Remy Gardner in action

By MotoGP desk
Image by Honda Racing

Remy and Luca Gardner, sons of 1987 500cc World Champion Wayne, will be backed by Japanese engineering company Moriwaki when he begins his European racing career in the Spanish CEV series next season.

The Gardner family a long history with Moriwaki as Wayne was supported by the firm from his early career and was launched to world at Daytona in February 1981, followed by a full season racing in the UK Superbike and F1 Championships as Moriwaki's factory rider. The following year Wayne was signed by Honda Britain and the rest is history.

"This is an outstanding and timely opportunity for Remy and Luca, but more than that, there is so much significant history between myself and the Moriwaki family. I'm overwhelmed that Mamoru believes in our ability to help develop his new Moto3 chassis," saud Gardner Sr.

"Remy has proven he is skilled in providing solid and useful feedback to his engineers, and with my guidance and Moriwaki's incredible knowledge I believe we will be a force to be reckoned with in the future."

16 year old Arthur Sissis has signed to race on the Ajo Motorsport Team for the 2012 Moto3 season.

The Australian rider joins fellow former Red Bull MotoGP Rookie Danny Kent on the Ajo Motorsport Team. It was their success in the Rookies Cup in 2011 and 2010 respectively that ensured their inclusion in the factory KTM team.

“It's a dream come true,” said Sissis. “This has been the best year of my life. I have learned so much in the Rookies Cup. I was a speedway rider before and learned everything about road racing in the Cup. I know that racing in the GP class is a new challenge, but I'm ready for it.”

Sissis finished 2nd in the 2011 Cup behind Lorenzo Baldassarri. The 15 year old Italian is too young to race in GPs and will stay in the Rookies Cup for 2012. His year, along with the other 23 Rookies, starts with the pre-season test at Estoril in Portugal on April 2nd, with the first contest of the 15 race season at Jerez on April 28th.

The 24 Rookies represent 14 nations from across the globe, from Japan and South Africa, the breadth of Europe to the United States of America. They will race at 8 Grands Prix across Europe in 15 races and been seen around the world on more than 50 TV stations. The best rider at the end of the season is guaranteed a place in the factory KTM Moto3 team for 2013.

The 2011 edition of this classis race on four wheels, held November 24-27 at the Monza circuit, will have an extraordinary line up of participants and will include a tribute to Marco Simoncelli.

The Monza Rally Show that begins this week at the historic Italian circuit includes a spectacular list of participants that includes 8 World Rally champions, 5 European Rally champions, an IRC Rally title holder, 11 champions from the Italian Rally series, 10 World motorcycling title champions and 3 title winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Among the four wheel professionals are Sebastien Loeb (8 times World Rally Champion), Dani Sordo, winner of the 2010 edition of the World Rally event, and Dindo Capello, one of the stars of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The representation of MotoGP riders is also evident with registered drivers including Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso, Claudio Corti and Andrea Iannone, plus several journalists who ordinarily follow the MotoGP World Championship.

In addition, the Automobile Club of Milan and the Monza Autodrome will dedicate the Master Show, the most spectacular race of Monza Rally Show, to the late Italian star Marco Simoncelli. The 2011 edition of this race is named the Master Show- Marco Simoncelli Trophy in honor of the memory of the MotoGP rider who participated in this race several times, repeatedly demonstrating his passion for rally car racing.

"With this decision, we want to tribute a recent competitor of this event - an extraordinary champion whose absence leaves a great void in the world of racing," stated Geronimo La Russa, vice president of the Automobile Club of Milan.

Alex Rins, Jordi Torres and Ivan Silva crowned 2011 CEV Buckler Champions

Ivan Silva, Jordi Torres, Adria Araujo, Alex Rins, CEV Jerez

Three Champions were crowned at the seventh and final round of the CEV Buckler on Sunday in front of 11,700 spectators at the Jerez circuit.

In the 125GP/Moto3 category, Miguel Oliveira claimed the race victory at the controls of his Honda Moto3 machine. This was the last race ever for the two-stroke 125GP bikes, as the category in 2012 will be occupied solely by Moto3 machines, with which the class has been shared.

Oliveira dominated the race from start to finish, though the focus of the race was behind him on team mates Alex Rins and Alex Márquez, both of whom were challenging for the title. The two were chased by Joseph Rodriguez (who fell), Niccolo Antonelli and Andrea Migne. In the thrilling title battle, the first shock came when the wet asphalt claimed Rins, who crashed out with four laps to go, leaving the title in the hands of Márquez. But two laps from the finish, Márquez then fell, handing the title back over to Rins. The final two to join race winner Oliveira on the podium were Antonelli and Migno.

Jordi Torres was proclaimed Moto2 Champion after a gripping race that was won by Frenchman Lucas Mahias, who over the weekend proved to be the best at adapting to the difficult track conditions present in Jerez. The race was marked by intense rainfall just before the finish, after which Mahias took the lead and kept it until he crossed the line first. Behind the Frenchman, the battle for the next podium positions was ultimately won by Kevin Coghlan who took second and Dan Linfood in third, the two swapping positions until the final lap. Carmelo Morales, who was fighting for the title against Torres, overcame Isaac Viñales to land fourth, while Torres remained cautious and crossed the line eighth, which enough to win his first national title.

The Stock Extreme race was also intense, but both title contenders, Santiago Barragán Ivan Silva remaining cautious in the rough conditions, with Silva finishing 11th just behind Barragán to claim the title. The BMW Motorrad team dominated the race and took all three podium spots with Javier Fores claiming the win, followed by Xavier Del Amor and Alberto López. Only the early stages of the race was the win disputed by Kyle Smith, until crashing out just before the halfway point.

Scrambler motorcycle

Of all the motorcycles revealed at the EICMA show in Milan, this is the one that got my heart beating fastest. It’s the Husqvarna Concept MOAB, and it’s billed as a “modern re-interpretation of the scrambler”. If the colors look familiar, it’s because they replicate the paintwork of Steve McQueen’s 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross. According to the blurb given to the press, “The red tank, the spacious seat, the yellow side panel number holders, the simple stripped-down frame … these all form the essence of the new incarnation of the Husqvarna spirit.” And that’s fine by me.

Scrambler motorcycle

The engine is the proven Rotax/BMW 650 unit, which helps to keep the bike compact and the seat height low. Wheels are 17” front and rear, and fitted with Pirelli MT60RS dual-sport tires. The ‘bars are high and wide, and the long seat will make the riding position even more comfortable. Hi-tech touches come from the instrument panel and the LED lights in the front number holder and at the back. Husqvarna hasn’t said whether or not it’ll put this bike into production. But the response at EICMA was enthusiastic—in contrast to the mixed response the newly productionized Nuda 900R has been getting. My gut feeling is that the Varese-based company has judged the market well this time, and we’re due for a resurgence of interest in scrambler-type motorcycles. After all, it’s a bike you can ride into the city during the week, and down the firetrails on Sunday. If it went on sale for less than $10,000, I’d pony up the cash. Would you?

Scrambler motorcycle