2012 Belgian Grand Prix preview

Posted on August 31, 2012 by melwin23

Formula 1 2012 Belgian Grand Prix preview | Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Spa-Francorchamps facts and stats

One of the most revered racetracks in the world, Spa-Francorchamps featured on the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship calendar in 1950 and has retained much of its original high-speed character to this day.

There have been two iterations of the circuit. The first was designed in 1920, using public roads and the natural elevation changes of the local Ardennes countryside. This layout measured 14km and was extremely fast: F1’s final visit in 1970 saw cars averaging 150mph per lap.

A substantial redesign 30 years ago shortened the circuit to seven kilometres and made it safer, while still retaining many famous corners from the original layout such as Eau Rouge and Blanchimont. It’s now the longest circuit in F1 and a favourite among the drivers as a result of its challenging high-speed sweeps.

Average lap speeds are in excess of 140mph, which mean the drivers and engineers search for a good high-speed balance on their cars. Engine power and aerodynamic efficiency are also important because the cars are flat-out for more than 20 seconds between the La Source hairpin and Les Combes corner.

The fickle microclimate of the Ardennes can also play a role in the outcome of the race, too. Rain often plays havoc with race strategies, while also making track conditions treacherous, which is why the Belgian Grand Prix sees such a regular occurrence of Safety Cars.

McLaren has an enviable record at Spa. The team’s founder, Bruce McLaren, won at the track in 1968 and the team has taken 10 subsequent wins at the circuit. Lewis and Jenson will be hoping to add further to that tally this year.

Race distance 44 laps (191.410 miles/308.052km)

Start time 14:00 (local)/13:00 BST

Circuit length 4.352 miles/7.004km

2011 winner Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) 44 laps in 1hr26m44.893s (213.066km/h)

2011 pole Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) 1m48.298s (232.824km/h)

Lap record Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes MP4-19) 1m45.108s (238.931km/h)

McLaren at the Belgian Grand Prix

Wins 13 (1968, 1974, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2010)

Poles 10 (1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2008)

Fastest Laps 8 (1974, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1999, 2004, 2010)

Car 3: Jenson Button

Age 32 (January 19 1980)

GPs 219

Wins 13

Poles 7

FLs 7

2012 points 76 (7th)

Belgium record 2011 Q13 R3; 2010 Q5 R-; 2009 Q14 R-; 2008 Q17 R15; 2007 Q12 R-; 2005 Q8 R3; 2004 Q12 R-;

2002 Q10 R-; 2001 Q15 R-; 2000 Q3 R5

“The past few weeks have been a perfect combination of a bit of downtime to relax and some great training, all of which has had me raring to get back in the car. I’ve been out in the Philippines; and Hawaii, training, and having a bit of a holiday and then back in the UK for a bit more of the same and while I’ve had a great break, I’m really looking forward to getting back to work.

“In fact, you couldn’t really ask for a more spectacular double-header for F1’s return: Spa is the daddy of them all, one of the all-time great grand prix tracks, and Monza is one of the most historic and evocative circuits on the calendar.

“They’re each places with their own unique atmosphere. I’ve got some really great memories of both circuits, but I’ve won neither. Given our pace in the last few races, I go forward feeling positive about rectifying that over the coming weekends.”

Car 4: Lewis Hamilton

Age 27 (January 7 1985)

GPs 101

Wins 19

Poles 22

FLs 11

2012 points 117 (4th)

Belgium record 2011 Q2 R-; 2010 Q2 R1; 2009 Q12 R-; 2008 Q1 R3; 2007 Q4 R4

“My win in Hungary was a fantastic way to go into the summer break: it had the added bonus of sending the whole team away for their holidays with a positive feeling in their hearts. It’s also given me the hope and assurance that we can come back for the final nine races with a real chance to go for both world championships.

“I really couldn’t be happier that the season gets back down to business again in Belgium. Spa is one of the best circuits in the world – it’s always a buzz to nail a fast lap around there, and, after five weeks out of the cockpit, that first lap on Friday morning is going to feel absolutely sensational.

“Given the unpredictability of the sport, I think it’s still difficult to predict accurately who’ll win the next grand prix, but I reckon the coming few weeks ought to give us a much clearer idea of the destination of the world title.

“It’s going to be an extremely tough, tactical and interesting finale to the season. There’s no team with a clear advantage – although we’re all pushing hard to catch Fernando [Alonso]’s points tally in the drivers’ championship – so there’s still everything to play for.”

Martin Whitmarsh

Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

“The summer break has given everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the chance to rest and recharge our batteries ahead of the nine remaining grands prix – all of which are set to be thrilling and fascinating in equal measure.

“It feels appropriate to be returning to the fray at Spa-Francorchamps. Formula 1’s historic venues provide us with a richly storied backdrop that few sports can match, and Spa is truly one of the greats. Everybody is looking forward to hearing the engines fire up in anger once more, and there are few better places on earth to watch a Formula 1 car at speed than around Spa.

“Following the mandatory factory shutdown, we’re fortunate to have had two full weeks available to prepare ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. As usual, we’re heading into this double-header hopeful of closing the gap to the leaders in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Lewis’s victory in Hungary certainly provided further proof to us that we can take on the fight for both – and that remains our aim: to win both world championships.”

McLaren has been winning races in Belgium for more than 40 years. Here’s how the team defined 14 days in the history of the Belgian Grand Prix.

1. June 9 1968

Denny Hulme leads for McLaren early on, until he’s forced out with a driveshaft problem. This leaves Jackie Stewart in the lead, but the Scot runs out of fuel on the penultimate lap and hands victory to Bruce McLaren in his M7A. It’s Bruce’s fourth grand prix win, but, crucially, it’s the first-ever victory for the McLaren marque. We’re still winning regularly 177 wins later.

2. May 12 1974 (Nivelles)

Emerson Fittipaldi’s second win for McLaren. He passes Jody Scheckter for second on the opening lap and takes the lead late in the race when Clay Regazzoni is pushed wide by a backmarker. Emmo crosses the line 0.35s ahead of Niki Lauda’s Ferrari and wins McLaren’s first world championship later that year.

3. May 9 1982 (Zolder)

The race takes place under a cloud, following the death of Gilles Villeneuve during qualifying. John Watson starts 10th and works his way to the front. On the harder tyre, Watson takes the lead from Keke Rosberg on the penultimate lap when the Finn runs wide on his worn tyres.

4. May 17 1987

Williams lock out the front row of the grid, but McLaren dominates the race with an emphatic one-two for Alain Prost and Stefan Johansson. Their quest is helped by a string of retirements and they end up the only drivers on the lead lap after third-placed Andrea de Cesaris runs out of fuel almost within sight of the chequered flag.

5. August 28 1988

The first of Ayrton Senna’s four Belgian GP victories for McLaren. He’s beaten away from pole position by Alain Prost, but he out-brakes the Frenchman at Les Combes on lap one and is never headed thereafter. Alain follows him home to give McLaren its second consecutive one-two at Spa-Francorchamps.

6. August 27 1989

The third consecutive one-two for McLaren at this track. Ayrton is at his best all weekend: he takes pole position by 0.5s and is never headed in a wet race. Alain fends off a spirited challenge from Nigel Mansell to come home 1.3s behind his team-mate.

7. August 26 1990

It takes three starts to get the race underway owing to accidents. When everyone gets around lap one cleanly, Ayrton is leading from his McLaren team-mate Gerhard Berger. Ayrton runs away with the race, but Prost overtakes Gerhard for second place and the Austrian drops behind Alessandro Nannini as well. Berger then re-takes third place with three laps to go.

8. August 25 1991

A brilliant one-two for Ayrton and Gerhard, but there are some heart-stopping moments along the way. Ayrton withstands intense pressure from Nigel Mansell during the early laps and he then has to bump-start his Honda engine when it stalls at half distance. Gearbox problems for Riccardo Patrese allow Gerhard to pass him for second in the closing laps.

9. August 29 1999

David Coulthard’s only victory at Spa-Francorchamps. He qualifies second to team-mate Mika Hakkinen, but takes the lead at La Source on lap one and is never headed after that. Mika’s second place gives McLaren another one-two at Spa and takes him one-point clear at the top of the world championship table.

10. August 27 2000

That overtaking manoeuvre. On lap 41 of 44 Mika gets a run on race leader Michael Schumacher through Eau Rouge, just as Schumi stumbles upon backmarker Ricardo Zonta. Schumi darts around the outside of Zonta, while Hakkinen passes them both on the inside. “That was pretty exciting,” said Hakkinen afterwards. David finishes fourth in the second MP4-15.

11. August 29 2004

A hugely eventful race, in which there are three Safety Car periods and six different race leaders. Kimi Raikkonen battles to the front from 10th on the grid to win the race by three seconds from Michael Schumacher. David qualifies fourth, but comes home seventh after colliding with Christian Klein.

12. September 11 2005

Juan Pablo Montoya takes pole position, ahead of team-mate Kimi. The order remains unchanged during the early laps, but Kimi stays out two laps longer than Juan Pablo at the pitstops and emerges in the lead. Kimi wins by 28s, but the chance of a McLaren one-two disappears when Juan Pablo tangles with Antonio Pizzonia late in the race.

13. September 07 2008

Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton snatches victory from Kimi Raikkonen in the closing stages, but his celebrations are short-lived. The stewards think he gained an unfair advantage by running across the chicane late in the race and they add 25s to his race time, which demotes him to third. Felipe Massa takes the win.

14. August 29 2010

Mixed weather conditions make this a tense race, but there’s no stopping the sure-footed Lewis. He passes pole-sitter Mark Webber on the opening lap and never looks back – despite a briefly heart-stopping ‘off’ into the gravel almost within sight of the chequer. He also takes the fastest lap of the race.

KTM Lightweight Xtremecross

Posted on August 14, 2012 by melwin23

KTM Lightweight Xtremecross Concept Rendering By adityaraj dev

KTM Café Racer

Posted on July 27, 2012 by melwin23

KTM Café Racer

Jesse Rooke’s KTM Café Racer
Jesse seems to be building a lot of bikes around this KTM platform, it might be KTM’s way of building some mindshare among motorcycle buyers and builders while they’re introducing all of their new bikes. KTM has been changing their mostly off road image and customs like these can help them transition to the paved road market.

KTM Café Racer

Source Jesse Rooke

KTM 690 Duke Track

Posted on May 6, 2012 by melwin23

KTM will produce a limited edition Track version of its new 690 Duke, based on the machines competing in the 2012 KTM-sponsored European Junior Cup (EJC).

KTM 690 Duke Track

Following on from the success of the RC8 R Track, the 200 examples are to have the same specification as the EJC bikes that will see riders from more than 13 Nations battle across eight rounds as a support race for the World Superbike Championship.

KTM 690 Duke Track

Priced under € 10,000 and not homologated for road use, the 690 Duke Track is fitted with a host of KTM PowerParts, bespoke items and modifications to some standard parts to make truly a formidable circuit weapon – losing 10kg over its 150kg road counterpart and gaining 9hp.

KTM 690 Duke Track

The power increase – on what is already the most powerful production single cylinder motor – is achieved from a full titanium Akrapovic exhaust, modifications to the airbox and PowerParts camshaft with a bespoke fuel map.

Ergonomic changes come from a PowerParts seat – firmer, higher and more room for the rider to change position on the bike. PowerParts foot pegs increase ground clearance and move feet back and up while narrower Renthal handlebars took the hands in closer to a race position.

KTM 690 Duke Track

The slim chassis and lightweight subframe remains standard, but with ABS not required for track use, this is replaced with a new four-pad radial Brembo caliper and master cylinder helping to bite down on a thicker front disc.

KTM 690 Duke Track

New WP front forks raise the Duke 15mm higher and offer full adjustment and the preload only rear shock from the road bike is replaced by a fully adjustable WP item.

Developed in conjunction with KTM R&D, the European Junior Cup and KTM Street Ambassador, Jeremy McWilliams, the bike in EJC guise is already proving to be a formidable track machine delivering big riding kicks. As a bonus, the 690 Duke Track is also frugal on fuel – drinking only 7 litres per 100km of regular unleaded in testing!

KTM 200 Duke India

KTM 690 Duke ‘Track’ specification

– KTM PowerParts: airbox, camshaft, crash bars, seat
– WP fully adjustable race suspension front and rear
– Marchesini lightweight wheels
– Brembo competition brake system and discs
– Akrapovic titanium/carbon full exhaust system
– APTC slipper clutch
– International racing standard oil drip tray and rigid foot pegs
– Lower handlebar and handlebar clamps
– Mono seat cover
– Dry weight: 140 kg (-10 kg than standard)
– Power: 79 hp (+9 hp than standard)

Source

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Aprilia RS4 200 VS BAJAJ PULSAR 200NS

Posted on March 7, 2012 by melwin23

After a successful launch of the KTM Duke 200 by Bajaj in India, Piaggio now intends to get the Aprilia RS4 to India in 2012. Bajaj which plans to gets more bikes from international KTM range currently has no competitors in India.

The Aprilia RS4 which is is inspired by its flagship RSV4 factory is expected to get a 200 cc engine to challenge its closest rival KTM Duke 200. This 200cc Aprilia motorcycle will be sold via the Piaggio dealerships. Currently Aprilia is selling a meagre volume of 6-7 super-bikes a year in India and hence making standalone dealership does not make sense.

Aprilia is currently working on the 200cc engine that will challenge the KTM Duke 200. We only hope the new Aprilia RS4 carries the legendary racing heritage of Aprilia in various MotoGP and Super-bike series championships its won.

Aprilia RS4 200-OVERVIEW

Aprilia has always been the undisputed leader in 125 cc supersports, a market segment in which Aprilia has pioneered new concepts and advanced solutions, and developed technology that others have struggled to follow. Like all Aprilia motorcycles, the RS4 200 has benefited from the sophisticated technology that has been developed over years of success in GP racing, and quickly transferred into production. Over the years, the RS 4 200 has forged a reputation as the standard setter for sports 200’s. Sales success has come naturally too, with the RS4 200 topping the sales tables on major European markets. The RS4 200 is the inevitable choice of riders entering Sport Production racing. And rightly so, because when the competition gets tough, there is simply no other bike like the Aprilia RS4 200. The Aprilia RS4 200 offers young riders the best in components and equipment, and a concentration of technical refinements worthy of a flagship supersport.

The following are just some of the main features of the Aprilia RS4 200:
• tried and tested yet extremely sophisticated Rotax two stroke engine;
• super-rigid aluminium frame and swingarm derived from Aprilia’s vast GP experience;
• upside down fork;
• front brake with radial caliper and four opposed pistons;
• RSV 1000 R style fairing, windshield and tail;
• RSV Factory style, crossed spoke wheels;
• analog/digital instrument panel with multi-functional computer;
• RSV Factory style, forged steering yoke;
• oval section racing silencer with riveted end plates;

STYLE

The mean, cutting edge look of the new RS4 200 tells you that this is a professional racing machine. The styling of the RS, like that of all Aprilia sports bikes, is the result of painstaking aerodynamic research.
The fairing, for example, was perfected by extensive wind tunnel testing, to guarantee great wind protection and minimum drag for maximum racetrack efficiency. The fairing, windshield and tail not only look mean and aggressive, but allow the RS4 to reach a blistering top speed, eliminating all turbulence around the rider and allowing man and machine to become one.
The latest generation twin halogen headlight also adds to the mean look of the new RS4 200, and delivers a high power light beam for enhanced visibility and safety at night. The sleek tail looks exactly like the tail of a GP racer. Thanks to the effort put into the design of the RS 4 200’s tail, not even the passenger seat disturbs the bike’s impeccable lines.
The crossed spoke wheels are not only lighter and more stylish, but safer and more reliable too.

ENGINE
The powerful but reliable, single cylinder, two stroke, Rotax-Aprilia engine needs no introduction. Over the years it has won a reputation for being unbeatable on the track and dependable on the road.
Still today, this engine boasts technical solutions that are state-of-the-art for two strokes, including a crankcase reed valve intake, liquid cooling, an anti-vibration balancer shaft, and an automatic mixing system. The RS4 200’s engine has been constantly updated over the years to keep in line with the latest emission control legislation without penalising performance. A catalytic converter and precision carburation has won Aprilia’s single cylinder two stroke homologation to Euro 3 standards. And the amazing thing is that this has been achieved without losing out on performance: the Aprilia RS4 200 engine remains the reference point for all 200 cc powerplants.

CHASSIS
Without a doubt, the most advanced single component on the RS4 200 is its frame. Developed from Aprilia’s vast experience in GP 125 racing, the RS 4 200 frame is made from cast aluminium alloy with cross-ribbing reinforcement. Despite its extremely light weight, this advanced structure achieves amazing torsional rigidity, setting the standards for Aprilia’s competitors.
The box section, aluminium alloy swingarm has the highest torsional rigidity of all production 200 cc swingarms. Differential side members enable the exhaust to follow a path that maximises engine performance and enables more acute angles of lean to be achieved on bends without risking dangerous contact with the asphalt.
The suspension too plays a fundamental role in ensuring not only the RS4 200’s performance, but its safety and comfort too. The RS4 200 can rely on an upside-down fork that has been optimised for maximum performance on the racetrack while also delivering a more satisfying ride on public roads.
The rear suspension features rising rate linkages based on Aprilia’s 125 GP racing technology, for excellent traction and superb comfort even over uneven road surfaces. The hydraulic monoshock that provides the damping for the swingarm is also adjustable in spring preload.

BRAKES
Like any self-respecting supersport motorcycle, the RS4 200 has to have the best when it comes to components. The braking system is the best available, and designed for maximum efficiency under competitive riding conditions. The front brake is a genuine state-of-the-art, high performance system with a radial caliper and four opposed pistons. In addition to the 320 mm front disc, the system also incorporates a radial master cylinder and aeronautical hoses for maximum precision and unrivalled braking power. The rear disc is 300 mm in diameter and is also equipped with metal braided hoses for perfectly balanced, high performance braking.

EQUIPMENT
The Aprilia RS 200 is packed with prestige components. Compact and impressively light in weight, the instruments include an analog rev counter and a multifunctional digital display with an on-board computer that can be operated from the handlebars. The speedometer, rev counter, coolant temperature gauge and exclusive racing chronometer put you in total control. The on-board computer even has provision for interfacing with the optical finishing systems used on racetracks.

Bajaj has revealed the latest generation of its popular Pulsar motorcycle in 200cc guise, dubbed the Pulsar 200NS.

The Pulsar 200NS (Naked Sports) uses a liquid-cooled, 199.5cc four-valve SOHC carbureted engine with a new triple-spark-plug system, coupled with a six-speed gearbox. The engine now produces 23.18bhp at 9500rpm and 1.86kgm of torque from 8000rpm. Bajaj claims the new Pulsar 200NS can hit 0-60kph in 3.61sec and 0-100kph in 9.83sec. The chassis now gets a pressed steel perimeter frame and a rectangular tube-section swingarm, which the company claims offers over three times the

lateral stiffness of the old Pulsar 220’s frame. It also employs a gas-filled monoshock suspension and a central exhaust, for better balance. There are petal disc brakes front and rear, measuring 280mm and 230mm respectively, and 17-inch alloy wheels.Speaking on the occasion, K Srinivas, President-Motorcycles, Baja Auto said, “Pulsar has now celebrated a ‘Decade of Dominance’ with 10 years of leadership in the Indian performance motorcycle market. The Pulsar 200NS showcases next leap in technology and design and will set the standard for others to follow. We believe that 2012-13 will be an exciting period where Bajaj Auto will excite customers both here and abroad.”

The next-generation Pulsar 200NS will go on sale this March.