Misano MotoGP™ debrief with Masao Azuma Wednesday 19 September 2012 Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Soft, Medium, Hard. Rear: Medium, Hard (Asymmetric) Bridgestone wet tyre compounds available: Hard (Main), Soft (Alternative) This year’s San Marino and Rimini Grand Prix was won by Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo who continued his excellent record at a circuit where he has never finished off the podium in his MotoGP™ career. Conditions this year at Misano varied considerably over the race weekend. Friday and Saturday were affected by rain and wind, though a change in the weather on Saturday afternoon ensured that qualifying, morning warm up and the race took place in dry conditions. The limited dry running time before Sunday meant tyre choice for the race was the same for every rider on the grid, with the softer rear and harder front slick being selected by all twenty-one riders lining up on the grid. Lorenzo’s sixth win of the season, coupled with his closest challenger Dani Pedrosa failing to finish at Misano means the 2010 MotoGP™ champion holds a thirty-eight point advantage in the riders standings with five races remaining. Q&A with Masao Azuma Chief Engineer, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department Every rider on the grid selected the same tyre combination for the Misano Grand Prix; why was the combination of the softer rear and harder front slick so widely used? “Weather conditions this year at Misano were almost the same as for the 2011 race and every rider on the grid also selected the same tyre combination as last year; the softer rear matched with the harder front slick. The reason for this is that the Misano circuit demands a lot of stability from the front-end of the bike and the rubber compound used in the hard front slick has a slight advantage in this regard compared to the softer options. The softer rear slick has an advantage in edge grip and warm-up performance and gives greater drive out of corners. A major factor in every rider selecting the same tyre combination was the lack of dry track time.” So the lack of dry track time resulted in race tyre choice for each rider being the same, but how did the bad weather affect the track condition itself? “The rain on Friday and Saturday did create difficult track conditions. For the free practice sessions, the circuit was neither completely wet nor completely dry and had large damp patches which resulted in highly variable grip levels. The improved warm-up performance of the 2012 specification tyres meant some riders felt comfortable using slicks on the damp track, but the data acquired in such conditions was of limited benefit. As already mentioned, the biggest problem the unsettled weather caused was limiting the amount of dry track time before the race to find a proper setup, though some riders also commented that grip levels during the race were less than ideal, so it is possible that the poor weather earlier in the weekend contributed to this lack of grip.” Temperatures for the race were the warmest they had been all weekend, but still every rider selected the softer rear slick. In what kind of conditions would use of the harder rear slick been more widespread? “In the past at Misano when the track temperature has been above 40°C the harder rear slick has been more widely used. For the last couple of years however, the track temperature for the race has been around the mid-thirty degree mark and tyre wear has not been too much of a problem and the softer rear slick has been preferred.” More, from a press release issued by Shannon Moham’s publicist: MRA Racer Shannon Moham Wins 7 Races and Clinches an Astonishing 9 Championships at the last round of the 2012 Season The MRA closed out their season at Pikes Peak International Raceway, in Fountain Colorado, this past weekend. To make things interesting, the MRA chose to make this last round worth double points. To racer Shannon Moham, that meant a little more work was needed to clinch the 9 Championships he was up for. He did not disappoint. Moham can proudly add Nine Championships to his 2013 road race resume next year! The race weekend started out on a beautiful Colorado Saturday afternoon with the first race of the day, Lightweight GP. Of course, it wouldn’t be racing Moham style if things went smoothly. As Moham rolled up to the starting line, he put the bike into neutral. Starter Bob set the grid, Moham put the bike into gear and it lurched forward, stalling. Realizing that the clutch wouldn’t engage, Moham sat on the grid and waited for the entire field to pass him by. He then push started the bike, Fred Flintstone style, while holding onto the starter button until the bike got going. At this point, Moham realized he was nearly a third of a lap behind the entire field of 16 racers. He figured now was the time to put his head down and giddy up! Riding his Mighty SV like he’s never ridden it before, Moham states, “I knew I had to pass the entire field and win this race in order to secure my Championship. I just didn’t think I’d really do it”! But “do it” is exactly what he did! Moham succeeded in passing that entire field of LWGP racers and went on to set a new class lap record, win the race, and a Class Championship. To finish up his race day, Moham won and secured both Lightweight and Heavyweight back-to-back endurance races and Championships! Wow, what a first day. Sunday proved to be yet another gorgeous day at PPIR and Moham was on a mission. His goal, to win 5 more Class Championships as well as the overall points championship. Supertwins GTO would be his first race of the day. As Moham’s Mighty SV left the starting line, Starter Bob Heaton and fellow racers behind him noticed smoke and oil coming from the bike. Moham was quickly black flagged, but didn’t see or realize there was a problem until good friend and fellow racer Jon Glaefke passed him, waving and pointing to his bike. Moham stated, “Usually Jon waves to me jokingly as he motors by my little SV on his Pierobon, but when I saw he was trying to get my attention and pointing at my bike, I knew there was a problem. I pulled over immediately.” Back in his pits, with the SV still on the track, Moham knew the problem stemmed from the clutch gasket, as he had to replace several broken clutch plates the previous day. Thus, he instructed his crew to remove the clutch cover and replace it with a spare. The plan was to have this done while he went out to race Middleweight Superbike. If the plan failed, he would have to borrow a bike for Modern Vintage GTU. Again, a championship was at stake. As Moham left on his R6 to race in MWSB, his team rushed to get the SV squared away. Moham won MWSB, along with the Championship, and came into the pits to see which bike he would be racing in MVGTU. The Mighty SV was up and running, waiting for him. Moham went on to win the MVGTU race and Championship! Moham stated, “I wouldn’t have been able to get back out there after MWSB, to race in MVGTU, if Lil Mike Papajohn and Brandon Johnson hadn’t been able to fix my clutch. A huge shout out to those guys for being awesome and getting the job done. Lil Mike has saved my ass a few times this year and I owe him a lot”! Moham ended up bringing home a third place finish in the STGTO Championship, despite his technical issues. Resting over lunch and trying to keep his head in the game, Moham had a jam-packed afternoon ahead of him. Three more Championships were at stake. Starting off with the premier race of the weekend, Race of the Rockies GTU, Moham’s previous wins gave him a comfortable lead in the points. This allowed him wave fellow riders by as he found a safe and comfortable spot on the track, in fourth position, to finish out the race. Moham could add ROR U Class Champion to his list of accomplishments for the 2012 season. With only one race in between ROR U and back-to-back Supertwins GTU and Heavyweight Superbike Moham had no time to let his guard down. STGTU proved to be a nail biter for all those watching. Moham and fellow racer Mike Applehans were battling for the Class Championship. As the two came into turn 5, they came together and both went down. The race was red flagged, but both racers were able to restart the race. They were both gridded at the back of the pack, but Moham was able to dominate on his Mighty SV and went on to win the race and the Championship. Finally Moham gridded up for HWSB, his last race of the day and season. His end goal = 8th Championship of the season. Moham, in his usual determined fashion, was able to take the win and clinch that 8th Class Championship. Most would be happy with those kinds of results. But Moham didn’t earn the nickname “Marathon Man” on the track for no reason. He earned his 9th Championship, Clubman, for having the most points in the club at the end of the season. When you consistently race 9 races a weekend, it’s no wonder that you bring that title home for the second year in a row. Moham released the following statement, “There’s no way I could have won any of these Championships without the continuing support that I’ve received this year. I want to thank Race Tech for their amazing suspension they provided to me for both bikes. We have such a great setup and it really allowed me to excel this year on both the SV and R6. I also want to thank Dunlop tires and Steve Mills. Wow, what a tire. The Dunlop was money race after race, weekend after weekend. I’m so incredibly glad to be on such a fantastic tire and to be a part of the awesome Dunlop team. To the MRA, I want to say thank you for putting on an incredible and successful season. I am blessed to be a part of such a wonderful race family”. Moham went on to say, “All my sponsors play such a huge part in our success. Woodcraft makes the best hard parts and awesome tire warmers. Plus they always keep me supplied in knee pucks, as I go through about a dozen a weekend, ha-ha. I want to give a shout out to Jim at Silkolene for being so great to us and always replenishing our supplies in a timely fashion! Galfer has been incredible with their support in our racing effort and their brakes are unreal so I want to say thank you for that! To Mark at Renegade Fuel, thank you for providing the best fuel on the market. Dave at Worldwide Bearings has been super and has helped us with bearings whenever we’ve needed them and I can’t thank him enough for his support. Jim at Rocky Mountain Photo has taken some incredible photos of me on the racetrack and has been tremendous in supporting us with photos to our sponsors and to Roadracing World throughout the season. Thank you Jim for being out at the track every weekend and for helping us out whenever we’ve asked for photos. Thanks to my bud Lil Mike Papajohn. You’ve been a huge help man and I appreciate all you do. Big Mike, Mama Chris and Cassy Papajohn, thank you for keeping me fed and for making sure I get through the weekend in one piece. You guys are the best. I want to thank my Mom and family for always coming to the races and supporting me. Their presence means the world! And last, but not least, to my wife Segren and our awesome daughters Denver and Dakota. Thank you Segren for bringing our second daughter into the world this summer on a non-race weekend! Without you, none of this would be possible. You and the girls are my everything and I’m so glad you support me in everything I do! I know I’ve been long winded, but to sum it up I want everyone to know how important and special they are to my racing endeavors. Thank you for such an amazing season and I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store! See y’all next year”. Shannon would like to give a special thanks to the following: Nordic Nursing, Dunlop Tires, Race Tech, Renegade Fuel, Woodcraft, Vortex, GPR Stabilizer, Galfer, Lockhart Phillips, Silkolene, Ogio, Pit Bull, Reuben Frankenfield at 35 Motorsports, Rex at Tri City Cycle, Vickery Motorsports, K&N, Bazzaz Performance, Motonation, Rocky Mountain Photo, Racing Batteries USA, Worldwide Bearings, Pit Posse, his wife Segren, daughter Denver, Mom, the Papajohns and the MRA corner workers. More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision: KENNEDY AND RICHARDS TARGET DUTCH DELIGHT AT ASSEN The Motorpoint British Supersport Championship protected by Datatag arrives for a momentous first event at the legendary Assen circuit in Holland this weekend (21/22/23 September) as Jack Kennedy bids to extend his advantage in the overall standings. Kennedy regained the standings lead after his Australian rival Glen Richards briefly snatched it away but just 10.5 points separate the pair ahead of the historic two races this weekend. The second Smiths (Gloucester) Racing Triumph rider Billy McConnell has also been a podium contender and he is coming under increased fire from Oxford TAG Triumph rival Christian Iddon. This weekend also marks the return of the championship-winning Tyco Suzuki team, who will line up on the grid again after lifting the title with Alastair Seeley last season. They have signed up young gun PJ Jacobsen for this event following the New Yorker’s sensational victory in the Superstock class at Donington Park last time out. Australian Supersport title contender Brodie Waters also will make his debut in the class as he jets in for the event with the Hampshire Motorcycles team. Motorpoint British Supersport Championship protected by Datatag standings: 1. Jack Kennedy (Martrain Yamaha) 310.5 2. Glen Richards (Smiths (Gloucester) Racing Triumph) 300 3. Billy McConnell (Smiths (Gloucester) Racing Triumph) 261 4. Christian Iddon (Oxford TAG Triumph) 186.5 5. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 185 For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com