Ducati corse V.Rossi gets 2012 chassis for Assen

Valentino Rossi will ride a version of Ducati's 2012 chassis fitted with an 800cc engine from this weekend's Dutch TT in an effort to turn the team's disappointing season around.

The new bike, codenamed the GP11.1, also features a brand new seamless transmission system. Honda's version of this system is regarded as key to its currently dominant performance.

With MotoGP switching to 1000cc engines next year, the manufacturers have been allowed a limited amount of testing with their 2012 designs, so Rossi is already familiar with the chassis - though he has not been permitted to try an 800cc engine in it prior to this weekend's practice sessions.

Rossi has only taken one podium finish so far this year since joining Ducati, and though he has admitted that fitness issues following winter shoulder surgery have been a factor, he has also insisted that the bike needs a great deal of work.

Ducati's technical chief Filippo Preziosi said that while the GP11.1 should be a definite step forward, the team would need time to fully get to grips with it.

"We decided to make the GP11.1, which is an 800cc engine in a GP12 chassis, in order to accelerate development on next year's bike, and also to provide our riders with a potentially better base for the current championship," said Preziosi.

"Considering that Valentino still hasn't ever ridden the GP11.1, this decision could require some races for the team to completely take advantage of its potential, but we decided to move forward with it because we believe it's an important step for our development process.

"The next-generation gearbox, on the other hand, is a solution that we think will be an immediate improvement. The Ducati Corse Department will continue studying further innovations, both for this year and for 2012."

Rossi also warned against expecting an immediate upturn in form with the new bike.

"Filippo, the guys at Ducati and the test team have worked really hard, and that has enabled us to make this new step with the development of our bike," he said.

"We haven't had the chance to test the 800 since Estoril, so we'll do it during the race weekends, being aware that despite having very limited time, we'll have to focus on two jobs: making basic adjustments to the new technical parts, and finding a general set-up for the race on Saturday. We'll have to do a good job on the track in order to get the most out of the work done at the factory.

"It will be hard, and we know it might take some time before we can completely reach the potential of the whole package, but we're happy and motivated by the work we're doing."

Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden will not get the GP11.1 until his home race at Laguna Seca in July, but will use an upgraded 'step 2' version of the 2011 frame from Assen.

"It's clear that Ducati is working hard, and that's motivating for me, for the team, and for all of our Ducati supporters," said the American. "I look forward to getting my hands on a GP11.1 as soon as possible as well."     http://www.autosport.com

2012 NEW Ducati SBK1199

Ever since we heard about the new 2012 Ducati Superbike, we’ve been marking the days until we could see the v-twin sex machine in the flesh. There’s no denying that the specs being banded about on the new Superquadrata motor are impressive, as the new bike is expected to make up to 20hp more than the current Superbike 1198 (though peak performance numbers only tell one side of the story). Also intriguing is the MotoGP-derived stressed-airbox chassis arrangement, which finally does away with the iconic trellis chassis, though has caused some problems for Valentino Rossi on his move to Ducati Corse.

Just last month we got our first look at the new Superbike prototype, as Ducati leaked first a Supersport spec version of what many think will be called the Ducati Superbike 1199. An encore to that moment, the street version of the v-twin superbike leaked just days later. While many of us will have to use our imagination on what Ducati’s latest creation will look like, we’re lucky that Luca Bar Design (website here: bar-design.net) can take those thoughts and put them to paper, err…pixels. Rendering the 2012 Ducati Superbike 1199 from what information that is available, this is perhaps one of the best glimpses as to what the Bologna Bullet will look like. Two more renders after the jump.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com

BSB Kiyonari seeking redemption at Knockhill

HM Plant Honda's Ryuichi Kiyonari dropped outside of the top six in the standings following the previous round at Thruxton and now the defending champion knows that he needs to regain the pace he showed at the opening two rounds to put himself back into contention as just 28 points cover third to ninth in the overall standings ahead of Knockhill this weekend (17-19 June).
Kiyonari celebrated podium finishes at the opening two rounds, but both the Croft and Thruxton rounds were disappointing for the triple champion as he struggled to move up the order scoring just seven points. Kiyonari now has vowed that it has to change this weekend and the team will be working hard to repeat their previous success at the Fife circuit where he has finished on the podium at least once in every race over the past five seasons.
Kiyo said: "The last two rounds have been disappointing for me and I haven't had the results that we need for the championship. At Knockhill I need to come back and be fighting with Shakey and the other riders so we can be back in the top six which is so important. I know I have said it before but I am not happy unless I am winning or on the podium, so we need to find a good setting in practice and qualifying so I can push again in the race."　www.britishsuperbike.com

Who's already signed for Moto GP 2012 ?

Following Wednesday's announcement that Ben Spies has extended his Yamaha contract, here is a list of the riders with a confirmed place on next year's MotoGP grid.



2012 MotoGP riders to date:

Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro
Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro

Jorge Lorenzo SPA Factory Yamaha
Ben Spies USA Factory Yamaha

Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda.
Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda

Cal Crutchlow GBR Tech 3 Yamaha

2012 will be the first year of the new 1000cc engine rules and grid size will increase significantly due to the new class of Claiming Rule Teams.
www.crash.net

HRC Stoner blames Formula One for falling grip levels

Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner has fired a shot at Formula One, saying the Pirelli rubber they are using this year have caused grip levels to fall at the Barcelona track.

F1 used Montmelo over the weekend of May 22 and is also a designated test track for the series. Pirelli replaced Bridgestone as the control tyre manufacturer in 2011 and Stoner believes the rubber is making things hard for bikes.

"Pirelli tyres have been putting down too much rubber, they obviously dont keep it on the tyres and it has to go somewhere. I think it mixes in all the cracks in the tarmac - everywhere Formula One has been is really slippery," said the Aussie.

"Here, on the corners they don't use, it is ok but when they are driving and putting down the rubber it is quite bad. When our tyre temperature isn't coming up high because the track temperature isn't high enough then there's no feeling and it's quite easy to go down."

Stoner's views on the lack of adhesion were echoed by Marlboro Ducati's Nicky. Both riders are ex-dirt trackers and should be the least worried by grip levels and the rear spinning up.

"I didn't have traction but as soon as the tyre went off and it started spinning, I went backwards. I used up a lot of tyre and a lot of fuel. The track didn't seem the same. Last year, it was hot and greasy, pole was a lot faster last year. I would say the laps were better last year too," said the American.　　　www.bikesportnews.com

BSB John Hopkins turns down Repsol Honda and Tech 3

MCN understands that John Hopkins has turned down approaches from Repsol Honda and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 to ride in next weekend’s British MotoGP round at Silverstone.
HRC apparently approached Hopkins’ British Superbike team boss Paul Denning to see if the American could replace injured Spaniard Dani Pedrosa at Silverstone.
Sources told MCN that Suppo spoke to Denning at the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona last night ahead of tomorrow’s Catalunya MotoGP race. And it understood Hopkins also declined a chance to replace Colin Edwards in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team after the American broke his right collarbone in a practice crash at the Catalunya circuit in Spain yesterday (Friday).
Hopkins is currently under contract with the Samsung Crescent Suzuki squad in British Superbikes and is second in the series behind Honda rider Shane Byrne after an impressive start to the 2011 campaign.
He made a shock MotoGP comeback earlier this season in Jerez when he replaced injured Spaniard Alvaro Bautista and finished in a respectable 10th place in a rain-hit encounter.
Hopkins is understood to want to focus his efforts on the BSB championship while also working on securing future wild card rides with Suzuki later in the season. A deal for the Californian to ride a factory GSV-R alongside Bautista in the Brno race in August is close to be finalising, as was reported in the May 25 issue of MCN. For more on this story, see the June 8 issue of Motorcycle News.   www.motorcyclenews.com

Motorcycle Helmet satisfaction Arai

J.D. Power and Associates Reports:Online Helmet Purchases Becoming Increasingly Popular among Motorcycle Owners

Arai and Icon Tie to Rank Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Motorcycle Helmets

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 26 May 2011 — Motorcycle helmet owners are increasingly likely to purchase their helmet online, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study^SM released today.

The study finds that nearly one-fourth (23%) of motorcycle helmet owners purchase their helmet on the Internet, compared with 20 percent in 2010. In 2002, less than 10 years ago, this proportion was just 4 percent.

“While the dealership is still the main source for a majority of helmets purchased, it’s clear that customers are continuing to shift to the online channel to purchase their motorcycle helmets,” said Brent Gruber, senior manager of the powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “The percentage of helmets purchased online has increased steadily during the past 10 years. As a result, it’s crucial to ensure that dealers have an e-commerce website available for customer use as their preferences change.”

The study measures overall satisfaction of motorcyclists with their new helmet across 11 attributes: quietness; ventilation/air flow; de-fogging performance; face shield effectiveness of keeping wind out; face shield resistance to scratching; ease of replacing face shield; scratch resistance of shell; color/graphic design; weight; ease of fastening the strap; and fit and comfort.

For a 13th consecutive year, Arai ranks highest in customer satisfaction, and ties with Icon with a score of 852 on a 1,000-point scale. Arai performs well across all 11 attributes, particularly in fit and comfort and face shield effectiveness of keeping wind out. Icon performs particularly well in color/graphic design. Shoei follows in the rankings with a score of 831 and performs well in ease of replacing the face shield.

The study also finds the following key trends:

• Overall satisfaction across the industry continues to improve to an average of 788 in 2011, reaching its highest level since the study’s inception in 1999.
• The average helmet purchase price this year remains consistent with 2010—$209 in 2011, compared with $206 last year. In fact, the average price paid for a new helmet has remained relatively constant since 2007, when the average price was $203.
• With a consistent increase in the median age of new helmet owners since 2000, this year’s study shows the highest median age to date—48 years.

The 2011 U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 4,820 purchasers of new 2009 and 2010 model-year motorcycles who provided information about their most recent helmet purchase experience and helmet use. The study was fielded between August and October 2010.

About J.D. Power and AssociatesHeadquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company providing forecasting, performance improvement, social media and customer satisfaction insights and solutions. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill CompaniesFounded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global financial information and education company that helps professionals and students succeed in the Knowledge Economy. With leading brands including Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts energy information services and J.D. Power and Associates, the Corporation has approximately 21,000 employees with more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2010 were $6.2 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates. www.jdpower.com/corporate

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www.jdpower.com

Marco Simoncelli kicks off contract talks with Honda HRC

Honda has kicked off talks with Italian star Marco Simoncelli over a new two-year factory deal.
Although the former 250GP world champion rides for the satellite San Carlo Gresini Honda squad, he is a fully supported factory rider and his contract is direct with HRC in Japan.
Simoncelli has established himself now as one of the world’s top riders and team boss Fausto Gresini told MCN: "We are working now on making sure that we can keep Marco for the future. Marco is very happy to stay in my team. He’s not in the factory team but he is a factory rider and it is important that he stays a factory rider, so we are starting to talk to Honda. There are many details to discuss but we are confident."
www.motorcyclenews.coｍ