EMRA round 5

Round 5 of the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association was a complete success. The racing day started with the Senior Open, a class that the team had previously dropped out of due to the incredibly stiff competition and the litre bikes that make it difficult to perform in with a '96 600.

The team squeaked out a 14th place finish with a time of 1:07:415 while only getting lapped in the dying seconds of the race. Lead rider Rick Newcombe made a grevious error when he pulled over to let the race leaders through, when at the same time arch rival Nigel Cook snuck through ahead of Pete DeGraff. It was a hard lesson learned that cost the team a position and a point. During this race the brake pads on the CBR got completely cooked off down to and in one case past the pads to the steel! The pads were replaced between races and the team owes a big thank you to Blair from SV Racing Parts for stocking pads for the '96 CBR600F3 and for being at the track to make them available. We all owe Blair a great deal of gratitude for him driving all the way from Vancouver for every round of the EMRA season!

Next up was the intermediate 600 supersport race in which the team placed 8th with a time of 1:12:710. This was a great finish as the race was challenged by intermittant rain. In fact, one end of the track was dry while the opposite end was wet. It took all the skill Rick could muster to keep the bike settled in these difficult conditions. The winner's best time was only 5 seconds faster than Rick's and 51racing managed to come in ahead of some much faster dry riders like David Kendall and Alexandria Cohen. The team picked up 8 points and was very happy with rider Rick Newcombe who explained "I only had one or two scary moments in some of the wet corners, when the little CBR stepped out in the rear".

The final race of the day was the Sportman race where the team placed 7th picking up 9 points with a best time of 1:08:350.

EMRA Round 2 just around the corner

Round 2 is coming up June 18-20. Race teams all over Alberta and western Canada are anxiously preparing to do battle at Stratotech park. With a new clutch installed in race bike #2 51racing is looking forward to a much more productive round of racing. The team may even have time to practice on Saturday!

See you at the track!

EMRA Round 1

Round 1 of the EMRA club championship is complete. Racing was fast and furious all day long and the weather was warm and windy. Some of the top riders in western Canada were present, fighting for their share of the points in the six round championship.

We all enjoyed seeing young rider Royce Maclean, out tearing up the track on his race-prepped Yamaha R6. Royce had his hands full trying to stay out front of other talented riders like Pete DeGraff, Justin Knapik, Dave Sushynski, Ian Wall, Todd Yakimoski, Steve Robertson and many others.

51racing had their challenges when the clutch on the team's race bike gave out during the initial practice laps. Chief mechanic Rick Newcombe did a miraculous job of replacing the clutch just in time for Sunday's races. The team has a long way to go in getting lap times down and were generally "a little disappointed" with the weekend's results.

Check out THIS LINK for full race results.

2010 Season opener

This time has come to begin the 2010 EMRA racing season. Round 1 starts on Saturday May 15 with practice sessions scheduled to commence around 9:00 a.m.

Team 51racing is looking forward to success in 2010 aboard the "NEW" 1996 Honda CBR600F3. This venerable old bike has supported many EMRA riders over the years as it has passed lovingly through the hands of at least 2 other noted riders.

The good folks at Vicious Cycle Motorsports have completed a tune-up and found several problems that needed correcting. Top mechanic Chris Stratichuk and his team isolated and fixed an ignition problem that was manifesting itself in only 3 cylinders firing. The team expects lower laptimes as a result of the dramatic improvement in power that will result from the fix. Our thanks go to Chris and his team at Vicious Cycle Motorsports, here in Edmonton.

Come out an enjoy the racing action on Sunday, May 16. Approximately 120 riders will be competing for points in the EMRA six round club championship. All races take place at Stratotech Park near Fort Saskatchewan. Stratotech can be found through Google Maps and is located a very short drive north on highway 825 off highway 37 just after the lights on highway 15. Racing action usually begins at 11:30 a.m. sharp with a break for lunch and goes through to 5:00 p.m. culminating with the Expert Superbike race at 4:30 p.m..

2010 New Season

2009 is all wrapped up in the history books. 2010 holds all the promise of a new season and a new motorcycle. The venerable Honda CBR600 F3, 1995 version will be the new race bike for 51racing.ca. The team hopes to gain track time at Stratotech to learn the new motorcycle and fine tune its racing capabilities.

Here's the 2010 EMRA race schedule for 2010:

Race School - May 7-9
Round 1 May 15-16
Round 2 June 19-20
Round 3 & 4 July 23-25
Round 5 August 28-29
Round 6 - September 10-11

Round 3 & 4 Double Header - roundup

The weekend battle is over and all the big guns were there! Bodies were bruised, egos were deflated and there were most assuredly champions racing in every class. Courtesy of the volunteers of the EMRA, the motorcycle fraternity met up just north of Edmonton at Stratotech Park for two days of racing in 17 different classes of motorcycles, featuring round 3 of the WCC or Western Canadian Championship.

It's middle of the season and hump race all in one wild weekend. We're now in to the home stretch for each of the class championships. Just like in MotoGP, the top guns took a real physical pounding this weekend while fortunately, none was severely injured. Hospitalisation was required in several circumstances. Our wishes go out to the racers for a speedy recovery...which doesn't mean a race to come back!

Team 51racing came out of what should have been a glorious weekend, with mediocre results. The team was forced to miss the "Big Race", the Intermediate Open Superbike due to time constraints imposed by sponsors. We simply had to absolutely, positively be there on time...

The team's nemesis and best racing companion Joe Peskunowicz of DucatiDaddiracing was in excellent form clocking some personal best laps in the Sportsmans class before bad luck...uhm...bit him in the %$$, when he was rammed from behind after the checkered flag dropped,. Fortunately team associates assured us Joe was OK...although looking for blood...Ducati RED blood.

Formula Thunder was the highlight of the day for the fans and the team as they managed to be competitive in this big event for bikes of various engine displacement and style. The team pulled down a 7th place finish and collected a mitt full of points in the championship! Racer 51 said after the race that he was inadvertently letting the others pass, by "not keeping the door closed using my usual blocking style". Racer 51 went on to say "...even when Pete De Graf was coasting and casually revving the mighty CBR1000RR on the clutch while I raced him trying to lap me in T7, racer51 said he never lost his composure and "I let him pass me" into T8. Little did Pete know racer51 probably has a lot more experience being lapped, than he does! "Pete could learn this skill from me" said racer51.

Other highlights included blocking Trina as much as possible and following #21 on the new purple RC51. I somehow suspected it was me limiting the bike...now I know as I watched him roar away from me.

We caught up with the team in the pits. "I figured that changing from worn out old tires with three weekends of racing on them would do the trick but the mid-event tactics proved fruitless", said "Crank", Racing51's head mechanic. Crank went on to say that the new fast tent performed very well going up and coming down very fast.

Looking at the race in retrospect, we asked team manager "Manny the brains" Barlock for his comments. He said among other things he was, "glad to get away from the awesome double header without damage to the motorcycle", and later added "We learned a lot from pitting with the DucatiDaddiracing team so we'd like to make sure everyone recognises what superstars they are over there."

The whole team here at 51racing sends "get well soon" wishes to all the injured riders and especially thanks all the volunteers who helped with this spectacular event.

Full results are linked off the team's main website at 51racing.ca

Motorcycle racing rounds 3 & 4 - July 10-12 Edmonton

Team 51racing reports that preparations for this weekend's double-header are complete and that testing was a complete success. The team is preparing with a new pit-tent that is said to be "performing at top levels". With the new tent in place, higher race standings are being anticipated. "This raises the whole level of competition for the team" reports the team manager.

The Honda RC51 is running like a Swiss watch and the motorcycle will be using brand new fuel this weekend. The buzz in the new pit tent is that the new fuel is probably going to help the motorcycle go faster.

The team did not report which gas station will be the source of the new fuel but insiders assured readers they'd "grab some new fuel on the way to the track". Sponsor Fat Franks will not be able to attend the VIP activities scheduled for all 51racing sponsors.

The EMRA double-header will feature round 3 of the WCC series so riders are expected to be in attendance from around western Canada.

EMRA round 2 - huge success

Round two of the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association's six round series, ended in great success for 51racing. The team's primary rider, Rick Newcombe rode to a personal best laptime of 1:06.18 on the mighty Honda RC51.

There were some epic battles witnessed by the race fans between the RC51 of 51racing and the powerful Ducati 916 of Joe Peskunowicz of Calgary's DucatiDaddi racing. Joe is an extremely talented racer whose bravery is almost unequalled in motorcycle racing. He valiantly rode his 916 wheel to wheel with Rick Newcombe on the RC51, with the two riders displaying their various skills for all the thousands of fans in attendance to see. It was said that the two provided the most entertainment for the fans by "duking it out" in almost every corner. Joe's exceptional skill kept the under powered Ducati in the hunt for a podium. Both riders added valuable points to their season totals. Rick Newcombe was quoted as saying "That Joe Peskunowicz is an amazing rider, he pushed me to a new personal best as I had to struggle to use every skill in my arsenal to try and stay ahead of him". Rick went on to add "His bravery is something I look up to and aspire to achieve". Joe was heard saying "Rick is a fun rider to race with. If he ever learns how to ride that farm tractor he calls a motorcycle, he'll be even more fun to race against!".

51racing pulled off a seventh place finish in the Formula Thunder class collecting 11 more points for the season. If all the other riders would take a holiday and miss the upcoming double-header, this may be the teams best season ever!

More details to follow!

Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association - Round 2

Motorcycle race fans from all over western Canada will be gathering this weekend at Stratotech Park for round 2 of the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association's second round of racing. Come out on Saturday June 20 to catch the action in the practice rounds as well as racing in the Alberta Wildrose Cup and the Open Women's category. All other racing is on Sunday starting at 11:30 a.m. with the Senior Open.

Gates open at 8:00 a.m. Full concession services to feed your hungry appetite.

The best (and only) motorcycle racing in the Edmonton area. Bring your friends and family and come out to see some very exciting motorcycle racing. Drop into the pits and visit with the Fat Franks sponsored 51racing team.

www.stratotech.ca
www.emra.ca
www.edmontonmotorcyclescene.com

New motorcycle event in Edmonton - Showgirls

Paul Ballach from Showgirls, has started a bike afternoon-night on Sundays and would love to get some of our riders to join them to help make it even more popular. They have their patio open to the riders for refreshments and a BBq. All their girls are serving in bikini's and are outside for a weekly Bike & Carwash, and to allow for taking pictures on your bikes if you wish (Sponsors would love this idea!). It’s purported to be a very friendly and relaxed environment for you to enjoy on any nice warm Sunday afternoon.

They have reserved the entire front and side parking for all the riders and bikes so as not to be interfered with by cars. They have designed is so there is no need for anyone to have to enter the Nightclub if they do not wish. They are looking for are people that truly love motorcycles and want a place on Sundays to chill, and not be bothered.

There are also close to some great stretches of highway and roads for cruising when you get the urge. Let them know if this is of interest you and if so what else they can do to make it an enjoyable time while you’re there. As this night grows they would love to sponsor show'n shines and give away trophies and money, or maybe have a charity poker run. Please let Paul know what you think either way.

Paul Ballach
Entertainment Director
Showgirls Exotic Nightclub
Edmonton,Alberta,Canada
780-289-0992/ cell
780-463-5550 / work
showgirlspromo@hotmail.com
www.showgirls.ca

New motorcycle movie - free sneak preview

On March 5th 2009 Mongrel Media is hosting a special sneak preview for the motorcycle movie One Week (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOaYQTHNTrc) starring Joshua Jackson. We would like to invite you to join us at the screening. It takes places at 7pm at Scotiabank Theatre in West Edmonton Wall. Do you think you could pass on this email to friends, coworkers and family members who may be interested in the screening? The screening is free and you can get your pass at our website www.oneweek.ca.

Memories on a snowy December day

It's snowing but not too cold. All we have are memories for the next few months. This is a highlight shot from the 2008 season.

MotoGP - Valentino Rossi is amazing

The Motegi Japan MotoGP was an excellent race and the scene for the crowning of Valentino Rossi as the 2008 World Champion. There were some epic early battles with riders on fresh tires that eventually settled out into a tight 3 way race for the victory between Rossi, Stoner and Pedrosa as tire choices delivered the riders different strategies to the pavement and the time sheets. Gradually the recurring world champion moved up to third, second and finally into first, where he rode brilliantly to the top of both the Motegi podium and the 2008 World Championship. While Rossi picked up win number 70 in the premier class, Stoner settled for second with Pedrosa third narrowly beating Spanish rival Jorge Lorenzo.

Valentino Rossi is the only man to win the MotoGP championship on four different motorcycles! He is the best motorcycle racer that has ever lived. It is very enjoyable to watch him develop and push a motorcycle to new records with every ride.

Two more races to go and there's no reason for Rossi to stop winning. What a great MotoGP season.

EMRA Endurance race 2008

Motorcycle endurance racing is like no other form of motor sports. The combination of skill, athleticism and courage are shared in other motor sports, however the level that each variable demands or requires is distinctive. All three variables are amplified with the removal of two wheels, leaving two wheels. This single variable change increases the demands upon a motorcycle endurance racer, by an undetermined multiplication factor. Add to the equation the variables of fuel consumption, tire wear and engine reliability and you’ve got an exciting and demanding form of motor racing.

It all starts with a casual group of riders who each put together a team of at least two riders. With one bike the team riders (up to a maximum of four), must attempt to complete more laps then all the other teams. This means riding as hard and as fast as you can for your designated ride time. Ride times range from 15 minutes to over 60 minutes depending on team strategy. There’s always a scramble to get a team together even though every year the riders tell everyone what a great time this form of racing can be. Drafting riders is not uncommon and some riders will jump from team to team for a “better opportunity”. Some riders even cancel on their “team” at the last minute, leading to even more poaching and backroom dealing.

We managed to pull a team together at the last minute. Spence King first stepped up to the plate a week before the big event. Trina Hennig then agreed to ride as a relief rider on a full sponsorship from Spence and me. The bike of course was the soon to be retired from racing, mighty RC51, known, loved and feared by all and tamed by a lucky few. Tire choice was of course Michelin Power Race Mediums, designed to last the entire 4 hour race distance. Fuel was carefully selected Premium grade from the Gunn Esso Station. Oil by Amsoil with Lucas oil stabilizer. I had a track breakfast sandwich and two cans of Rockstar for fuel...

After an early morning tire change, we setup our hot pit on...hot pit row. Trina being an organized sort compared to the rest of the team, jumped on getting the premium number one spot on the pit. We milled around while the clock ticked down towards the famed Le Mans style start. Over the drone of generators and such, you couldn’t hear a thing from the PA system. All of a sudden, more or less on time, all hell broke loose as Everett announced we were gridding the bikes. You could see riders furiously donning their riding gear, while others pulled off tire warmers and got bikes off stands.

Two quick hot laps to warm up the tires and we lined the bikes up opposite the pit wall on the front straight. The 17 fans went wild! It was awesome as the riders lined up for the sprint to mount their running bikes. A safe start leading to four hours of some of the best racing and riding anyone will ever see. Others may go faster but few put on a show like a good set of endurance riders and teams. There is more than one way to win an endurance race and it’s fascinating to watch the different strategies unfold.

You must know that people act differently under pressure and the minute a person puts on a helmet to go “racing”, strange things can happen to their “normal” personality. Well the pressure is ON with endurance racing and it doesn’t let up just because you’re standing in the pit waiting your turn. So when you get back out on the track, you’re all fired up and ready to race...you’re just more tired and more likely to make mistakes. Things start to get real interesting when you have to ask yourself if you’re making “too many mistakes”. You can learn a lot about yourself endurance racing a motorcycle. Who you really are comes out under pressure. That’s one reason the Navy Seals try to break down every recruit...to see how they handle the REAL pressure. Well, a Navy Seal could maybe endurance race a motorcycle, and even then they’d learn a thing or two about themselves. Fear management is different when you are very tired balancing on a small patch of road the size of your palm...at a high rate of speed, leaned over with elbows grazing the pavement. For me the fear, or rather the false anticipation of disaster quickly subsides when I get underway and I really started to feel the rhythm of the track and the bike at the 30-40 minute level. When my team waved me in the second time at 51 minutes, I did not want to stop. Maybe next year with a single other rider...maybe a rule change to allow a single rider...now that would separate the boys who train to stay in shape from the weekend warriors!

Some motorcycles can’t maintain the pace and we saw attrition through expiration of motors. Tough luck to come all that way and go through all the preparation required only to have your equipment let you down...Suzuki. I don’t think a Honda does that... Some riders slow down dramatically when they get tired, while others seem to get faster. Tires last longer than anyone could imagine with winners ripping 216 laps, flat out on a single set, start to finish. Amazing in anyone’s books...tire books of facts and stuff.

In the end only a few laps separated the winners and the also rans. There are no losers in endurance racing; there are just guys who pay more to do it than the first three finishers...the REAL heroes of endurance racing...the suckers who fund the winners... From fifth place to first there was a difference of only 19 laps...and the amazing thing...all the times were exactly four hours!!! I can hardly wait ‘till next year and the introduction of a new secret weapon for 51racing!

Echo Cycle, Edmonton, AB - service horror stories

Over the last few days, and at round 3, many of you have shared your own Echo Cycle horror stories. I am flabbergasted that these folks continue in business and have survived so long in Edmonton. The tales of over-charging, missed appointments, and inability to quote service work accurately, show a definite pattern.I'm not trying to hurt anyone in particular. I have every confidence that despite their attitude's while at work, they are all good people.

My challenge is with the process and the fact we have a motorcycle service shop charging the highest rates per hour ($109) with the slowest possible output per hour...that adds up to you paying much more than you should for any service work you have done at Echo Cycle.

If all the people who shared their own Echo Cycle service horror story with me, actually shared it with Echo management...and then still nothing changed...then we can legitimately tell them we gave them a chance. I know I did my part...have you? The only other way we can "help" Echo Cycle management understand how they are viewed in the community is to avoid shopping their.

You all should really talk with each other too...the stories that come out of the Echo Service shop are, well, remarkable to say the least. I can only speak to the facts surrounding my experience...unless you speak up, the rest is just hearsay.

Racing this weekend at Stratotech Park

Come see the riders practice on Saturday and race on Sunday.

51racing announces new website

51racing, operating out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada announces their new website. Check out all that's happening at 51racing.ca

There are a number of great sponsorship opportunities still available. See the spots on the mighty RC51 that are still available, by clicking here