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Mingo
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 09:43 am: | 
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Thanks Brad! |
Elvis
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 10:31 am: |
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http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_c ontent&task=view&id=825&Itemid=201
May 29, 2008
CALABOGIE SUPERBIKE CATEGORY
An amazing Third Place in Superbike
CALABOGIE, Ontario (May 26, 2008) - The first motorcycle race ever held at the Calabogie Motorsports Park circuit allowed spectators to witness a historical performance by Steve Crevier as a member of the Deeley Harley-Davidson? Canada Racing team.
Under the sponsorship of Deeley Harley-Davidson - Canada, the Canadian racing legend Steve Crevier was the first racer on a Buell 1125R bike in Superbike competition in the world. This debut, requiring the support of a strong team and in conjunction with Buell Motorcycle Company, was expected to be a testing opportunity, especially in light of the fact that the only available engine for this date was a stock 1125R. The higher horsepower 1125R engine is still in development and is expected to be available for upcoming race dates.
At Saturday's qualifying session and with an engine at least 30 to 40 hp less than other motorcycles in the class, Crevier still managed to secure eighth position for the starting grid. On Sunday, the Deeley Harley Davidson Canada Racing team was looking at a Top 10 finish as more than satisfactory considering the power disadvantage and the 1125R being untested in actual Superbike race conditions.
From the beginning of the race, it became obvious why Crevier is a legend on the Canadian circuit. The race became an ongoing battle between Crevier and the Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Francis Martin, former two-time Superbike Champion. By lap 18, due to other rider mishaps and a determined Buell 1125R bike, Crevier was in fourth place in the twenty lap race.
Despite the disadvantage of competing with over forty less horsepower than Martin, Crevier's twin-cylinder Buell motorcycle passed the Suzuki on lap 19 and held on to finish a third place position on the podium, preceded by Kevin Lacombe in second place, and Jordan Szoke, 2007 Parts Canada Superbike Champion.
A clearly inspired Crevier commented, "It's quite amazing as we only recently received the motorcycles and the crew has been slaving for a solid week. We even had to use a DOT rear tire because our rim was too narrow for the slick."
As understated as Crevier may have been, the victory served notice that Buell is a legitimate contender and rapidly becoming a force to be considered on the racing circuit. Hopes are high for the next national round to be held from June 26 to June 29 in Calgary, Alberta.
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Elvis
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 10:33 am: |
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"The higher horsepower 1125R engine is still in development and is expected to be available for upcoming race dates. "
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Mingo
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 10:53 am: |
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Thanks for the extra info Elvis.That would have been a great race to see! If things go well,I wonder if the HD-Buell dealers will start to have race videos, maybe even live TV available to watch in their showrooms. That could be cool! |
Kttemplar
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 12:37 am: |
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Just in case anyone was interested.
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Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 01:20 am: |
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Is Crevier's left leg in the air in that pic? Did a photographer catch him in a
"moment?" |
Ponti1
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 01:26 am: |
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I was thinking the same thing...Maybe he had gas? |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 01:47 am: |
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Maybe it was the DOT rear he had to use? |
Elvis
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 07:08 am: |
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I'm not sure who has seen it yet, but I posted on the racing forum and it's all over the internet that the "Literbike" race in AMA will use similar rules to Canadian Superbike with HP limited to 185 HP and substantial engine mods allowed.
Since we know that Buell and/or Rotax have an engine on a bench somewhere which they are modifying and tuning to try to get up closer to the limit in Canadian Superbike, they will have the engine they need for Literbikes.
So Buell has the hardware to compete in Literbike, 600 Superbike and Moto-ST.
I'm a little surprised this board hasn't exploded talking about that yet.
Next year, we will be able to go to the track or turn on our TV and root our lungs out for Buell (assuming someone puts some teams together, and I think/hope they will).
That's pretty cool, isn't it? |
Doerman
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 09:21 am: |
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It is cool. I personally have enjoyed Buell competition on the local level for a while. It is addicting to watch!
I can't wait for this excitement to spread to a national level!- errr.. Sorry France, Italy, Germany and Canada.. I mean international level. On second thought, it is happening now.
Last weekend was awesome. On the podium all over the world. |
Sheridan_bueller
| | Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 05:10 am: |
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I think it will be exceedingly interesting to read about this in all of the mags after the so-so reviews of the 1125R published of late. Some liked it but I don't think they liked it this much!
I can't wait to see how they spin it. This will make for some fine reading material.
JJ |
Bigblock
| | Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 05:27 pm: |
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It's only TOTALLY FRICKIN" AWESOME! |
Diablo1
| | Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 05:59 pm: |
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I'm not sure who has seen it yet, but I posted on the racing forum and it's all over the internet that the "Literbike" race in AMA will use similar rules to Canadian Superbike with HP limited to 185 HP and substantial engine mods allowed.
Since we know that Buell and/or Rotax have an engine on a bench somewhere which they are modifying and tuning to try to get up closer to the limit in Canadian Superbike, they will have the engine they need for Literbikes.
Getting 185 BHP at the rear wheel out of any twin cylinder motor will not be easy. I will call it very unlikely for the stock bore/stroke engine. It will cost a bloody fortune to approach that kind of power with a twin. The Buell 1125 has to come up with around 60 extra HP over stock. A long stroke twin can't get the revs high enough because of piston speed. This is the reason that Ducati asked for a bigger displacement for WSBK - the 200cc advantage compensates for the higher rpm of the 4 cylinders. The 4-cylinder engines only need to come up with around 30HP over stock - and will be a lot easier to do on the cheap.} |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 06:24 pm: |
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Getting 185 BHP at the rear wheel out of any twin cylinder motor will not be easy. I will call it very unlikely for the stock bore/stroke engine. It will cost a bloody fortune to approach that kind of power with a twin. The Buell 1125 has to come up with around 60 extra HP over stock. A long stroke twin can't get the revs high enough because of piston speed. This is the reason that Ducati asked for a bigger displacement for WSBK - the 200cc advantage compensates for the higher rpm of the 4 cylinders. The 4-cylinder engines only need to come up with around 30HP over stock - and will be a lot easier to do on the cheap.
FYI, the IL4s were dynoing in the mid-170s--the penalty is too big to risk bumping right against the HP limit. The 1125r dynoed 135 HP, so we are talking 40 HP not 60. The 1125r has already proven capable of competing despite a HUGE HP deficit, so even pumping out 20-30 more horses out of the Rotax motor might put it over the top. I believe Crevier just needs to be in the same ballpark as the IL4s to start winning. As we have seen, HP is NOT the only factor in racing--although it will be more important in the upcoming CS race in Calgary.
Hopefully, this new high output version of the Rotax motor will make an appearance soon. |
Elvis
| | Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 08:00 pm: |
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It will be tough, but I don't doubt they can get there with some effort.
What Buell/Rotax would be doing wouldn't be very different than what Ducati was doing in WSBK prior to the new rules.
. . . and Ducati was doing that with 1000 cc instead of 1125 . . . and they were probably going higher than Buell needs to.
I'd guess that with some relatively simple adjustments - new pipe, tuning for a sprint race rather than 50,000 mile street life etc. - they could get up into the 150-160 range.
Getting that last bit will be more difficult, but some titanium parts aren't going to break the bank when they only have to make enough for a few engines in Canadian Superbike and AMA literbikes. |
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