Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
SoundofMotion keeps cyclists safe, morphs phone into motorcycle
Apr 24th 2007
by Darren Murph
It may not be legal in most civilized nations to ride a Segway on the sidewalk, but for those still risking their lives on a two-wheeled machine, things are about to get a lot safer. SoundofMotion has developed a clever new warning system that turns your phone into what sounds like a roaring motorcycle, and not content with just playing a pre-recorded loop over and over, it's actually designed to rev up and down based on the speed and acceleration of your bicycle. The application will run on "any Bluetooth- and Java-capable phone," and it interacts with a "wireless BT sensor" that gets mounted on one of your wheels. Unsurprisingly, the device responds to the motion sensor and lets the carefree motorists around know you mean business when crossing an intersection. The app is currently sitting in beta, but the creators hope to have a final rendition ready to go before you make too many summer treks, but you better be willing to face total embarrassment (and have one loud speakerphone) to save your skin before picking this up. Click on through for a demonstration.
Source : http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/24/soundofmotion-keeps-cyclists-safe-morphs-phone-into-motorcycle/
SoundofMotion keeps cyclists safe, morphs phone into motorcycle
Apr 24th 2007
by Darren Murph
It may not be legal in most civilized nations to ride a Segway on the sidewalk, but for those still risking their lives on a two-wheeled machine, things are about to get a lot safer. SoundofMotion has developed a clever new warning system that turns your phone into what sounds like a roaring motorcycle, and not content with just playing a pre-recorded loop over and over, it's actually designed to rev up and down based on the speed and acceleration of your bicycle. The application will run on "any Bluetooth- and Java-capable phone," and it interacts with a "wireless BT sensor" that gets mounted on one of your wheels. Unsurprisingly, the device responds to the motion sensor and lets the carefree motorists around know you mean business when crossing an intersection. The app is currently sitting in beta, but the creators hope to have a final rendition ready to go before you make too many summer treks, but you better be willing to face total embarrassment (and have one loud speakerphone) to save your skin before picking this up. Click on through for a demonstration.
Source : http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/24/soundofmotion-keeps-cyclists-safe-morphs-phone-into-motorcycle/
Authorities ID men hurt in Monday motorcycle/SUV crash
Staff report
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — Terre Haute police have identified two men involved in a roll-over crash Monday afternoon in Terre Haute.
Chancy Krantz, 34, of Terre Haute and Cody Tryon, 18, were taken to area hospitals after Tryon crashed a stolen, Suzuki motorcycle into the side of Krantz’s 1988 Ford Bronco causing it to roll at least two times, police said.
Krantz was treated for minor injuries at Terre Haute Regional Hospital and released Monday. Tryon was taken to Union Hospital following the crash, but his condition was unknown by press time Tuesday.
Krantz was cited for driving while suspended.
An investigation is ongoing.
Tryon was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed on Sycamore Street and failed to stop at a stop sign as Krantz proceeded northbound through the intersection on 17th Street, city police said. Tryon attempted to stop but collided with Krantz at 3:16 p.m. Tryon was propelled through the rear side window and out the rear back window of the SUV as it and the motorcycle rolled, police added.
Tryon was not wearing a helmet. Krantz was wearing a seat belt. He was not extracted or thrown from his SUV.
Source : http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_story_114231730.html
May Proclaimed Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
Motorcycle riders now account for one out of every ten U.S. road fatalities each year – with motorcyclist deaths from traffic crashes rising in each of the last eight years.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,553 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal highway crashes in 2005. Of those, 56 percent involved another vehicle in addition to the motorcycle in the crash.
Forsyth County Sheriff
Ted Paxton
That’s why the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is joining with other federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement organizations in proclaiming May 2007 as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.” All motorists are reminded to safely “Share the Road” with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe.
“With warmer weather here, more motorcycles are back on the roads. Drivers of passenger vehicles need to be extra alert,” said Sheriff Ted Paxton. “Motorcycles are the smallest vehicles on the road so folks in other vehicles need to really look out for them—and to take extra care to safely ‘Share the Road’.”
Motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. “It’s crucial that motorists always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.” said Sheriff Paxton.
The Sheriff added that motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in the event of a crash. He added that research shows that approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle. In fact, per vehicle mile traveled in 2005, motorcyclists were 37 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than occupants in passenger vehicles according to NHTSA.
Sheriff Paxton offered several tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:
Ø Remember the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway. Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane;
Ø Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;
Ø Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;
Ø Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;
Ø Remember that road conditions which are minor annoyances to passenger vehicles pose major hazards to motorcyclists;
Ø Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when following a motorcycle, so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
The Sheriff added that motorcyclists have responsibilities, too, by following the rules of the road, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective gear.
“All too often after a crash, the drivers of other vehicles involved say they never saw the motorcyclist and were unable to respond in time,” said Sheriff Paxton. “This is no excuse. Too many lives are being lost. Our message to all drivers is: make this the first year in recent years when motorcycle fatalities do not increase. Do your part by safely ‘Sharing the Road’ with motorcycles.”
Source : http://www.cumminghome.com/news30041/may-proclaimed-motorcycle-safety-awareness-month.shtml
Motorcycle Endurance Racing Record - Fred Ham
New Record at Talledega Motorcyclist Magazine, April 2007
Wheels Through Time and Wayne Stanfield have made history...again! On April 4, 2007, Stanfield, a 59-years old and a five-time winner of the Great American Race, and a team assembled by Dale Walksler, curator and founder of the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, NC, set out to re-break a 24-hour endurance record of 1825 miles in 24-hours at the infamous Talladega Superspeedway.
Aboard a 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, dubbed the "Fred Ham Special", the team would set out to conquer the infamous feat set by Fred "Iron Man" Ham, a California Highway Patrolman, nearly seventy years later to the day. The motorcycle fielded for the run was a purpose-built re-creation of Ham's brand new '37 Harley. The run was the first known attempt to re-break the legendary record.
"Dale and I talked about making a run at Ham's record over 10 years ago and I said sure. It was not until a year ago that I realized he was serious," commented Stanfield.
Well it all came to culmination on Wednesday, April 4th, at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. The thirty-nine year-old 2.8 mile tri-oval was chosen because its size nearly matched that of the track on which Ham set his record at Muroc Dry Lake in Southern California. It was bright, sunny and the track was Wayne's. At just after 4:40 p.m. Stanfield set off, beginning what everyone hoped would be a run for the record books.
From the very start of the run, Stanfield and the Wheels Through Time pit crew had some untimely mishaps. After Stanfield's first laps, the motorcycle came back with signs that something wasn't right. As the pit crew worked at top speed to fix a mysterious carburetor or ignition problem, Stanfield sat patiently, taking advantage of the last few minutes of rest he would see for 24 hours. After nearly 45 minutes of stop time, Stanfield re-boarded the motorcycle and set off, again, towards his chance at making history.
Record breaking is nothing new to Stanfield and Walksler. Their Great American Race record is unparalleled. Wayne has won the cross-country rally five-time and together they became the only competitive motorcycle team in race history and tallied back to back Top 2 finishes, which came in both the 1995 and 1996 races. In 1997, Walksler broke the 1917 Transcontinental record aboard a '17 Henderson Special, leaving L.A. on June 5 and arriving at Time Square in New York City just six days and eleven hours later, shattering the old record by over 30 hours.
But breaking Ham's record would not be so easy. It was not after more than 18 laps on the 2.8-mile Talladega tri-oval that Stanfield rounded back for his second trip to the pits, complaining that the motorcycle was loosing power. It was at this point that crew chief, Dale Walksler, noticed that the motorcycle was near disaster. The problem was a burnt piston on the rear cylinder, which would have ended the run for a less experienced team. The crew immediately got back to work, exchanging the burnt piston and cylinder for better parts off of Walksler's spare bike. The whole piston ordeal lasted only sixty-five minutes, as the motorcycle was back on the track and running like new by 8:30 p.m.
Now, Stanfield and the Knucklehead were really starting make time. Despite the dimly lit track and the icy-cold headwind blowing down the back stretch, Stanfield was turning his best laps of the run by 9:00 p.m. As he shaved second after second off each lap, it was apparent that the motorcycle was finally performing like it should.
However, the unscheduled stop-time, somewhere in the area of 4 1/2 hours by 10 p.m., began to push Ham's record out of reach. But this didn't stop Stanfield and his crew from making a run at it anyway. The motorcycle performed at top-notch throughout the night, as Wayne averaged in the area of 82-87 mph each lap. With only one rear tire change at 3:30 a.m., the '37 began to show its durability, as well as the capability to make it to the 24 hour mark.
At 5:30 a.m., daybreak had begun, and Stanfield was making better time than he had all night. Where, throughout the night, he had been running laps between 1:55 and 2:00, Stanfield increased his speed as the sun continued to rise, and was turning between 1:49 and 1:52 laps from that point on. Running these times, Stanfield was averaging about 90 mph per lap. "He was getting nearly 105 (mph) on the front stretch but the headwind on the back straight-away was holding him to about 80," said Walksler. "And the best part was that the bike was holding up great."
Stanfield, who has always been considered an "iron man" by his friends, partners, and competitors, showed no signs of wearing down. He had made it through his first 16 hours without a hiccup, and was getting faster as time went on. Each pit stop, about every hour on average, he assured the crew that he was feeling great and would have no problem finishing the duration of the run. "We knew that Wayne would hold up well" commented Walksler of Stanfield, who had undergone strict diet, exercise, and sleep regiments in preparation for the run. "Our biggest worry was his ability to maintain speed at night, and he showed us that wasn't a problem."
By 10:00 a.m., Stanfield brought the bike back for another quick service. The primary chain, which has always been considered one of the first parts to wear at high speeds, had stretched beyond repair. The crew, ready for such a problem, dove in and had Stanfield back out on the track in less than fifteen minutes. As the new chain began to break in, Wayne was back on his old pace of 1:50 per lap.
As the clock struck noon, Stanfield had covered just under a thousand miles. He was running his fastest times of the day, averaging about 1:48 per lap. His fastest lap, recorded at 12:31 p.m., was 1 minute 46.11 seconds. "Running continuously at 95 miles per hour on a seventy year old motorcycle can scare the daylights out of you," said Stanfield. "All I could do was keep the throttle wide open and stay out of the wind."
As the day progressed, it was becoming apparent that Fred Ham's record would still stand, despite a valiant effort by Stanfield and the Wheels Through Time race crew. However, the thought of slowing down never crossed Stanfield's nor the crew's minds. They continued to increase speed and decrease lap times for the duration of the run. The bike showed no new signs of wear and it became clear that Stanfield and the '37 would make it to 24 hours.
As his elapsed time reached 23 hour 30 minutes, Stanfield passed the pits, right hand pinning the throttle and left hand giving a thumbs up to his crew. The fifty-plus crew members, fans and special guests erupted with emotion. Although they knew the 1825-mile mark wouldn't be surpassed, the sheer magnitude of what they were about to accomplish began to sink in. Never in the history of motorcycling had a seventy year old motorcycle ran for 24-hours at high speed, nor had any rider or driver ran for 24-hours at the Talladega Superspeedway. Wayne Stanfield would be the first to do both.
As the final seconds ticked away, Stanfield flew by the pits completing his 477th lap, totaling just over 1350 miles in 24 hours. The small crowd on hand would again erupt, applauding Stanfield through his final lap and onto pit road. Stanfield, with a sigh of relief, pulled off his helmet and let out an ear to ear grin. It was finished.
Although he did not match the 1825-mile record set in 1937, he did break several records at the speedway itself. Wayne, piloting the 1937 Fred Ham Special, set the record for most consecutive laps at Talladega, with a total of 477 completed. Stanfield also became the only rider/driver to run for 24 hours on the Superspeedway. Other records also include traveling the most miles in a 24-hour period at Talladega, and most miles completed by a seventy year old motorcycle over 24-hours.
"Upon comparing the two runs, we've found some close similarities," said Walksler. Although Stanfield and his crew covered less than 75 miles in the first three and a half hours, the rest of the run was done in record breaking style. "During the last 18 hours of the run, we managed to surpass the miles that Ham covered during that time. Had it not been for the early mishaps, the possibility of breaking Ham's record would have come down to the wire".
All in all, both Stanfield and Walksler were extremely happy with the results. "Wayne persevered through any problems that arose, and made a great run at history without even the slightest debacle. I could not be more proud of what he has accomplished."
"Having seen what it takes to run over 90 miles per hour for 24 hours with one rider, we now have more respect for Ham's historic run," said Stanfield. "To do what he did, the stars would have had to align perfectly for 24 hours".
What's next? Wheels Through Time is proposing a challenge for 2008 to a number of four-man teams to approach or surpass Ham's infamous 1937 24-hour endurance record. Perhaps a $200,000 purse will entice new talent in 2008.
The 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead used to make a run at Fred Ham's 24-hour endurance record will be on free display at the Wheels Through Time Museum regularly for the remainder of 2007, before being relocated to the Motorsports Hall of Fame adjacent to the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama.
And for any of you that want to see more about the Wheels Through Time Museum or the epic Fred Ham Celebration Ride, log on to the Time Machine at www.wheelsthroughtime.com. The Time Machine is the world's most ingenious motorcycle video website, bringing you over 250 high-quality videos per year all about the world of antique motorcycles. And the best part, its all available at the click of a mouse. So log on and see the history of these rare machines right from your own home.
Source : http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0704_motorcycle_endurace_racing_fred_ham/index.html
Gilbert police officer dies after motorcycle crash
Dave Gustafson
Staff writer
A Gilbert police officer died this morning from injuries he received in a motorcycle wreck on Monday, State Police said.
About 4:15 p.m., Patrolman Dennie J. Hurley II was riding his motorcycle east on his way home from work on W.Va. 97 in the Godfrey's Corner community in Wyoming County, said Trooper M.S. Godfrey of the Jesse detachment.
Erica Kennedy, 20, pulled out from a driveway on the south side of the road headed west, but she pulled into Hurley's path, Godfrey said. Her view was at least partially blocked by shrubs and the curve in the road, he said.
Hurley crossed the centerline to avoid striking her, but the motorcycle collided with the left front corner of her vehicle and he was thrown over the roof of her car.
Hurley landed on the road. He was flown to CAMC General Hospital where he died this morning, Godfrey said.
Hurley has been a police officer for about three months, Gilbert police chief Ryan Harman said.
The wreck is still under investigation, but no charges have been filed.
Kennedy and her 10-year-old passenger were not injured.
Source : http://wvgazette.com/section/Breaking/000000451
Monday, April 9, 2007
Four tracks give Rossi speed concern
By Matthew BirtMotoGP
06 April 2007 10:00
Valentino Rossi has expressed his concern about Ducati’s horsepower and top speed advantage at four tracks which remain on the 2007 MotoGP world championship calendar.
The seven-times world champion told MCN he is worried about the impressive new GP7 at Shanghai, Mugello, Catalunya and Sepang.
While the Malaysian GP at Sepang doesn’t take place until October, the other three tracks playing on his mind are fast approaching, with the China GP in Shanghai just four weeks away.
Immediately after the Far East clash, the MotoGP circus heads back to Europe and after the French GP at Le Mans comes the Mugello and Catalunya races in early June.
Like Shanghai, both feature long straights which on early season evidence will play into the hands of Ducati.
Rossi is fearful of Ducati’s straight line speed advantage after he was defeated by Australian Casey Stoner in the season’s opening race in Qatar.
Rossi’s factory Yamaha YZR-M1 was embarrassingly outgunned on the long home straight at Doha’s Losail International Circuit, and he is hoping engine upgrades he is likely to have in time for the next race in Istanbul will help bridge the gap to Ducati.
The 28-year-old said: “Yes I am worried. We demonstrated in Qatar but especially in Jerez that our bike works very well.
“We have good handling, good turning and good agility. Our weak point is speed and top power and in Qatar it was impossible to win.
And he added: “With less of a straight in Jerez I was able to win but in tracks like Shanghai, Mugello, Barcelona and Sepang, like it is at the moment with such a big difference in the straight it is very difficult to beat Ducati.”
Source : http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/april/apr2-8/apr0607fourtracksgiverossispeedconcern/?&R=EPI-90356
Moto GP 2007: Complaining won't win Casey Stoner friends on the track
David Swift Thu, Apr 5, 07 14:59The Aussie young gun needs to realise that everyone out on the track, regardless of who they are or what they are riding, is out there to win.
Following the Jerez MotoGP, Aussie young gun Casey Stoner has come out firing against what he sees as irresponsible riding. It has to do with the battle in the early and middle part of the race between himself on the Ducati and Marco Melandri and Carlos Checa on their Hondas (Interestingly Checa rides for Casey's 2006 team LCR Honda).
Now admittedly I would feel somewhat nervous if I was racing closely with Carlos ‘The Chucker’ Checa, but I think Stoner needs to take a deep breath and realise that everyone out on the track, regardless of who they are or what they are riding, is out there to win.
His little rant to the media after Jerez reminded me of another serial complainer in the MotoGP paddock - Max Biaggi. Undoubtedly Max can ride a bike, and fast, just not as fast as long-time nemesis Valentino Rossi. When he raced in the MotoGP, he would often complain about the fact that everyone was out to get him, from the other racers to even the Honda factory whom he rode for. He never had the best bike, riders would supposedly hinder him on the track.
History will show Max just couldn’t compete with Rossi at his (Rossi’s) level and like Sete Gibernau after him, was totally out-psyhced by Valentino.
During his career in the 125cc, 250cc and now MotoGP, Casey has never been shy at branding others on the track as irresponsible and that they bcaused him grief on the track. I understand that, as a racer, you hate for things out of your control to affect your competitiveness, but racing is unpredictable and he should realise that. His crash in the 2005 Philip Island race at MG corner is a case in point.
So Casey, look back to see what you could become if you keep going down the path of blaming others for your inability to win races. Truth be known, you should have qualified better. You also had a bad start. Work on these things and you will be upfront and not dicing it with the second tier riders.
Look out for more comments and articles on http://www.davidswift.wordpress.com
Source : http://www.sportingo.com/article/1001,2961
SBK: Max and Yukio looking for podiums in Spain
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra news source: Kel Edge Photography Preview: Round 4, Valencia, Spain - 15th April The fourth round of this year's Superbike World Championship takes place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain and is a track both Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Max Biaggi and Yukio Kagayama know well. Both tested at the 4.005 kilometre circuit last month, though Yukio probably should not have done so as he was still suffering the affects of his high speed crash during the Phillip Island race weekend just two weeks before. Last year, Yukio finished sixth in race one and was on course for a good finish in the second until a fall after seven laps. Max hasn't done a WSBK race at Valencia, but he finished sixth there in his last ever MotoGp race in November 2005. MAX Riding a Superbike around Valencia is a very different to a MotoGP bike, but I am enjoying riding my Alstare Suzuki K7 and at least I have already put in some laps of the Valencia on it. I don't find the circuit so technical, but it is a circuit where you have to have a good bike set-up if you want to make fast, consistent laps. There are many left hand turns, so finding a tyre that has good grip and will last is always a balancing act. I am optimistic of good results and looking forward to two more hard races. YUKIO My last time at Valencia (during testing) was not so easy because my shoulder was still very painful and sore from the crash at Phillip Island. But, I wanted to help test as much stuff as possible, so I put in as many laps as I could. My season so far has not gone the way I expected - too many crashes! At Donington, I had another crash (in practice) and, because I knocked myself out for a few minutes, the doctors would not let me race. Also, a few days later my ribs felt a bit sore. At the moment, I have missed four races and I don't like that. Practice and testing is OK, but I am missing race action. Valencia has mixed memories for me, but what is important is what happens next weekend. I will make a check on how my ribs are before I decide to race, because I know Valencia is a very physical track and, if my ribs are a problem, it may be not possible for me to race. We shall see what happens when we get there. 2006 results Yukio: Race 1 - 6th, Race 2 - DNF Max: Race 1 - DNS, Race 2 - DNS Source : http://flagworld.auto123.com/en/racing/news/index,view.spy?artid=80162 | ||
| |
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
MotoGP: Konica Minolta Honda hopeful of better things at Jerez
Source : http://www.rubbermag.com/news/0703/070320_05n.html
