Scooters are the two wheeled counter-part of motorcycles but is one the riding world would rather forget. However, when you match Bayliss, Crump and McCoy with 50cc Scooters, the world all of a sudden begins to think differently…..even if it is only for a short time. This month, December 8/9, at the Gold Coast Parklands Showground’s, the World’s toughest scooter event will return, the Insure My Ride Le Minz 24 Hour Scooterthon presented by TGB Scooters. Into its eighth year, the Scooterthon is certainly an event that continues to grow, and this year it is sure to be world class. Three time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss will team up with three time World Speedway champion Jason Crump plus multiple Guinness book world record holder Mark ‘Brownie’ Brown to take on 25 other teams in the world’s most demanding scooter endurance test. Multiple Moto GP and World Superbike race winner Gary McCoy plus many more excellent riders will also start on the grid. Bayliss who is use to 1000cc under his seat was beaming after his short ten minute stint in front of the cameras for the media last week. “I can’t wait for next [this] week, it’s going to be a lot of fun riding with Crumpy and Brownie, these little scooters are great on this track. “I hope everyone comes down to support this great event, it’s only a gold coin donation entry and it all goes to charities” said Bayliss. “I would also like to announce that I want to donate all my ride gear from the event to Mat & Chloe Rogers (Mat Rogers Duel International Rugby legend) for their great children’s charity 4 ASD KIDS” Bayliss continued. “This event it’s not about the size of his engine, it’s about the size of his heart,” said Rogers. “This is a very kind gesture Troy has offered us, a helmet would have been great but to have all his ride gear to auction is amazing. This will help so many children and we can’t thank Troy enough.” Mat, together with his wife Chloe, head up the great children’s charity ’4 ASD KIDS’ www.4asdkids.com. The Scooterthon each year supports a number of charities and this year is no different, ‘Give me 5 for kids’ Children’s Charity and ‘Racesafe Medical team’ will split all gold coin entry donations and funds raised from a major raffle that includes first prize of a new TGB Scooter. Where – Gold Coast Parklands Showground’s When – Sat 8th Dec 12 Midday – Sun 9th Dec Midday Special Guest Riders include - Troy Bayliss – 3 x World Superbike Champion & Moto GP Race Winner Jason Crump – 3 x World Speedway Champion Gary McCoy – Multiple Moto GP and World Superbike race winner Darcy Ward – 2 x Under 21 World Speedway Champion Peter Spida Everitt – AFL legend and tallest guy you will ever see on a 50cc scooter.

Husqvarna Rallye Team By Speedbrain have signed up top Italian rider Alessandro Botturi to take part in this year’s Dakar aboard the Husqvarna TE449 RR by Speedbrain. This will be the second Dakar for the thirty-seven years old rider from Lumezzane (BS), after his surprising eighth place finish in last year’s rally which earned him the prize of “rookie rider” in the competition. Botturi brings from the world of enduro a wealth of experience, in which he has won a string of important victories in the world championship and the International Six Days, as well as having taken nine Italian titles. Botturi has been concentrating on international rallies for a year now, getting excellent results in the FIM Cross Country Rally, finishing in second overall place in the rally of Sardinia. “I feel really honoured to be a part of such a highly rated team like the Husqvarna Rallye Team By Speedbrain at the Dakar right now,” stated Alessandro Botturi. “The TE449RR has proved itself to an extremely competitive bike especially in the most recent races. It has won the Pharaons and was one of the main protagonists of the Morocco Rally. As always I’ll be doing my best to help bring the team success in such an important event. “ “Alessandro Botturi’s inclusion in the Husqvarna Rallye Team By Speedbrain settles the line-up for the next Dakar,” points out team manager Wolfgang Fischer. “With Barreda, Goncalves, Fish and Botturi we’ve got an extremely competitive team that blends well together, who we can rely on to be right up there with the competition. I like to take this opportunity to wish Cody Quinn all the best after his thigh-bone injury at last week’s Baja 1000, who won’t be able to form part of the team, but will be on the Husqvarna TE449RR by Speedbrain as soon as he will be fully recovered.”  

Hayabusa. Is there anything we really have to say about this bike? The name says it all and when you hear it you think exactly what Suzuki wanted you to. Striking in appearance, fast and quality handling is everything and you get plus more in the super bike. Australia’s most iconic high-powered sports motorcycle has been taken to the next level with the 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa soon to be available with added features. The first thing this bike that is capable of speeds in excess of 300 km/h will receive a striking new Yellow/Black colour scheme. Secondly the all-new 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa will now equipped with Brembo front brakes and is the first in Suzuki’s sportsbike range to feature an Antilock Brake System (ABS), complementing the Hayabusa’s excellent handling and completing the evolution of this sportsbike. In addition, the 2013 Hayabusa is now equipped with top-of-the-line radial-mount Brembo monobloc front brake calipers that deliver prompt feedback to the rider, with an enlarged piston diameter from 32-30mm to 32-32mm meaning greater force is applied to the brake disc, resulting in increased initial bite to tame the Hayabusa’s incredible power. Designed for maximum performance, the all-new 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa represents the pinnacle of sportsbike engineering, performance and styling. Arriving in Australia next Autumn, the 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa will be available in three aggressive and sporty styled colour schemes – Glass Sparkle Black/Metallic Oort Grey, Pearl Glacier White/Metallic Oort Grey and the new Marble Daytona Yellow/Glass Sparkle Black.

Up and coming Aussie rider Josh Hook took race two victory at the final round of the Asia Dream Cup over the weekend, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. His finishing position of third overall gave him the opportunity to test for a 2013 MotoGP Moto3 wild card ticket. Hook went into the weekend confident on the back of wins in the two rounds prior and started the evening race in P2. Race 1 saw a difficult tussle for the top positions but race 2 presented Hook’s moment to shine. Taking the lead in the second half of the race, Josh Hook finished first, 0.214 seconds ahead of the competition. Speaking after the race, Josh was pleased with his final performance; “I had a few little problems early on but sorted that out and got a good feeling with the bike and new track under new conditions, it was a great experience riding under lights.” Josh went on to say, “What a great way to end the year! A big shout out to Honda Australia for all their support, couldn’t do it without you guys, thanks a lot.” The inaugural Asia Dream Cup has been a learning experience for the contingent of pioneer riders who all competed on Honda CBR250Rs. Josh Hook found his rhythm by round 4 when he took his first win, Hook then collected valuable points and two more wins to finish on a total of 158 securing him third overall. A day after the finale, the top eight Asia Dream Cup riders hit the tarmac again for what could be the biggest break in their racing careers to date; the opportunity to try out for a 2013 MotoGP Moto3 wild card ticket. Results still to be announced. Fellow Australian Josh Pickering who experienced his first venture into road racing, has ridden consistently throughout the Asia Dream Cup ending in 10th position overall.

Anticipation is high for Honda’s expo stand at the Australian Motorcycle Expo in Melbourne on November 23-25, 2012 and for good reason. Honda will be revealing the all-new, learner approved CBR500R and CB500F along with the 2013 CBR600RR and three Special Edition CBR250Rs, a Repsol, Moriwaki and Mugen Edition. Two parts of Honda’s new 500cc trio, the sporty CBR500R and naked CB500F will be joined by the adventurous CB500X in 2013 offering the perfect bridge between the 250cc and the 600cc machines. While sharing their core features the new trio offer three very different riding experiences along with excellent handling, advanced environmental performance, innovative designs and complete convenience. Honda’s Supersports jewel, the CBR600RR has been upgraded with MotoGP-style bodywork and aerodynamics marking ten years since its initial release. Only just announced globally, the 2013 CBR600RR will also make its public debut at the Motorcycle Expo. While the developers aimed for improved racetrack performance, the new CBR600RR boasts new forks, revised rear shock, remapped fuel injection and more and will be thoroughly enjoyed on the road or racetrack. To add even more sizzle to an already exciting line-up, Honda will be revealing Australia’s popular CBR250R sporting Special Edition Moriwaki, Mugen and Repsol livery. These three iconic brands have a history so entrenched in Honda’s history that these Special Edition entry level sports machines are bound to be popular. Joining these never before seen models will be a full representation of Honda’s extensive motorcycle range including a contingent of Championship winning CRFs, including motocross legend Chad Reed’s CRF450R, Ford Dale’s MX2 winning CRF250R and Jacob Smith’s Australasian Safari winning CRF450X. The display will also showcase Honda’s race inspired CBRs, commuter Scooters and hardworking ATVs along with Cruisers, Adventure Tourers, Funbikes and more.