The previous Wordpress.com version of this Web site had earned very high rankings in Google— at least compared to similar Web sites, but it’s not facebook. I really depended on that Google ranking. There are only two ways to take your Google ranking with you:
Don’t let your URLs change. If you want this one to work for your Wordpress.com Web site, then you really need to pay Wordpress.com to use your domain name from day one.
Use a 301 redirect to prove to Google, that yes, you really are moving, and that the new site really is yours. Unfortunately Wordpress.com would not allow me to do this.
Needless to say, my traffic here was devastated. People reading my words is what motivates me, and the lack of traffic indicates that people aren’t.
Why the ads? A number of organizations were satisfied that this is a valid form of media. (Thank you Ducati, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, DMG/AMA Pro, the AMA, and the rest!) But the Dorna rep said that they weren’t interested in helping anyone with a personal Web site. Those ads were an attempt to be more professional-looking.
Other reasons why my posting slowed down?
The 2009 racing season ended.
Most of my favorite racers, and their fans, are on facebook and willing to “friend” me.
Number two is the kicker. My readers are on facebook, so I have been posting to facebook.
There is only one way out of this mess. Move to facebook. Facebook apps are actually hosted on non-facebook servers, so I might be able to tweak this puppy so that it exists both as my Web site, and as a facebook app simultaneously.
The red line marks the point where I moved the content from http://dangerismymiddlename.wordpress.com to http://dangerismymiddlename.com. These are monthly statistics. Both axis on both graphs are different. The site reached 2,661 hits the month that it was ended, and topped-out at 4,742 hits the month afterwards.
These are weekly stats for the new site. Yes, moving without 301 redirects is that bad. Note: both axis on both graphs are different. The week that we reached 2,130 hits was a week where many people gave this page a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon.com: http://dangerismymiddlename.com/archives/3979
Mavizen was created to support electric-vehicle motorcycle racing teams. (I believe that Mavizen is also the name of Azhar Hussain’s iPod accessory company.) Mr. Hussain founded TTXGP: a motorcycle race that took place at the Isle of Man TT in 2009.
Mavizen will be producing the Mavizen TTX02 electric racing motorcycle. The powertrain includes twin Agni motors, and a computer (Linux or Windows). The motorcycle will cost £25,000 (about $41,500 USD) with the Circuit Pack battery pack. Here are the battery pack options:
Circuit Pack: 6kw/h, 25 miles track use, 38/60 miles hard/gentle road use
Snaefell Pack: 11kw/h pack, 40 miles road racing, 75/130 miles hard/gentle road use, hot swappable power packs
Sprint Pack TBA. 3kw/h, 6 miles track use.
Click on the thumbnail images to see larger versions. Click on the larger versions to close them.
This looks like a great project, and we hope for this company’s success. We are suspicious about some of the claims though:
The winning bike, the AGNI X01, was produced by Agni Motors. The AGNI X01 was a converted Suzuki GSX-R 600. The Mavizen TTX02 is a converted KTM RC8 1190. Claims that the TTX02 is based on the winning-bike are potentially unfair to Suzuki and KTM. Apparently Mr. Hussain is making the claim based on the fact that both bikes have twin Agni motors. (sources: mavizen.com, egrandprix.com, agnimotors.com)
Mr. Hussain claimed that the bike makes 90 horsepower. Agni Motors claims that the twin-motor AGNI X01 made less-than 50 HP max, and only 12HP-per-motor at peak efficiency (source: agnimotors.com).
Top speed is claimed to be 130+MPH. Rob Barber, the TTXGP winner, and an experienced racer, only averaged 85 MPH at the TTXGP. He was clocked at 102MPH at the end of a downhill segment. We have to assume that Mavizen’s 130+MPH claims are based on a very different gearing ratio. EVs are not geared for high speeds, because that would either make them too difficult to control at lower speeds, or make them too inefficient to reach their destination. Speeds over 100MPH could be obtained via a transmission that was designed to keep RPMs relatively low. Modern motorcycle and automotive engines are designed to keep RPMs relatively high. This motorcycle does not have a transmission.
Here are eGrandPrix’s goals for 2010:
TTXGP UK Championship 2010 (four round goal)
TTXGP at the Isle of Man TT, May 29 2010 – June 11 2010
TTXGP USA Championship 2010 (four round goal): May 14-16, 2010 (AMA Pro weekend)
The much heralded Mavizen TTX02 came out from under the covers today to meet the brave new world
The bike has been nicknamed a ‘laptop on wheels’ and is being produced by TTXGP founder, Azhar Hussain, an entrepreneur with a background in consumer electronics. “We are living in a click culture and connectivity is the key, across the board. Our approach was to find how we could make a laptop go racing. We think electric vehicles have more in common with consumer electronics than traditional automotive.”
TTX02 is the first factory production vehicle to be delivered with a dedicated IP access and connectivity to the network. Each bike can be connected from any browser through an on board web server and WiFi.
Hussain continued, “By building on the open standards of the internet and the PC, we unlock the creativity and lower the costs of innovation for teams, enthusiasts and riders. TTX02 is a development platform that invites the potential for success previously seen in electronic hardware and software, into the automotive industry. We need to pick up the pace of innovation and make it real fast; TTX02 is a key marker in that journey”
Azhar Hussain founded TTXGP, the world’s first zero carbon, zero emission motorcycle race which took place at the Isle of Man TT in June this year. The TTX02 is inspired by the winning bike, the Agni X01. It has been built by TTXGP’s manufacturing arm, Mavizen, on a chassis supplied from the factory of one the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers.
Hussain continued, “The limited production bike, the Mavizen TTX02, gives potential participants a chance to acquire a bike that they can develop themselves to make it competitive and unique to them. Racing is brutal but at least with the Mavizen TTX02, the racers can start with a proven platform. Mavizen is about growing the grid by being an enabler by those who want to take part.”
The Mavizen TTX02 uses the rolling chassis of an FIM homologated and road legal bike. A world class manufacturer is supporting Mavizen by supplying direct from the factory, frames ready to be worked over by the Mavizen engineers.
Every owner will have the option to apply to their national vehicle licensing agency under various single vehicle type approval regimes.
Mavizen TTX02 will be available for delivery in Q1/2010 with a limited production of 50 units. Target price for complete bike with a Circuit Pack is £25,000. This will be a complete platform to take part in any national or FIM championship. To place your deposit and discuss options, please log onto www.mavizen.com.
His responsibilities will be handled by David Atlas, Tom Bledsoe, and Chris Harris.
According to David Atlas COO: “Roger’s health is first and foremost in our minds. Roger’s significant, multi-decade contribution to motorcycle racing is well known but nothing is more important than his health.”
Folks, this opportunity is over, but I will put any future dates that I find, at this same exact URL. Thank you!
AMA Pro Racer Santiago Villa sent us the following via facebook:
Ride 180 MPH with Chris Ulrich and help buy airfence! This weekend at Auto Club Speedway, Saturday and Sunday. First rides at 9:00am, ends at 5:00pm. $50 donation for three hot laps with Chris and all the money goes to the [Roadracing World] Action Fund. Leathers and safety equipment will be provided.
DMG/AMA Pro sent us a press release with 2010’s AMA Pro Superbike Championship Schedule. Most of the events are in the same order as 2009’s with a few differences. Barber moved from round 4 to the last round. 8 Hours at Daytona is nixed, and the Heartland Park Tornado Nationals are not on the list. Although it does say “Negotiations are ongoing for a 10th race”. Also, the Roger Edmondson quote implies that rumors of his firing were greatly exaggerated.
2010 AMA Pro Superbike Championship Schedule Showcases Top North American Road Courses, SPEED to Return as Broadcast Partner
Tommy Aquino image from www.amaproracing.com. Click to go there.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 5, 2009) – AMA Pro Racing officials announced today the 2010 race schedule for the AMA Pro Superbike Championship that will see the series visit the foremost road courses in the United States. SPEED will once again serve as AMA Pro’s broadcast partner.
The 2010 Superbike schedule will feature the two premier classes competing in nine confirmed events in key markets across the country. Negotiations are ongoing for a 10th race. Those details will be released in the near future.
The season will begin with the 69th annual Daytona 200 event weekend (March 3 – 5) under the lights at the “World Center of Racing.” SPEED will air the Daytona 200 live on Friday, March 5.
The Daytona 200 will be the only endurance race on the 2010 schedule. The remaining events will be doubleheader weekends that host dual 50-mile races on Saturday and Sunday.
After the Daytona opener, AMA Pro begins the doubleheader sprint race schedule at Auto Club Speedway (March 26 – 28) in Fontana, Calif., followed by a new event weekend date for Road Atlanta (April 16 – 18). Infineon Raceway (May 14 – 16) hosts the series for Round 4. The halfway point of the season hits at Road America, which has once again reserved the historical date for the Elkhart Lake track (June 4 – 6).
The series will then visit Mid-Ohio (July 16-18) before heading to Virginia International Raceway (August 13 – 15) on the same weekend for the fourth year in a row. The successful first year event over the Labor Day weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park (September 3 – 5) looks to be repeated, and the series will close at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham (September 24 – 26).
Following the season-opener at Daytona, SPEED will air flag-to-flag same weekend coverage of the two premier classes. Highlights of the other classes competing during the race weekends will be shown during the broadcasts.
“SPEED is grateful for how the relationship works between the network and AMA Pro Racing,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “Everyone involved is committed and energized in the joint effort to deliver quality motorcycle racing coverage. We look forward to the 2010 racing season and to this continued partnership.”
“It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the continuation of a great partnership with SPEED,” said AMA Pro President Roger Edmondson. “Their commitment to the growth of our sport and their unique ability to capture the excitement that the athletes and machines of our sport put on display every race weekend made continuing our relationship an easy decision. With our broadcast partner in place and our schedule visiting the best venues in the United States, we expect 2010 to be a great year and look forward to kicking off the season in Daytona.”
2010 Confirmed Events
March 3 – 5
Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, Florida)
March 26 – 28
Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, California)
April 16 – 18
Road Atlanta (Braselton, Georgia)
May 14 – 16
Infineon Raceway (Sonoma, California)
June 4 – 6
Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin)
July 16 – 18
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, Ohio)
August 13 – 15
Virginia International Raceway (Alton, Virginia)
September 3 – 5
New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, New Jersey)
September 24 – 26
Barber Motorsports Park (Birmingham, Alabama)
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
Vesrah Suzuki is selling ten of their actual racebikes. You can find the offers on the “Vesrah Susuki Bikes For Sale” page [of all places ]. Seven of them are GSXR1000s, and three of them are GSXR750s.
Henry Wiles' (not from this race) image from Tim Lester's flickr feed. Click on image to see Tim Lester's flickr feed.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 26, 2009) - After a seven week hiatus, the AMA Pro Grand National Twins Championship wrapped up the 2009 season before a packed house at the LA County Fairgrounds. With the points title still up for grabs, Jared Mees unloaded his No. 21 Blue Springs Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson / Rogers Lake Racing backed XR-750 with a 15 point lead over defending three-time Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth and his No. 1 Harley-Davidson Factory mount.
No. 42 Bryan Smith (Screamin’ Eagle / Moroney’s Harley-Davidson), No. 43 Sammy Halbert (Halbert Family / King’s Customs / Glassman), No. 4 Chris Carr (Chris Carr Racing / Lancaster Harley-Davidson) and No. 14 Jake Johnson (SuperTrapp / F&S Harley-Davidson / Saddlemen) all were mathematically still in the hunt.
The 5/8-mile Fairplex oval proved to be just as challenging as it was in 1996, the last time the Grand National circus came to town. Even though Mees was fast early in the day, posting the fourth quick time in qualifying, he was playing it safe in his heat and could only muster a fifth place finish in the third heat. The points leader would have to come through a semi and start from the back row in the 25 lap National.
No. 17 Henry Wiles (KK Motorcycle Supply / Mike Adkins) had wrapped up the Grand National Singles Championship in the last race at the Springfield Short Track and was looking to pull off his first Twins National victory when he got the hole shot in the 18 rider main.
Bryan Smith, No. 3 Joe Kopp (Latus Harley-Davidson / Screamin’ Eagle) and No. 80Y Stevie Bonsey (Top 1 Oil / Alpinestar) were in hot pursuit. On the fourth lap Bonsey fell in Turn 3 and collected Halbert, bringing a red flag. Halbert would make the restart, but Bonsey’s night was over.
Smith used the restart to full advantage grabbing a small lead over Wiles and a resurgent Coolbeth. No. 20 Matt Weidman (Chris Carr Racing / Matt’s Racing) and Chris Carr were working their way into the mix ahead of Mees and Johnson.
Smith looked to be on his way to repeating his Lima victory when on Lap 11 he coasted to a stop in Turn 2. The dejected Smith was forced to leave his Harley sitting in the hay bales, ending his night.
Wiles was now in charge with Coolbeth and Weidman not far behind. As Weidman made his bid for the lead the rough surface almost bit him allowing Mees to slip into the podium position on Lap 15.
While the leaders were involved with their problems, Halbert had carved his way into contention and he took over third on Lap 18. Kopp also dropped Mees a spot as he passed on Lap 21. The podium was set with Wiles holding nearly a three second lead over Coolbeth at the end of 25 laps. Halbert was another three seconds back.
The fifth place finish for Mees was enough for the 23-year-old to wrap up his first Grand National title. Mees made the move over to the Rogers Lake Racing Team this year, bringing his Blue Springs Screamin’ Eagle sponsor along and it paid off big time. “I’ve been chasing this for 19 years and a million miles,” said team owner Craig Rogers. “This is what it’s all about.”
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT. AMA Pro Racing also manages and works closely with the day-to-day operational organizations of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship and the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series in addition to other two-wheel and ATV series. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
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"Henry Wiles leads Chris Carr at Peoria TT" image from Tim Lester's flickr feed. Click on image to see Tim Lester's flickr feed.
These tweets are being read from their publicly-available-rss-feeds at the moment that you load this Web page. We will never copy a protected Twitter feed to this, or any other, location. I did ask each rider, but only two chose to comment.
Scott Harwood had this to say about finding his tweets here:
"Btw I also like how you post tweets from racers on your site-- cool idea to get a more personal connection between race fan and racer-- keep up the good work :-)".
Paul James had this to say about finding his tweets here:
"...thanks for including my tweets on your website. Meat in the sandwich between Hayes and Mladin! I'm not worthy!!".
On this episode of Cycle World Radio: RoadRacer Jason DiSalvo talks about leaving the USA's AMA ProRacing series behind and heading overseas to race a Triumph 675 in the international World Supersport Class. We find out about his early years, both successes and setbacks, and we get a good feeling for what makes this affable young racer tick. He talks ab […]
Steve broadcasts from our studio at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Steve talks about his current rides: his Buell 1125CR and the Kymco Xciting 500i. His main guest is Pro Motorycle Roadracer Steve Rapp (AMA #15). They discuss Rapp's career, his personality and a riding style, as well as his recent transition from teams using Kawasaki, then Yamaha and n […]
Steve talks about the MotoGuzzi Stelvio 1200ABS he is currently riding/testing, For the rest of the hour, Steve talks riding and racing with Chuck Graves. Chuck talks with Steve about his early days of motorcycle culture. He's the "Yoshimura of Yamaha". Steve and Chuck talk injuries, Willow Springs, following the money, the golden days of bike […]
Buell Motorcycle Company was shut down in October of '09 by Harley-Davidson. But Erik Buell is back with Erik Buell Racing. Steve welcomes Dave McGrath of EBR and they discuss Dave's background, his journey to EBR, his personal racing career, how he met Erik Buell, etc. Dave talks in depth about the Eurospec motor. Then Steve welcomes Twisted Throt […]
This week Steve has several bikes in his stable to review like the Victory CrossRoads. His first guest by phone is Gary LaPlante of about MotoVentures. We learn about Gary LaPlante as a teacher/instructor, his transition from racing, and how MotoVentures is a unique tour/training business model. Steve talks about having his 2 daughters take part in first tim […]
Steve broadcasts from the Cycle World International Motorcycle Tour in Long Beach CA. This is the third of three CWRadio episodes from this event. Steve begins in the Cycle World Magazine booth to talk about the Ride For Kids charity benefitting pediatric brain tumor foundation. The hot 2008 RSD Honda CBR 1000RR called "the Good Fight" that'll […]
Steve recorded this show on location at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach CA. This is the second of three CWRadio episodes from this event. He begins out in the Demo Ride Area where consumers test drive of several brands of bikes. Then he goes into the show to meet builder Edward West of Mission Motors and check out his Mission One […]
Steve recorded this show on location at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach CA. This is the first of three CWRadio episodes from this event. Steve begins with "the media tour," walking from booth to booth before the show opens to the public. First off is Victory Motorcycles. Mark Blackwell talks about featuring like Polaris […]
Segment 1: Aprilia Dorsoduro 750, Segment 2: International Motorcycle Show and charities, Yamaha R1 charity bike, Segment 3: Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum, Dick Messer, Segment 4:The physical toll of drag racing motorcycles, Segment 5: Daytona bike week and street racing, racing for money and what it leads to, starting out in moto drag racing, p […]
Segment 1: Steve broadcasts from the historic El Rey Theatre, Segment 2: The Bouncing Souls and their music, Segment 3: Dynofan and Harleys, sport bikes, Segment 4: The song Night Train and the bike that inspired it, Segment 5: Mike looses his voice test riding a new Aprilia Dorsoduro, Segment 6: The new dual clutch transmission on the Honda VFR 1200, best o […]
Former world champion and current factory Ducati MotoGP rider Nick Hayden files an audio column for SoupKast, catching you up on his recent activities, which include having surgery and going fast. Also, he confesses to moments of introspection, like, for instance, when he asked himself, "Why the %&@* am I going to Daytona, anyway?". […]
SoupKast by Honda 100 is a continuation of SoupKast by Honda 99. Subjects discussed are Moto2, John Hopkins' return to the US, James Toseland, and why some feel the new Mladin is a chap named Cal Crutchlow. […]
Okay, fine; you're right! While Soupkast 99 may be titled "The 81mm Bore" and those words may lead one to believe that this Soupkast is about the new 2012 MotoGP rules, this 'kast is actually more about Moto2. We just could not help ourselves from using that juicy and low-hanging title. Jim 'Jimola' makes a comeback on this Soup […]
Racer Jason DiSalvo woke up one day last week to a nice piece of providence. He learned that he would be a Triumph rider in World Supersport in 2010 and that he'd be testing the triple this week in Portugal. Afterwards, SoupKast spoke to him while he waited for his return flight in Lisbon. […]
A short Soup-o-kast with American GP rookie Ben Spies, who hits the MotoGP series in 2010 with his eyes wide open. He talks about MotoGP bikes and WSBK bikes and how they're really so different they can't be compared, how the lack of a dirt track background may not be a hindrance in 2010 MotoGP and the Texan also gives an impromptu riding tip for t […]
In this, the first Soupkast of Twenty-Ten, or the last one of 2009, we begin by looking back. Your intrepid Soupsters name their Top Ten Stories of 2009. We leave no stone (or Stoner) unturned as we reminisce about the past 12 months and all that happened in motorcycle roadracing around the globe. Rookie sensations, mysterious illnesses, and the devilish mac […]
Soupkast by Honda 95 features Julian Ryder giving his thoughts on the Valenica MotoGP race, with a focus on Ben Spies, who he said "rattled the cages of a few aliens". Other topics discussed: Valentino Rossi impressed by Ben Spies at Valencia. Pedrosa wins from the non-pole at V-town. And where Casey landed. Pre-race betting favored Ben Spies, and […]
A passing thought that we've had is that we could have Ron ten Kate as a guest on every Soupkast and all would be well. The Honda WSBK Team Manager is articulate, honest and a great interview - this is at least his second Soupkast audio appearance. We got him off truck-loading duty Sunday night at Imola and asked him a variety of questions, including […]
Ten minutes with newly-crowned World Superbike champion Ben Spies' crewchief, Tom Houseworth, on the morning after he and Spies won the WSBK title. Soup' thanks Tom Houseworth's sympathetic to the Soup cause wife Suzie, who instead of enjoying a morning walking around the Algarve with her rarely-seen this season husband, had to instead walk ar […]
Submitted for your approval: a short Troy Bayliss interview, recorded at Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari, one interspersed with various sounds from Imola World Superbike 2009. […]
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]. Seven of them are GSXR1000s, and three of them are GSXR750s.
