Suzuki continued its tradition of owning the racetrack at the opening round of AMA American Superbike series in Daytona Beach, Florida this weekend – the GSX-R1000 taking seven of the top-10 spots overall after two days of racing.

National Guard Jordan Suzuki team rider Jake Zemke took first place in both 44-mile, 15-lap races and Tommy Hayden steered his Rockstar Makita Suzuki GSX-R1000 to second place in both races. On Friday, he and Zemke were only .009 seconds separated as they crossed the finish line.

Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates took pole position after setting the quickest qualifying lap in the day leading up to the double header; ending up fourth overall at the end of the event, while Blake Young, in his second year with the Rockstar Makita team, took fifth overall after grabbing the holeshot in Thursday’s race and leading for a few laps.

The RoadRacingWorld.com Suzuki, with Chris Ulrich aboard, took sixth overall. Taylor Knapp and his RidersDiscount.com Suzuki took seventh, and Shane Narbonne finished ninth on his DASPerformance.com GSX-R1000.

In the 69th running of the legendary Daytona 200, Geico Powersports RMR Suzuki’s Danny Eslick raced his GSX-R600 to the pole position and won the Rolex award for fastest qualifier. Eslick battled through the cold and challenging 200-mile race and took fourth, as Vesrah Suzuki’s Cory West took sixth overall.

Daytona Superbike Race 1:
1. Jake Zemke (Suzuki)
2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) +0.238
3. Larry Pegram (Ducati) +0.259
4. Aaron Yates (Suzuki) +0.291
5. Blake Young (Suzuki) +0.307
6. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki) +27.398
7. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki) +27.43
8. Shawn Higbee (Ducati) +1 lap
9. Shane Narbonne (Suzuki) +9.078
10. Barrett Long (Ducati) +16.377

Daytona Superbike Race 2:
1. Jake Zemke (Suzuki)
2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) +0.009
3. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha) +0.081
4. Aaron Yates (Suzuki) +0.212
5. Larry Pegram (Ducati) +0.858
6. Josh Hayes (Yamaha) +1.838
7. Blake Young (Suzuki) +22.383
8. Brett McCormick (Suzuki) +29.235
9. David Anthony (Suzuki) +34.124
10. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki) +34.404

Top 10 Points Standings:
1. Jake Zemke 62
2. Tommy Hayden 50
3. Larry Pegram 37
4. Aaron Yates 37
5. Blake Young 30
6. Taylor Knapp 25
7. Ben Bostrom 24
8. Chris Ulrich 24
9. Josh Hayes 23
10. Shane Narbonne 20

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Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) recently announced it is the 25th anniversary of the Air Jordan franchise with the introduction of its new 2010 Silver Edition livery. In addition, with the team about to begin its 2010 National Guard AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike Championship run, it is also offering a collection of limited edition 2009 season prints.

The company also revealed that team will wear uniforms and special footwear inspired by the silver anniversary of the Air Jordan franchise as well as ride bikes that are silver.

Moreover, the Jordan brand will be introducing a special collection, including shoes to be released throughout the year in a special silver color scheme.

The shoe sports a Michael Jordan quote in the paint scheme that reads “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Two of the shoes, the Air Jordan Retro 6 Premium and Jordan 6 Rings Premier, were initially created exclusively for the members of the Michael Jordan Motorsports race team and are now being made available to the public.

Michael Jordan Motorsports has also issued limited edition, numbered prints of riders Aaron Yates and Geoff May on their 2009 Jordan Suzuki and National Guard Suzuki GSX-R1000 race bikes. The prints measure 25-1/2″ x 16″ and are printed on a heavy paper stock with a special aqueous coating for protection.

The 2010 Michael Jordan Motorsports team made its season debut at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL March 3-5, 2010.

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Take the FIM Speed World Record Holder Leslie Porterfield, Livia Lancelot the FIM’s Women’s Motocross World Championand Laia Sanz, FIM’s Women’s Trial World Champion put them on a video called “Women Ride”as role models to encourage more women to take to two wheels.
It was about time that the FIM decided to promote female riding considering the rising number of women that are taking to motorcycles, but unfortunately in Italy, the FMI (Italian Motorcycling Federation) is going in the opposite direction and female racers are up in arms against the FMI.

The Federation has unilaterally decided the Women’s 2010 GP Championship will consist of one single race and the title assigned on the basis of that one race.

It looks like big league doesn’t know what little league is doing … wrong.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Team Suzuki Alstare rider Leon Haslam recorded his first ever World Superbike win in the first race of this year’s Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island today.

He led the race from start to finish and took the flag, just .004 ahead of Michel Fabrizio’s Factory Ducati.

He and his Suzuki Alstare team mate Sylvain Guintoli then disputed the lead for most of the second race, but Haslam’s dreams of a double were dashed right at the death by Spaniard Carlos Checa (Ducati). Nevertheless, his tremendous win in race one and runner-up spot in the second puts him on the very top of the Superbike World Championship, nine points ahead of his nearest rival.

Also encouraging for the team was Guintoli’s ability to run at the front and be in contention: The Frenchman led his team mate eight laps out of 22 and did not look out of place at all. This was his first race of the year, on the new 2010 GSX-R1000 bike, with a new team, but he also showed that he too will be a force to be reckoned with this year. Although he missed out on the podium, he did receive a trophy – for the fastest lap of race two – so he did not leave Phillip Island empty handed.

Leon Haslam – Race 1: 1st, Race 2: 2nd:
“I am so happy to get my first WSBK win and it feels great! I want to thank the team and all the staff back at the workshop for all their support and hard work and I’d also like to thank Francis and Patricia Batta for having faith in me.

“The first race was such hard work and it was impossible to relax for a second. I knew that I had Michel and Nori breathing down my neck, but I just kept concentrating on my lines and my braking points and tried to hold them off. I realized that Michel was in my wheel tracks going into the last turn and would try and use the draft to get past me, but I kept my head down and charged to the flag. At the end, I didn’t know if I’d won or not, but when I realized that I had, I was so unbelievably happy and it was such a fantastic feeling. All weekend I knew that a win was possible, but thinking about and it happening are two different things.

“In race two, I had some problems with rear traction but I still thought I could win. I had a great fight with Sylvain and when I finally got ahead of him and made it stick, I thought he might act as a buffer between me and the rest. Then suddenly, Carlos was there. He dived under me just three corners from the end, on the last lap. I tried to get it back, but he managed to hold me off and take the flag. But it feels good to take a win and a second in my first race with the team and it feels fantastic to be leading the Superbike World Championship.”

Sylvain Guintoli – Race 1: 6th, Race 2: 4th:
“I have really enjoyed today and it’s been great fun. I can’t remember the last time I was leading a World Championship race, so to lead quite a lot of race two was a great feeling and now I want to do it again. When I was in front, I felt comfortable and I knew I could keep up a good pace. Everything felt very smooth and it was all going to plan until I made a small mistake and Leon and then Carlos went through. Carlos and I touched in turn 8 when my elbow was in contact with his front wheel and then I tried a bit too hard to get back straightaway when perhaps I should’ve been a bit more patient and that’s where I lost ground.

“I could’ve made a better result in the first race if I hadn’t had such a bad start. My pace was good, but I was too far off the leaders, but I am learning about WSBK race pace and also the fact that the races are longer than what I have been used to. I am very happy with all the work we’ve done and am enjoying riding this bike so much. It was nice to get a trophy for the fastest lap in race two and I hope that it will just be the start of many to come. I am looking forward to Portimao and my next trophy.”

Results:

Race 1: 1 Leon Haslam (GBR-Suzuki Alstare), 2 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati), 3 Haga (JPN-Ducati), 4 Rea (GBR-Honda), 5 Biaggi (ITA-Aprilia), 6 Sylvain Guintoli (FRA-Suzuki Alstare).

Race 2: 1 Checa (ESP-Ducati), 2 Leon Haslam (GBR-Suzuki Alstare), 3 Fabrizio, 4 Sylvain Guintoli (FRA-Suzuki Alstare), 5 Haga, 6 Rea.

Championship points: 1 Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) 45, Fabrizio 36, 3 Checa 34, 4 Haga 27, 5 Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) 23, 6 Rea 23.

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MotoGP riders pay a visit to the Suzuki factory at Hamamatsu in Japan prior to the second official test of 2010 in Malaysia.

On their way to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for the second test of 2010 this week, Rizla Suzuki riders Loris Capirossi and Álvaro Bautista – along with Team Manager Paul Denning – stopped off in Japan where they were given a tour of Suzuki’s headquarters.

Suzuki’s Directors Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki and Mr. Masanori Atsumi and Managing Officer Mr. Sadayuki Inobe showed the trio around the ‘Suzuki Plaza’ museum, and Capirossi and Bautista also visited Suzuki’s race department where they met engineers and discussed the development of the 2010 GSV-R they will ride in this year’s World Championship.

“It was a great experience to visit Suzuki’s Head Office and Motorcycle Technical Engineering Centre,” said Capirossi. “I have been to the factory before but I never visited the Suzuki Museum, and it was amazing to see Suzuki’s technologies going right back to the start of the last century, and the first motorcycle from 1952.”

He continued: “Our meetings in the Racing Department were also very important, and it really makes us understand Suzuki’s effort when we see so many engineers focusing on making the best possible bike for only two riders – Álvaro and me. I would also like to thank Toshihiro-san, Atsumi-san and Inobe-san for taking time to see us and giving us their support for the 2010 season. I am going to Sepang full of motivation, and I know that Suzuki is 100% behind me.”

MotoGP rookie rider Bautista said: “The engineering facility is amazing, it really opened my eyes to what goes on to support us and after visiting the museum I know a lot more about Suzuki’s history. It is incredible to see such a huge company still feeling like a family business and everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”

“I did my best to tell the engineers my exact feedback from the bike, but first I need to push my own level to the maximum and get to the limit of the bike – then it’s my right to complain and request better performance, but not yet! I feel the same as Loris – very motivated and very sure that Suzuki will do its maximum to support us.”

Bautista and Capirossi will now continue their work on the GSV-R at the test in Malaysia, which runs from Wednesday to Friday, with the first day for test riders only. Suzuki will be testing their new engine at Sepang as well as building on the promising work completed at the first test three weeks ago.

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Source: MotoGP

International Entertainment Group (IEG), in conjunction with the Northern Territory government has launched the 2010 Viking Group Australian Superbike series at Hidden Valley race circuit in Darwin on Monday.

In attendance was the Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, 2009 Australian Superbike Champions, Josh Waters and Jamie Stauffer; and IEG Managing Director, Yarrive Konsky amongst other guests.

The Chief Minister, HON Mr Paul Henderson said “the NT Government is thrilled to have the return of the Superbikes after at least a ten year absence. There will be over 700 associated personnel making their way to Hidden Valley to participate in the biggest motorcycle event in the NT this year, bringing an increase to tourism and the local economy.” The Chief Minister emphasized the importance to local economy and that hosting the Superbikes is likely to bring approximately $2m into the local community through additional tourism.

Yarrive Konsky was equally excited to be bringing the Superbikes to Hidden Valley. “We have been working with NT Major Events for the past five months in preparing for the return of Superbikes. We will bring over 120 competitors (in five categories) as part of approximately 700 overall associated personnel to Hidden Valley for the inaugural race.”

“IEG have record entry numbers for all categories this year, three new Manufacturers on board (Ducati, Aprilia and KTM), and a new circuit proving that the series continues to grow from strength to strength. “

Josh Waters, riding for Team Joe Rocket Suzuki and reining 2009 Australian Superbike Champion demonstrated a few laps of the circuit on a standard road bike said “I am really looking forward to coming to a new circuit in Hidden Valley this year. The track is very fast with a good fast flowing section in the back of the circuit. It will be great to show the locals what Superbikes is about!”

Jamie Stauffer, riding for the new Team Motologic Ducati is looking forward to the new project with Ducati this year. Jamie said “It’s good to see new circuits coming on board and I am really looking forward to racing here in April. The circuit will provide some very close racing.”

Both riders were extremely buoyant about the new circuit and looking for to April 08th when the Superbikes hit Darwin for round 2 of the Viking Group Australian Superbike series. There was plenty of banter from both Josh and Jamie throughout the day on who would perform best here in April. So let’s see how the talking goes on the track starting at Phillip Island in 10 days time!

The first race of the season commences at Phillip Island on 26 – 28 February and the Hidden Valley Round will be Round 2 on 08 – 11 April.

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Treasure Racing attended Winton Motor Raceway in Northern Victoria recently to continue its bike testing to increase its knowledge of the new LCR Chassis adjustments in preparation for the 2010 FIM World Championship. The main purpose of the day was to focus on suspension.

The Winton racetrack has become quite a bit bumpier in the years since Adam or Darren last rode at the track in 2006. The bumpy track created an environment to test the suspension adjustments allowing Adam to focus on obtaining the perfect balance between low impact ripples while still maintaining composure over the harder hitting bumps for the LCR.

The day started out slow with each test session becoming quicker as adjustments were made. The Sidecar lap record at this track was set by Stacey Sellar at 1:30.088 in 2006, Adam and Darren managed to go out in their last session and lap consistently in the mid to low 1:30’s until the final lap when the boys posted a new un-official lap record of 1:29.63.

Thanks must go to Mick DeWith and Justin Sheppard for their help throughout the day. We would like to take this opportunity to announce that Treasure Racing now has it’s own official Website. We can be found at  www.treasureracing.com Thanks to our Website designer and Host Bradley Brown for all of his help and input.

Feel free to drop into our website and sign on to the forum and comments page to keep up to date with our achievements throughout 2010.

Adam & Darren

Treasure Racing

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From the moment Leon Haslam jumped onboard the Alstare Suzuki he’s been fast and on lap record pace in each of the winter tests.

While the 26 year old Brit has clearly clicked with the bike he is keen to point out just what a good package the bike was when he first rode it.

For 2010 the Suzuki has undergone a number of key changes including an under seat fuel tank to improve balance and a move from Showa to Ohlins suspension.

Although they are changes of note, Haslam maintains that it’s a combination of small things that are making a difference.

Speaking to MCN he said: “There are a lot of little changes between last year and this years bike, but it’s nothing major that you can point to and say that’s worth a second a lap.

“Last year Max was on the podium at two races until he got injured and he was leading the race when he got wiped out, so last years bike can’t have been that bad.

“Everyone is saying that Suzuki have had two bad seasons, they have in the overall standings but not race by race.

“It’s only a case of rider injuries and bad luck and if you go back to 2005 they won the championship.”

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Team riders Loris Capirossi and Álvaro Bautista give encouraging responses to the work completed on the GSV-R at the Sepang test.

Friday saw the conclusion of the first official MotoGP test of 2010, and Rizla Suzuki team riders Loris Capirossi and Álvaro Bautista were very pleased with what they achieved in the two days in Malaysia.

With a clear aim before the test had even started to make the GSV-R more competitive this season the official Suzuki team tested a range of options on the prototype, which drew positive feedback from both riders. The new engine for 2010 will be available at the next Sepang test in three weeks’ time.

“Today at Sepang has been not too bad for us because we have been trying to really understand the set-up of the bike,” explained Capirossi, who completed 48 laps with a best time of 2’02.763 on Friday. “We tested three different chassis and one worked very well, and also different fuel tanks – we did a great job I think.”

The Italian continued: “We did a lot of testing just to understand what the base bike for 2010 is. The next test here at Sepang is important, because we will receive a new engine from Suzuki and we’ll have 95% of the 2010 bike next time. This will be very interesting.”

Rookie rider Bautista enjoyed the wet conditions which interrupted parts of Friday’s session, and is also already looking forward to the next test.

“I rode in wet conditions and that’s very fun, because you feel a bit of slide exiting each corner and it was nice to feel this sensation,” said the Spanish rider, whose best time of 2’03.274 was an improvement on his Thursday time. “I also tried the new suspension which is very different to the old one, but I must work hard to get a good feeling with this. Overall, I’m very happy with this test and I hope to improve at the next one.”

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Source: MotoGP

HOLLAND, Mich. (February 3, 2010) — RidersDiscount.com has signed last year’s top finishing AMA Pro American SuperBike privateer Taylor Knapp to ride this year’s AMA Pro American SuperBike series under a full title sponsorship. Having scored several important finishes in AMA Pro Racing last year, Knapp is approaching a promising season with RidersDiscount.com. With Thom Godwin operating as Crew Chief, Knapp will be riding a Yoshimura-prepared Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike with Ohlins suspension.

Named Roadracing World’s “Young Gun” in 2005, Knapp has been racing as a privateer since turning pro in 2004. During the 2009 AMA American Superbike series, Knapp scored his first top five finish and consistently placed in the top ten. Taylor also enjoyed success in the 2009 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike series, with four top-five finishes and his first pole.

This will be RidersDiscount.com’s third year working with Taylor Knapp, with 2010 as the team’s first year becoming a full title sponsor. Last year Knapp rode a RidersDiscount.com supported GSX-R1000 in the American SuperBike class, and RidersDiscount.com has supported Taylor since 2008.

“This is a great opportunity for both of us,” says RidersDiscount.com co-owner Kent Gormat. “We’re looking forward to seeing how our heightened sponsorship, particularly the Yoshimura bike, gives Taylor the right platform to really showcase his talents.”

About RidersDiscount.com:
RidersDiscount.com is an online retailer of quality powersports gear, apparel and accessories. A company formed and owned by motorcycle racers, RidersDiscount.com ships equipment for every riding style to customers worldwide, backed by a knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service.

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