plus 3, Warren Willing Will Ride Demonstration Laps At Honda Broadford Bike ... - RoadracingWorld.com

Warren Willing Will Ride Demonstration Laps At Honda Broadford Bike ... - RoadracingWorld.com
Face of racing getting more of an Alfred State look - Times-Herald
Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing (Hare Scramble Series) Starts Feb 27th ... - PRLog (free press release)
"Smart" power key as EU sparks electric car debate - Reuters India

Warren Willing Will Ride Demonstration Laps At Honda Broadford Bike ... - RoadracingWorld.com

Posted: 07 Feb 2010 10:14 PM PST

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From a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:
Motorcycling Australia (MA) is pleased to announce that 1976 Australian Unlimited Road Racing Champion, Warren Willing, will return to the track this Easter at the 2010 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza (HBBB).
Willing, whose battles with friend and arch-rival, Gregg Hansford in the 1970s are still talked about, will cut demonstration laps on the special 3-cylinder Suzuki 350, built for him to contest the 1973 New Zealand International Season.
The machine features a Steve Roberts chassis and is now owned by Darwin enthusiast Peter Shires.
Apart from a handful of demonstration laps at the inaugural Phillip Island Grand Prix in 1989, Willing has not been aboard a racing motorcycle since a serious accident at the North West 200 in Ireland in May 1979.
Willing sustained multiple leg injuries which required many operations and years of rehabilitation and recovery.
Although his stellar career as a rider was over, Willing never lost his appetite for competition, carving a new career as a Team Manager and Technician.
In his role as head of the Australian Marlboro Yamaha Team, Willing gave young Queenslander Mick Doohan his big break on the highly successful Yamaha Superbikes.
Doohan's remarkable year in 1988 led to him signing for Honda and 1989 and going on to win five World 500cc Titles.
Willing then moved on to the international scene, acting as technician with the Kenny Roberts Yamaha squad and looking after Kevin Magee for the 1989 season.
He subsequently worked with Wayne Rainey, Luca Cadalora and Jean-Michel Bayle and became renowned as one of the best chassis and suspension workers in the business.
In a career which saw him work with the Suzuki and KTM Works Teams, and the private Roberts Squad, a highlight was winning the World 500cc Championship with Kenny Roberts Junior in 2000.
The HBBB will also feature demonstrations by US Motocross Champion Gary Jones, Enduro and Motocross star Pelle Granquist, and Honda's first Australian Motocross Champion Brian Martin amongst others.
More information about the event is available on the MA website: www.ma.org.au/hbbb.

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Face of racing getting more of an Alfred State look - Times-Herald

Posted: 07 Feb 2010 09:10 PM PST

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News:

Monday, February 8, 2010 12:11 AM EST

Face of racing getting more of an Alfred State look

By Tyler Briggs
Olean Times Herald

ALFRED - Students in Alfred State College's motorsports technology course are ditching their pens and pencils, and instead are opting for sockets and ratchets.

"This course is primarily American-styled motorsports," instructor Tom Taber said.

Now in its 10th year, the course has students bringing in their own vehicles and learning about all aspects of motorsports, from the nuts and bolts of how vehicles work to getting sponsors and working with the public.

"We try to teach the students what they want to learn," Mr. Taber said. "There are other motorsports programs, but not of this design, not tailored to only American-styled cars. There's American-style drag racing, circle track, hot rods and performance street cars.

"We can take anybody and start from square one," the instructor said. "We teach them how to do business and instruct them how to build an entire race car from the ground up."

And more and more the face of racing has an Alfred State College look, as graduates of the motorsports technology program continue to get jobs in the industry.

"I had one student who's a pro driver for NHRA (National Hot Rod Association), one who works at a hot rod shop, several in the NASCAR industry," Mr. Taber said. "Every student I've had that went after a particular job seriously got it. I have a ton of friends in professional racing. That speaks to the students."

Mr. Taber, who's been with the college for 17 years, wrote the course in 2000.

"And away we've gone," he said, "with a ton of help from the faculty, friends in the motorsports industry, the press around here. It's a well-kept secret."

Friday's class was a special treat for the students, as they got to meet some of the Red Dragon Drag Racing team and hear the team's Harley-Davidson motorcycles rev their engines.

The Irving-based team is preparing for the season opener in Orlando, Fla., at the end of the month, and brought their bikes in to weigh them and speak with the class.

Owner Kevin Seneca, fellow rider Bruce Chandler and the team's tuner, Tony Koch, were on hand to field questions from the class.

"It's awesome," Mr. Chandler said of his time as a racer. "It's almost a dream come true. When I was younger I always wanted to be part of a race team in one way or another."

The five-member team is entering its third year on the pro circuit, with Mr. Chandler ranked third nationally and Mr. Seneca fourth in their respective classes.

Both the bikes the team brought in weigh over 400 pounds, and go over 150 mph. The drivers do a quarter mile in about 8.3 seconds.

"The only thing between us and the wall is air. There's no chutes, seat belts or roll-cage doors," Mr. Chandler said. "It's a unique sport."

Taking vehicles to the limit often involves a lot of breaks and repairs Mr. Seneca told the students, which makes sponsorship vitally important to racing, especially with the way the economy is.

"Don't focus on getting money," he said. "Focus on how you can help them market their product. See what their strategic plan is. Figure out where they're going and how your racecar and what you're doing can fit their marketing."

Mr. Koch told the students to be friendly with the crowd.

"Shake hands, talk with people," he said. "Make it a better experience so they're going to come back. It's fun racing anytime, but when the stands are packed, it's even more fun."

Bringing in experts in the field like those from the Red Dragon drag racing team is just par for the course, Mr. Taber said.

"This really helps. The students' horizons get broader every single day they're around here," he said.

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Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing (Hare Scramble Series) Starts Feb 27th ... - PRLog (free press release)

Posted: 07 Feb 2010 09:53 PM PST

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PR Log (Press Release) – Feb 08, 2010 – As of Jan 31st, 2010 the Storm race series no longer is active. Storm will not be putting on any more race events. No worries as Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing will step up!

With the end of the Storm racing series, a fresh all New Hare Scramble Series, called Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing also known as the Xtreme Series will be started. I am very excited! Hare Scramble racing at its best! The Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing Series realizes that racing a series for the year is a major commitment. We also know how tight things are for a lot of racers, so Texas Xtreme will honor all existing 2010 Race series memberships. Memberships that have been paid for the 2010 season. That's right! Your 2010 membership in any race series pre-qualifies you for the Texas Xtreme Series, you pay no series fee for 2010! Hows that for a deal? You may need to change numbers because every series will not be using the same class numbers. However, we will be going back to old school scoring temporarily until some details are worked out, so the transponders will not be used to start the series off. Electronic scoring yes but transponders no.

The goal of the Series is to not only keep alive the true off road racing spirit that we all love but improve upon it! Dirt, sand, rocks, water, mud, hills and my favorite, TREES! For those Storm racers making the switch you already have a good idea as to what the courses will be like for the most part. For those that have not, I know you will leave the race course with a smile and say now thats racing! Our scoring system will allow accurate results to be posted to the web by the time you get home!

Texas Xtreme Series will be holding the first race at Brunesmill on the weekend of Feb 27th and 28th. In an effort to keep the end of the Storm racing series, as non disruptive as possible to the riders, the Texas Xtreme Series will do its best to adhere to the original Schedule for the 2010 season that was published by Storm. See the events page for more information. The first race was to coincide with the same date listed on the schedule but the property was not available for that date. For those of you that had planned on racing the entire season of the Storm Series, and already made your plans, hopefully this will be the only different race date. ALL IS GOOD AND BETTER THEN EVER! Welcome! You won't miss a beat. There will be a change or two in locations and of course different people, as this is a completely different series but dates should remain the same.

Class structure for the 2010 season is posted on in our classes page, here http://www.texasxtremeoffroadracing.com/ classes.html . We will have races on Saturday and Sunday. The Vintage class will be on Saturday as well. The Texas Xtreme Series will also be tweaking the daily race schedule as the year progresses to make the series better. As always rider input will be invited and suggestions are always welcome. After all the Xtreme Series only has one goal and that is becoming the best Hare Scramble race series in Texas! So Come join us for a weekend of racing!

Overview

Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing promotes a Hare Scramble series starting in January and ending in December. Texas Xtreme is a family minded race series with the kids and adult races held on Saturday and adults only on Sunday. The kids race on a shortened section, of the big course. Then after the races are through the track is opened up for open practice which lasts till around dusk. Sunday is funday and the 1 hr races start at 9:00, with the and 2 hr races at 11:00. Our courses run anywhere from 8-15 miles long and offer all skill levels a challenging and fun race. Ceremonies will be held after each race and before the next race starts.

The Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing (Hare Scramble Series) is a for profit motorcycle event promotions company company.

* Texas Xtreme Series will have onsite medical services from Intrepid EMS from Friday evening through the end of the race day on Sunday allowing us to better utilize the daylight that is available to us. That means that as the days get longer so will practice on Saturdays.

* Texas Xtreme Series will be providing concessions at all races starting with Brunesmill on Feb 26th and 27th.

* All racers will receive a Texas Xtreme Series medal. 1st thru 3rd and a finisher will receive finisher medals (if you want one), at each and every race. Places 4th through 6th at every race, in every class will also receive a certificate for 40% of any Axo gear!

* Texas Xtreme Series will be holding a raffle at every race. Each ticket you buy at each race, at the gate, gives you a chance to win something different . Items will change from race to race and will be listed on the event flyer prior to the race.

* Each race allows you the chance to buy a raffle ticket for a prize that will be given away at the end of year awards banquet. You may enter as many times as you wish.

* Texas Xtreme Series will continue improving as a promoter of a racing series and a sport that truly challenges a rider. A sport that is not just about how fast you can go or how far you can jump but how well you ride fast, slow, through, over , under and around! Courses will be challenging, I can promise that! Some will be long some will be short, some easier than others and I guarantee that by the end of the season you will be a better rider for racing the Texas Xtreme Series!

* The Xtreme series will be working throughout the year to put together some type of appreciation/ awards banquet for the end of year. Announcements will come as the year progresses and details are Ironed out.

* After each race there will be awards ceremonies. First will be the Kids, then the Saturday racers, then the Sunday 1hr racers and finally the Sunday 2hr racers. We invite you to stick around and enjoy the recognition the Xtreme series gives you!

* A special summer break, non series related event, is in the works! This event will be open to everyone to participate in without having to join the series.

Get ready to race and tell your friends because on Feb 26th and 27st, 2010 at Brunesmill, a new chapter begins for Off Road Racing, the season opener of what will be the Best Hare Scramble Race Series in Texas! The Texas Xtreme Series!

Xtreme Team!

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"Smart" power key as EU sparks electric car debate - Reuters India

Posted: 07 Feb 2010 07:44 PM PST

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By Pete Harrison

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Electric cars must be backed by "smart" power networks if they are to help the world's climate problems, environmentalists warned on Monday as European ministers prepared to debate a strategy for the sector.

Industry ministers will meet on Tuesday in San Sebastian, Spain to discuss how to realign power infrastructure, equipment standards and the marketplace so that European carmakers can race ahead of rivals in Japan, China and the United States.

The European Union has succeeded in cutting the link between economic growth and rising carbon emissions, but has failed to control the transport sector where output of carbon dioxide has soared by 38 percent over the last 20 years, EU data has shown.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has pledged to reverse that situation by trying to decarbonise transport, and new rules for cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles are being considered.

The sources of power for electric vehicles will top the agenda in San Sebastian, documents show, amid warnings some can can do more harm than good.

"The provision of electricity may need to be adapted to drivers' charging patterns, causing new electricity demand peaks," says a discussion paper for the talks, seen by Reuters.

SMART NETWORKS Continued...

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