Again we are hearing rumors. This time the subject of the whispered voices was not some new secret motorcycle model or a world-renowned racing celebrity changing race teams. No, this idle chat concerns the owners of the entire MotoGP World Championship series, Dorna, and their owners, London-based investment group Bridgepoint Capital. Apparently, MotoGP is up for sale and it may actually go through in early 2011.
Bridgepoint Capital previously picked up Dorna from another investment company, CVC, for what seems like a paltry €450 million (~US$591 million at the current exchange rate, which has fallen some in recent years). CVC would not miss MotoGP as they now own the Formula 1 Championship. Investment firms are … More
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Gasoline demand in the United States hit an all-time high in 2006, and ever since then has been on the decline. Aided by rising prices, more efficient vehicles, and a slowing population growth, the United States as a whole is not only using less gas than before the recession, but we as a country have entered into a continued trend of decreased gasoline demand, which government officials and industry executives believe will be a permanent trend from this point forward. While current usage is about 8% less than the 2006 peak, experts expect to see as much as a 20% reduction in gasoline use by 2030.
Experts agree that … More
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Ducati team boss Vittoriano Guareschi says there is no intention to turn the squad’s bike ‘into a Yamaha’ despite the arrival of Valentino Rossi and his crew.
Guareschi acknowledged that Ducati was keen to benefit from Rossi and his crew chief Jerry Burgess’ title-winning experience, but said so far the indications were … More
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Tom Johnson and his son Michael share a love for motorcycles and the University of Oklahoma. Tom’s a clinical cardiologist faculty member with OU, and Michael’s currently a junior there studying aerospace engineering. Tom’s garage presently has a half-dozen bikes, including a big Harley-Davidson and assortment of super-fast Japanese scooters.
It’s an impressive collection, but these modern motorcycles weren’t what brought me to their Northwest Norman home. I first met Tom at last year’s Jazz in June. He’d ridden their 1963 Honda 305 Dream motorcycle to the festival, and it is an attention grabber. Parked in a row of much newer bikes, the Honda stood out with its nearly 50-year old styling that manages to be both elegant and utilitarian … More
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