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why indy?

Joined Sep 2006
779 Posts | 0+
JACKSONVILLE,FLORIDA, U.S.A.
Why Indy? Why MotoGP?
Tuesday, 17th July 2007

During Monday's historic announcement that Indianapolis will host a round of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and IMS president Joie Chitwood outlined the reasoning behind the second US event.


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"Indianapolis is one of the most iconic names for all fans of motorsports, thanks to its unique history," began Ezpeleta. "MotoGP meanwhile is very proud of its own history. The FIM World Championship MotoGP is the oldest motorsport world championships in existence and has the biggest names in motorcycling competing for the world crown for over 58 seasons.

"One of the names missing from that history until now was the famous Brickyard at Indianapolis, and many people may not realise that the very first race here was a motorcycle race. With the Brickyard anniversary coming up in 2009 and our own 60th anniversary the same year, it seems the MotoGP and Indianapolis should come together at this time.

"Since MotoGP began racing in USA two years ago, interest of our sport has been continually on the increase. Thanks to the combined effort of Laguna Seca in the past two years, we have seen great racing in the States. And the grandstand filled with fans, I'm sure, the coming weekend we will enjoy another fantastic event in California.


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"There are many fans of MotoGP, and we say thanks to them for the past 10 years. We are talking about legendary names, such as Kenny Roberts Sr.; Freddie Spencer; Eddie Lawson; Wayne Rainey; Nicky Hayden; and especially those who join us today, Kenny Roberts Jr., and Kevin Schwantz. However, by coming to Indianapolis, we hope to attract a new great of fan who can enjoy the history of the sport but still be astonished with the skills, the thrills, and the riders.
 
Dorna is trying really hard to increase the viewership on MotoGP in the US. The licensing revenue they get from speed is probably a pittance compared to the number of potential viewers in the US market. So, inalong with getting coverage on the networks (CBS) and allowing more american riders (yup, americans like to watch americans) at Laguna, this move to Indy is part of the master plan.

The Laguna track is not up to MotoGP standards (safety buffer zones etc. In addition the infrastructure (hotels rooms etc) are quite limited. So, the organizers are hoping that the move to Indy, which has better facilities, will draw larger crowds.

Also, the midwest is where mainstream america is. If they can only tap into the NASCAR Dad audience, MotoGP will become huge in the US.
 
Povol & crvlvr are both correct IMO.

Dorna realise the US market is a potentially massive & lucritve market, something they would love to be a part of.
The US getting the Indy raceis just fantastic.
Luguna and the fans should pat themselves on the back, cause if they had done a poor job at Luguna the chances of this happening would have been zero and they may have risked losing the Luguna race.
Lets hope they keep Luguna on the schedule (I love the cork screw)
 
You should be happy and proud that we get another round on the calender, being an American and all. Once people see motoGP, they might see the light and stop watching NASCAR in favor of MotoGP.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DrDanMD @ Jul 20 2007, 01:39 PM) [snapback]79911[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
stop watching NASCAR in favor of MotoGP.


Ain't never going to happen. NASCAR is part of the American constitution!!
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>Also, the midwest is where mainstream america is. If they can only tap into the NASCAR Dad audience, MotoGP will become huge in the US.

crvlvr...Do you really think that’s possible???...do you think that the American biker culture (choppers and more choppers, Harley’s) will and can adopt to sports bikes? I personally for the life of me can’t understand if Americans were so interested in international racing why hasent Harley ever made an attempt to compete in the SBK? May be you could elaborate on that...as from what I have seen over the years and read Dorna is fighting an uphill battle with the imbedded biker culture and the big business that it generates in the US of A!
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CSCVAW @ Jul 20 2007, 05:40 AM) [snapback]79917[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
crvlvr...Do you really think that’s possible???...do you think that the American biker culture (choppers and more choppers, Harley’s) will and can adopt to sports bikes?

A good point, but there's more to it than Harley riders, CSCVAW. If I were Dorna, I'd look at the USA as a huge, virtually untapped market worth millions of Euros. What is the bast way to get this? Stage more races. The Americans love bike racing, have plenty of motorcross and road racing events going on at a local and national level. An then there's the AMA Superbikes, which does OK. The Yanks know bike racing when they see it.
One thing you could accuse Dorna of is being too Euro-centric, and if they wish to make more money, they need the series to be global, and so they have to better represent the USA.
Having one event a year, without the 250cc and 125cc classes, is not doing the job. Having two will bring more advertisers, gate receipts, coverage, and cash onto the bandwagon that is MotoGP. I bet the riders quite like the idea too - there will now be a new, big pool of sponsors eager to sign them up. More cash for everyone.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CSCVAW @ Jul 20 2007, 12:40 AM) [snapback]79917[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
crvlvr...Do you really think that’s possible???...do you think that the American biker culture (choppers and more choppers, Harley’s) will and can adopt to sports bikes? I personally for the life of me can’t understand if Americans were so interested in international racing why hasent Harley ever made an attempt to compete in the SBK? May be you could elaborate on that...as from what I have seen over the years and read Dorna is fighting an uphill battle with the imbedded biker culture and the big business that it generates in the US of A!



Harley did try Superbike in the AMA and failed miserably.Rarely finished and got 1 podium in i believe 3 years, and that was before the Suzuki domination began.Then they tried Formula Extreme with a 1300 cc Buell against 600's and rarely finished and were frequently getting lapped.The one series here in the states that has catered to them so they can win is NHRA,they CAN get those pieces of .... to hold together for 6 seconds.
 
povol.....YOu are not entirely correct. The Harleys they drag race do NOT use a Harley motor.....There is actually very little on it that comes from Harley (if anything at all). All the motors start out as S&S motors. They are then rebuilt from there.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(machmanzx10r @ Jul 20 2007, 12:17 PM) [snapback]80039[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
povol.....YOu are not entirely correct. The Harleys they drag race do NOT use a Harley motor.....There is actually very little on it that comes from Harley (if anything at all). All the motors start out as S&S motors. They are then rebuilt from there.

Updated: Buell Officially Announces 2008 1125R Sportbike
Jul 08, 2007

Copyright 2007 Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. (This original, copyrighted material may not be copied, cut and pasted, published or otherwise reproduced in any way in any medium, which means, don’t post this on another website or BBS. If you want somebody else to see this, send them a link or post a link to this page.)



The 2008 Buell 1125R was unveiled to the public Sunday at Road America.

Photo by David Swarts


The water-cooled Buell 1125R has twin, side-mounted radiators and 47mm Showa forks.

Photo by David Swarts
Buell Motorcycle Company officials today announced at Road America they have built a new sportbike, the 1125R, which is powered by a water-cooled engine, a first for the American company.

The 1125R is powered by a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 1125cc, 72º V-Twin “Helicon” engine that is built by BRP-Rotax. Bore and stroke is 103 x 67.5mm, compression ratio is 12.3:1 and the engine is fed by dual 61mm down draft throttle bodies.

It is rated at 146 peak horsepower at 9800 rpm and 82 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 8000 rpm and has a redline of 10,500 rpm. The engine is cooled by twin, side-mount radiators and is backed by a six-speed transmission that is equipped with a Hydraulic Vacuum-Assist Slipper-Action Clutch. Final drive will still be via belt, but it will be moved to the left side of the motorcycle.

The new machine has a twin-spar aluminum frame that doubles as the fuel tank but with more capacity than in the past, 5.6 gallons. The fully-adjustable Showa forks measure 47mm, but no rake and trail numbers were released. Showa also supplies the fully-adjustable, piggyback style rear shock, which works without a linkage between the frame and the cast aluminum swingarm. Wheelbase is 54.6 inches, 2.6 inches longer than previous Buell XB models. Dry weight is claimed to be 375 pounds.

The 1125R gets an evolutionary version of the Zero Torsional Load braking system, essentially the eight-piston inverted caliper from the XBRR production racebike. Cast aluminum wheels measure 3.50 x 17.0 inches front and 5.50 x 17.0 inches rear, and the new Buell comes wearing Pirelli Diablo Corsa III sport radials.

Look for more on the new Buell sportbike in an upcoming issue of Roadracing World.




More, from a press release issued by Buell Motorcycle Company:

NEW BUELL 1125R REDEFINES THE SPORTBIKE RIDING EXPERIENCE
Liquid-Cooled V-Twin Wraps 146-hp in Patented Buell Technology

EAST TROY, Wis. (July 8, 2007) – The Buell Motorcycle Company is set to break the convention of the superbike category with the Buell 1125R, an all-new, liter-class motorcycle that delivers an artful balance of street and track performance. Rooted in the core design principles and character that have defined Buell motorcycles for 25 years, the 1125R offers power, handling and agility that will take its owner to a new level of riding experience. The Buell 1125R joins the XB and Blast as a third and distinct Buell motorcycle platform. The Buell 1125R is expected to arrive in Buell dealerships in late 2007.

"We designed the 1125R from the rider down," said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. "The 1125R takes Buell to a new level of performance, while continuing to embrace the fundamental Buell principals of motorcycle design and offering a great motorcycle riding experience."

The Buell 1125R riding experience derives not just from its power, but from a carefully considered combination of engine performance, precise-and-agile handling, advanced aerodynamics, and superior rider environment and control, all packaged with distinctive styling that leaves many of the motorcycle's mechanical components exposed.

New V-Twin Muscle
The Buell 1125R Helicon engine is a new 1125cc DOHC V-Twin, the first liquid-cooled engine to power a street-legal Buell motorcycle. This compact, 72-degree engine is the result of a collaboration between Buell and BRP-Rotax, a leader in the development and manufacture of advanced engines for recreational products. The Helicon engine was designed to Buell specifications and is exclusive to Buell. It will be manufactured in Austria by BRP-Rotax. The most-powerful street-legal engine ever offered by Buell, the Helicon engine is rated at 146 crankshaft horsepower, and is designed to deliver optimized usable power, with a broad powerband across its 10500 rpm range. Its V-Twin design retains the styling and character that has always defined the Buell riding experience.

The engine is cradled in a new Buell Intuitive Response Chassis (IRC) with massive, rigid aluminum spars that double as the fuel reservoir. The new 1125R sticks to the three tenants of the Buell Trilogy of Technology – chassis rigidity, low unsprung weight and mass centralization – to deliver race-inspired agility and handling. The all-new front fairing and radiator cowling was developed using the latest computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to provide superior aerodynamics, rider comfort, and efficient air flow to longitudinal radiators and a ram-air intake system.

The front wheel is supported by 47 mm inverted forks. A new Buell ZTL2 front brake features an eight-piston caliper based on the brake developed for the Buell XBRR racing motorcycle. A smooth-shifting six-speed transmission is mated to a new HVA (Hydraulic Vacuum Assist) Slipper Action clutch that uses engine vacuum to boost clutch-lever action and to provide a "slipper" effect when the engine is down-shifted at speed. A new underslung muffler has dual brushed stainless steel outlets.

The Buell 1125R offers an athletic riding position. Quiet Zone aerodynamics are achieved by managing air flow around the rider for enhanced performance and comfort. The toe levers on both the brake and shift foot controls are adjustable to match rider foot size. The instrument cluster features a large analog tachometer and a digital speedometer, plus an Onboard Diagnostic Information System (O.D.I.S.) screen and other interactive features. The fairing shape is inspired by the Buell XBRR and features six-bulb headlamps. LED turn signals are integrated into the mirror housings.

The Buell 1125R is available with Midnight Black bodywork, Diamond Blue wheels, Diamond Blue frame and swingarm, and Fusion Bronze engine trim.

Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces premium sport performance motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer and experience the aggressive attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into www.buell.com



More, from a press release issued by Buell:

2008 BUELL LINE FEATURES NEW LIQUID-COOLED 1125R SPORTBIKE
Company Marks 25 Years of Building American Sport Motorcycles

EAST TROY, Wis. (July 8, 2007) – Two major milestones will mark the 2008 model year for the Buell Motorcycle Company. As Buell celebrates its 25th year of building innovative American sport motorcycles, it also makes a significant move into a new category with the introduction of the Buell 1125R, an all-new high-performance sportbike powered by an 1125cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine.

The Buell 1125R is the first model on an all-new Buell platform, and is one of nine models in a 2008 Buell line-up that also includes five bikes in the Lightning streetfighter series, the original sportfighter XB12R Firebolt, the XB12X Ulysses adventure-sportbike, and the single-cylinder Buell Blast.

"In 1983, I set out to build a world-class American racing motorcycle," said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. "That project turned out to be the first step on a journey of many exciting twists and turns for the Company and our riders. It's really perfect timing to be able to celebrate a significant anniversary in a year when we launch the Buell 1125R, a motorcycle that applies all of the lessons we've learned over a quarter-century, and rolls out new ideas and innovation. I think the Buell 1125R delivers a combination of performance, intuitive handling and athleticism that will redefine the superbike riding experience."

Buell Highlights for 2008 (see separate releases for more detail on each topic)

25 Years of American Sport Motorcycles
To note the 25th anniversary of Erik Buell's founding of the Buell Motorcycle Company in 1983, all 2008 Buell models except the Blast will carry a commemorative badge featuring Erik's signature.

Introducing the Buell 1125R
An all-new model set to break the convention of the superbike category, the Buell 1125R is powered by the Buell 1125R Helicon engine, an 1125cc DOHC liquid-cooled V-Twin cradled in a Buell Intuitive Response Chassis. The Helicon was specified by Buell and designed in partnership with BRP-Rotax, one of the premier recreational engine manufacturers in the world. Utilizing the Buell Trilogy of Tech principles and computer-modeled aerodynamics, the 1125R is designed to deliver the precise handling that has defined Buell for 25 years with a new level of engine performance. Buell developed this powertrain to meet a customer experience specification. It delivers the power of a superbike with the abundant torque characteristics of a V-Twin for outstanding overall performance and tractability. The Buell 1125R is expected to arrive in Buell dealerships in late 2007.

Thunderstorm V-Twin Updates
Buell advances the performance of its air/oil/fan-cooled Thunderstorm V-Twin engine series with a larger crank pin, an improved oiling system, and a new electronic timing system and ECM that controls an all new DDFI 3 fuel injection system. Combined, these changes improve drivability and performance, and reduce service maintenance costs. The Thunderstorm V-Twin engine powers all models in the Buell XB platform.

New Front End on XB12X Ulysses
The XB12X Ulysses adventure sportbike has new off-set 47 mm inverted front forks and robust off-set triple clamps that reduce fork flex under hard braking. Steering sweep is increased from 54 to 74 degrees for improved low-speed off-road maneuverability, and the Ulysses now comes with standard heated hand grips.

Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces premium sport performance motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer and experience the aggressive attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into www.buell.com


http://motorcycles.about.com/od/newbikepho...llery/index.htm
 
povol....What exactly is your point here? This is talking about Buell. While Buell is a subsidiary of Harley, it doens't appear that Harley has much to do with this bike.

I was think in terms of the AHDRA....The All Harley Drag Race Association. Even they don't use Harley motors. They are S&S motors and they are bored, stroked whatever to I believe it is 122 ci max....Even this series doesn't use a Harley motor!

This bike is rated at 145 CRANK hp....That equates to what....120 max at the rear wheel? My bike is about 25 pounds heavier and offers 30-35 more hp at the wheel. And why a rotax engine?

Once Buell builds a bike that can start winning races and starts staying together for a season, then we can talk about this bike as a potential bike to consider. Until that happens, it is still a piece of junk. I have ridden several of the Buell models and they are nothing close to what I would call inspirational....
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(machmanzx10r @ Jul 21 2007, 06:53 AM) [snapback]80260[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
povol....What exactly is your point here? This is talking about Buell. While Buell is a subsidiary of Harley, it doens't appear that Harley has much to do with this bike.

I was think in terms of the AHDRA....The All Harley Drag Race Association. Even they don't use Harley motors. They are S&S motors and they are bored, stroked whatever to I believe it is 122 ci max....Even this series doesn't use a Harley motor!

This bike is rated at 145 CRANK hp....That equates to what....120 max at the rear wheel? My bike is about 25 pounds heavier and offers 30-35 more hp at the wheel. And why a rotax engine?

Once Buell builds a bike that can start winning races and starts staying together for a season, then we can talk about this bike as a potential bike to consider. Until that happens, it is still a piece of junk. I have ridden several of the Buell models and they are nothing close to what I would call inspirational....

Dont look at me,i didnt post the Buell press release.And yes i know the engines are not Harley but they are marketed as such to get the Harley crowd to come to the track.And the AHDRA was formed when they could not compete with the Jap Nitro bikes, like Larry [Spiderman] Mcbride.They were getting whipped so bad they quit and made there on series
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Corr @ Jul 19 2007, 08:50 PM) [snapback]79905[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

Lets hope they keep Luguna on the schedule (I love the cork screw)

their contract runs for 2 more years... thru 2009 i believe.
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