FIM World Endurance Road Race - Japan Round Suzuka 8 Hour Endurance of MFJ, Motorcycle Federation of Japan

FIM World Endurance Road Race - Japan Round Suzuka 8 Hour Endurance of MFJ, Motorcycle Federation of Japan - awarding of trophies in Podium by FIM Asia President Stephan Carapiet together with Coca Cola Japan CEO Mr. Yukio Kawai July 25, 2010

Suzuka 8 Hours Results:

1. MuSASHI RT HARC-PRO (Honda - R Kiyonari/ T Nakagami/ T Takahashi) - 215 laps.
2. Keihin Kohara Racing Team (Honda - S Ito/ M Tamada) - 214 laps.
3. FCC TSR Honda (Honda - K Akiyoshi/ J Rea/T Takahashi) - 213 laps.

On top of Podium is Coca Cola Japan CEO Mr. Kawai and Mr. Staphan Carapiet FIM Asia President with the event sanctioned by MFJ - Motorcycle Federation of Japan

 

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AAM Helmet Programme

The Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) Intensifies Safety Awareness on Two-Wheels with a Nationwide Helmet Distribution Programme - goals and results (2008-2010)

In February 2008, the AAM, as the Treasurer of the Malaysian Road Safety Council, launched a nationwide campaign to distribute free motorcycle and bicycle helmets to children and adults.

The campaign – organized in cooperation/partnership with the Department of Road Safety, Road Transport Department, Royal Malaysian Police, the Ministry of Education and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research - was designed to create and implant the importance of proper helmet wearing in an effort to combat road accidents and reduce fatalities on two wheels. It also underlined the importance of fastening helmets properly. This is an act that is often taken for granted, especially by the younger generation of motorcyclists who more often than not, took for granted that wearing a helmet was unnecessary especially for
short rides within the neighbourhood.

Throughout the year, the AAM distributed more than 7,000 motorcycle and bicycle helmets across 14 States (500 helmets per State) and also adopted a Parliamentary constituent in which an additional 10,000 helmets were given away to the community. To date, the association has already distributed some 20,000 helmets in the ongoing campaign in which 70% of were given to adults motorcyclists, 20% comprised of child motorcycle helmets, while the remaining 10% were in the form of bicycle helmets.

In ensuring that that the helmets were distributed to and benefited the right target audience, the AAM and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research had earlier embarked to identify areas which were most prone to motorcycle and bicycle accidents especially those that had resulted in fatalities. In its most recent campaign, the AAM successfully organized a Helmet Safety Programme at the district of Tapah, in the state of Perak where 200 helmets were distributed to the aborigine community. The helmets were given to individuals who graduated from a 3-month motorcycle theory and practical road test conducted by the Road Transport Department and funded by the Malaysian Department of Aborigines Affairs.

Held over 2 days from 30 to 31 May, the programme took on the form of a mini carnival which rallied the involvement of the entire aborigine community in the district who had taken part in telematches and road safety quizzes. Also organized were a demonstration of safe bike riding and lucky draws. Display booths meanwhile, were set-up by the AAM, the Department of Road Safety, Road Transport Department, Royal Malaysian Police and the Health Department in an effort to advocate good safety and health habits for road users. As Malaysia’s No. 1 motoring organization, the AAM remains steadfast, committed to and focused on its long-term objective of educating motorists, ensuring that the highest level of road safety awareness is embraced by all segments of road users and championing the safe use of roads for all Malaysians.

 

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The first of its kind Ride to FIM Rally 2010.

A total of 7 bikers finished riding from Saudi Arabia to Herentals, Belgium, in an  20 days to attend the FIM Rally that was held there, from 21st – 25th of June. Bikers have ridden through 16 cities and 10 countries reaching their destination. 

The event is the first trip of its kind was organized by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) in support to one of the fastest growing sports in the Kingdom.

The SAMF President and UAM Vice President  Mr. Mishaal Al Sudairy met with the riders at the rally gathering in Herentals and he congratulate them for the achievement done by the Saudi Riders covering over 8000 km and achieving the longest ride award.

Furthermore he looks forward for more UAM riders to participate in future FIM Touring events with the support of Mr. Stephan Carpait the UAM President. 

 

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FIM Motocross World Championship’s future is Worldwide

KEGUMS (LATVIA), 26 June 2010 – After the 2011 FIM Motocross World Championship provisional calendar was published on Thursday, Youthstream looks forward to a more globalized future and continues to show interest in the Asian market.

With the FIM Asia President, Mr. Stephan Carapiet, attending the Latvian GP this weekend with top Asian rider Tomoya Suzuki, Youthstream could continue the negotiations for a future Grand Prix in Asia. This remains a key area in the globalization plan of the FIM Motocross World Championship, which will offer its partners a solid worldwide stage from 2011.

After a journalist misinterpreted Youthstream’s 2011 provisional calendar, we would like to make some clarifications.

With the opening round set for May 15 in Australia, the series also includes one round in Brazil and two rounds in the USA. The remaining 11 rounds will be held on the European continent with the provisional calendar still being finalized.

In The Netherlands Youthstream has always dealt with two big professional organizers in the likes of Valkenswaard and Lierop and wishes to continue cooperating with both of them. Youthstream is still to decide if the Grand Prix of The Netherlands will be alternated between the two venues or if an extra Grand Prix will be inserted into the calendar.

The venue for the Grand Prix of Italy will be announced by October. This is because, like every year at this moment of the season, the Italian Federation and the local promoter (DBO) are still exploring the best possible venue.

France, instead, will take a one year break from hosting Grand Prix events because the country was given the best event of the year, the Motocross of Nations, and we would like to concentrate all efforts on the MXoN. From 2012 France will be back on the Grand Prix calendar.

After a break in 2010 we will be back in Great Britain in 2011. There are two possible locations: Chepstow or Matterley Basin.

The Grand Prix in Glen Helen is scheduled on the second weekend of September due to a gentlemen’s agreement between Youthstream, AMA and the AMA Nationals Promoter (MX Sports). This gentlemen’s agreement stated that the GP events in the USA would be organized after the AMA Nationals finished (and that traditionally happens on the first weekend of September).

As the provisional FIM Motocross World Championship calendar shows, Youthstream has fully respected their agreement but feels free to change the USGP schedule in case the agreement is not respected by the other two parties.

For the second round in the USA, Youthstream is still dealing with three organizers who have shown their big interest in holding a GP in the 2011 FIM Motocross World Championship. This will be announced at the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations in Denver this September.

The final FIM Motocross World Championship calendar will be published by the FIM after the FIM Congress in October 2010.

In conclusion, Youthstream is pleased to be organizing such an amount of worldwide events and at the same time have an important list of organizers showing interest in the FIM Motocross World Championship.

LINKS
Youthstream
FIM http://www.fim-live.com/en/

 

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JAPAN’S TOMOYA “KAMIKAZE” SUZUKI TO LATVIA WORLD MX MEET

The Asian Motorcycle Union recently appointed top Japanese rider Tomoya Suzuki to represent the Asian continent in the MX1 races of the FIM MX1/MX2 World Motorcross Championships slated at the Motocenter “Zelta Zirgs” in Kegums, Latvia on June 26-27, 2010.

Suzuki who earned the monicker “Kamikaze” for his fearless riding style is the current pacesetter of the FIM Asian Motocross/Supercross Championships (AMSC). Although tied with Mongolia’s Khaliunbold Erdenbileg in the series scoreboard with 92 points apiece, Suzuki dislodged the Mongolian from the top spot by topping the two MX1 motos during the second leg of the AMSC held in Manila, Philippines last April. Suzuki’s bid in the prestigious Latvia event is being made possible through the cooperation and support extended by world MXGP promoter Youthstream.

The appointment once again brings to fulfillment the UAM’s mission of discovering riding talents from national motocross events, developing their skills for continental motocross championships such as the FIM AMSC, before eventually sending them to compete against the crème de la crème of motocross in the FIM MX1/MX2 World Motocross Championships.

“For several years now, the UAM has been successful in bringing top Asian riders to world motocross events,” said Stephan Carapiet, who took over UAM’s presidency after winning the elections held during the 2010 UAM Congress held in Manila, Philippines last January.

“We will continue to do so with hopes that someday, our riders will able to step-up to the competitive level of our American, Oceanian and European counterparts, and eventually land a spot on the winners podium of an FIM World Motocross event,” he added.

The 9th leg of the 2010 FIM MX1/MX2 World Motocross Championships is again being presented by Youthstream, the Portugal-based sports consultancy outfit promoting international motorcycle sports events headed by Guiseppe Luongo. Carapiet recently met with Luonggo in Funchal, Portugal and discussed the possibilities of staging FIM World Motocross Championship events in Asian in the near future.

 

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Round 1 Chequered Flag Report
Puerto Princesa, Philippines. 21st February

2010 FIM ASIAN MOTOCROSS/SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP (AMSC)

Round 1 of the 2010 AMSC kicked off on 21st Feb. with the Philippines again claiming the honour of hosting the opening Round at their Puerto Princesa complex on the Island of Palawan.

Both Championships were dominated by two Riders who topped qualifying and won both Motos in their respective categories – Philippine’s Jerrick Mitra – Junior 85cc and Mongolia’s Khaliunbold Erdenbileg – Senior 125cc.

Arriving International Riders were welcomed to the friendly Philippines and assisted through formalities by Ministry of Tourism Staff, then transported to the official Manila Hotel for an overnight transit before a group domestic flight to Palawan on 18th Feb.

Three of the expected top performers arrived with tales of woe – Erdenbileg nursing a swollen knee sustained in a Thai race and Iran’s Sabetifar recovering from three fractured fingers forcing him off the bike for more than a month. India’s C.S. Santosh was greeted with the news that his own bike would not arrive in time and he rode a substitute bike on which the talented Indian never really looked comfortable.

A lavish welcome dinner preceded race day and was personally hosted and presented by Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn. A remarkable man with an indelible memory and a passion for nature and justly proud of Puerto Princesa - his City in a Forest.

Race day Sunday 21st was the same as the previous 3 - that is dry and hot. Organisers condensed the program where possible to maximise the effect of track watering, however despite their best endeavours, conditions were still not ideal.

Riders from six different Asian Countries made up the field for the two FIM Asia Championship categories, including Mongolia and Iran who both entered 3 Rider teams.

1:00PM. - 125cc Moto 1 - 1.2 Km undulating red loam circuit.

Mandatory sighting lap, back to waiting zone then an orderly entry into the start gates all copybook under the control of CoC Arthur Valdez.

On gate drop the packed bunch charged the uphill start straight, into the RH top berm, then down into the fast left-hander, then into the first of the jump sections.

Lap 1 leader 17yo Amir Sabetifar followed by 45yo Japanese Takeshi Tabuchi, Mongolian Temuujin Khadbaatar, Japanese Tomoya Suzuki and local hero Kenneth San Andres rounding out the top five. Further back Khaliunbold had a fall and a very sore Alireza Parvaresh who had an accident in qualifying was making heavy weather of it and eventually dropped out.

On lap 4, San Andres fell and Khaliunbold had battled through the field and was right behind Amir and the local crowd were on their feet as the two of them battled for another five laps before the tiring Iranian succumbed to the modern day Chinggis Khaan. Filipinos Veli Gin Ramos and Migi Tolentino had already been lapped - such was the pace of the front pack, but when the chequered flag came out for Khalunbold on his 16th lap that was the finish of the 20min +2 lap Moto.

1st - Khaliunbold Erdenbileg - Mongolia - Yamaha
2nd - Amir Reza Sabetifar - Iran - Honda
3rd - Tomoya Suzuki - Japan - Yamaha

3:30PM – 125cc Moto 2

Amir grabbed the hole shot but it was Tabuchi who held the lead for the first 3 laps until overtaken by the hard charging Khaliunbold. Fellow Mongolian Temuujin laid his Kawasaki down right in front of the service area while Amir was languishing and obviously suffering from lack of Bike time. Tomoya was creeping through the field but it took five laps to get past his older Countryman Tabuchi. The youngest in the field 15yo Filipino Migi Tolentino was lapped on 7th as Khaliunbold set a blistering pace up front.

From lap 11 until the finish, the first 5 places remained constant as Khaliunbold, Tomoya, Amir, Tabuchi and Kenneth San Andres. The winner was Khaliunbold - the hero was Tabuchi. Certainly a brilliant effort for the Japanese veteran although 45yo Filipino Jolet Jao also put in a sterling effort to achieve 9th place.

1st - Khaliunbold Erdenbileg - Mongolia - Yamaha
2nd - Tomoya Suzuki - Japan - Yamaha
3rd - Amir Reza Sabetifar - Iran - Honda

Both Motos of the 85cc Junior Championship were dominated by Filipino Jerrick Mitra with Guam’s Jacob Einloth second, but third place was shared by the Guinto Brothers Ernest and Ariel with the third place count back going to the younger Ariel after his Brother crashed twice and was obviously finding the 15min +2 laps heavy going.

Top 3 in Junior 85cc Championship after Round 1

1st - Jerrick Mitra - 14yo - 50 pts - Philippines - Honda
2nd - Jacob Einloth - 14yo - 44 pts - Guam - Yamaha
3rd - Ariel Guinto - 13yo - 38 pts - Philippines Kawasaki

Top 3 in Senior 125cc Championship after Round 1

1st - Khaliunbold Erdenbileg - 50 pts - Mongolia - Honda
2nd - Tomoya Suzuki - 42 pts - Japan - Yamaha
3rd - Amir Reza Sabetifar - 42 pts - Iran - Honda