“Racing for the weekend of Sept. 18 - Memphis Commercial Appeal” plus 4 more

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• Racing for the weekend of Sept. 18 - Memphis Commercial Appeal
• Electric bikes gain traction - Stuff
• MR. MORAN - Ledger Independent
• Hodgson featured in 'Motorcycle Crash Test' - Cycle News
• Gossage says cancer in 'complete remission' - CBS Sports

Racing for the weekend of Sept. 18 - Memphis Commercial Appeal Posted: 17 Sep 2009 10:22 PM PDT NASCAR Sprint Cup Sylvania 300 Site: Loudon, N.H. Schedule: Today, practice (Speed, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), qualifying (ESPN2, 2-4 p.m.); Saturday, practice (Speed, 8-9 a.m.), practice (ESPN2, 5:45-6:45 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (ABC, 1-5:30 p.m.). Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (oval, 1.058 miles). Race distance: 317.4 miles, 300 laps. Last race: Denny Hamlin won for the first time on his home track at Richmond, beating Kurt Busch in the regular-season finale. Kyle Busch, tied with Mark Martin with a series-best four victories, was fifth to miss a spot in the 12-man Chase. Last year: Greg Biffle won the Chase opener to snap a 33-race winless streak, passing Jimmie Johnson with 12 laps to go. Biffle also won the following week at Dover and finished third in the final standings. Fast facts: Mark Martin leads the 12-driver Chase field with reset points of 5,040 -- including 40 bonus points for his four victories. Tony Stewart, the regular-season leader, and three-time defending series champion Johnson are 10 points back. Next race: AAA 400, Sept. 27, Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del. NASCAR CAMPING WORLD Trucks Heluva Good! 200 Site: Loudon, N.H. Schedule: Today, practice; Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 9-10:30 a.m.), race, 2 p.m. (Speed, 1:30-4:30 p.m.). Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway Race distance: 211.6 miles, 200 laps. Last race: Mike Skinner raced to his second straight victory and third of the season, holding off Johnny Sauter at Gateway International Raceway. Last year: Ron Hornaday Jr. raced to his second straight New Hampshire victory and the fifth of his six 2008 wins, holding off Johnny Benson. Hornaday also won in 1996 in the first Trucks race at New Hampshire. Next race: Las Vegas 350, Sept. 26, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. INDYcar series Indy Japan 300 Site: Motegi, Japan. Schedule: Today, practice, qualifying (Versus, Friday, 5-6 p.m.); Saturday, race (Versus, today, 9:30 p.m.-midnight.). Track: Twin Ring Motegi (oval, 1.5 miles). Race distance: 300 miles, 200 laps. Last race: Points leader Ryan Briscoe won the fourth-closest finish in series history, beating Scott Dixon by 0.0077 of a second Aug. 29 at Chicagoland Speedway. Last year: Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history, winning on fuel strategy in her 50th career start. Next race: Firestone Indy 300, Oct. 10, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, Fla. NHRA Carolinas Nationals Site: Concord, N.C. Schedule: Today, qualifying; Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 6-9 p.m.). Track: zMax Dragway. Last event: Tony Schumacher won the U.S. Nationals on Sept. 7 for his eighth victory at O'Reilly Raceway Park, tying Don Garlits for the most Top Fuel wins at the historic Indiana track. Schumacher beat Larry Dixon in the final for his fourth victory of the season and 60th overall. Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won in the regular-season finale. Last year: Schumacher broke a tie with Joe Amato for the Top Fuel victory record, beating Antron Brown in the inaugural event for his 53rd win and seventh in a row. Next event: O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals, Sept. 25-27, Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas. Local scene Memphis Motorsports park drag strip Saturday: R.T. Turbines ET Bracket Racing Series No. 9 Riverside Speedway Saturday: Winged Sprints, Non-Wing Sprints, Limited Late Models, Mini-Stocks, Stocks, Modifieds This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Electric bikes gain traction - Stuff Posted: 17 Sep 2009 10:00 PM PDT Reuters Ever wondered what it would be like to have Lance Armstrong pedal your bike for you? Well now you can find out, sort of. About 15 companies are now offering bicycles with an electric power option - as opposed to a purely engine-powered moped - and they are catching on with some green-thinking commuters. The latest electric bikes from Giant, EcoBike, Currie Technologies and Ultra Motor, among others, can deliver around 500 watts of power at the flick of a wrist or a turn of the pedals. That is roughly what Armstrong could generate over shorter races in his prime. The result is that you zip up hills or hustle along the street, silently passing all, but the most competitive two-wheelers. One of the top sellers in the emerging market is the A2B, made by London-based Ultra Motor. "Some people buy the bike to commute, other people purchase the bike to use as a replacement for short automobile trips," said Paul Vlahos, vice-president of sales for the US arm of Ultra Motor. THE TECH Privately held Ultra Motor has sold "north of 1,000" of its electric bikes in the United States since launching the A2B model in September last year, said Vlahos. The Green Car Company in Bellevue, Washington - close to Microsoft's campus and cycling mecca Seattle - said they have sold about 40 of the bikes this summer and are awaiting a new batch. Priced at US$2,699 (NZ$3799), the A2B is not cheap, but it is comparable to a high-end racing bike and less expensive than a standard motor scooter. It is sold at some independent bike shops, scooter dealers, specialist electric vehicle outlets and, for a short test period, about 20 Best Buy Co stores in the western United States. The machine, technically known as a "light electric vehicle," qualifies as a bicycle under US transport regulations, so you do not need a license to operate it and you can ride wherever cyclists are allowed. It is not the same as a moped, which generally has a gas engine and pedals fitted for emergency use only. The A2B is meant to be pedalled, but the electric motor can be switched on at any time, with the use of a motorcycle-style throttle on the right handgrip, which generates speeds up to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour) on the flat. You can augment your pedalling efforts with the motor at any time, or switch entirely to electric power. The aluminium frame with full suspension and disc brakes looks more like a sporty motorbike than a bicycle (see pictures here). Baskets and racks for bags can be fitted to the frame to make commuting or shopping easier. At 73 pounds (33 kg), the bike is two or three times the weight of an ordinary commuter cycle. Pedalling downhill or on the flat is reasonably comfortable, but as soon as the road pitches up, it is hard not to rev it up. The built-in lithium ion battery will carry you around 20 miles and there is an option to put another detachable battery on the rear rack, doubling that range. The bike has seven gears for normal pedalling, using a standard Shimano derailleur system. The Taiwan-manufactured motor, sealed into the hub of the back wheel, is brushless, like those used in PC hard drives and the Segway scooter. The lack of friction from brushes - which make contact with the moving rotor in conventional electric motors - means electricity is converted to mechanical power more effectively. That gives the A2B good torque to clamber up hills and zoom from a standing start. THE FUTURE There have been versions of electric bicycles for more than 100 years and combinations of moped and bicycle - such as the French velomoteur - have achieved some popularity in Europe. But so far, electric bikes have not reached the US mainstream. "The category is very much in its infancy (in the United States)," said Vlahos. "We think it is becoming more mainstream." The company says the bike appeals to cyclists, but the chief market is car drivers. "The US is historically so dependent on the automobile," said Vlahos. "But you are starting to see cities invest more in cycling lanes. As more development comes back into an urban environment, you are starting to see a higher degree of bike- friendliness." IN NEW ZEALAND * www.electrobikenz.co.nz * www.nzecobikes.co.nz * www.electricbikes.co.nz Sponsored links This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

MR. MORAN - Ledger Independent Posted: 17 Sep 2009 07:52 PM PDT CRESTON, Ohio -- John T. Moran, 58, of Burbank died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at Wooster Community Hospital from a sudden heart attack. Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston with Rev. Chuck Kaliszewski officiating. Burial will be in Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Friends may call Sunday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Sterling Fire and Rescue, PO Box 35, Sterling, Ohio 44276 or Canaan Township Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 183, Creston, Ohio 44217. John was born Feb. 2, 1951 in Maysville, the son of Stanley E. and Sally (Beckett) Moran. He was a 1969 graduate of Norwayne High School and retired in 2006 from Ford Motor Co. He had been an area resident since 1955 and had served on the Sterling Rescue Squad for many years. He enjoyed NASCAR Racing, riding motorcycles and spending time with his grandchildren. Surviving are his loving companion of 14 years, Peggy Craft; his children, John A. Moran of Las Vegas and Michelle (Guy) Hamby of Creston; step-sons, Gary (Annette) Craft of Millersburg and David (Kim) Craft of Louisiana; grandchildren, Chase and Morgan Hamby and Zachary, Malachi, Kaden, Harmonie and London Craft; his father, Stanley Moran of Creston; two brothers, Stanley Joe Moran of Bull Shoals, Ark. and Jay (Joanie) Moran of Creston; and four nephews, David, Mike, Matt and Tim Moran. He was preceded in death by his mother Sally Moran on Oct. 21, 2004. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Hodgson featured in 'Motorcycle Crash Test' - Cycle News Posted: 17 Sep 2009 04:38 PM PDT "Motorcycle Crash Tech" is an extraordinary behind-the-scenes look at the new technologies being used to avoid motorcycle crashes and prevent injuries when a racer or rider does go down. Exclusive interviews with World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson and Grand Prix legend Giacomo Agostini describe first-hand what goes through a racer's mind the moment they know they're going to crash. Ago vividly recounts just how dangerous racing was in the 1960s and '70s. Combining rare archival footage as well as contemporary racing coverage, the film explains the differences between high-sides and low-sides and the extreme forces involved in both types of crashes. The film captures stunning action photography of world-class test riders Vito Guareschi and Umberto Rumiano in action during what are normally closed test sessions of new riding gear and bikes. Factory riders are also filmed testing the newest brakes on twisting Italian mountain roads and performing incredible braking tests on a private test track. "Motorcycle Crash Tech" will premiere on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. Pacific time on the National Geographic Channel. It airs again at 9 p.m. and on Saturday at 11 p.m. Filmed in 1080i high-definition and 5.1 digital surround sound, "Motorcycle Crash Tech" takes viewers on an extraordinary journey across Northern Italy. With rare access to R&D facilities, the film chronicles the very latest technologies being used in motorcycle riding gear, boots, helmets, brakes, and the bikes themselves to make racing and riding safer. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/motorcycle-crash-tech-4238/Overview This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Gossage says cancer in 'complete remission' - CBS Sports Posted: 17 Sep 2009 02:37 PM PDT IRVING, Texas (AP) -With his own introduction, Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage indicated just how much he feels like himself again after a bout with cancer that he said is now in "complete remission." Gossage made his first public appearance Thursday since revealing in July that he had cancer, though at the request of his family hasn't disclosed the type diagnosed last fall. "You may not recognize me," said Gossage, who wore with his customary dark suit a NASCAR Sprint Cup cap on his mostly bald head that resulted from chemotherapy. "I spent the summer pulling my hair out over the lack of media coverage of the new Cowboys Stadium." That lighthearted jab at the Cowboys, the popular NFL team in the same market as his 1 1/2-mile track, was classic Gossage, the showman known for his enthusiasm and promotional stunts. Gossage took a leave of absence in June after the IndyCar Series race at the track. He returned to work in August and his first public appearance since was to promote the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nov. 8 race at Texas. "I feel great, better than I have in years," Gossage said. The 50-year-old's hair is starting to grow back, though his dark beard has been replaced by a goatee that is predominantly gray - "I haven't seen my face since the 70s," he said. Gossage has also slimmed down, losing about 30 pounds after not wanting to eat for five or six weeks during his treatment. Gossage has been in Texas since the track's inception, initially promoting a construction site in a rural area north of Fort Worth with the promise of races to come. The first NASCAR race was in April 1997. Among things Gossage has done to promote events at the track include escalating Danica Patrick's light shove of Dan Wheldon on pit row at a previous IndyCar Series race into a weeklong "Rumble at the Speedway" buildup, and billboards for a NASCAR race that raised the ire of the Earnhardt family. Gossage once offered NASCAR drivers $15,000 for throwing a helmet in a fit of anger during competition (he got no takers), and tried to lure open-wheel drivers Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. out of retirement to race with sponsorship offers. There was an all-female pit crew for a NASCAR truck race, prerace motorcycle jumps by Robbie Knievel, and much more. Track officials long lauded the fact that eight Texas Stadiums could fit on its infield. The Cowboys make their regular season debut in the new nearly $1.2 billion stadium this week - Gossage has said 4 1/2 of those would fit. While Gossage said he got a few new ideas while away from work, there was plenty of time he didn't even think about the job. "Honestly, I put my mind in idle and just didn't think a lot about it," Gossage said. "There were a few weeks there where I was so sick that I didn't think about it. ... I didn't worry about the speedway because (the management staff) had it well in hand, and that helped me focus on my recovery." Sprint Cup drivers Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin, who were on a teleconference from New York with Texas media members, warmly greeted Gossage when introduced Thursday. Gossage described the outpouring of support during his illness as "pretty amazing." He said he got cards and letters from people worldwide, including drivers and fans. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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