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Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Enters 8th Edition to Build Future Champions

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp enters its 8^thedition in the important step to build future champions.
Students include 16-year-old Yamaha Motor Malaysia’s Muhammad Alif Ashraf Bin Tahiruddin.
They were taught by champions from the very first day.

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp enters its 8^thedition in the important step to build future champions.

Students include Yamaha Motor Malaysia’s Muhammad Alif Ashraf Bin Tahiruddin (16); among Yamaha Motor Thailands’s Sawapol Nilapong (16) and Suttipat Patchareetorn (18); Yamaha Motor Philippines’ McKinley Kyle Paz (18) and Yamaha Motor Canada’s Jake LeClair (18).

The first day held a special surprise for the students with PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team rider Franco Morbidelli, fitness trainer Carlo Casabianca, VR46 Academy Moto3 rider Andrea Migno, and multiple flat track champion Marco Belli helping them to ride faster.

The participants were elated to find Morbidelli and Migno waiting for them at the Fisio Gym. The riders showed the students the proper work out regime of professional racers including stretching, spinning, Pilates and trying out the race simulator.

“In the morning the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp riders and I did some stretching, which is what we usually do at the VR46 Riders Academy. It’s important to do this, so you feel better with your body. Being supple is always important,” said Morbidelli afterwards.

“At the end, we did some Pilates, which is again something that will make your body more flexible. It’s important to keep this up, because it helps prevent injuries.”

The riders went to the Bar, Ristorante e Pizzeria da Rossi in Tavullia and spent time in Valentino Rossi’s hometown. They visited the Official Fan Club Valentino Rossi Tavullia and were handed presents by the Vice President, Flavio Fratesi, and shopped at the VR46 Store.

It was back to training afterwards at the VR46 Mtor Ranch. Marco Belli is the three-time English Flat Track, two-time American and European Flat Track Champion. He taught the students on correct riding position and bike control for their first flat track session aboard the YZ250F dirt bikes.

“The first day is always used to teach the guys about the correct body position and how to control the throttle. We got some very good feedback from them. There were no crashes, nobody got hurt, we saw a lot of speed, and – most importantly – they listened to the advice they’ve been given and put it into practice, which makes all the difference. They all have a good starting level. Therefore, starting from the next flat track training session, we will be riding on the oval and the full track – so we’re really happy!”

You may follow the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp website, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP website, Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Facebook, Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Instagram, Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Twitter, and YouTube for the latest updates.

Source: Yamaha MotoGP

Will Ducati Corse Join with Ducati Panigale V4 R in the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hour?

Will a Ducati Corse factory team join the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hours?
The manufacturer is now supporting privateer teams in the championship.
Ducati didn’t shoot down the idea but outlined that it’ll be a large challenge should they decide to.

Ducati obtained significant results in their comeback bid in the WorldSBK with the Ducati Panigale V4 R (Alvaro Bautista’s cock ups notwithstanding) this season. But will a factory Ducati Corse team join the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hours?

The designer of the Ducati 916, the late-Massimo Tamburini had envisioned to race his creation in endurance events including the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hours. That’s why he gave the bike a single-sided swingarm. In fact, he admitted that the 916’s swingarm was heavier than the regular twin-spar swingarms of its contemporaries, but it facilitates faster rear wheel changes.

The design became a Ducati signature and tradition which is carried on all the way to the latest high-end Panigales including the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Point is, endurance racing is missing in Ducati’s motorsports dossier.

Italian magazine GPOne.com spoke to Ducati Corse Sporting Director, Paolo Ciabatti about such prospects. Ciabatti didn’t kill the idea outright but gave a “not yet.”

The 2020 EWC season has begun and Ducati will participate only in a supporting role.

“In my opinion, if we ever decide to participate in the Suzuka 8-Hours in an official way at Ducati, it will be our own project which will require a great deal of effort,” he told GPOne. “We have to plan test on the track when it is available; we have to field the best riders available in the Ducati family; and then we have to think that to win there, the Bridgestone tyres must be used.”

“A challenge in the challenge. It is fascinating, but if Ducati decides to participate, it will do so to fight for victory.”

What he meant by “our own project” means that it’ll be Ducati Corse factory effort and not in partner with endurance race teams.

Sources: GPOne via Asphalt & Rubber

Franco Morbidelli in PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team for Endurance World Championship Round at Sepang

MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will join the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team squad for the FIM Endurance World Championship round in Sepang International Circuit.
He will join two other riders namely Hafizh Syahrin and four-time Suzuka 8 Hour endurance winner Michael van der Mark.
The round will take place from 13^thto 15^thDecember 2019.

MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will join the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team squad for the FIM Endurance World Championship round in Sepang International Circuit.

Morbidelli’s draft ends months of speculation that he will be one of the riders for the Sepang stint. He will join two other riders namely Hafizh Syahrin and four-time Suzuka 8 Hour endurance winner Michael van der Mark.

The squad will be supported by the YART Yamaha EWC squad who were former winners of the EWC. As such, the three riders will play their parts in riding the Yamaha YZF-R1.

The 2020 EWC opens with the Bol D’or in France before heading to Sepang for the second round from 13^thto 15^thDecember 2019. However, the Sepang round has a large significance to the EWC as it will form the qualifying round for “irregular” EWC teams to qualify for the Suzuka 8 Hour race.

Additionally, the race also features an FIA World Touring Car Cup round back-to-back.

Morbidelli expressed his concerns about riding in an endurance race. “I’m curious to see how an endurance race format suits me, and am really looking forward to it.”

Team Principal Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali is confident about the team’s prospects given the two MotoGP riders in addition to a multiple Suzuka 8 Hour winner. “We have faith that Franco, Michael, Hafizh and YART will deliver and we’re targeting the very top step of the podium.”

Source: PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team

Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Will Confiscate Illegally Modified Motorcycles

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) warned that they can confiscate illegally modified motorcycles.
Attention falls on the Yamaha Y15ZR or better known colloquially as “Ysuku.”
Not all, but there are many thoroughly modified Ysukus.

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) warned that they can confiscate illegally modified motorcycles.

“Illegally modified” in this sense means motorcycles that are modified without having prior or proper permission. PDRM did not say what proper permission means, but one can assume a permission or homologation from the Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ).

The statement was issued by Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department deputy director Mohd. Nadzri Hussain. He made a stern warning that the police will not hesitate to confiscate illegally modified motorcycles.

The attention falls on the Yamaha Y15ZR (some non-motorcycle media reported wrongly as “Yamaha 15ZR”) or better known colloquially as “Ysuku.” “Last time, motorcycles that were often modified were the Honda EX5 but not it’s the Ysuku. This is dangerous because these users like to modify the motorcycle for speed and it is not able to handle it,” said Datp’ Mohd. Nadzri.

The police are aware of this trend especially among the youth.

No one can doubt the model’s popularity which is good for the industry. But like what the cops said, we’ve encountered so many that were so thoroughly modified that they could tail superbikes easily. Adding fuel to fire, many of those caught in illegal races were riding Ysukus.

Sure, motorcycling and modifications are a way of life but if the objectives are to win illegal races and lord about being overtake big bikes, it’s not a lifestyle anymore. It’s a nuisance.

You have been warned.

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and Tom Sykes to Continue in 2020 WorldSBK

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK will continue with Tom Sykes in the 2020 WorldSBK season.
The rider took the new BMW S 1000 RR to four podiums in its debut season.
He will be joined by Eugene Laverty next year.

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and rider Tom Sykes will continue their cooperation into 2020 WorldSBK Championship (FIM World Superbike Championship).

While the tie-up has yet to yield a win this season, Sykes had done well to put it on the podium at Misano, Italy; Donington Park (UK); and Laguna Seca (USA).

Those results were truly impressive, considering that BMW Motorrad announced their intention to join the championship with the new BMW S 1000 RR in November 2018. That left the factory, Shaun Muir team, and riders only a few months to prepare.

2013 WorldSBK Champion Sykes will be joined by Eugene Laverty next year, replacing Markus Reiterberger.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers welcomed Sykes’s continuation with the team as it provides stability. “Continuity and stability are critical factors for the success of the project,” he said. “Tom Sykes has consistently moved in a forward direction with the new S 1000 RR.”

Continuity would mean that the bike will follow a steady and somewhat predictable development path as opposed to swapping riders all the time. As different riders have different riding styles, there will be too many variables to consider. There is no luxury of time for such ventures in world championship racing.

Ewan McGregor and Charley Borman to Ride Harley-Davidson LiveWire in Long Way Up?

Ewan McGregor and his ridding buddy Charley Borman may ride the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle in the documentary Long Way Up.
It seems like a compromise as the two are ambassadors to Moto Guzzi and Triumph, respectively.
The program will cover their trip from South America to Los Angeles, USA.

Ewan McGregor and his ridding buddy Charley Borman may just ride the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle in the upcoming documentary Long Way Up.

The trip will see the duo travel from South America to Los Angeles, California instead of all the way to Alaska as expected earlier. South American media spotted four of the electric bikes and support trucks being offloaded in Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina.

While we’re not criticizing the LiveWire, it has a highway range of up to only 150 km and 235 km in the city. However, it’s charging times that may drag the trip into a longer period of time. On the other hand, Harley announced that they’ve fast chargers that juice up the bike to 80% capacity in 40 minutes and 100% in an hour.

They may be supported by a pair of electric Rivian R1T trucks that have a range of up tp 650 km. These trucks will undoubted carry DC chargers for the bikes.

Riding Harleys seemed to solve the problem of representation. McGregor is the ambassador for the Moto Guzzi V85TT while Borman is the ambassador for Triumph Motorcycles. Many had expected to see the guys on two different bikes in this sequel. They rode the BMW R 1200 GS in Long Way Round in 2004 and Long Way Down in 2007.

It’ll be a high-profile branding exercise for the Motor Company, that’s for sure.

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Latest News

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp enters its 8thedition in the important step to build future champions.

Students include 16-year-old Yamaha Motor Malaysia’s Muhammad Alif Ashraf Bin Tahiruddin.

They were taught by champions from the very first day.

Will a Ducati Corse factory team join the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hours?

The manufacturer is now supporting privateer teams in the championship.

Ducati didn’t shoot down the idea but outlined that it’ll be a large challenge should they decide to.

MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will join the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team squad for the FIM Endurance World Championship round in Sepang International Circuit.

He will join two other riders namely Hafizh Syahrin and four-time Suzuka 8 Hour endurance winner Michael van der Mark.

The round will take place from 13th to 15th December 2019.

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) warned that they can confiscate illegally modified motorcycles.

Attention falls on the Yamaha Y15ZR or better known colloquially as “Ysuku.”

Not all, but there are many thoroughly modified Ysukus.

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK will continue with Tom Sykes in the 2020 WorldSBK season.

The rider took the new BMW S 1000 RR to four podiums in its debut season.

He will be joined by Eugene Laverty next year.

Ewan McGregor and his ridding buddy Charley Borman may ride the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle in the documentary Long Way Up.

It seems like a compromise as the two are ambassadors to Moto Guzzi and Triumph, respectively.

The program will cover their trip from South America to Los Angeles, USA.

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The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp enters its 8^thedition in the important step to build future champions.

The round will take place from 13^thto 15^thDecember 2019.