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Ben Spies at Qatar

I don't even know where to start. Let's see, steal three consecutive AMA titles from mad man Mat Mladin. Go to World Superbike and win the championship from Noriyuki Haga and Ducati in your first year. Oh, and enter the last round of MotoGP and come in seventh ahead of Andrea Dovizioso ... securing fifth place in the championship for future teammate Colin Edwards? Check. Ben Spies' determination is unquestioned, and this Thursday/Friday's Qatar test proves that. After all was said and done, he came in .601 seconds behind fastest lap holder Casey Stoner. I think that it is simply amazing for someone who has been on the YZR-M1 for a little over four months to be lapping even within a second of the pole sitter. Ben Spies is a methodical mad man and I'm excited to see the faces on the rest of the paddock throughout the season.

Honda RC30

Also referred to as the VFR750R, the RC30 (factory code name) was the first HRC homologation. Built specifically for world superbike, Honda put immense time and effort into making this bike perfect. Even available in race trim (modified pistons to new camshafts and crankshafts), there's no mistaking that V4 sound. In 2009 three French journalists raced a 21 year old RC30 in the 24 hour Le Mans race, and posted a time 10 seconds off of pole, set by Steve Plater's team on a 2009 Fireblade. Ask any purist about what bike is at the top of their list... I'll bet you get a whole lot of the same thing.

Vital S1000RR Accessory

I don't know about you... but when I purchase my S1000RR, I'm getting the Akrapovic slip-on, full carbon fiber trim and of course, every mans essential when going blisteringly fast around the track... A tank bag?! Yes the S1000RR is made by BMW, the company that caters to your dad's touring needs, but we're are talking about a weapon that was developed for sheer blitzkrieg speed. The thing lapped a second faster at Inde Motorsports Park in Wilcox, Arizona than an AMA Superstock spec GSXR1000!! I think that the last thing on your list should be making sure your cell phone and wallet are well within comfortable arm distance. Sheesh.

Moto2 Valencia Testing!

So this past weekend was the first real Moto2 test. With Honda finally giving out the engines, teams found out they're putting out around 140 Horsepower, which is only ten down from what was initially expected . The decrease in power is a result of longer engine life being the focal point of development. With a control engine, electronics and tires... this series is promised to be extremely competitive. Only a second and a half separated Julian Simon (125cc Champion) and twentieth place Vladimir Ivanov in the second day of testing. I think that is a good indication. The chassis are completely prototype, forcing teams to dial in their ergonomics perfectly. I loved 250CC and its pure-bred heritage... but like the rest of us, MotoGP needs to open its eyes and see what state the world is in. F1 has been greatly effected by the economic state of the world, and MotoGP has already shown some signs of this with Kawasaki pulling out last minute in 2009 and a mesely 17 riders being on the grid in 2009. Hopefully Moto2 can shine some hope for 2012 when the return of the 1000cc's is expected... along with some talk about allowing privateer teams to run production based engines. Is it April 11th yet?!

My First Track Day

My first track day was at Willow Springs on a MotoYard day. I chose the New Riders School and both the Streets of Willow and The Road Course. The day started off a little shitty with me losing my bike key and all... but after about an hour of freaking out, someone found it and returned it to me just in time for me to get to the track tech to make sure my bike was sound. After a little orientation with how the road course is situated, we went out and got used to the track. All of the MotoYard guys were amazing and helped me in a lot of ways. Only on the actual track were they a little hard to follow, because they would just pull away everytime I tried to follow. At the end of the day I ran a 1:52(Good enough for a club license) and hit 150mph on the straight. Both of those accomplishments gave me a big shit eatin grin.

My Bike

Here is me showing my bike to some friends who were in town this past weekend. I have a 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6. Words do not express the passion I have for this bike and how much time I am willing to spend riding it or working on it. The mods started small and modest, but obviously grew and keep growing into something greater. My plans now are to get it as close to being constantly ready for a track day. Modifications so far:

• Akrapovic Shorty Exhaust
• MJS Headers
• PC-V (Tuned by West Coast GP Cycles)
• GYT-R Air Filter
• Vortex Rearsets
• Pirelli Diablo Rosso Tires
  
• Galfer Brake Pads
• Fren Tubo Carbon Brake Lines
• DID Chain
  
• Driven Grips
• Puig Windscreen
• C&R Shorty Levers
• Shogun Sliders
• Magical Racing Carbon Rear Hugger
• Greggs Custom Integrated Turn Signals

KTM RC8

• Power: 170 bhp
  
• Torque: 123 Nm of torque
  
• Dry Weight: 413 lb

A slightly more accessible superbike, the 1195cc V-twin RC8 is a razorsharp street legal track monster. With 2010 being KTM's introduction into BSB and the Isle of Mann TT... I'm sure the RC8 will become a more common household name.

Kalex AV1

• Power: 163 PS bei 9500 U/min
• Torque: 126 Nm bei 7750 U/min
• Dry Weight: 155kg
  
  
  

A German custom/made to order superbike. Who can ask for more? For the price of this perfection, you can get any suspension/brake set-up under the sun. And now with the Pons Kalex Moto2 team furthering their R&D... I'm sure future endeavors will be even more mouth watering.

Opening round of WSBK: Phillip Island

Leon Haslam(91) wins race one and Carlos Checa(7) wins race two. A Suzuki and a privateer Ducati sweeping the opening weekend? This weekend made me so excited about this years WSBK(World Superbike). Leon Camier looked good until he ran it wide in the same corner both races... but I think he will be a top contender this year. Same with Cal Crutchlow, moving up to superbike seems like the right choice. Crutchlow did crash out in race one but persevered over two-time world champion teammate Toseland in race two to take ninth place. MotoGP dropouts James Toseland and Chris Vermeulen didn't have the best weekend. Toseland crashed out in race one but got a hard fought tenth in race two. After crashing out in race one, Vermeulen got an electrifying start to race two, getting up to fourth on the ill equipped Kawasaki before throwing the bike and himself into the tire wall. What impresses me the most though is how two teams that didn't really do much in 2009 kept the factory Ducati's at bay. Haga and Fabrizio had to be surprised at that.

Ducati Desmosedici RR

• Power: 197.3 bhp @ 13,800 rpm
  
• Torque: 85 ft·lbf @ 10,500 rpm
• Dry Weight: 377.0 lb

There's something you have to appreciate about a motorcycle that is created out of pure racing heritage. Something that is purely meant to make you piss yourself and love every minute of it.