The Sportscraft-organised event, promoted by the Rotary Club of Deonar, under the aegis of FMSCI, to showcase and promote three core projects: Polio Corrective Surgeries, Burns & Skin Donation and Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation Project, was a resounding success.

The event was supported by Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. (Makers of Quality Biscuits, Confectioneries & Snacks), Eureka Forbes Ltd., Savex Computers Ltd., Sri Ganesh Group of Companies, GIC Housing Finance Ltd.

There were 72 four-wheeler and 66 two-wheeler entries in the exercise of autocross. At 71 Fali Patel was the oldest participant. He and brother Kersi Patel, a couple of years younger, went through the exercise with aplomb showing good riding skills. Also in the fray was Fali’s son Yezdi and Kersi’s sons Rustom and Zubin in the motorcycles category. The other father-son entries were that of Behram Dabar and son Cyrus, and Shyam Punjabi and son Rahul in the four-wheeler category..

While Shamim Khan, astride a Honda CR 125, rode with exceptional finesse in the foreign motorcycles upto 250cc 2 & 4 stroke, to emerge the fastest rider in the two-wheeler section, Kaushik Shinde, driving a Baleno, gave a lesson in the finer points of speed driving to emerge fastest in the cars.

Shamim was a class above the field in the foreign motorcycles class. The Nashik rider used the experience of dirt track racing to place ahead of Vineeth Kurup (Yamaha YZF) and Harshan Kadbhane (Yamaha YZ250), both of Nashik, who finished second and third respectively.

Shamim also won the class for scooters upto 160cc 2 & 4 stroke. Astride a Rodeo, he timed 2 minutes 18.99 seconds, which earned him first place, ahead of Nashik’s Shashank Shewale and Mumbai’s Rustom Patel, who were second and third respectively.

The Rotocross was an exercise in the finer nuances of driving. It tested one’s skills in competition on a specially-laid out course. The idea behind the event was to inculcate the safety aspect in driving.

The course plotted out by Sportscraft was really tricky. With a dust cloud overhead, participants had to negotiate a winding course and exercise utmost caution to maintain the right balance and speed to avoid touching any of the many obstacles that would entail penalty points while being timed to the hundredth of a second.

Rustom Patel won the class for motorcycles upto 165cc, placing ahead of Pune’s Amul Satpute and Jagjit Singh of Mumbai. All were astride the Yamaha 135.

The various classes for cars also generated much interest. Though it is not easy to effect sharp turns, particularly in muddy underfoot conditions, it must be said that most drivers came through admirably. The best of the lot was Ashish Doshi who won the 1001cc to 1400cc class. Kashif Kapadia, in a Maruti Swift, and Mohd Fahad Kutty, also in a Maruti Swift, finished second and third in the class.

The ladies class witnessed keen competition, with Rufina Karmali, in a Ford fusion, emerging the best. She placed ahead of Vaishali Doshi (Hyundai i20) and Hutoxi Tavadia, in a Hyundai Getz, in that order.Rufina Karmali also won the 800c upto 100cc class for ladies. Purvi Thakkar finished second in a two-car contest.

The Open class for Indian and Foreign cars, at the fag end of the meet, provided keen fare as the drivers stepped on the accelerator to generate top speed. In the end, Kaushik Shinde, driving a Baleno,clocked 2 minutes:16.18, which was the fastest timing registered on the day. Parag Dhhiwar, in a Fiat, timed 2:21.19 seconds and Jay Upadhaya, in a Baleno, timed 2:22.72 to finished second and third in the category.Pankaj Varma, driving an Alto, was best in the Rotarian Class for cars 1001cc to 1600cc. Mahadavan Iyar, in a Civic, placed second, while Tushar Ganguly was third in a Zen.

All in all, it was an event to remember for Mumbai’s motorists. Most experienced driving in competition for the first time, yet they had nothing to complain about the trying conditions for over six hours of competition. If anything, there was only appreciation.

 The city of lakes, Bhopal, has emerged an important destination for bike modification in the country. The pioneer in the modification of bikes in Bhopal, Munna Bhai, says that craze for modified bikes has multiplied in last couple of years. “I started the modification of bikes in the mid-90s. During that time bikes were limited. Java was the famous model for the modification of bikes,” Munna said. He said bike modification boom began in 2000.

“Automobile companies began launching of various sports utility bikes after 2000. There was a time when I used to modify 5-10 in a year. Later with the launch of several bikes, I started getting orders of around 50 bikes per year for modifications,” Munna said.

On being asked about the modifications in the bike, Munna said that most of the bikers wanted sporty look on their bikes.

“People ask me to modify their bikes in such away that it should look like the costly foreign bikes,” Munna said. “However, several youth come to me to convert their two-wheelers into the sports bikes with different looks and better speed,” Munna added.

The beginning of the Gulf Dirt Track National Championship in Bhopal also led to drastic changes in the trend for bike modification.

“Bikers who want to participate in the Gulf Dirt Track also began approaching me to modify their bikes. This year also several participants used bikes modified by me. The participation of 47 riders, which is the highest from any city in the championship, is an indication towards the growing trend of modification of bikes,” Munna added.

Bike’s modification costs Rs 5,000 to 50,000. Munna gets orders for the modification of bikes even from neighbouring states and Mumbai.

TVS Racing team’s H K Pradeep and Pramod Joshua lifted the Gulf Dirt Track National championships coveted titles in Foreign Motorcycles and Indian Expert Class categories

High octane competition was witnessed in the fourth round of the Gulf Dirt Track National Championship for two-wheelers, in Bhopal . TVS Racing riders, led by superb performances from Arvind K P, H K Pradeep, Pramod Joshua and R Natraj, stole the show as expected, either winning events in the glamour classes or snatching second or third places.

The event, staged under the aegis of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), and organised by Mumbai’s Sportscraft, had thrills galore as the country’s leading riders battled to crown themselves National champions in various categories.

After the resounding success of the first two rounds in Jodhpur and Nashik, the third and fourth rounds staged in Bhopal on Friday and Saturday also saw top class riding from not only the above mentioned riders but the local talent too.

After Shri A.V. Singh, ex- Chief Secretary Govt. of Madhya Pradesh and ex-State Election Commissioner flagged off the event at 10 in the morning, the above mentioned trio, all astride TVS 250 FX, produced an awesome display of riding.

Aravind, Joshua and Pradeep, all seasoned riders and past champions in previous Gulf Dirt Track races, were engaged in a rousing battle in the two races for Foreign Motorcycles Group A 250cc 2 and 4-stroke. In the end, after neck-and-next racing over the many hairpin bends on the specially-laid out course, it was Aravind’s carefree riding that got the better of his TVS teammates in the first race of the category, with Joshua placing second place and Pradeep third.

Nashik’s Shamin Khan all so did well and ran the aforementioned Bangalore riders close but had to settle for fourth place.

However, Pradeep had his revenge in the second race of the category, relegating Arvind to second place and Joshua to third.

That enabled Pradeep clinch the overall honours, as he finished with 143 points from the four rounds, ahead of Joshua (118), Arvind (116) and Natraj 97. It must be mentioned here that Aravind had missed the first round.,

But Aravind was unstoppable in the Indian Expert Class Group B Motorcycle upto 260 cc 2 & 4 stroke, winning both the races, with Joshua finishing second in both and Naresh VS and Pradeep taking third place in one race each.

Joshua though took overall honors in this class, finishing with 136 points, while Aravind was second with 120 points and Pradeep third with 116 points.

Competition in the Private Expert class too was really close. A Anand of Coimbatore, astride a Yamaha 135, and Bhopal’s Syed Asif Ali, astride a TVS Apache, were engaged in a keen tussle in the two races for Group B motorcycles upto 260cc 2 and 4-stroke. In the end it was fitting that each won a race. The former finished on top in the first race, followed by Ali in that order, Anand winning the first race, and Ali the second.

Anand, as expected, was rewarded for his good riding right through the championship. He finished with 142 points while Ali aggregated 126 for second place and Suhail Ahmed was third with 96 points.

Muzaffar Ali emerged Bhopal’s top rider, winning the local class. Mohd Yusuf and Yasir Ishaq were second and third respectively.

Bangalore’s Adnaan Ahmed, astride a TVS Apache, won two races in the Novice class for bikes 131 cc up to 165 cc 4-stroke, while Coimbatore’s Dinu Devasia, astride a Yamaha 135, won the 2-stroke class.

In the end, the final round was one riders will always remember. The dicey course saw them display exceptional riding skills which was appreciated by the good compliment of spectators who braved the chilly conditions and turned up for what was a feast of dirt track riding

Final Results of Round 3  and 4

TOTAL POINTS all four rounds

The 2012 RM-Z450 is an open-class motocross machine that’s ready to dominate the toughest of tracks. As a racer, you need quick, laser-accurate steering and confidence-inspiring high-speed handling all in one package. And you want a high performance machine with a racing pedigree that makes it competitive right out of the crate. The RM-Z450 has been taking champions across the finish line ahead of the pack for years, fiercely competing across the globe from the World MX1 series to America’s prestigious AMA Supercross and outdoor motocross championships. It’s no secret that Champions Choose Suzuki

Engine

Engine 449cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC
Bore Stroke 96.0mm (3.780 in) x 62.1mm (2.445 in)
Compression Ratio 12.5:1
Fuel System New 12-hole fuel injector increases fuel atomization for better power delivery
Starter Primary kick
Lubrication Suzuki Advanced Sump System (SASS)
Ignition Electronic ignition (CDI)

Chassis
Overall Length 2190 mm (86.2 in)
Overall Width 830 mm (32.7 in)
Overall Height 1270 mm (50.0 in)
Wheelbase 1495 mm (58.9 in)
Ground Clearance 325 mm (12.8 in)
Seat Height 955 mm (37.6 in)
Curb Weight 113 kg (249 lbs)
Transmission 5-speed constant mesh
Final Drive Chain, DID520MXV4, 114 links
Suspension Front Telescopic inverted, coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear Swingarm, link type, coil spring, oil damped
Brakes Front Disc brake
Brakes Rear Disc brake
Tires Front 80/100-21 51M, tube type
Tires Rear 110/90-19 62M, tube type
Fuel Tank Capacity 6.2 L (1.6/1.4 US/Imp gallons)
Color Champion Yellow

To make you a better/faster rider regardless of your skill level…with the most advanced engine/chasis weight centered layout. Ride faster, longer with less fatigue, through a synergistic relationship between the engine and chassis.

One thing Yamaha has done for the new model year is update its fuel map and optimize the ignition timing. The goal was to create a smoother throttle response and generate more low to mid-range power with improved roll-on performance. The 2012 YZ450F also includes a 42.0mm longer silencer with reduced sound output in keeping with new AMA Racing regulations which limit exhaust to 94db.

Shifting on the 2012 model was given a boost by changing the locating pin to make the shift bar more rigid. The claimed result is more precise shifting on the 450F, particularly between second and third.

Both the front fork and rear shock have been tweaked to improve bump absorption and to reduce dive while cornering. Up front the fork is revalved for low to mid-speed compression damping. Meanwhile, the shock not only has revised rebound characteristics, but also gets a new valve setting for more high-speed compression.

ENGINE
Type 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 4 titanium valves
Bore x Stroke 97.0 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio 12.5:1
Fuel Delivery Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI), Keihin® 44mm
Ignition TCI
Transmission Constant-mesh 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive Chain Drive

CHASSIS
Suspension / Front KYB® Speed-Sensitive System, inverted fork: fully adjustable, 12.2-in travel
Suspension / Rear KYB® Fully adjustable single shock; 12.4-in travel
Brakes / Front Hydraulic single disc brake, 250mm
Brakes / Rear Hydraulic single disc brake, 245mm
Tires / Front 80/100-21 Dunlop® Geomax® MX51
Tires / Rear 120/80-19 Dunlop® Geomax® MX51

DIMENSIONS
Length 86.4 in
Width 32.5 in
Height 51.6 in
Seat Height 39.4 in
Wheelbase 58.7 in
Ground Clearance 15.2 in
Fuel Capacity 1.6 gal
Wet Weight*** 245 lb

The race-winning power and confident handling of Kawasaki’s KX™450F motocrosser are back in an even sleeker and more advanced package than ever before. With racing always at the forefront, the KX450F’s latest technical innovations were developed from the factory know-how of the Monster Energy Kawasaki race team, with the final product representing an unmatched combination of cutting-edge innovation and race-proven components. Its best-in-class performance is facilitated by the highest level of rider adjustability and the most progressive electronics package ever seen on a production motocrosser. From the moment the gate drops, the 2012 KX450F is set to leave challengers in its dust.
The 2012 highlights begin with the Supercross-winning DNA of last year’s bike. The advanced design of the aluminum perimeter frame and dominating motor receive a host of refinements to create a more compact and mass-centralized chassis propelled by more usable power than ever. Headlining the technological charge, the KX450F features an all new Launch Control Mode, which is tuned to maximize traction out of the starting gate. This is accomplished without sacrificing any of the mid-range grunt or straight-line speed that made the KX450F famous.
2012 KX450F riders can easily activate the new Launch Control mode – a key feature never before seen on a production motocross bike. The push-button system is activated by a touch of the switch on the left handlebar, and optimizes off-the-line acceleration by altering ignition timing in first and second gears to help maximize grip and reduce the chance of excessive wheelspin. Shifting into third gear automatically deactivates Launch Control Mode and returns the ignition timing to the parameters of the installed ignition map. The Launch Control’s effectiveness is further enhanced by a chassis designed to maximize suspension performance and rear wheel traction.
No other production motocrosser offers a higher degree of adjustability to the rider interface or engine character than the new 2012 KX450F. With a choice of four different handlebar positions, two footpeg positions, and virtually unlimited ignition mapping capabilities – thanks to its advanced Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®) system – the KX450F is uniquely able to adapt to changing track and surface conditions and meet the needs of a surprisingly wide range of riders.
The DFI system comes with pre-programmed ignition maps, but new for 2012, these maps are interchangeable without the use of a laptop computer – or other separate electronic devices. Maps can quickly and easily be changed between three settings – standard, hard (conditions) and soft (conditions) – by swapping the DFI wire coupler cap clipped to the side of the steering head. No additional accessories are needed to alternate between preprogrammed settings – simply install the coupler cap with your desired ignition mode and start winning. The ECU is also still fully re-programmable by using the accessory KX FI Calibration Kit, the same tool used by Kawasaki factory and privateer teams in AMA and FIM racing.

Engine
Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single with DOHC and four-valve cylinder head
Displacement
449cc
Bore x stroke
96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression ratio
12.5:1
Fuel System
43mm Keihin throttle body
Ignition
Digital DC-CDI

Transmission
Five-speed
Rake / trail
26.9 degrees / 4.4 in.

Front tire size
80/100-21
Rear tire size
120/80-19
Front brakes
Single 250mm petal disc with dual piston caliper
Rear brakes
Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Overall length
85.8 in.
Overall width
32.3 in.
Overall height
50.2 in.
Wheelbase
58.3 in.
Ground clearance
13.0 in
Seat height
37.6 in.
Curb weight
249.1 lbs.
Fuel capacity
1.64 gal.

Color Choices
Lime Green

This is a machine built exclusively for racing on a closed course, whether it be supercross or motocross.

Honda changed the rear shock linkage so you get a softer start and a stiffer finish. It responds to small bumps better, but still resists bottoming over really big hits. Fine-tuning the rear travel helps with steering during hard braking and on long, fast downhill sections. At the front, new fork outer tubes are stiffer for better feedback and superior tracking in heavy dirt, mud, and sand sections. New springs and suspension settings front and rear keep the balance right and increase steering precision. And we’ve even given the 2012 CRF450R wider, longer footpegs for better grip and comfort and fitted it with premium Dunlop MX51 tires for superior traction in corners and under acceleration.

ENGINE
Engine Type 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore And Stroke 96mm x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio 12.0:1
Valve Train Unicam®, four-valve; 36mm intake, titanium; 30mm exhaust, steel
Induction Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm throttle body
Ignition Full transistor with electronic advance

DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission Close-ratio five-speed
Final Drive #520 Chain; 13T/48T

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Front Suspension 48mm inverted KYB® Air-Oil-Separate (AOS) with rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 12.2 inches travel
Rear Suspension Pro-Link KYB single shock with spring preload, rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed and high-speed; 12.5 inches travel
Front Brake Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear Brake Single 240mm disc
Front Tire 80/100-21 Dunlop MX51
Rear Tire 120/80-19 Dunlop MX51

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 58.7 inches
Rake 27°05′ (Caster Angle)
Trail 116mm (4.57 inches)
Seat Height 37.6 inches
Ground Clearance 13.1 inches
Fuel Capacity 1.5 gallons
Curb Weight 238 lbs (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel-ready to ride.)

OTHER
Available Colors Red
Model Id CRF450R

Aravind K P of Team TVS Racing became the first Indian rider to win a motocross championship abroad when he recently won this year’sSri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) Championship 2011. Championship winner, Aravind K P of Team TVS Racing, who finished with a total of 73 points, along with TVS Racing, Advisor Racing – R&D, Arvind Pangaonkar were felicitated at a glittering ceremony held recently.

“It was a tremendous experience riding in Sri Lanka. I have learnt a lot during this event as it was a great platform for me to fine tune my riding skills. I have emerged as a much better rider after this event. I am overjoyed to have finished on top of the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) championship 2011” Aravind said on receiving the championship trophy.

Aravind, who fought off 21 riders, including teammates Santosh CS, HK Pradeep and 2010 UAM Asian champion from Japan Tomoya Suzuki for the title, also won himself a fully-paid trip to watch the Dakar rally later this year. Pangaonkar was all praise for the SLARDAR Championship stating that it was among the best conducted events that he has witnessed. He appreciated the fantastic tracks that brought out the best in both the rider and their machines. “Such tracks compel the rider to push the limit and force him to excel. It coerces him to raise the bar in order to win.” Pangaonkar said.

TVS Racing riders again stole the show in the second round of the Gulf Dirt Track Racing Championship, a round of the FMSCI National Championship, in Nashik

Arvind K P came and conquered, winning two races in the Indian Expert Class and snatching a second and third place in the Foreign motorcycles upto 250cc 2 and 4 stroke races