CDR Yamaha Monster Energy rolled out a revised livery with increased branding from the US energy drink giant during today’s Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne press day.
Based on the YZ450F that American guest Josh Hill has ridden since Wollongong’s third round of the Australian championship, SX1 leader Luke Clout and Dan Reardon will also use the updated look tomorrow.
According to CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team owner Craig Dack, the decision to line-up with the revised appearance at the finale comes as a nod of appreciation to the brand in what will be the largest supercross ever held on Australian soil.
“The purpose of Josh Hill coming over was based on the request of Monster Energy, since he’s an ambassador for them and they like to try and slot those types of ambassadors wherever there is a market overseas,” Dack told MotoOnline.com.au.
“Because of the Monster-sponsored events in New Zealand and Melbourne, they asked to have Josh come across and they pretty much covered the cost of that, so we wanted to give them a little bit more bang for their buck over our current bikes.
“Our bikes over the past couple of years have featured the official CDR Yamaha Monster Energy look, but because the last round is a Monster event and is going to be the biggest supercross ever in Australia, we wanted to display our appreciation. The CDR and Monster relationship is stronger than it’s ever been, being locked in long-term.
“They’re a great partner and sponsor, so out of respect and courtesy we’ve given them the increased branding for such a major event. We feel so privileged to be in this position, having Luke as an Australian leading the championship by one point – it’s an amazing story. This will be the most special event Australia has witnessed.”
Clout has been one of the topical talking points leading into Saturday night, taking over the championship lead in Auckland’s penultimate round a fortnight ago while teammate Reardon sits third, only nine points in arrears.
Geico Honda’s Jett Lawrence has credited Johnny O’Mara in fast-tracking his adaption to supercross, allowing him to make his pro debut tomorrow night at the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne.
O’Mara, a former AMA Supercross champion in the 1980s, has trained and mentored a number of elite riders in the sport, with 16-year-old Lawrence the latest talent in securing his services ahead of a rookie season in the professional ranks.
The Queenslander explained the AMA Hall of Famer, who also played a role in the early stages of Ricky Carmichael’s career, has smoothed out his riding style in the challenging and technical discipline.
“I feel pretty good, I obviously work with Johnny O’Mara – the old bloke,” Lawrence cheekily said at Melbourne’s pre-event press conference.
“He’s definitely helped me a lot – I was definitely a bit sketchy when I started, but now I’ve kind of smoothened out a bit and no more Ronnie Mac. He’s definitely helped a lot and I feel pretty confident coming into it.
“[This weekend] isn’t really any different – racing’s racing. If they’re going to hit me, I’m going to hit them harder. We’ll see how it goes.”
Lawrence will add another element to the SX2 title fight inside Marvel Stadium, as five riders currently stand a mathematical chance of the championship.
The decision of Jett Lawrence to line up at this weekend’s Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne is a wise one, Australia’s greatest-ever supercross export Chad Reed has stated.
Reed, 37, is due to contest his 250th-career Monster Energy AMA Supercross at Anaheim 1 in January after a career spanning across two decades.
A major drawcard at the annual AUS-X Open event since its inception, it’s expected that Reed will hang up his helmet at the close of 2020, which will be the same season that Lawrence makes his anticipated debut in 250SX on the west or east coast.
Saturday at Marvel Stadium will mark Lawrence’s first official pro-level supercross in the lead-up to next year, which Reed believes is an important step at this point of his US career. At just 16, Lawrence’s age will be the same as Reed’s was when he first went professional.
“It’s funny, Anaheim will be my 250th supercross [laughs]…” Reed commented. “So, to think of your first one is really cool. For me, it’s always strange when I hear these kids say that they weren’t expecting to go pro so early. I mean, in my opinion, my generation at 16 you went pro – I don’t know why people wait, to be honest.
“I’m really happy that he’s racing, I think at 16 you’re at the age that you should be going professional and I think he’s already ahead of his brother. I’ve said a couple of years that Hunter should have been here racing, because there’s something to learn from supercross being week, after week, after week and you need to learn that grind.
“So, I think that Jett coming this weekend and making his pro supercross debut is a smart move. I’ve been watching him, his time in Europe will be useful and I think that he has a bright future. You know, basically, I’m exiting so it’s fun to see an Aussie kid coming in.”
With Reed’s lengthy international career drawing to a close, Jett and elder brother Hunter Lawrence have emerged as Australia’s rising prospects in American supercross as both will contest the 2020 season with the factory-backed Geico Honda organisation.
On the eve of the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne, Ricky Carmichael has encouraged AMA Supercross regulars to participate in off-season events such as the S-X Open International FIM Oceania Supercross Championship, the greatest of all time expressing regret that he didn’t capitalise on such opportunities in the prime of his career.
Carmichael believes there’s great value in racing overseas throughout the off-season in preparation for the upcoming season, especially in the S-X Open series that already boasts strong international competition.
The two-round championship, which features the Australian Supercross Championship, has attracted former premier class champions Jason Anderson and Chad Reed, along with 450SX contenders Joey Savatgy and Justin Brayton.
“I speak from experience – that is one of the mistakes that I made and I wish I could turn back time and do these races,” Carmichael commented. “I don’t think I would’ve lost anything at all – I think it would’ve helped me. There are guys in the States right now that aren’t doing it that I personally think they should do a couple – pick a couple and go to them.
“I mean, they don’t have to come over here and stay for three or four weeks at a time, but I think there’s a lot of value – especially with the amount of heat that is here – there is a lot of great competition and a lot of parity. [There are] a lot of elements that could use to learn about their motorcycle in race situations.
“I know that if I’m Jason Anderson, Joey Savatgy, Chad Reed, Justin Brayton – guys that are going to be racing [together] in a couple of weeks for the Monster Energy Supercross championship, I think there’s something to be learned here for the big picture for them.
“There’s a lot of value, especially in this type of situation in a big stadium like Marvel Stadium – there’s a lot to be learned that can apply to 2020.”
The motocross and supercross legend will star in an exhibition race tomorrow night aboard a Suzuki RM-Z450, which will be auctioned off following the event.
Organisers of the 2019 Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne have confirmed the roof of Marvel Stadium will be closed for tomorrow night’s event.
AUS-X Open co-founder Adam Bailey indicated it was always intended to close the roof, which was a major drawcard in selecting the venue.
Bailey noted the closed roof guarantees perfect conditions for racing, while also enhancing the experience for race fans with off-track entertainment and effects.
“We were always going to shut the roof,” Bailey told MotoOnline.com.au. “And just because there’s daylight savings here, it doesn’t get dark until night anyway – it means we wouldn’t be able to put the lights out, do cool pyro, and the effects just aren’t as good.
“Closing it means we can control the environment. The whole vibe and feel of it is a huge part of what we do, so tomorrow’s going to be really special, and we need the roof closed for that.
“It’s a big mission to be in this stadium, and the main reason for it was the fact it does have a roof. It’s the right size so we can get a good crowd in, but also, the roof just adds comfort for the fans – it means the racing is guaranteed to be awesome because we don’t have to worry about a mudder.
“And it means we can control the environment with pyrotechnics, sound and lighting as well. There are a lot of benefits to it.”
Over 35,000 fans are projected to make their way to the Docklands complex this Saturday night, where both the Monster Energy S-X Open International FIM Oceania Supercross Championship and Australian Supercross Championship will be decided.
An as-yet unidentified male rider has died in a motorcycle crash at Tallandoon, Victoria, this morning (29 November 2019).
Victoria Police and emergency services were called to the heavily wooded Lockharts Gap Road (above) after reports a motorcycle had veered down an embankment about 9.45am.
The male rider, who is yet formally unidentified, died at the scene.
Investigations continue into the cause of the crash.
Lockharts Gap Road remains closed between the Omeo Highway and Sandy Creek.
Victorian Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage to contact Wodonga Highway Patrol or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
Death toll
Victoria Solo Unit motorcycle police
The tragic death brings the Victorian motorcycle death toll so far this year to 42, which is six more than last year and well above the five-year average of 34.
That’s an increase of 14% over the previous year, while driver deaths are up 12%.
However, cyclist deaths are up 80%, followed by passengers 45% and pedestrians 42%.
All up, Victoria’s road toll is 241 so far this year which is 24% up on the same time last year and 5.7% above the five-year average of 228.
Clearly the current road policing strategy is not working and there is a need to try new initiatives, not just target motorcyclists.
Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector Stephen Cooper said at the time that this year has been “particularly challenging” on Victorian roads, with a “lot of the trauma taking place in country Victoria”.
“At the beginning of the year we saw a lot of fatalities and serious injuries involving motorcyclists,” Insp Cooper said.
“With the warmer weather encouraging riders to get back on their motorcycles, we want everyone to know that police will be out enforcing against those who engage in risky behaviour.”
Electric motorcycles could benefit from Deakin University research which makes lithium-ionbatteries smaller, lighter and less likely to burst into flame.
Research fellows at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials Research, Dr Fangfang Chen and Dr Xiaoen Wang, say their discovery means lithium-ion batteries would no longer pose a fire risk.
They have achieved this by replacing highly volatile liquid electrolytes with a solid material made from common industrial polymers.
Lithium on fire!
While lithium batteries in Tesla and some laptops and phones have exploded in flame, the only known issues with electric motorcycles have involved overheating chargers.
The Deakin Uni finding has the potential to be applied to all lithium-ion batteries, including those used in electric motorcycles.
Dr Wang says almost all electric vehicles using lithium batteries are based on liquid electrolytes.
“If we use solid-state electrolytes in these applications, we will definitely make these batteries safer, with the potential to affect all applications where batteries are used, including motorcycles,” he tells us.
He says it does not specifically address the Energica and Harley charging issue.
But will it add to the cost, size and weight of batteries?
“We are at a finding stage,” Dr Wang says.
“Currently, there’s no all-solid-state battery available on the market that’s free from flammable components, and there’s still many challenges to make solid-state batteries competitive with current batteries in terms of price point.
“Our focus is developing one of the components for solid state batteries, which is the key to making them safer for everyone and hopefully a game changer in the lithium-ion battery world.
“The batteries will be lighter and smaller on the basis of the same energy. So, the same size battery that is in a phone now, using our findings, could last double the time, or alternatively, the batteries could last the same time as now – but be half the size.”
That’s a boon to electric motorcycles where size and weight is more important than in larger vehicles.
Harley-Davidson LiveWire lithium-ion battery
How it works
The Deakin researchers have “reinvented the way polymer interacts with lithium salt, removing the normally highly flammable properties of traditional lithium batteries”, says Dr Chen.
They say they’ve used existing commercial polymer materials to create the new process, meaning the formulation could be applied commercially with little difficulty.
“All of the products that we’ve used to make this safer battery process already exist in the market,” Dr Wang says.
“Polymers have been used as battery conductors for over 50 years, but we’re the first to use existing commercial polymer in an improved way.
“We’ve done this by weakly bonding the lithium ion with polymer, creating solid polymer electrolytes. We believe this is the first clear and useful example of liquid-free and efficient transportation of lithium-ion in the scientific community.”
So far they’ve proven the process in coin cell batteries, similar to a watch battery size, with the next step being to scale up the batteries to bigger applications – such as for a mobile phone.
It may be some time before they are used in electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles.
Honda Australia’s factory off road racing transporter and 50th Anniversary Gold fleet will be on display outside the Crown Casino, in Melbourne until Saturday night, located by the Riverwalk in front of the famous Rosetta restaurant.
Honda’s race truck and golden 50th anniversary line-up to be found at Crown Melbourne until Saturday
This year Honda celebrated 50 years in Australia, marking the milestone with this special one-off Gold fleet that has toured the country throughout the year. The Gold collection includes some of Honda’s current performance products, in striking gold bodywork as the traditional symbol of a 50th Anniversary.
Tony Hinton – General Manager of Honda Motorcycles
“Honda exists to bring joy to people’s lives, we do this through the products we make and through our racing so we are really proud to have the opportunity to show Melbournians this exciting display.”
Honda’s 50th anniversary line-up
Underneath the awning of the transporter will be the 2018 Championship winning CBR1000RR Fireblade race bike, the CRF450R Penrite Honda Supercross bike, the 2020 CRF250R and the gold collection, which consists of the following models:
50th Anniversary CBR1000RR Fireblade
The CBR1000RR Fireblade, which has been a pivitol model in the Honda line up since 1992.
The CRF450L, which is one of the newer models in Honda’s line up and a re-entry into the highly competitive Enduro market.
50th Anniversary CRF450L
One of Honda’s best-selling motorcycle models of all time is the CRF50F, taking out the number-one selling model across all manufactures year in and year out.
Then there is the portable powerhouse, EU22i generator. One of the best-selling Honda products across all categories, powering job sites, sporting events, camping trips throughout Australia.
The ever popular 50th anniversary CRF50F, EU22i generator and HRU19 Buffalo lawnmower
Designed and assembled here in Australia, the HRU19 Buffalo Premium lawnmower plays an important part not only in Honda’s line up but also as a symbol of Australian manufacturing, which is a rare occurrence in modern times.
Head over to check out the display until Saturday. For more information on the Honda range including the special Gold collection, visit: www.honda.com.au (link)
Unlike drivers, any accident involving a rider and pillion is likely to have more serious consequences and a greater likelihood of a criminal charge as injury and death is more likely.
Now the motorcycling enthusiast solicitor advises on the serious consequences of being involved in a motorcycle crash:
Chris Kalpage sets up for a track session
Serious consequences
Most people who have an accident where they are at fault face the consequences of, at least, a charge of negligent driving. Unfortunately unlike a minor car accident where driver and passenger are uninjured an accident on a motorcycle is more than likely to result in injury. If your pillion is injured you are at considerable risk of being charged.
I have acted for clients who have had accidents where their pillions have had deep cuts, broken bones and even died and the rider has been charged. Although, after a protracted court case, they have been acquitted.
In the case of death or serious injury, there are the serious consequences of facing jail time if convicted. Generally, if there is a death and a question of fault, the police are likely to charge and leave it to the courts to determine guilt or innocence.
Scientific evidence
The difficulty in these cases and the expense is the need for scientific evidence especially if there are no witnesses.
In one case, a rider and pillion were riding out by the northern beaches late one evening. A taxi driver who was travelling in the opposite direction said he didn’t see the bike — not that he was particularly paying attention — but heard it. As it had a noisy aftermarket exhaust he presumed it must have been going fast.
He saw sparks in his rear vision mirror as the bike hit the embankment. The pillion was high-sided into a tree. The rider’s body was smashed from top to bottom and how he survived the months of coma, hospitalisation and years of surgery and rehabilitation was a testament to his strength of character and determination.
Sadly his pillion died at the scene, the cause of the accident was uncertain but as a person had died he was charged. If convicted he would be incarcerated.
Not only was he recovering from catastrophic injuries and the fact that his friend had died, he now had all the stress of a court case that could take at least a year to complete.
No one had seen the accident, the rider who had a head injury had no recollection of the event at all.
The DPP who had pressure from the family and deep pockets as a government institution kept putting forward expert reports and theories which had to be countered.
Let alone witness statements from people who had seen a bike doing a wheelie 10km from the crash site. On a road that attracts a lot of riders, no one could identify the rider charged as the bike in question.
I got to the scene within hours of the accident and managed to have photos of the scene and debris left from the bike taken.
Spurious arguments
Various spurious arguments were raised by the prosecution:
Because the radius of the curve was such that a bike could go around the curve at significantly greater than the speed limit the rider must have been traveling faster than the hypothetical speed. Our experts assessed the maximum potential speed that the corner could be taken at as much less. Further, the accident occurred before the corner. They also hypothesised that a mark on the road was a yaw mark and therefore the bike was travelling at a certain speed. It was again positively debunked by our expert. Eventually the best the prosecution could estimate was maybe 1km/h over the speed limit.
The police in attendance stood up what was left of the bike and clicked down through the gears then saying that it was in fourth gear and because the analogue tachometer was at 7000rpm it was traveling at a certain speed.This did not take into account that he had a reverse pattern gearshift and that analogue instruments can jump on impact and freeze.
The remains of the bike were held by police at the station. I attended with an expert who did a forensic examination of the clutch cable that showed the likelihood that on pulling in the clutch and changing gear it snapped and momentarily locked the rear wheel, causing a loss of control. Since the pillion sits higher than the rider with limited hold, she was high-sided into the tree. Therefore, the accident may have been caused by sudden mechanical failure and not the manner of riding.
The prosecution tried to argue that the bike had travelled off the road and up an embankment where the pillion was found because there was a black mark on a tree and the bike was black. As I had examined the area within hours and examined the embankment it was clear that the black mark on the tree was from a bush fire having charred the tree. Secondly, they relied on debris that appeared to be at the top of the embankment, which we established, did not belong to the bike.
However every time we debunked the DPP’s theories, they would get a new expert costing more money.
We then ran a committal proceeding in the local court for a number of days to attempt to avoid going to the District Court. The Magistrate in the local court threw out the prosecution case, making scathing remarks against the prosecution and awarding costs.
Conclusions
Early and careful investigation is vital, while jumping to simplistic assumptions is dangerous. If you wait until you are charged, which can be months later, the crash scene may have changed. The road may have changed, surrounding shrubbery that may have obstructed your view may no longer be there, nor those mysterious black marks on trees.
Secondly just because you lose control of your bike does not necessarily mean that you were riding in a dangerous or negligent manner, even if you are riding over the speed limit.
Finally don’t think it can’t happen to you no matter how careful you are. I have had to defend too many people who hopped on their bike that morning never for one moment thinking it would happen to them.
Disclaimer
This article is for reader information and interest only and is based on New South Wales law. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and does not constitute and must not be relied on as legal advice.
Please be aware that every case is different and the matters raised may not be of specific relevance to your situation but may have a general application. You must seek specific advice tailored to your circumstances. Chris is happy to talk to anyone needing clarification. He can be contacted on 0418 211074.
Team Australia have announced an impressive line-up of riders for the International Challenge at next year’s 2020 International Island Classic, which will be held at Phillip Island over the January 24-26 weekend.
2020 International Island Classic returns to Phillip Island over the January 24-26 weekend- Image Russell Colvin
Reliable intel suggests an American team with even more firepower than 2019 is in the works, so defending International Challenge champion Australia has left nothing to chance by including a cavalcade of champions on its 2020 roster.
Dave Johnson, Jed Metcher, Steve Martin, Shawn Giles and 2019 pacesetter Aaron Morris lead the way, while also on the grid for the locals will be Alex Phillis, Beau Beaton, Cam Donald, Craig Ditchburn, Scott Webster and John Allen.
Dave Johnson – Image by Russell Colvin
Martin, who defeated Morris on a countback in 2019 to win the Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy for the highest individual scorer, says that to win the International Challenge trophy you’ve got, “to ride it like you stole it!”.
Steve Martin
“Winning the 2019 International Challenge is something I’m so proud of, and to continue racing against some of the biggest names in history at the event sparks my passion. The best part is it’s a different rider and bike combo that seems to come to the fore each year, so everyone’s a threat. I’m really starting to get the goose bumps as we close in on 2020 because every year it gets just that bit tougher. And I just love the event where people can get up nice and close to the bikes and are free to wander through the pits.”
Steve Martin – 2019 Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy winner – Image by Russell Colvin
As well as the speed and consistency of Martin, his teammates also share plenty of International Challenge highlights. Johnson was the dominant force in 2018 and arrives at Phillip Island off the back of victory in the Superbike Classic TT in August at the Isle of Man, podiums in the Macau GP last week and a Superstock TT podium at the Isle of Man TT in June.
Metcher is also well-qualified at Phillip Island, winning the International Challenge crown in 2016 (with the UK’s Jeremy McWilliams); and Giles took the Ken Wootton award in 2013 and 2014 (again sharing the title with McWilliams).
Jed Metcher & Beau Beaton – Image by Russell Colvin
Phillis, Beaton, Donald, Ditchburn, Webster and Allen are also long-time Aussie Island Classic campaigners and have contributed greatly to the local team’s success in the 15 years of the championship.
Australia has claimed the title 12 times and the UK has landed the crown thrice in that period. Line-ups from America and the United Kingdom will be unveiled in the coming week.
Aaron Morris & Shawn Giles – Image by Russell Colvin
2020 International Island schedule
Backing the International Challenge, is the Island Classic program of 52 additional races for machines across the six historic racing categories: Veteran (up to 1919), Vintage (1920-1945), Classic (1946-1962), Post Classic (1963-1972), Forgotten Era (1973-1982) and New Era (1983-1990).
In total, 400 solo bikes will take to the 4.445km Phillip Island circuit over the three days, where each class will be decided after one qualifying session and four races; and the Phil Irving Trophy will be the rider who scores the highest points in non-International Challenge events.
Steve Martin, Shawn Giles, Aaron Morris – Image by Russell Colvin
Qualifying begins Friday for all classes, followed by a full program of racing on Saturday and Sunday. To book tickets and on-circuit camping for an affordable Australian Day long-weekend away at the International Island Classic go to www.islandclassic.com.au (link)
