September 1st, 2008 by R.J.

Things aren’t looking good for Casey Stoner. Not only is he not winning (after taking every pole for the last seven races), but he’s pretty consistently crashing out from the lead with only himself to blame.

It happened again this weekend at Misano. Stoner had a substantial lead by the end of the first lap, and instead of slowing down his pace and taking a victory by four seconds instead of trying to push it out to twenty, he got greedy and lost control of his bike. He’s starting to remind me of a certain ficticious NASCAR driver who would always finish races “First or last, baby!”

Rossi went on to take his 68th premier class victory, and in doing so equalling the record of MotoGP Legend Giacomo Agostini. Rossi has had 3 consecutive race victories, now stands atop a 75 point championship lead, and there are only 5 races remaining in the season.  Things aren’t looking good for Casey Stoner.

August 30th, 2008 by R.J.

The top spot on the MotoGP grid for the seventh consecutive race will once again be occupied by reigning World Champion Casey Stoner with the aussie completing a clean sweep of the practice sessions at Misano.

Finishing a half second behind Stoner was Valentino Rossi who will start second on the grid for a third race in a row. Jorge Lorenzo, returns to the front row for the first time since the Portuguese grand prix of Estoril back in April.

Row two will be occupied by Randy de Puniet, Toni Elias and Dani Pedrosa.

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August 29th, 2008 by R.J.

The Kneeslider had an interesting article yesterday about the rise in motorcycle fatalities in California. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), over the last few years motorcycle fatalities have risen dramatically where fatal accidents in all other vehicles types had fallen.

Many had attributed this to new riders abandoning their gas-guzzling cars for more economical bikes, but this past June, the MSF reported an all-time record for attendance in its Motorcycle Safety classes.

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August 18th, 2008 by R.J.

Valentino Rossi once again benefited from Casey Stoner’s misfortune for a second consecutive MotoGP victory; crossing the finish line first at the Czech Grand Prix. The Fiat Yamaha rider’s top podium position,  coupled with an early crash from his title rival, increased Rossi’s lead to 50 points in the standings and gave a significant boost to his World Championship hopes.

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July 30th, 2008 by R.J.

As mentioned yesterday, Sete Gibernau may be called on to replace Marco Melandri as a factory Ducati rider.

Today, Gibernau completed two days of testing for Ducati at Mugello with the Official Testers Vittoriano Guareschi and Niccola Canepa who will continue testing tomorrow for the final day.

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July 29th, 2008 by R.J.

Tehama County Undersheriff Dennis Garton was seriously injured Friday while riding his 1991 Honda Goldwing on Interstate 80 near Winnemucca, Nevada.

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July 29th, 2008 by R.J.

Marco Melandri is forced to wait and see if he will return to Ducati for 2009 or if he will be replaced by another World Championship runner-up, Sete Gibernau.

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July 28th, 2008 by R.J.

After last week’s dismal performance, Michelin seems to have grown tired of being the #2 tire manufacturer in MotoGP. The french tire manufacturer has vowed to try to produce better tires for the upcoming Czech Grand Prix in Brno.

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July 25th, 2008 by R.J.

Here is the provisional calendar for the MotoGP 2009 series:

April 12 *   - Qatar         - Doha/Losail

April 26     - Japan         - Motegi

May 3        - Spain         - Jerez de la Frontera

May 17       - France        - Le Mans

May 31       - Italy         - Mugello

June 14      - Catalunya     - Catalunya

June 27 ‡    - Netherlands   - Assen

July 5 †     - United States - Laguna Seca

July 19      - Germany       - Sachsenring

July 26      - Great Britain - Donington Park

August 16    - Czech Rep.    - Brno

August 30    - United States - Indianapolis

September 13 - San Marino    - Misano

September 20 - Hungary       - Lake Balaton

October 4    - Portugal      - Estoril

October 18   - Australia     - Phillip Island

October 25   - Malaysia      - Sepang

November 8   - Spain         – Valencia

*: Night Race
‡: Saturday Race
†: Only MotoGP class

July 24th, 2008 by R.J.

KINGMAN, AZ - A woman convicted of driving under the influence, fatally crashing her car into a motorcyclist, and fleeing the scene of the crime was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Mohave County Superior Court Commissioner Lee Jantzen sentenced Marian Marlene Hoffman, 59, of Kingman to 10 years and six months in prison on manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and extreme driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor charges.

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