I would thank them, first of all, for having saved so many lives; although the figures are scary, without them it would not have been possible. I want to thank them for having taken the risk for us because unfortunately some of them have also passed away. We should all be proud and grateful for everyone who has made this possible, from doctors and nurses to cleaning personnel and the police forces… It is a bad dream. No one could have imagined, not even the most pessimistic, that we would live what we are living. I want, from here, to pay them my most sincere and humble tribute. And now that we have managed to flatten the curve after the common effort, I would ask everyone else to act responsibly: do it for you, do it for everyone.
“For me it was perfect, it was what I was looking for,” comments Viñales, talking about making the jump from Suzuki to Yamaha at the beginning of the 2017 campaign. It was a combination that got everyone excited – Viñales’ smooth, eloquent style would undoubtedly suit the YZR-M1. And the 2013 Moto3™ World Champion certainly clicked with his new toy: “When racing, I’m looking forward to winning and especially battling for the title. I moved up to Yamaha and already from the first day I thought ‘now we have the chance, I must fight for the title’,” continued the number 12 rider.
I think that it’s a possibility. If, all of a sudden, the circumstances align themselves, and a good team, and the possibility of enjoying himself and having a good time without the pressure that he felt in recent years, to ride well and do a very important professional job, which would be to help Yamaha or the factory to get the bike ready and continue experiencing the races without the negative aspects and with more positives, I think that yes, he could be tempted, but I hope not because it’s hard to watch, as a parent.
WEM confirms MX Nationals exit following 2020 season
Section: Competition
This year will be the final one for Williams Event Management as promoter.
Image: Foremost Media.
Longstanding Australian Motocross Championship promoter Williams Event Management (WEM) will step down at the conclusion of the 2020 MXstore MX Nationals season.
Following a 23-year reign at the helm of motocross domestically, WEM will return the series commercial rights back to Motorcycling Australia (MA) for next year.
WEM has been managing the championship since 1997 and has steered the MX Nationals for over two decades with an instrumental effect on the sport at a national level. It is understood that MA will take the series in-house from 2021.
“First and foremost I would like to take this opportunity to thank Motorcycling Australia and all of the MX Nationals series sponsors, teams, riders and stakeholders that have supported our time promoting the MX Nationals over the past 23 years,” Williams stated.
“WEM has and always will be a family business that provided us with an incredible lifestyle, memories and camaraderie whilst travelling the country with my wife Christine, our children and our small staff running MX Nationals events. Our time promoting MX Nationals is something I will always cherish.
“I’m sure many people are asking why it is now time to step away from promoting the series at the end of 2020. The honest answer is, it is a reflection of the times, where the industry currently sits and the fact that the landscape of sporting events and digital entertainment is changing.
“Through our various initiatives over the years we have kept audiences entertained both trackside, along with TV coverage and more recently MX Live on the NRGTV livestream, but the expense both to WEM and the industry has to be realistic. In this current environment, that is something that as a private promoter I feel we can no longer achieve if we were to proceed into 2021.
“WEM has always prided itself as a company that has been able to pay our bills and remain solvent, whilst many promoters over the years have come and gone, some with great detriment to the industry, our business model has always remained solid.
“This is not a knee jerk reaction, although unfortunately the Coronavirus outbreak has further changed the business landscape of the industry for the foreseeable future. I was honest and vocal about my concerns regarding the 2020 season at the end of 2019.
“As everyone is aware, Motorcycling Australia has stepped in to ensure the viability of the series for this year, but a new model needs to be established for racing at a national level in Australian motocross to remain sustainable.
“It is my opinion that a more grassroots model for the Australian Motocross Championship is needed to ensure the longterm sustainability of the series and WEM will continue to work with MA to help establish what that model looks like for 2021 and beyond.”
MA CEO Peter Doyle commented: “This announcement marks the end of an era. On behalf of the Motorcycling Australia federation, I would like to thank Kevin, Christine and the entire WEM team for their contribution, dedication and passion over the last 20-plus years.
“The last decade has brought a significant amount of change to racing and WEM have always been at the forefront of supporting and creating pathways for Australian motocross competitors.
“Motorcycling Australia are currently in the process of developing a plan for the future of motocross and the 2021 national motocross season in consultation with championship stakeholders.
“As outlined at the beginning of 2020, the objective of Motorcycling Australia was to support the WEM team throughout their final season. We still hope to do this in the second half of the year, when we are able to go racing once more.”
Following a lengthy delay due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 MXstore MX Nationals is scheduled to commence at Conondale, Queensland, on 9 August.
While most Australian states and territories are easing coronavirus lockdown travel restrictions, Tasmania — normally the most motorcycle-friendly state — remains locked down for riders.
Victoria is the latest to ease its travel restrictions from 13 May, says the Health Department:
You are able to go for a ride. Carrying pillion passengers should be avoided, unless they live in your household.
You are encouraged to stay local, and only go to places where you can ride there and back in one day.
Victorians are being asked to use consideration and common sense when it comes to travelling. If you can stay home, you must stay home.
Since some of this information is not published on any government website, we have included the Health department email at the end of this article which you may like to print out for your records.
State travel restrictions
Travel restrictions are also being eased throughout the country:
In South Australia, riders can go for a recreational ride within their region from today (11 May 2020).
WA is broken up into nine regionsand riders must stay within their region. From 18 May, regions will be enlarged to: Perth + Peel + Wheatbelt + Southwest + Great Southern; Goldfields + Esperance; Mid-West + Gascoyne + Pilbara regions; and Kimberley which is still in isolation due the high-risk Aboriginal communities there.
There are no restrictions in the ACT, but Canberrans should only travel outside the region to visit family and friends for care and support. Canberra residents who are travelling interstate will need to abide by the rules of the jurisdiction in which they are travelling.
Riders can ride in groups of up to 10 but must practise social distancing when they stop for fuel, a meal or coffee. WA will increase that to 20 from next Monday.
Overnight accommodation (and camping) for tourism is expected to be allowed in most states from June 12.
Cafes are opening soon for more than takeaway while state/territory borders are expected to open between states from July 12.
Locked down
Tasmanian roads go begging!
Meanwhile, in Tasmania, normally the most motorcycle-friendly state of all and certainly open of our favourites to ride, motorcyclists are locked down to essential travel only.
That means only riding for work, medical visits, education, essential shopping or legitimate care reasons.
Riders hassled by police for not obeying a health directive under the current restrictions should surely be able to claim ignorance as a defence.
After all, the rules change a quickly and frequently it is near impossible to keep abreast of the latest developments.
Motorbike Writer has been attempting for several weeks to collate and update the travel restrictions as they apply to riders across six stages and two territories.
I have lost count of the number of phones calls and emails I have made to various departments, media contacts and hotlines.
The information provided has been vague, conflicting and confusing. And references to motorcycles are sadly lacking in any of the descriptions of how the rules apply.
Do bureaucrats and politicians think motorcycles do not exist?
This electric bike from Fuller Moto features transparent wheels, a super-slim body and 3D-printed titanium parts, but it has a century-old body design.
As LA bike designer Roland Sands says, electric bikes don’t have the constraints of traditional motorcycles (engines, petrol tank, exhaust pipe), so they can be quite revolutionary in design.
The Fuller 2029 Majestic certainly is revolutionary even if it is based on the French 1929 Majestic with similar sleek body and hub steering.
Like the 1930 Majestic, the only place you will be able to see the Majestic 2029 is in a museum as it was commissioned by the Haas Moto Museum and Sculpture Gallery.
Bryan Fuller at work
Designer Bryan Fuller has put a lot more 2029 than 1929 into his electric bike including a Zero Motorcycles FXS electric drivetrain, 3D-printed titanium parts, CNC machining and transparent polycarbonate 23-inch wheels.
He also inverted the FXS chassis and repositioned the batteries.
“I was inspired by 3-D printing, allowing my creativity to run wild and create organic shapes that are nearly unmakeable by traditional means,” Fuller told Robb Report.
“With no limits to design, I was able to create something unique that could only exist in the space between craft and the innovation of technology.”
The Zero FXS pumps out 34kW of power, 106Nm of torque, has a top speed of 137km/h and 161km of range.
There are no tech specs yet on the Majestic 2029, but it should be a lot more than the 1929 version with a meagre 10kW of power and top speed of 90km/h.
WEM To Step Down At Conclusion of The 2020 MXstore MX Nationals
After 23 years as the promoter of the MX Nationals, Williams Event Management “WEM” will officially step down as the promoter of the series at the conclusion of the 2020 MXstore MX Nationals season, handing the commercial rights of the series back to Motorcycling Australia. This announcement had been expected and was made official today with this statement from Kevin Williams.
Kevin Williams – WEM
“First and foremost I would like to take this opportunity to thank Motorcycling Australia and all of the MX Nationals series sponsors, teams, riders and stakeholders that have supported our time promoting the MX Nationals over the past 23 years.
“We began managing the series back in 1997 when there were only two factory team trucks and a handful of full time staff in what was essentially a cottage industry. I am extremely proud to see where the industry sits today at what I would estimate is well over 500 full time employees or small businesses, that includes the teams and their personnel, our event staff and NRGTV crew, independent suspension and motor technicians, media outlets, coaches and fitness trainers, the list goes on.
“WEM has and always will be a family business that provided us with an incredible lifestyle, memories and camaraderie whilst travelling the country with my wife Christine, our children and our small staff running MX Nationals events. Our time promoting MX Nationals is something I will always cherish.
“I’m sure many people are asking why it is now time to step away from promoting the series at the end of 2020? The honest answer is, it is a reflection of the times, where the industry currently sits and the fact that the landscape of sporting events and digital entertainment is changing. Through our various initiatives over the years we have kept audiences entertained both trackside, along with TV coverage and more recently MX Live on the NRGTV livestream, but the expense both to WEM and the industry has to be realistic and in this current environment that is something that as a private promoter I feel we can no longer achieve if we were to proceed into 2021.
“WEM has always prided itself as a company that has been able to pay our bills and remain solvent, whilst many promoters over the years have come and gone, some with great detriment to the industry, our business model has always remained solid.
“This is not a knee jerk reaction, although unfortunately the Coronavirus outbreak has further changed the business landscape of the industry for the foreseeable future, I was honest and vocal about my concerns regarding the 2020 season at the end of 2019. As everyone is aware, Motorcycling Australia has stepped in to ensure the viability of the series for this year, but a new model needs to be established for racing at a National level in Australian Motocross to remain sustainable.
“It is my opinion that a more grassroots model for the Australian Motocross Championship is needed to ensure the long term sustainability of the series and WEM will continue to work with Motorcycling Australia to help establish what that model looks like for 2021 and beyond.”
Kevin Williams
Peter Doyle, CEO of Motorcycling Australia
“This announcement marks the end of an era. On behalf of the Motorcycling Australia Federation, I would like to thank Kevin, Christine and the entire WEM Team for their contribution, dedication and passion over the last twenty plus years. The last decade has brought a significant amount of change to racing and WEM have always been at the forefront of supporting and creating pathways for Australian Motocross competitors.
“Motorcycling Australia are currently in the process of developing a plan for the future of Motocross and the 2021 National Motocross Season in consultation with Championship stakeholders. As outlined at the beginning of 2020, the objective of Motorcycling Australia was to support the WEM Team throughout their final season. We still hope to do this in the second half of the year, when we are able to go racing once more.”
The 2020 MXstore MX Nationals is scheduled to begin at Connondale, Qld, August 9th
Hyosung could be planning a comeback with its GV 300 S Bobber which they will sell in Europe and could usher the brand back into other markets such as Australia.
The Korean manufacturer began in 1966 and stormed into our market about 10 years ago with good quality learner-approved models and attractive pricing.
Australian importers PS Importers no longer brings them in and group marketing manager Dale McBride says they have no current plans for Hyosung.
However, he says they will monitor how the Bobber 300 goes in Europe.
Hyosung promised great things when they introduced their brand to the Australian market.
It was a bargain-priced product with a heart of gold and honest performance.
Hyosung return?
GV 300 S Bobber
But the brand did not perform well here, which is strange since Korean car manufacturers Hyundai and Kia have taken Australian and the world by storm with their attractive, well-priced models.
Unfortunately, Hyosung has had virtually had no new models and few updates or improvements.
Until the Bobber GV300, that is.
The Hyosung range features 250cc and 650cc models with the 300cc V-twin-powered GV 300 S Bobber slotting in between.
It will have a low 710mm seat, weigh only 170kg and have only about 30hp output.
More importantly than engine size, it actually looks quite attractive ( a bit like Yamaha’s Bolt cruiser), unlike the ugly and weirdly named Aquilla cruisers.
Hyosung GV650 Aquila
However, price in Europe is €4990 (about $A8300) which is about $2500 overpriced for our market.
If it goes well in Europe and they trim some pricing, could this be the bike that returns the Korean brand to Australia?
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Quote this reference number: QP2000967040 within the online suspicious activity form.
Two drivers have been charged after separate Sydney crashes in the past couple of days that cost the lives of two riders.
A 24-year-old male motorcycle rider died at the scene of a crash with a Toyota Camry about noon yesterday (9 May 2020) on Soldiers Parade, outside Edmondson Park Railway Station.
The driver, a 37-year-old man, was taken to Liverpool Hospital for mandatory testing.
He was then taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with negligent driving occasioning death, and not give way at lights to oncoming vehicle (right turn).
The Edmondson Park man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Monday 13 July 2020.
Investigations are continuing.
Second driver charged
A 22-year-old male driver has been charged after a fatal crash involving his Mitsubishi Challenger SUV and a Yamaha scooter in Sydney’s east on Friday (8 May 2020).
The crash occurred about 2pm at the intersection of Fitzgerald Ave and Bunnerong Rd, Eastgardens.
The scooter rider, a 29-year-old man, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition.
The Mitsubishi driver, a 22-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Prince of Wales Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist police from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit.
Investigators were later notified the rider had died in hospital.
The driver was taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with negligent driving occasioning death.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 29 July 2020.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 orhttps://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our sincere condolences to the riders’ families and friends.
Tasmanian roads go begging!
Majestic 1929
1930 Majestic 350 (Photographer: Olivier de Vaulx)
Bryan Fuller at work
GV 300 S Bobber
GV 300 S Bobber
Hyosung GV650 Aquila
