the exotic M1 and the spectacular M3, but Munich's marketing department has evidently wasted no time in assuaging those doubts by putting the new X6 M on the track as quickly as possible, and in one of the most speed-crazed, testosterone-infused forms of motorsport on the planet: MotoGP.

Fresh off the floor of Manhattan's Javitz Center, where it debuted at the ongoing New York Auto Show, the X6 M debuts this weekend Qatar as the official safety car of the MotoGP race at Losail. The new M-tuned "sports activity coupe" joins a paddock full of vehicles provided by BMW to serve as safety cars and trackside VIP transports, including the M6, M5 Touring and M3. This marks the eleventh season in which BMW has partnered with MotoGP. Follow the jump to read more in the full press release, and check out the pair of images of the X6 M safety car by clicking the thumbnails below.


Gallery: BMW X6 M MotoGP safety car



[Source: BMW via MotoGP]

Continue reading Setting the Pace: BMW X6 M debuts as MotoGP safety car

Setting the Pace: BMW X6 M debuts as MotoGP safety car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw mbmw motorsportbmw x6bmw x6 mBmwMBmwMotorsportBmwX6BmwX6Mmoto gpmoto gp safety carMotoGpMotoGpSafetyCarsafetysafety carSafetyCarSun, 12 Apr 2009 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Kawasaki to withdraw from MotoGP?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/kawasaki-to-withdraw-from-motogp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/kawasaki-to-withdraw-from-motogp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/kawasaki-to-withdraw-from-motogp/#commentsFiled under: , ,



These are not happy days for Japanese motorsport fans. Following Honda's withdrawal from Formula One and Suzuki and Subaru's dual withdrawals from the World Rally Championship come reports that Kawasaki is pulling out of MotoGP.

The Japanese motorcycle manufacturer entered the premier two-wheel racing series in 2003 with hopes to take top honors, but in its five seasons of competition, it has failed to record a single victory. The factory team had hoped to make a go of it with a pair of new riders and their new ZZ-XR racing bike, but hard times mean that it's time to call it quits. Confirmation of Kawasaki's decision is expected to come on January 5, leaving MotoGP in an even tougher spot as it watches rival series World Superbike Championship gain BMW and Aprilia.

[Source: Autosport]

Kawasaki to withdraw from MotoGP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kawasakikawasaki moto gpKawasakiMotoGpmoto gpMotoGpWed, 31 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Valentio Rossi's new helmet a scream]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/07/valentio-rossis-new-helmet-a-scream/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/07/valentio-rossis-new-helmet-a-scream/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/07/valentio-rossis-new-helmet-a-scream/#commentsFiled under: ,



MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and could be considered the Formula 1 of the two-wheeled world. Current series point leader and seven-time Grand Prix World Championship title winner Valentino Rossi has a habit of debuting a new helmet design at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, and this year's design did not fail to disappoint. Featuring a roughly life-size portrait of The Doctor himself in the middle of a scream, it was pretty hard to miss Rossi, even in the field of brightly colored riders and bikes. If you haven't watched the race and plan to, now would be the time to stop reading, otherwise, find out who won the event after the break, along with a link to the video of Rossi's debut of his unique new helmet design. Thanks for the tip, Gabriel!

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Valentio Rossi's new helmet a scream

Valentio Rossi's new helmet a scream originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>moto gpMotoGpmugellorossi helmetrossi-helmetRossiHelmetvalentino-rossivelentino rossiVelentinoRossiSat, 07 Jun 2008 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Sometimes it's best to quit while you're ahead]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/video-sometimes-its-best-to-quit-while-youre-ahead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/video-sometimes-its-best-to-quit-while-youre-ahead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/video-sometimes-its-best-to-quit-while-youre-ahead/#commentsFiled under: ,



Professionals earn pockets full of cheese usually because they do whatever it is they do better, faster, stronger than anyone else. Sometimes, though, they get the big bucks because they'll do something again after having nearly killed themselves the first time. That is: they'll get right back on the horse when a lot of non-professionals would instead grab a gin and tonic and watch reruns of I Love Lucy.

Jorge Lorenzo earned his money and a stay in hospital over the weekend during practice for the MotoGP China Grand Prix. On one run the bike bucked under him coming out of a turn, sending the 21-year-old rider up out of his seat like he was riding a bronco, but he managed to keep the bike upright and moving. On a following run he wasn't so fortunate, highsiding, somersaulting, and suffering a fractured left ankle, a painful right ankle, a cut heel, a knee abrasion, and forearm compression.

But here's where Lorenzo really impresses: he still got on the bike to qualify on Saturday, and came in fourth in Sunday's race. Follow the jump to check out the videos of the bucking incident and the highside. And from now on, the word you're looking for to describe Jorge Lorenzo: pro.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading VIDEO: Sometimes it's best to quit while you're ahead

VIDEO: Sometimes it's best to quit while you're ahead originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentscrashesjorge lorenzoJorgeLorenzomoto gpmoto gp 08MotoGpMotoGp08motorcycle accidentmotorcycle racingMotorcycleAccidentmotorcyclecrashMotorcycleRacingyamaha fiatYamahaFiatMon, 05 May 2008 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ecosse Spirit ES1 and Motoczysz C1 push the boundaries of motorcycle design]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/22/ecosse-spirit-es1-and-motoczysz-c1-push-the-boundaries-of-motorc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/22/ecosse-spirit-es1-and-motoczysz-c1-push-the-boundaries-of-motorc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/22/ecosse-spirit-es1-and-motoczysz-c1-push-the-boundaries-of-motorc/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Many of the same principles for making cars go fast work the same when applied to motorcycles. However, there are fundamental differences which need to be taken into account when the highest performance is required. Take chassis design, for instance. With an automotive chassis, race cars generally want to be as stiff as possible. This is not always the case when there are only two contact patches on the ground. This is because lateral flex allows some "give" when the bike is leaned over. Some also believe that some extra steering input is given by the rear tire when the chassis flexes, allowing the motorcycle to handle better when leaned over. Another area where motorcycles differ from cars is aerodynamics. Because of the basic rider\bike relationship, width is crucial when it comes to motorcycle racing aerodynamics. The height is almost preset by the rider; you can only crouch so much! But, the width of the bike allows designers the ability to shorten the bike by shortening the distance between the riders knees. Motoczysz has taken this idea and run with it. They believe that by halving the engine width by arranging the four cylinders in a staggered "V" pattern that they can make up the lower output they will achieve by adding a coupling set of gears on the crankshaft with the increase in aerodynamic efficiency that the design will allow. They are also building in adjustable lateral suspension movement in their innovative front fork arrangement.

Follow us past the break for more on the design of the Motocsysz and the Ecosse Spirit ES1 plus a video of the Ecosse Spirit ES1 just before its official unveiling!

[Source: Ecosse Spirit, Motoczysz and Motorcycle News]

Continue reading Ecosse Spirit ES1 and Motoczysz C1 push the boundaries of motorcycle design

Ecosse Spirit ES1 and Motoczysz C1 push the boundaries of motorcycle design originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecosseecosse spiritecosse spirit es1EcosseSpiritEcosseSpiritEs1laguna secaLagunaSecamoto gpmotoczysc c1MotoczyscC1motogpus moto gpus motogpUsMotogpSun, 22 Jul 2007 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda renews relationship with Laguna Seca for five more years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/mazda-renews-relationship-with-laguna-seca-for-five-more-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/mazda-renews-relationship-with-laguna-seca-for-five-more-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/mazda-renews-relationship-with-laguna-seca-for-five-more-years/#commentsFiled under: ,

Laguna Seca has been spared the expense of repainting all of its on-track signage thanks to Mazda renewing its contract with the track to its title sponsor for five more years through 2011. Mazda and Laguna Seca have been partners for the last five years during which time the track has received continual upgrades like a total repaving just this past winter. It's has also attracted some major motorsporting events, including the only North American appearance of Moto GP last year with the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix race that set a track record for attendance with 150,000 spectators.

[Source: Mazda

Mazda renews relationship with Laguna Seca for five more years originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Apr 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingLaguna SecaLagunaSecamarketingMazdaMazda Raceway Laguna SecaMazdaRacewayLagunaSecaMoto GPMotoGpmotorsportsRed BullRedBulltitle sponsorTitleSponsorSun, 09 Apr 2006 13:00:00 EST