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The newly updated Nova Bike 03 will debut on April 9th with Hugo van den Berg manning the controls.
Don't attempt to convince Stefan Brone, or Ward Van Hout, that building motorcycles isn't rocket science, it's too late. Both Brone and Van Hout are third year Aerospace Engineering students at Delft University of Technology and they are two of the newest recruits on the Nova Bike Racing Team. TU Delft, as it's called by students, is the largest and oldest Dutch public technical university located in Delft, Netherlands, and with support from K&N, Nova Racing, a student based team, is readying Nova Bike 03 for the Open Dutch Championship Super Mono.
To ensure that enough fuel can be carried, a larger fuel tank need to be integrated into the body, and for this reason a whole new design had to be created for the seat.
Super Mono is a unique class that includes single-cylinder motors up to 800cc, which leaves a lot of room for technical interpretation, and Nova Bike 03 is an extension of that creativity potential. The Nova Bike runs on bio-ethanol, an environmentally-friendly fuel substitute for gasoline. The use of this fuel brings with it many technical challenges which students from different disciplines at TU Delft are tasked to find ways to conquer. The ultimate college final then unfolds for them on the racetrack.
As environmental awareness continues to grow, racing using bio-fuel is becoming a very hot topic, and one which embodies a large field of interest. The Nova Bike team understands this and therefore aims to design and build a motorcycle from the wheels up.
The use of bio-fuel brings comes with many technical challenges that TU Delft students are challenged to overcome.
"I will be working on the CAD-design and production of the bodywork," commented Van Hout. "Last semester I studied in the United States, where I was able to gain advanced knowledge in composite flight structures. The knowledge I gained will be of exceptional value during the production of Nova Bike 03, as a large part of the bodywork is made out of carbon fiber composites."
Van Hout became involved with the Nova Bike Racing Team through Wolf Cavens, Wolf was part of last year's Nova Bike 02 team, and also works on the design and construction of Nova Bike 03. Wolf also hand-picked Stefan Brone for the team. Brone's responsibilities include researching ways to optimize the Nova Bike's intake system. He also plays a large role in the promotion of the Nova Bike project.
For the student based Nova Bike Race team at Delft University of Technology, building a bio-fuel motorcycle is nothing short of rocket science.
I have always been very interested in everything that is designed to go fast. It is also for this reason that the concept behind Nova Bike was so very intriguing to me," said Brone. "Last year I chose to do my 'minor' in Nova Bike and in that way I was able to combine this experience with my studies."
Nova Bike was first on display in 2011 at the annual Motorcycle Exhibition held in Utrecht, Netherlands. The yearly exhibition is a way for fans and professionals to gather and kick-off the new motorcycle season. Last season the sheer amount of new motorcycles and new designs nearly rendered the Nova Bike invisible, this year though as interest in the project has grown, members of the team were bombarded by inquisitive visitors interested in the bike's latest developments. Curiosity has risen to the point where many experienced, highly skilled and respected motorcycle fanatics, chimed in this time around with a lot of useful tips.
Piloting the all new Nova Bike 03 for several races during the 2012 campaign will be former GP rider, Hugo van den Berg. Due to his obligations as editor of Motor Magazine, Randy van der Wal will not always be able to ride Nova Bike as he did last year.
"It was Motor Magazine that informed me about the proposition of racing the Nova Bike, said Hugo van den Berg. "To me it seemed a very fun challenge. I am very curious about the feeling of this bike and what the advantages are of riding on bio-fuel."
The Dutch Championship Super Mono series gets underway April 9th.
I cannot worry about the red light. I had the last two races, so that is just part of racing.
There is a consolatory adage in drag racing, claiming that if you don't go red once in a while, you're not trying hard enough. Getzville, New York's Duane La Fleur won't be guilty of that charge anytime soon. LaFleur Racing recently completed their southern swing which consisted of four races in five weeks, and although things went "fair" for the team, a couple of races got away from LaFleur by less than a half a blink, but in drag racing, fouling away a chance at a win by .002 of a second may as well be a quarter-mile.
LaFleur and his K&N sponsored 1967 Camaro Roadster began their five day road trip in Orlando, Florida at the Division 2 Lucas Oil Points Race. LaFleur advanced into the third round of eliminations, before going down to an opponent running a split second closer to their dial. Next up was the second Lucas Oil points race, this one being contested at Gainesville Raceway, and it was there that LaFleur triggered the red light on by .002 of a second.
After a week and a half off LaFleur and his team attended the third Lucas Oil Division 2 event contested on Adel, Georgia and unfortunately he pushed a little too hard again, going red this time be .007 of a second. The last event on the four race southern swing was the Gator Nationals back in Gainesville, Florida, and things once more refused to go completely as planned. After red lighting at the last two events LaFleur missed the tree this time allowing his opponent to take the win. The LaFleur Race team was able to work through these first few events and learn from them, giving them the momentum to move on and get ready for the next event.
LaFleur Racing is looking to put it all together at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis on April 27th.
There are clearly a lot of positives to be taken from your southern outing. From your perspective, what are the some of the things you learned that you can apply later in the season?
"What we have learned in the last four races is that the car is performing perfectly. Race-tech built us a great race car and Larry Sexton has supplied us with a great deal of power so now it is just up to me. I cannot worry about the red light. I had the last two races, so that is just part of racing. I have been practicing on the practice tree and we will go testing a few days before the Division 3 points race in Indy. I am really looking forward to this race."
With this being your 16th season, what would you say has changed the most from the first few years to now? Also, what is the biggest change in the way you approach a new season now from when you started?
In 2012 New York's Duane LaFleur heads into his sixteenth year of competition.
"A lot has changed over the years. The LED lights have helped with reaction times and the technological advancements have made the super class racing a lot tougher. So this has made all the competitors much better and it has made the playing field much tighter. It used to be years ago if you had a .020-.030 reaction time and ran a 9.91-9.92 in E.T. you had a pretty good package. Now you better be a double 0 and run a 9.90 or you could be heading back home. These folks are extremely tough out here and you better be on your game, or you will have a short weekend. But that makes me a better racer too."
"We approach the beginning of each season going for the championship. We feel we have the equipment and ability to do well and compete to win every time we go to an event. For 2012 we have scheduled seven Lucas Oil Points Races and five NHRA National events and once we have reached the midway point of our season, that is when we will evaluate what events we need to go to, and we will adjust the rest of our schedule from there accordingly. We are hoping to finish up on the west coast at the end of the year and that we have a shot at the championship."
"The entire team is looking forward to the race in Indy. We do well at this track and we are really looking forward to going rounds, and with a little luck, maybe we can move up in the points standing as well."
The 29th NHRA Spring Spectacle of Speed Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Indianapolis, Indiana begins April 27th.
MJM rider, Roger Hayden, began the 2012 season with two podium finishes at the Daytona International Speedway.
After anticipating the beginning of the 2012 AMA Pro National Guard Superbike season, the Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) team anxiously got things rolling at the Daytona International Speedway at Daytona Beach, Florida.
Hitting the track with fire in his eyes, team member/Suzuki rider Roger Hayden didn't waste any time earning a spot on the podium. In fact prior to the event's end, the rider achieved two podium finishes, earning third places in both Friday and Saturday's fifteen-lap races.
Taking advantage of his front-row grid positions during both days the rider had some good starts on his National Guard Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000. During the opening day of the season, Hayden battled for position for several laps prior to settling into third and holding that spot throughout the remainder of the race. During the Saturday event, Hayden took the fourth position early and eventually muscled his way into the third spot, earning his second podium finish of the event.
Roger Hayden stands on the Podium after finishing third during two events of the 2012 season opener at Daytona Beach, Florida.
According to MJM Technical Manager/crew chief, #54, Richie Alexander, Hayden's confidence level was high going into the race. "I'd say one of the keys to Roger's success in Daytona was being with the same team/bikes as 2011. He ended the year running very strong and the team continued to test all winter long. So I think coming into Daytona was just a continuation of 2011," he continued. "Getting two podiums the first race of the season is really important for the Jordan team. We all know that the season really starts after Daytona, so to leave there with two great finishes will really help towards the championship."
Although Roger Hayden experienced a successful beginning to 2012, his teammate and fellow rider, Ben Bostrom, was plagued with bad luck at Daytona. In spite of starting out strong and running in the top five during both races on his Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000, the rider's fortune was short lived. In fact, after going down during both outings Bostrom had to remount and articulate through a field of competitive riders. When all was said and done, the MJM team member managed to work his way back into the thirteenth position on Friday and finished fifteenth on Saturday.
Although MJM rider, Ben Bostrom, had a stroke of bad luck at the Daytona International Speedway, he is looking forward to the remaindr of the 2012 season.
When asked about Bostrom's stroke of bad luck, Alexander appeared confident that the rider would pick himself up, dust himself off and would put the event behind him. "Ben unfortunately had a rough Daytona; sometimes Daytona can do that to a rider. I know in winter testing, he was riding really well, and is looking forward to getting back on the real tracks. Daytona is not the best judge of the season. I am pretty sure when we get back to the real tracks, we will really see what the Jordan team has for 2012. It was great to go to Miami following Daytona," the crew chief continued. "Ben was able to end the test on top of the charts and regain his confidence."
As do all racing teams, MJM has an idea of what it will take to experience success throughout the remainder of the season. The team is a firm believer that continuing their testing will prove an element of success. On the other hand, they are also acutely aware that proper maintenance always plays a huge role in the outcome of the overall season, and sports a very strong maintenance structure for their bikes.
That in mind, the MJM team depends upon K&N products to keep their engines running properly and contaminant free in spite of the rigors of racing. In fact, the team has been using K&N air and oil filters for nine consecutive years, which is a testimony to their belief in the products. "MJM feels that K&N products are of the highest quality. We wouldn't use them if they weren't. K&N products have contributed to our success. We have seen great gains with the K&N race filter," commented Alexander.
When asked what fans can expect from the Michael Jordan Motorsports team as the season progresses, Richie Alexander's answer was short and to the point, "To be up front." Referring to Roger Hayden and Ben Bostrom, he continued, "I feel that both Hayden and Bostrom are very determined riders to show what their capabilities are and the team's capabilities." In closing he said, "I would like to thank K&N for supporting our program, and we look forward to having a very successful 2012 racing season."
At the age of fifteen, Trenton Briley is already making a name for himself in the off-road racing community.
Trenton Briley has been bitten by the racing bug at an early age. In fact, at fifteen he has already grown accustomed to lining up with and competing against drivers who have been participating in off-road racing for many years. Some folks might consider Briley's age as a disadvantage when it comes to competing against seasoned drivers, but Briley doesn't necessarily share that sentiment. "I don't see my age being an advantage or disadvantage," he explained. "But it definitely feels awesome, beating adults who are double my age."
Trenton Briley and team Briley Motorsports recently pulled into Glen Helen in Devore, California with anticipation of what might transpire in the hours to come. Racing in the Superlite class, Briley was prepared for fierce battle with fellow drivers who were equally as eager to get the SoCal Lucas Oil Off-Road Series event underway. Coming off of a win, the driver's confidence level was elevated and he was more than anxious for the waving of the green flag.
It didn't take long for the driver to figure out that the race was going to be as exciting as he had anticipated. Starting in the second place, Briley didn't waste any time working his way to the lead position. In fact, he was leading the pack by the second corner. Although holding the lead for a short period, it only took one miscalculation for his luck to go south. "Going into turn three, I made a mistake and hooked a rut, which put me on my lid, then back on my wheels," he explained. "When I landed back on my wheels, I was in fourth place."
Granted Briley had lost a few spots, but as long as there were still laps to go, he still had ample time to earn a position on the podium. That in mind, the driver continued to muscle his way forward and eventually found himself in a heated battle for the second place spot with fellow driver, Ryan Hagy. As the race progressed, Briley eventually took control of the position. At the waving of the checkered flag, the driver had managed to hold on to second place and earned a well-deserved spot on the podium behind the winner, Sheldon Creed, and in front of third place finisher, Cody Rhaders.
Trenton Briley recently finished second in the SoCal Lucas Off-Road Series event at Glen Helen.
Recalling the event, Trenton Briley said, "The race at Glen Helen was definitely full of excitement. Throughout the whole race, there was a lot of beating and banging going on out there, but it was good, clean racing and a fun race for the fans. The key to earning a podium spot was just to pick off each position one at a time, and keep charging."
Although Trenton Briley lacks the experience that many of his competitors have acquired throughout the years, his early success during the 2012 season is a testimony that he is a force to be reckoned with. When asked, Briley suggested that his strong point as a driver is an ability to chase down drivers ahead of him. Although, Trenton is aware that his driving skills will play a huge role in his future success, he is also quick to credit his team with past wins, and is aware that they play a very important role in future podium finishes. "I feel our team is definitely a force to be reckoned with this year," he said, "and our goal is to take the championship."
Briley's success is also dependent upon keeping his truck mechanically sound. That in mind, he and team Briley Motorsports follow a stringent maintenance program and use K&N products to keep the internal parts of his engine contaminant free. "Maintenance is definitely a very important thing in off-road racing," explained Briley. "I couldn't do it without my crew, and everyone who helps out with setting up and working on the truck."
Referring to the importance of using the proper filters, he continued, "We have used K&N products in everything I have raced since I've started racing. We only use the best. I think K&N is going to help us a lot in our success this year and think they're the best product we can use."
Of course, Trenton Briley is very appreciative of his fans. When asked what followers the Briley Motorsports team can expect in 2012 his answer was short and to the point- "They can expect us to be on the podium and going for wins all season long in our chase to be the 2012 champions."
The Dane, Jan Magnussen qualified 2.5 seconds faster than last year.
2012 marks the 60th running of the legendary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring endurance race. This year the New Hudson, Michigan, Corvette Racing team also commemorates their 60th year and to celebrate they posted their quickest lap times ever in the American Le Mans Series GT class. Running concurrently with the inaugural race of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the two K&N backed Compuware Corvette C6.Rs driven by Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin were third and fourth respectively in combined ALMS/WEC GT qualifying.
This is the ALMS season-opening debut for the new wide-body Corvettes and all indications are this will be another stellar season for the team, as their qualifying lap times are more than 2.5 seconds faster than last year. Magnussen ran his quickest time in his fifth and final lap around the historic 3.7-mile, airstrip-turned-race track circuit, running a 1:58.996 (113.147 mph) in the No. 03 Corvette C6.R, while Gavin posted his best time on his fourth lap at 1:59.007 (113.136 mph) in the No. 4 Corvette C6.R.
"There is a lot of difference from last year - 2.5 seconds difference!" Magnussen said. "It's a big step forward for the category. Qualifying was the first time that everyone showed what they can do, and I think it's going to be 12 hours of really hard racing."
Oliver Gavin, driving the number 4 Corvette C6.R qualified behind his teammate for the 60th running of Sebring.
"With the WEC here with ALMS, there is only going to be one winner," continued the Dane. "My point of view is that we're here to win Sebring in the GT category, and that includes everybody. There is a championship for us in ALMS and the points are very important, but this is Sebring."
"We definitely got the most of what we had today with both cars, and Oliver did a fantastic job," noted Magnussen. "We didn't work on a qualifying setup. It was a little warmer today, but there was a tailwind down the back straight that actually makes the lap a little faster. The wind helps you turn into Turn-16, helps on the exit of Turn-1, and in Turns-13 and 15. I had a feeling that we'd be going faster - but not this fast!"
The difference between the two Corvettes was a scant 0.011 seconds.
"It was intense," Gavin said. "We kept finding a little more time with every lap we ran. I wanted to go for it again on the last lap, but ran low on fuel. Jan just pipped me and two Ferraris are in front of us, but we're starting at the sharp end.
"Looking at the lap times, Jan and I were almost dead even all the way through," Gavin explained. "It's great that both Corvettes are equally fast, and now it's up to the drivers and crews to take the fight to the other cars tomorrow. I feel that we're well poised for the race. We want to beat everyone else in GT, and that's the plan. I'm very proud to be part of Team Chevy and representing Corvette in the 60th anniversary of Sebring."
The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series and the Corvette Racing team will be at Long Beach April 13 and 14, 2012 for the next round of spectacular racing.
