MotoGP

Hopper says fans are in for a big treat!

Ousted ex-Kawasaki MotoGP star John Hopkins has finally spoken about losing his ride when Team Green collapsed in January, posting an update on his official website at johnhopkins21.com yesterday. It looks like Hopper’s got something up his sleeve for season 2009, although he didn’t exactly say what just yet. Here’s what the Anglo-American had to say:

I have been under strict instruction from my management not to comment on anything or talk of any plans from here. I notice that someone got a little emotional for me not updating and keeping everybody informed, but I will give you my word right here and now – I promise you all, as payback for your support, as soon as I get the go ahead on what I can do and say, this page will have the first press release from myself! It seems that anything i say can be twisted or manipulated in the media, so I am choosing not to say much to avoid any confliction or drama. I appreciate all of you that support me, you are true die hards and that’s awesome. All I will say is [that] you are all in for big treat!!!!!

It’s great news to see that Hopper has something going on, because let’s not forget that he did finish fourth in the 2007 world championship back when he rode for Rizla Suzuki, which was a solid result considering the equipment he has had to work with over the years.

At only 25 years old, Hopkins has beaten every teammate in MotoGP he has ever had, apart from tying with Kenny Roberts Junior in the series back in 2005. He has four podiums to his credit in motorcycling’s premier class.

In other news, despite what we said yesterday about the Balatonring circuit in Hungary gaining approval for construction, it seems that it’s too little, too late for 2009, as the event promoters have requested to Dorna that the Hungarian MotoGP round be postponed until 2010. But it’s not all said and done yet, as Dorna needs to send the request to the FIM and then the final decision will be made.

It’s probably pretty safe to say that the race won’t go ahead this year because the circuit won’t be ready, but the future is anybody’s guess. That decision ultimately comes down to the FIM after consultation with Dorna.

Losing the Hungarian GP, which replaced the Grand Prix of China, from the calendar will reduce the series to just 17 races, which may come as a blessing in disguise as teams and manufacturers had previously considered making the season a race, or two, shorter.

The Balatonring circuit currently has a five year agreement with Dorna to host the event, so it’s going to be interesting to see what the future holds for everybody involved in the reported multi hundred-million dollar project.

Nakano's RSV4: Prototype or production?

World Superbike
Tension has been high in the Superbike World Championship paddock so far this year, with Aprilia’s new RSV4 creating speculation that it’s more of a prototype bike than a real production-based Superbike. The new Aprilia has adjustability close to that of MotoGP bikes in regards to its geometry, with the electronics package seemingly just as high class even though its extent is kept very quiet at these early stages of development. Those claims will be thrown out the window in a few weeks time when the production version RSV4 Factory’s world launch takes place at Misano in Italy. We can’t wait to get our hands on it for a full test when it arrives in Australia.

Industry
Triple Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss has confirmed his test in the TeamVodafone Ford V8 Supercar, which will take place at Queensland Raceway on 14 May. The announcement was made by Bayliss at the official V8 Supercar test yesterday, with the driver evaluation day consisting of a full day of testing – very similar to what Supercross hero Chad Reed did with the team in 2007.

The difference between Reed’s test and Bayliss’ upcoming test is that Bayliss is eager to get behind the wheel in a race situation as soon as possible, retired from Superbike racing and looking for a new lease on his motorsport life.

“I am really excited about this test, I have openly said for quite a while that I viewed V8 Supercars as the next step in my motorsport career,” said Bayliss. “This is not something I am looking at trying once just to experience it, my long term goal is to compete in select Fujitsu races and shoot for an endurance seat in 2010.

Bayliss already has his own suit

“I have always been associated with the best equipment on track so when I made the decision to retire from World Superbikes, I met with my manager (nearly a year ago today) about trying to align me with the best possible team in V8 Supercars.”

TeamVodafone principle Roland Dane is a massive motorcycle enthusiast, as are team drivers Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes, making Bayliss feel more than welcome in the current champion team.

“There was one big added bonus with TeamVodafone, as Roland Dane is a massive Ducati fan and of course that sits well with me. At least this way I will know I am in the best possible gear to give the best possible performance and this way I am not wasting anyone’s time,” Troy continued. “Whatever happens I will need to be able to make 100% commitment to it – my two wheel career ended like a fairytale and I certainly don’t want anything in the future to take the shine off that.”

Expect Bayliss to line up in a number of Fujitsu series races this year as he gets more testing under his belt, with a very real possibility that he’ll reach his goals of watching the Bathurst 1000 behind the wheel as soon as next year.

World Endurance
Revisions have been made to the 2009 World Endurance Championship, with the World Cup Superstock-spec class taken out of the Suzuka 8 Hours event in Japan in order to save costs for the teams considering they are up against factory equipment at that particular round. Here’s the calendar:

2009 FIM Endurance World Championship
18-19 April – Le Mans 24 Hours, France
31 May – Oschersleben 8 Hours, Germany
4 July – Albacete 8 Hours, Spain
26 July – Suzuka 8 Hours, Japan
12-13 September – Bol d’Or 24Hours, France
14 November – Qatar 8 Hours

Australian Racing
This came in from Motorcycling Australia yesterday afternoon:

Second round of International Grants now open

Applications for the second round of International Competition Riders Grants are now open and applications close on Friday 27 March 2009.

Late last year $10,000 in International Rider Grants were allocated to selected riders competing overseas in the first half of 2009.

Seven riders from Track, Road Racing, Trials and Motocross/Supercross all received a share in the $10,000 to help them compete internationally.

Riders interested in applying for the grants must be competing in events from 1 July 2009 – 31 December 2009 and forms are available from the Motorcycling Australia (MA) website www.ma.org.au/irg2.

Completed applications and supporting information should be sent by mail, fax or email to:

Andrew Weiss
Motorcycling Australia
PO Box 134
South Melbourne
VIC 3205
[email protected]
Fax: 03 9684 0500

Riders can apply for up to $5,000 and applications are open to riders from any discipline of motorcycle sport.

In order to compete in international competitions, riders must hold a current FIM license and insurance to the appropriate FIM standard.

If you require more information about FIM licenses and insurance check out the forms and rules section of the MA website www.ma.org.au.

That’s all folks. Check back tomorrow.