Tag Archives: Supercars

Ducati Panigale V4R joins Abu Dhabi cops

If you plan on speeding in Abu Dhabi, you better be riding something special.

Abu Dhabi police department has just added eight Ducati Panigale V4 motorcycles to its already impressive fleet of supercars that include a Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini Aventador.

They need the high-speed bike, too, because many in the rich United Arab Emirates own supercars and exotic motorcycles.

And the speed limits are high. Abu Dhabi last year set its highest speed limit of 160km/h on the new four-lane highway running into the capital.

Abu Dhabi
160km/h highway

They set the speed cameras at 161km/h, rather than the 20km/h buffer elsewhere, but rich drivers don’t care about copping fines as they can afford them.

Fines for exceeding the speed limit by more than 60km/h are only about $A400.

Mind you, speeding by more than 60km/h attracts 12 “black points” (demerit points) and your licence is confiscated for 30 days. If you accumulate 24 points, you lose your licence for three months.

Click here for the world’s most expensive speeding fines.

Abu Dhabi fleet

abu dhabi cops
Abu Dhabi patrol cars

The Abu Dhabi police department has had some exotic high-speed pursuit vehicles over the years  to catch super-speedsters.

They include: Audi R8, Bentley Continental GT, BMW i8 hybrid sports car, Brabus 700, Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Aventador, Lykan HyperSport, Mercedes-Benz SLS-AMG, Nissan GT-R and Porsche Panamera.

Now they have added the Ducati to not only pursue at high speed, but split through traffic snarls.

And not just your run-of-the-mill 214hp V4, either.

No, they have gone for the 10kg lighter V4R with 221hp (165kW).

Ducati Panigale V4R Abu Dhabi
Ducati Panigale V4R

It also features racing carbon-fibre winglets, electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension, dry clutch, adjustable swingarm, up/down quickshift, wheelie and slide control, etc.

If you fancy your chances getting away from that, good luck!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Second Bathurst circuit plans revealed

Motorcycle racing has taken a step close to returning to Bathurst’s Mt Panorama with the unveiling of plans for a second circuit.

Motorcycle racing at Bathurst finished in the late ’80s.

Since then, the touring cars and now Supercars have heavily modified the track to a stage where is now unsafe for motorcycle racing.

The existing Mount Panorama Circuit is also limited in the number of permitted full track closures per year.

Council says that by building a second circuit, motorsports activity can “grow without changing the heritage of the historic Mount Panorama Circuit, cementing Bathurst’s international reputation as a motorsport hotspot”.

Circuit plansBathurst motorcycle races a step closer Mt Panorama

The new $52 million “Velocity Park precinct” would be suitable for MotoGP and World Superbike racing.

So far Bathurst Regional Council has received about $27.5m in funding toward the development.

The second 4.5km track built to FIA Grade 2 and FIM Grade A spec would be located on 200 hectares in valley southwest of the current 6.2km circuit.

Council hopes construction will begin early in 2021 and be completed within 24 months.

The circuit would accommodate a range of high-profile motorsport events year-round and feature additional multi-use facilities.

Maybe there will even be motorcycle track days at the site.

The international circuit has one long straight and nine corners of varying diameters.

There are also shorter 2km and 3km circuit options for national and club events.

It will also provide for a range of facilities including a hotel, driver training centre and a driver experience centre. No mention of special motorcycle facilities, though.

Bathurst second circuit
Pit lane

Motorcycle racing history

Bikes raced at Mt Panorama from the 1940s and it hosted several pre-world-title Australian GPs.

Forrest’s Elbow is named after motorcycle racer Jack Forrest who scraped his elbow away after laying down his bike on the corner.

Hell Corner is named after a tree stump at the apex where it was believed motorcyclists who misjudged the corner would die.

In the 1980s, the Easter Races were marred by riots until council imposed an alcohol ban.

Racing at Mt Panorama tracks
Motorcycle racing at Mt Panorama

Consultation

Before construction can begin these new plans and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is currently being prepared will go on display for public consultation later this year.

Council will host the following community consultation drop-in sessions:

  • Armada Bathurst – 121 Howick Street, Bathurst Thursday, 8 August from 4pm-7pm
  • Bathurst City Centre – 210 Howick Street, Bathurst Friday, 9 August from 10am-1pm
  • Bathurst Chase – 39 William Street, Bathurst Wednesday, 21 August from 12pm-3pm
  • Bathurst Regional Council – 158 Russell Street, Bathurst Thursday, 22 August from 5.30pm-8.30pm
  • National Motor Racing Museum – 400 Panorama Ave, Bathurst Thursday 22 August from 10am-1pm

If you can’t make the drop-in sessions, you can make an online submission here.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com