The awesome new 2008 BMW R1200S is about to go on sale...and Race Corporation will be able to give you an in-depth look at what it's like in the real world - on the road. There will also be expert analysis from industry professionals. Can't give you a definite date yet for the test - but it WILL be soon.

This was one of the epic SS600 battles of the year and one of the best showcases for the World Endurance riders David Checa, Matthieu Lagrive and Sebastien Gimbert.

SERT rider Matthieu Lagrive and GMT94 team-mates Sebastien Gimbert and David Checa all qualified well and got into the first corner in that order in 4th, 5th and 6th, with David Checa passing team-mate Gimbert before the end of lap 1.By lap 5, Lagrive was harrying Sebastien Charpentier for 3rd place with Checa still in touch in 5th.
By Lap 6, Gimbert had slipped to 9th (11th by Lap 7) and Checa had dropped to 2 seconds behind 4th-placed Lagrive, the race led by Broc Parkes, Kenan Sofuoglu in 2nd and Charpentier 3rd. Checa lost a place to Josh Brookes on Lap 8 but Lagrive was still fighting hard for 3rd with Charpentied - a big gap in front of them where Sofuoglu took the lead away from Parkes.

Lap 12 and Matthieu Lagrive rode around the outside of Charpentier to take 3rd and David Checa out-braked Josh Brookes to go back to 5th....but Craig Jones slip-streamed David to take 5th one lap later, with Tommy Hill closing in. Hill passed Checa on Lap 17, passing Charpentier a couple of corners later with David Checa following him through in 6th.

LAP 18 - Sofuoglu, Parkes, Lagrive, Jones, Hill, Checa.

Lap 20 and Massimo Roccoli passed David Checa to take 6th.

At the finish, Broc Parkes took the win, Kenan Sofuoglu 2nd, with Matthieu Lagrive taking his first-ever World Supersport podium.
Brits Craig Jones and Tommy Hill took 4th and 5th, with David Checa passing Massimo Roccoli at the line to take back 6th place.

Matthieu Lagrive's website is HERE

SERT RIDER MATTHIEU LAGRIVE FINDS MARTIN GELDERS' 500mm LENS

WELL DONE GUYS!

After fighting all race long with Claudio Corti, losing then regaining the lead in the World Superstock round at Lausitz, Didier held off the challengers and gave himself a boost in confidence for the 2007 Bol d'Or in 6 days time. The Belgian is partnering Australian riders Glen Richards and Warwick Nowland on the Phase One Yamaha.

Didier Van Keymeulen (1st - TTSL-MGM Racing)
"I'm very happy today after everything that has happened this weekend - my crash yesterday and the weather. When I crashed I hurt my middle finger on my clutch hand but it hasn't been too sore today. From the start of the race I knew I needed to get to the front and I'm very happy to have won only three months after my bad accident at Silverstone. The doctors said it would take three months to recover from a broken pelvis and I feel that I can focus on the future now rather than the past. I'd like to thank the team for all their hard work this weekend."

Just a week to go before the penultimate World Endurance race of the season. Le Mans and the Bol are traditionally the two races that feature French female teams. In recent years, these have been Team Octopuss and 3A Racing, with Magali Langlois being one of the mainstays of both teams, recently partnering with Christelle Orsi...but this time it looks as if Christelle can't make the Bol this year. She's concentrating on business projects to keep the team in the game for next year, therefore Magali is partnered with Fabien 'Fafa' Favre and Jérome 'Babard' Bard.

GEEZ....WORDS FAIL ME...

PICTURES COURTESY OF BOLLIGER PILOT HORST SAIGER

GWEN GIABBANI GOES RENAULT CLIO RACING

920kgs, 190hp with a six-speed sequential gearbox, the Clio Renault Sport 2.0 16V is Gwen's latest challenge, once again it's a 'Police' car...a week after the Bol d'Or and again at Magny Cours, it's the last round of France's Clio Cup and Gwen's first race and he's more than a little apprehensive. We'll see how he goes.

GWEN INSISTED ON THE FISHNETS...

DAMO'S PRESS RELEASE:
Australia’s Damian Cudlin has dropped a bombshell in the World Endurance paddock today with the announcement he’ll compete for Team Kawasaki France in the Bol’Dor 24 hour next week.

Cudlin’s last appearance on a Kawasaki was on a 600 in 2003, however he believes he stands every chance of success aboard the Green Machine in France. “I’m really looking forward to throwing my leg over the ZX10R and working with the TKF squad. They’ve been a real force in this years World Endurance Championship and are currently one place ahead of us in the series, so I know too well they’ve got what it takes to get the results. It’ll be up to me to see if I can get comfy on the bike fast enough to challenge the leaders at the Bol’Dor. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

The "Trophée Bruno Bonhuil" jury - Ludivine Bonhuil (Présidente du Jury), Christophe Guyot (GMT Open), Francis Boutet (GMT Open), Gérard Délio (Photopress), Aurélien Ranéa (Moto Journal) and Diane de Salve (Sport Bikes) - met at the final race of the French Superbike Championship in July at the of Magny Cours circuit to choose the winners of the 4 categories. The choice was difficult with many riders in the running to claim the final victory. We are very happy to announce that the winners are:

*125cc: Alexis Michel
*600 Supersport: David Perret
*1000 Superbike: Freddy Foray
*Sidecars: Thierry Bourc'his

The name of the "Conqueror of the Trophy Bruno Bonhuil 2007 All Categories" will be unveiled only at the beginning of 2008, when the FFM has it's own awards ceremony. We would like to thank all the riders and teams for the important effort of communication that they implemented for this season 2007. We persuaded that this effort was noticed and the whole Championship of France Superbike has benefited.

"When will we stop systematically criticizing all that one does or one tries to do in France? Encourage rather the initiatives, the rising to challenges and let us adapt to the evolution of our world"  BRUNO BONHUIL JUNE 2002"

BRUNO JUST BEING HIMSELF - ALBACETE 2003

Bruno left us - but he left us his inheritance. His values of courage, self-denial, of altruism and of passion for this sport that he loved so much. HHe fought for the sports bike and its excellence of ideas and professionalism - and we wanted to perpetuate them by launching a trophy in his name.

The "Trophée Bruno Bonhuil" is to reward a pilot reflecting the same professional values that Bruno had. Besides athletic and sporting performances, the riders would be judged ontheir capacity to communicate (press releases, press coverage, relations with the press, websites, etc.), on their capacity to add value their Team and get their pictures on the circuits (the bikes, layout of the pit box, presence of the pilot at the time of autograph signings, etc).

CONDITIONS OF SELECTION - To be classified in the top 10 of his category in the France Championship Superbike 2007. The press communications of the teams (Ex-Dark Dog Academy, Junior Team, GMT) will not be taken into account. A rider will not be able to receive the trophy twice, even if he changes a category.

Along with Bruno's friend, rider and TV pundit Philippe Monneret, we have the pleasure to announce that we have a new godfather. French GP superstar Sylvain Guintoli has decided to help the Trophy. Sylvain, racing this year for Team Tech 3 Yamaha and we would like to thank Hervé Poncharal who authorized his rider to join us. Thanks to Sylvain for his precious assistance, which shows the interest of the world of Grand Prix in our Championship.

No.1:
Word on the street (ok, track...) is that another well-respected team in the World Endurance paddock is considering a satellite team for next year. Rumour also is that it will be with a full Superbike spec machine, the idea that, with an increased presence on the grid and, consequently, more publicity that that engenders, any application for permanent status might be well received.

AND HERE'S THE TWIST... it would be the first all-female team to compete for the whole WEC season.

You can be sure that I'll be after the reaction of the French girls who regularly contest Le Mans and the Bol - Christelle Orsi, Eliane Pscherer and Magali Langlois. I welcome suggestions as to whom you may consider to be the best of the British female rider scene to be considered for the team...comments please on the FORUM.

For those of you who thought that the Racing Women listings were gone from Race Corporation, they've just been moved to the Racing Links page. When I can get a working set of cascading menus, I'll put them back - but I'll just keep plugging away with what I've got until I can have another go at the menus :)

No.2:
Watch out for a new Brit in World Endurance who made his first appearance this year - Richard 'Cooperman' Cooper. Three years in the BMW Boxer cup...and I think the nickname is because he won a Mini Cooper in the 2004 season as best Under-21 rider. Like RMT21's Matti Seidel, tipped for the top.

After finishing 9th with team-mate Norifume Abe on the factory Yamaha at Suzuka, Aussie revelation Jamie Stauffer is looking abroad for further challenges. Yamaha Australia is taking Jamie, his team and a bike over to race the last two AMA rounds in the Superstock class and,although they say that he's got a ride with them next year in Australia if he wants, he really would love to get into some tough European or Stateside competition. Just a reminder of Jamie's form, remember that this guy took both the Australian Superbike AND Supersport Championships in 2006...along with taking EVERY pole position in the Superbike category.

He is now looking at trying to get into either World Superbike or Supersport for 2008 - but there may also be a chance of grabbing him for the Bol d'Or, guys - why don't you go and get Stauffed?......contact me for more information.

DEMON'S PRESS RELEASE:
On Wednesday 1st August 2007 Damian Rowley Motor Sport and Maco Moto Racing have agreed that their contract for the 2007 season has been terminated. All Damian’s sponsors will be removed from the bike forthwith. "I’m very disappointed not to be riding at Osch and with only a few days to go there’s very little chance of getting another ride. I have two possible rides lined up for the Bol d’Or but that really depends on funds so hopefully I’ll be back in the paddock.."

First indications are that the Maco Moto team have got Christer Miinin as a replacement rider...this news from www.roadracing.sk - Maco: V našom tíme budú štartovať Tomáš Mikšovský a Leroy Verboven, ktorých doplní švédsky pretekár Christer Miinin. Je to pretekár, ktorý štartoval v tíme Phase One a má teda skúsenosti s vytrvalostným šampionátom. Navyše tak budú v tíme štartovať jazdci, ktorí náročný, technický okruh v Oscherslebene poznajú. Ja budem opäť v pozícii náhradníka.

...I couldn't have put it better myself.

DEMON UPDATE:
After the recent split from ’Maco Racing’ Damian has been in talks with several teams including his old team manager Russell Benny from ‘Phase One Endurance’, with a possible return of a junior team for the Bol d’Or in September. After a week of talks Damian has agreed a one off ride with Italian based ‘No Limits Racing’ aboard their GSXR1000K6. Demon: ‘I’m really pleased to have been given the opportunity to ride with No Limits at the Bol d’Or. Having never ridden the Suzuki it’s going to be a new experience I’ve also never ridden on Pirelli tyres so I’ll have a lot to learn in free practice. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a trouble free race and hopefully we’ll finish higher than last years 13th place’.

After beating up on Bayliss in the first race, the Australian crashing out while trying to get back on terms, James Toseland followed up the Race 1 win with Race 2 as well, chased by Nori Haga, who retook second in the Championship after Max Biaggi was seen moving before the start lights went out and consequently suffered a ride-through penalty, coming back to score points for eighth place. Toseland goes into the 5 week break before the next round in Germany holding a 66 point lead with Haga in second, 3 points in front of Biaggi.

James Toseland has his focus face on this weekend and has already been involved in a battle - in first qualifying, after Ruben Xaus topped the leader board early, the hour-long session became a duel between Toseland and Bayliss, with attempts by Troy Corser, Lorenzo Lanzi and Nori Haga to break into the top two. Toselands time of 1'26.400 was 0.225 seconds faster than Bayliss...and that lap time is almost as fast as last year's race lap record - no qualifying tyres are used in the first qualifying session in WSBK. Max Biaggi didn't have a brilliant day however, finishing the session 14th...but, then again, he's never been around the difficult Brands Hatch track before.

It seems that Steve Martin is destined to be the 2007 stand-in rider for everyone - he's got a one-off ride with Team YZF Yamaha alongside Shinichi Nakatome...and ended the day in front of him by one place, qualifying 15th.

James Toseland told Race Corporation that the tyre he was given at Suzuka wasn't one that he had tested on...indeed, his team-mate Kiyonari crashed on the same tyre in practice...but he's a notoriously reticent when it comes to talking to the media, so when I asked what was going through his mind about how he looked to Honda after the crash, again it was "...I don't want to talk about that..."

...TOSELAND'S BACK...

He's still got to win the World Superbike crown for Honda and that fight continues at Brands Hatch, after which there will be a five week break before the final 3 rounds...but all speculation about what he's doing has now been put to rest, as James Toseland has been confirmed as a Moto GP Tech 3 Yamaha rider for 2008. At 26 years old, he was reportedly given some advice by Colin Edwards not to wait too long before making the switch. Toseland is a fine pianist...and Yamaha make fine pianos...

PADDOCK HILL BEND GETS A LICK OF PAINT

"I was really happy to finish 6th position this weekend. Coming here, we knew it would be very tough, with not only the other fast teams and riders, but the hot and humid conditions of Suzuka. I really put in a lot of training at the gym before I went to Japan, as I knew it would be hard. The circuit is extremely long, with lots of change of direction, making a rider work very hard,  swapping from one side of the bike to the other. It turned out to be very valuable as I felt good throughout the whole race" said Cudlin.

Alex and Diablo 666 Kawasaki scored a very healthy 12 points at Suzuka, pushing them up the standings and closing the gap to the teams in front. "After the disappointment of Lemans France, not scoring points, then to have only 1 point after Albacete, Spain, we needed to have a strong result. After 3 rounds, we still only have 13 points, but before Japan we were 26th in the Championship And now we have moved to 16th. It just shows what good results can do. Diablo and myself need to keep the ball rolling now and keep climbing up the championship ladder. We can’t afford any bad races, so I can assure you we will be trying".

...BLOW HARD INTO THE TUBE, PRESS THE RED BUTTON AND THE CORKS FLY OUT OF THE EARS...

Alex will now be in England for just four days before he heads off to Germany for Round 4 of the World Championships in the gruelling Oschersleben 24 hour. After such a physical race at Japan, then only one week to recover before Oschersleben, it will be a real test of stamina and fitness. " Oschersleben is one of my favourite races. I guess its something special to me as it was the place of my first 24 hour finish last year. There is a real feeling of satisfaction when you cross the line after racing for 24 hours. Last year we finished 6th, and I know that this year we will be a much faster team. Myself and my team mates really want a podium finish. Its also the weekend of my 21st birthday, so it would be extra special to stand on the box after the race".

Australia’s Damian Cudlin suffered another set back in his 2007 World Endurance campaign with an engine failure at Suzuka in Japan on the weekend. Teamed alongside Igor Jerman and fellow Aussie Steve Martin for the event, Cudlin showed great promise in practice and qualifying, being consistently fastest of the YART line up in race conditions, only to be relegated down the order in the race when an oil cooler broke on his Yamaha R1.

After climbing to 4th in the SBK class and 15th outright in the first 3 hours of racing, Cudlin and the YART squad looked set for a solid result until Martin returned to the pits early with an overheating engine. After changing to Jerman, the team was forced to pit again 2 laps later to change the broken oil cooler and radiator, losing 25 minutes in the process.

“I don’t know what to say.”  said a disappointed Cudlin. “I was riding really well on the weekend, our team had good speed and a strong result was certainly on the cards, but we suffered from the same bad luck we’ve had all season when the bike broke down. It’s a real shame as our championship hopes are pretty well over now.”

The team soldiered on to the finish well down the order, 12th in SBK and 35th outright. They now lie 5th in the World Championship standings. “It’s been a tough year even though we’ve consistently been one of the fastest teams on the track. The main thing is that the results aren’t coming because we are too slow, we’ve just been unlucky. We’ve got to put it behind us now and move on to Oschersleben with a fresh plan of attack. I still think we can still win a race this year and with nothing to lose we’ll be going all out at Osch.”

GMT94 PRESS RELEASE:
Finishing in third position - a tenth of a second behind Gwen Giabbani -, Olivier Four was bound to lose the head of the championship he had been leading most of the season. Our rider sounded extremely disappointed after the chequered flag : he had been pole for the third time this season and everything was still possible. But we can be proud of him. Six rostrums in seven rounds and two victories: unexpected results when thinking we started the season with a brand new bike. Seven races and seven pole positions for the R1 Yamaha! The bike seems excellent! We currently know we have the ideal team for winning the Bol d’Or. David Checa and Sébastien Gimbert know they have the ideal co-driver to assist them. We are sharing Olivier’s sadness: he has just missed the highest national award. But we are really happy about his season, his performance and his talent!
See you at the 2007 Bol d’Or!

FINAL POINTS
1 DIETRICH Guillaume (Champion de France) SUZUKI 131 pts
2 FOUR Olivier YAMAHA 129
3 PIOT Patrick YAMAHA 98
4 FORAY Freddy SUZUKI 90
5 GIABBANI Gwen KAWASAKI 89
6 BOUAN Denis YAMAHA 86
7 NIGON Erwan YAMAHA 64
8 METRO Thomas DUCATI 50
9 DELHALLE Anthony SUZUKI 40
10 DE CAROLIS Lucas HONDA 27
11 TANGRE Jerome SUZUKI 27
12 MUSCAT David DUCATI 25
13 DUTERNE Stephane PENTAX 24
14 MILLET Julien YAMAHA 22
15 HUVIER Cyril YAMAHA 17
16 PROTAT Frederic DUCATI 13
17 JONCHIERE Emeric SUZUKI 10
18 MARCHAND Hugo YAMAHA 9
19 FREMY Laurry YAMAHA 6
20 SOHIER Fabien KAWASAKI 5
21 AUGER Fabrice YAMAHA 5
22 MOLINIER Stephane SUZUKI 5
23 LAGAIN Thierry HONDA 4
24 GUERSILLON Pierre SUZUKI 3
25 SAINZ Josetxo SUZUKI 3
26 CANCADE Yann SUZUKI 2
27 MICHEL Christophe SUZUKI 1
28 LUCAS Claude SUZUKI 1
29 PRULHIERE Sebastien MV AGUSTA 1

Guillaume Dietrich took the French Superbike Championship by a mere 2 points in front of Olivier Four after Dietrich won the Magny Cours round while poleman Olivier could only manage 3rd behind Gwen Giabbani.

While everyone has been concentrating on Suzuka, BMW have been working hard in testing at Oschersleben on their new R1200S machines - so successfully that they have taken around 6 seconds off the Boxer Cup lap record. Berthold 'Berti' Hauser's team is aiming for a qualifying position high in the top twenty and would be over the moon if they finished in the top ten, although they are realistically setting their sights on a top 15 result.

Expect two BMW bikes to be entered - again, Thomas Hinterreiter, hopefully a recovered Stephane Mertens, Rico Penzkofer and Marcus Barth, with the second team rumoured to be Germany's Peter Öetll, England's Richard 'Cooperman' Cooper and Spaniard José Luis Nion from the Auto Sports Busquets BMW team.