2013 WSBK No-Spoiler Catch-All Thread

Kawasaki Racing Team out on track again at Valencia

Marinelli reveals more 2013-spec Panigale SBK details

Ducati confirms Carlos Checa in its 2013 World Superbike preparations

FIXI Crescent Suzuki announces Jules Cluzel for 2013

Thanks for starting up the '13 thread Mike. Counting the days until Feb.24.

2013 Provisional WSBK calendar

1. Phillip Island, Australia – 24 February
2. Buddh International Circuit, India - 10 March
3. Motorland Aragon, Spain - 7 April
4. Assen, Netherlands - 28 April
5. Monza, Italy - 12 May
6. Donington Park, UK - 26 May
7. Portimao, Portugal - 9 June
8. TBA, TBA - 23 June
9. Imola, Italy - 30 June
10. Moscow Raceway, Russia - 21 July
11. Silverstone, UK - 4 August
12. Nurburgring, Germany - 1 September
13. Laguna Seca, USA - 29 September WOOHOO!
14. Magny-Cours, France - 6 October
15. Jerez, Spain - 20 October

Probably Brno.

Alstare Ducati with Checa and Guintoli?

In the Kawi article they mentioned a spec change, in this instance about starter motors. Anyone got a link for what all the changes are for next year?

Hope Guintoli lands a good ride for 2013.

Some might say he had a good ride and walked away from it. Fixi crescent Suzuki. Wasn't looking too shabby by the end of the season. Of course money might have been a different story.

From Google Translate:

"It 'lasted a year, the [lack] of Francis Batta [from] Superbike. In 2013, [unless there are] last minute surprises, the [Belgian] manager and Ducati will sign an agreement that binds them for next season.

[This] Will be an official team to all effects (which might be called again Ducati-Alstare as in the past), and the structure of the team is ready to 90%.

"I was organizzandomi" [<--Google fails at that word!] said Francis Batta "to race in Supersport with the MV Agusta F3 if we had reached an agreement. I contacted some people who have worked with me in the past, and did not have a lot of work to evaluate the [possibility of working with] Ducati" .

The team will be reinforced by [a team] engineer who will perform together with the Ducati team and Checa [for] the bulk of development work of this bike that will debut in the World Superbike Championship next year.

"There is still much to discuss" continued Batta, "but I hope to find an agreement. I can not wait to return to Superbike and above all to do [it] with the Ducati."

For now, the plans call for a single rider, Carlos Checa, of course, but Batta spoke with Sylvain Guintoli who has raced [previously] for the Belgian [team]. "Sylvain is a fast guy that has proven to ride a Ducati. [He is] educated, speaks several languages &#8203;,&#8203;and made &#8203;&#8203;a perfect match with Checa. Surely they both [can add to the] team and this will undoubtedly lead to the development of the bike. But first we have to find the budget to field two riders. "

"Tomorrow we might find out something more."

No Miller / Utah? Dang!!

Maybe this year will be the year Francis Batta stops with those foolish glasses.

Still, when you sign up for a ride, then pull the plug on them without warning........dodgy. I was hoping Josh Waters would get the ride, after the Suzuka 8hr performance, and some pretty impressive tests with the team at Aragon. Probably needed to bring some money with him.....???

Time to invest in the Italian textile industry. Can't imagine the budget to manufacture the HUGE RED oxford shirts to replace the HUGE WHITE oxford shirts Batta previously favored.

Sam Lowes signs three-year deal with backing from Yamaha of Europe to race World Supersport with plans to move to World Superbike.

http://www.crash.net/world+supersport/news/185708/1/sam_lowes_signs_three-year_yamaha_deal.html

Soo... who'll replace Max on the Aprilia?

Guintoli was reportedly in line to replace Max, but there have been rumors that Aprilia might dismantle the team.

Leaves one to wonder where their efforts might be shifting.

Moto 3?