Labels: Motorbike Event

LA To Flagstaff: Two Weeks, One Motorcycle. VIP Entry to Overland Expo

The 2012 Jupiter Discovery Ride is a unique opportunity to explore the US south west and join Ted Simon in representing the Foundation at this year's Overland Expo in Arizona. Courtesy of Jupiter's Motorcycles, one solo rider will be provided with a BMW R1200GS motorcycle for a two week adventure between 10th and 24th May 2012.

The rider will collect the bike from Los Angeles and follow a route of their own devising towards Flagstaff, Arizona, where they'll join the Foundation team as a VIP at Overland Expo, before making the return journey to LA.

Anyone can apply for selection as the Jupiter Discovery Rider, subject to terms and conditions. The Foundation will choose one rider from the applications received. The deadline for applications is midnight PST on Friday 20th April 2012.

Discover a story. Tell the world.

As the name suggests, The Jupiter Discovery Ride isn't just a two week holiday. In keeping with the Foundation's principles of Exploration, Comprehension, and Communication, the selected rider will investigate an agreed theme, looking at the reality of life in the areas they travel through. They'll write about what they find and support their story with stunning photography and compelling video. The Foundation will publish the material as a series of Journey Insights and the rider will also give a short presentation about their trip at Overland Expo itself.

Although the Foundation is happy to consider alternatives, the suggested theme for Discovery Ride writing is ‘immigration’.

Riders are urged to apply for selection as the 2012 Jupiter Discovery Rider. Details can be found at http://jupiterstravellers.org/jupiter-discovery-ride/

Labels: BMW R1200GS, Jupiter Discovery Ride, Jupiter's Motorcycles, Motorbike Event, Overland Expo, Overland Expo in Arizona

Labels: Motorbike Event, Motorcycle Show

With just days to go before the WSBK Championship descends upon the historic Imola race circuit for the 10th consecutive year, we spoke with Marco Melandri about how pleased he is to be back in the saddle, find out which corner is his favourite at Imola and we even get a sneaky peek into what he dreams about...

Labels: Imola, Marco Melandri, WSBK championship

After the race comes a GS change of pace

After a long wait for race fans, the 2012 Superbike World Championship season finally kicked off at Phillip Island in Australia on the final weekend in February. Under a blazing sun and exhausting heat, the opening weekend of action saw new recruit Marco Melandri, riding the BMW S 1000 RR for the first time in anger, come from the fourth row of the grid to grab second place – the RR’s highest finish yet – in his first race for the team. It was a great way to start 2012.

For Leon Haslam there was no podium, but a 12th and fifth place in Sunday’s two races was remarkable enough in itself, as just three days before Leon was on the operating table having screws inserted to pin a fractured tibia.


The medical attention had a bruised, battered but determined Leon back on the RR but he was disappointed to be unable to join in the post-race GS ride that has become a tradition for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team riders. Grabbing the opportunity to take Leon’s place and discover the great Australian outdoors on a GS was Bernhard Gobmeier, Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport.

A world away from the high-pressure environment of world championship racing, this was pure motorcycling joy, GS style. In other words, a mixture of minor paved roads linking into hundreds of kilometres of off-road paradise, including small tracks and dirt roads snaking their way through dense Eucalypt and Mountain Ash forests high up in the invigorating mountain air.

BMW Motorrad Australia Marketing Manager Miles Davis is no stranger to this magnificent part of the country and so prepared a great route for the riders to enjoy. This year, along with Marco, Bernhard and 2011 Australian Superbike Champion, Glenn Allerton, a group of Australian motorcycle journalists came along for the ride, which also doubled up as the national press launch for the G 650 GS Sertão.


Fortunately the intense 40 degrees heat of the weekend had been replaced by weather more conducive to enjoying the ride. Leaving Phillip Island the group headed east for lunch at Mount Baw Baw, mainland Australia’s most southerly ski resort. The conditions in the national park had become slippery with drizzle and a light fog gave the alpine scenery a touch of magic.

However, the G 650 GS Sertão with its lightweight and usable power made the ride easy. “The bike is easy to ride, with a wide spread of power and with good grip you can go anywhere in the right gear,” said a smiling Marco Melandri. “I’ve never ridden a GS before this but I want to get one back in Italy!”

The first day ended just out of the old gold mining town of Woods Point. Woods Point is a village lost in time and Marco Melandri was amazed. “It looks like it is not real, a movie set” said the 2011 WSBK championship runner-up as he explored the main street and the iconic pub.


After a break it was up to the Gap Getaway private hotel, perched on the top of the mountain above the town. It was a steep, slippery and very foggy climb, with a creek crossing but the Sertão was up to the task and the first beers were soon going down standing in front of an old goldmine boiler that had been turned into a heater. With good food and good company, far away from the crowds, it was a perfect way to end the day’s two-wheeled adventure.

Unfortunately steady rain in the alps the day before caused a change of plans for day two. “We were planning on riding to the top of the iconic Mount Terrible but it would have been too difficult and as we had to be back in Melbourne on time we chose another interesting route with a few less steep climbs,” said Miles Davis. “That’s all part of riding a GS, being adaptable and working with the conditions.”

On the morning of day two the fog lifted, revealing the mountain scenery in all its pristine glory. Glenn Allerton, who like Marco was new to GS riding, was soon showing the way as the Sertãos were pushed along. The day went quickly and soon the group was heading back toward Melbourne. A stop at Marysville (a town that is being regenerated after the total destruction of the 2009 bushfires) was the start of the final leg home to BMW Group Australia headquarters in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.


“I had a lot of fun, it is a wonderful area,” said a tired but happy Bernhard Gobmeier at the end of the ride. “For me it was exotic with the eucalypts forests, the landscape, the mountains and the roads. All very interesting.”

For Marco it was an experience he will never forget: “When you think back it is always fun, even the difficult times, including the rain, the fog and the slippery surfaces. I had so much fun riding and it is sad it is finished but it is time to go home and get ready for the next race,” said the 29-year-old Italian, who will be looking forward to racing in front of his home round at the next round of the WSBK championship at Imola on 1 April.

Labels: BMW S 1000 RR, G 650 GS Sertão, Leon Haslam, Superbike World Championship, WSBK championship

Excitement levels rise for WSBK round two at Imola

With the second round of the Superbike World Championship (WSBK) looming this weekend (1 April) the pressure is starting to rise in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team garage as focus turns toward Italy’s iconic Imola racetrack.

This will be the tenth anniversary of the Superbike World Championship being hosted at the legendary track and with a strong Italian contingent in the garage, everyone is hoping that it will be a weekend to remember for all the right reasons.

After a record-breaking season opener at Phillip Island for BMW Motorrad Motorsport, where the team collected 45 points – more than ever before – both Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam will be eager to show their potential, and that of the 2012 S 1000 RR at the 4.9km Enzo E Dino Ferrari circuit in northern Italy.

Testing at Motorland Aragón (18/19 March) has gone well for both riders with further progress and developments made to the RR. It was also a great chance for the team to assess Haslam’s fitness after he sustained a broken right tibia during official testing at Phillip Island prior to the race weekend.


Leon Haslam has been steadily recovering for the last few weeks and is sure he will be fighting fit for the race. Everyone has high hopes for Haslam after he braved the pain barrier to maintain pace with the front-runners and battled to achieve a top five finish in the second race at Phillip Island.

“Between the test in Aragón and the race weekend in Imola I have nearly two weeks of resting and healing, so the leg is going to be even stronger for the race. Imola is a good test for me and the bike. The track has a lot of fast chicanes and you need a bike with a lot of low down power to push you out of the corners. It is a circuit with a lot of characters and always enjoyable to ride.

“Last year we had a little bit of misfortune in the first race, but in the second race we were fighting in the top 5 positions. With the improvements we have made, I am confident that we can fight for a podium again.”

Marco Melandri is still riding high after his podium finish in race one and top six in race two. He is currently sitting second in the championship standings behind fellow Italian, Max Biaggi. This is a ‘home’ round for Melandri, so he will be eager to give his family, friends and fans something to celebrate come race day.


“I am excited about racing so close to my home. Imola is a beautiful track and I really like the layout, so I am looking forward to it. I am particularly confident after the good test we had in Aragón. I know that we took a step forward with the bike. The track is very technical, because it has slow and fast chicanes as well as up and down sections.

“After the successful season opener in Australia, our target is to fight for a podium again. We do not have too much time to practice before the race, so it is important to get the weekend off to a good start. One thing is certain: the team and I will be giving 100 percent again.”

Another two BMW Motorrad riders who will be racing on home turf at Imola include Ayrton Badovini and team-mate Michel Fabrizio, who will be campaigning the BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet RRs. The first round In Australia didn’t go as planned for both but they are looking forward to making amends in Italy, especially Michel Fabrizio.

"We're charged up, we need to make up for race 2 DNF at Phillip Island. We did a very good job by doing some practice starts in a special day test at Vairano. I love Imola track and even though we still have to improve a little bit to stay with the top contenders I'm looking for a very good result. I hope no Italian rider will get the victory at Imola, because up until now I am the only one who's done that!"

Ayrton Badovini is looking to start his championship off at Imola and start a fresh forgetting his result in Phillip Island.

"At Imola a new chapter will start, my 'official' championship will begin there. We worked a lot both technically on the bike and mentally. I feel regenerated and ready to face the new challenge in front of home crowd. The track is a very good but also a very demanding one. I can't wait to see what my fans have made for the event!"

With the BMW Motorrad garage being home to a wealth of Italian talent, it looks like Imola will be the backdrop to a strong and fun-filled battle for championship points.

Over 300 race fans will be enjoying the weekend as special guests in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport hospitality suite. With food, drink and unrivalled access to the team throughout the weekend as well as music from German electronic dance band 2Elements visitors to Imola are sure to kick off the first European WSBK round in style.

Labels: BMW Motorrad Motorsport, Superbike World Championship, WSBK

Guilfast Business Networking Meeting – 19.04.2012.

GuilFast is a networking evening with a variety of Speed Networking, Deep networking and Social Networking. Featuring one-on-one networking in a fast and slow environment enhanced with Tapas & Paella. You are guaranteed to meet with 40+ businesses and feature on our comprehensive delegate list.

Taking place on Thursday 19th April at Vines of Guildford, it promises to be a very productive evening for any businesses who attend.

BREAKING NEWS……Our Guest of honour will be former legendary Arsenal and England footballer and now TV celebrity Ian Wright.

Registration from 17:00 and the networking commences at 18:00. The event will conclude around 21:30.

Tickets now on sale. The SPECIAL ticket price during March is £20 and the April ‘Fool’ price will be £25 for all bookings made from 1st – 19th April.

Hope to see you there. You can register your interest in attending here http://www.guilfast.co.uk/bookings

Labels: Motorbike Event

We had a brilliant time at the Overland Survival and off road skills weekend, thanks to everyone who joined us and to those Vines staff who stayed behind to man the office.

Labels: Motorbike Event

Thanks to all of our customers who joined us on our Pioneer Ride Out last weekend, it was great seeing everyone.

Labels: Motorbike Event, Ride Outs