MotoGP releases 2011 race schedule

The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has released the provisional calendar for next season’s MotoGP, and there will be no race in Hungary.

The 18-race schedule was without a Hungarian MotoGP this year as the venue was not ready, and will miss out again to Aragon, Spain, which stepped in for the race this season.

Spain will now host four races for the 2011 MotoGp championship with Aragon, Jerez, Catalunya and the traditional season finale in Valencia.

The season will start in Qatar on 20 March with the British GP at Silverstone taking place on 12 June.

Provisional 2011 MotoGP Calendar:

  • March 20 Losail International Circuit, Qatar*
  • April 3 Jerez, Spain
  • April 24 Motegi, Japan
  • May 1 Estoril, Portugal
  • May 15 Le Mans, France
  • June 5 Catalunya, Spain
  • June 12 Silverstone, Great Britain
  • June 25 Assen, Netherlands**
  • July 3 Mugello, Italy
  • July 17 Sachsenring, Germany
  • July 24 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, United States***
  • August 14 Brno, Czech Republic
  • August 28 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, United States
  • September 4 Misano, San Marino
  • September 18 Motorland Aragon, Spain
  • October 16 Phillip Island, Australia
  • October 23 Sepang, Malaysia
  • November 6 Valencia, Spain

* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class

 

Tony Fernandes Sells Caterham Racing GP2 Outfit to Status GP

Status Grand Prix has completed the purchase of the Caterham Racing team securing their entry in the GP2 Series from 2015.

One of the most successful GP3 Series teams of the last five years, Status GP will run the GP2 Series team alongside its GP3 operation. Status GP and Caterham have agreed that the GP2 team will compete as Caterham Racing for the remainder of the 2014 season, before coming under Status GP’s banner.

The current GP2 driver line-up of Rio Haryanto and Pierre Gasly will remain in the Caterham cars for the final round of the GP2 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 22-23.

Before the Abu Dhabi event, the Caterham Racing operation will move to Status GP’s race facility at Silverstone, UK, which is just 30 miles from Caterham Racing’s current base at Leafield Technical Centre.

Status GP team principal Teddy Yip said: “Having been multiple winners in GP3, as well as A1GP World Cup champions with A1 Team Ireland, we have always had the ambition to move further up the motorsport ladder when the time is right. The opportunity to take over an established and highly-regarded GP2 team such as Caterham Racing, allied to a strong season in GP3, makes that time now. The Status GP2 team will be run from our Silverstone base to the same exacting standards as our race-winning GP3 team.”

Caterham Racing Team Owner Tony Fernandes said: “This announcement is very positive for us and Status Grand Prix. We have built a strong GP2 team with excellent personnel over the last four years, and we can be proud of the multiple race wins and podiums we achieved in the series.

“It became clear to me some time ago that, without Caterham F1, we should seek affiliation with a GP3 team to create a more effective ladder for young drivers who aspire to Formula One. Following in-depth discussions with Status Grand Prix, we have reached an agreement that will strengthen and secure the future of the GP2 team.”

GP2 Series CEO Bruno Michel said: “I am pleased to welcome Status Grand Prix to the GP2 Series. They have been in GP3 since the beginning, and have been successful over the past five seasons. I have no doubt that with the help and experience of the current staff, they will be able to achieve the same level of performance in GP2, and will adapt quickly to the demands of the category.”

Since 2010, Status Grand Prix has won GP3 Series races with drivers such as Robert Wickens, Alexander Sims, Antonio Felix da Costa, Marlon Stockinger and Richie Stanaway.

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Jack Wilshere Joins New Sports Agency 10Ten Talent

English businessman Terry Byrne has announced he is starting a new sports management agency 10Ten Talent and has already acquired England midfielder Jack Wilshere as a client.

Wilshere joins Pele, anesthetist Glenn Hoddle, erectile Christian Wade and Geoff Shreeves on the roster already accumulated.

Terry Byrne, a former personal manager of David Beckham who also heads the England players’ representative business 1966, said: “I am very excited to be looking after such a variety of high profile individuals. Having had the pleasure of previously working with both David Beckham and Pele this gave me a valuable insight, unique understanding and vital experience which I can bring to the management of all my clients including the talented Jack Wilshere.”

Wilshere added: ‘”I am looking forward to working with Terry and the team at 10Ten.  Their knowledge & experience in the football industry gives me the confidence to ensure my career goes from strength to strength.”

10Ten Talent will focus on management, marketing, branding, PR and sponsorship of its clients, with Pele managed under the Legends 10 brand, a partner of 10Ten.

Terry Byrne will continue to be the chairman of several companies such as 1966 Entertainment, United Marketing International and Iconic Images, with Jennifer Cox handling the day-to-day management of 1966 Entertainment.

James Madison University Sign Paciolan Ticket Partnership

Ticketing provider Paciolan has announced that James Madison University (JMU) has renewed its 28-year partnership with the company.

With the long-term partnership renewal, JMU will continue to leverage Paciolan’s industry leading ticketing, fundraising and Access scanning systems, and has implemented the company’s email marketing solution. JMU has been a Paciolan partner since 1986. Paciolan is a subsidiary of the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor.

“As our trusted partner with evolving and cutting edge products, Paciolan is the gold standard in college athletics,” said Jeff Bourne, Director of Athletics at James Madison University. “We are excited to further extend our long-term partnership to maintain and expand our business model with a platform that provides our fans and donors with the best solutions.”

JMU continues to utilize Paciolan’s Access management solution that provides the university with the ability to offer digital ticketing for its fans and mobile ticket delivery for students. The university launched the 2D barcodes for smartphones to students in 2013 for football, basketball and baseball events, and has since seen a 53% adoption rate since the implementation.

“We really value the excellent customer support provided by Paciolan and the core group of our client partner and eCommerce operations team members who are dedicated and always proactive in helping us find and utilize solutions,” said Mike Carpenter, Assistant Athletics Director for Tickets and Customer Relations at James Madison University. “Out student body is digitally savvy and Paciolan’s eCommerce tools lets them utilize their smartphones to reserve and download their tickets anywhere, anytime.”

In conjunction with the renewed partnership, JMU recently began utilizing PACmail, Paciolan’s email marketing solution, to enhance communication with its fans and donors. With the added emphasis to market ticket sales and renewals, upcoming events and promotions, JMU staff is empowered with a platform to tailor segmented messages to highlight strategic initiatives and campaigns with the full integration of data and analytics to extend their marketing reach.

“James Madison University has been a long-standing Paciolan partner and we commend Jeff Bourne and his exceptional staff for continuing to embrace all of the tools in the Paciolan toolbox,” said Jane Kleinberger, Founder of Paciolan. “They consistently deliver an exceptional fan and donor experience while simultaneously generating greater revenues and growing attendance. JMU sets the trend for all mid-major college athletics programs.”

Ice Hockey UK Launches Bid to Host 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship

Ice Hockey UK, the national governing body of Ice Hockey in the United Kingdom, have revealed today they will launch a bid to host the IIHF Women’s World Championship (Division 2A) in 2015 in the UK.

GB Women will be in a group with relegated Kazakhstan, promoted Croatia and this year’s opponents Korea, Poland and New Zealand.

IHUK have held four tournaments in the UK in the last three years, including the Men’s U20s in Dumfries last December and the Men’s U18s at the same venue in March.

Voting for next year’s tournament will take place at the IIHF Congress in Minsk next month and votes are cast by 14 IIHF council members, along with the countries in each group.

Jim Anderson, interim chairman of IHUK, said: “We have a massive desire to host the women’s tournament again.

“We have enjoyed the last four IIHF competitions we have held in the UK and have received high praise from the IIHF for the running of the tournaments.

“Over the last couple of years we have had great backing from Dumfries & Galloway Council and Dumfries Ice Bowl – and we have worked with them on three tournaments now.

“The plan is to return to Dumfries again and we have already held lengthy discussions about bringing the women’s competition to Scotland next year.

“We have a great working relationship and it would be fantastic to work with them again on a prestigious tournament.”

Dumfries & Galloway Council’s events champion, councillor Colin Smyth, said: “Dumfries & Galloway Council are committed to working with Ice Hockey UK.

“We want to do all that we can to build on the great success of the recent World Championship competition held at Dumfries Ice Bowl and to secure future international ice hockey tournaments.”

The Council’s head of community services, Richard Grieveson, said: “We hope to secure the 2015 Women’s World Championship at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.

“The facility has proven to be a fantastic venue to host international events.

“The strength of the Council’s partnership with Ice Hockey UK has ensured that together we have the expertise, commitment and enthusiasm to deliver international ice hockey competition.”

The tournament is likely to take place in late March/early April next year if IHUK are successful in their bid to host the event.

British Cycling Chief Delighted with ‘another bumper year’ as Membership Grows

British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake belives the extraordinary success in 2012 has made it “another bumper year” as the sports governing body announced that its membership has reached 80, buy 000 for the first time with over 40% year on year growth.

British Cycling’s annual report published today, ailment sets out how key successes at elite level – including a second British winner of the Tour de France – are continuing to boost progress at the grassroots end of the sport. 

Successes for British Cycling included achieving their target– one year early – of encouraging one million more people to cycle regularly. British Cycling are also making significant progress at government level with Prime Minister David Cameron pledging to invest on improving cycling infrastructure across eight major cities and four national parks and committing to cycle proof all new roads and junctions.

In his final foreword as British Cycling’s President before replacing Pat McQuaid as the President of world cycling’s governing body, the UCI, Brian Cookson OBE said: “The legacy of our remarkable success at the Olympics and Paralympics, our Tour De France winners and the success of our athletes across all disciplines continues to have a huge impact on all people in Britain being inspired to get on a bike..

“When I first joined British Cycling in 1997 it was on the brink of collapse, had limited resources, no medal record to speak of and a historic low in its membership. I am delighted to be leaving British Cycling with the sport’s governing body being in such fantastic shape and I know that there’s plenty more to come yet.”

San Francisco Giants Receives Record Payout for World Series Win

World Series champions, San Francisco Giants have received the highest MLB payout of $377,002.64 following their win, eclipsing the previous high set by the 2006 World Series champion St Louis Cardinals.

The Detroit Tigers, who won the American League, received $284,274.50 per player, Major League Baseball announced. Both figures are higher than last year’s totals awarded to the Cardinals and Texas Rangers.

The players’ pool is comprised of 50 percent of the gate receipts from the Wild Card games, 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series and 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of both the League Championship Series and World Series. The pool is then divided among the 10 postseason clubs: the Giants, Tigers, Yankees, Cardinals, Nationals, Braves, Rangers, Reds, A’s and Orioles.

The 2012 players’ pool was $63,363,469.22.

For the World Series participants, the Giants awarded 50 full shares of $377,002.64, while the Tigers handed out 48 full shares each of $284,274.50.

The AL runner-up Yankees awarded 58 full shares of $115,065.28, while their NL counterparts, the Cardinals, handed out 56 shares of $122,558.29.

The division series runner-up shares were as follows: Orioles (54 full shares of $34,825.61), Reds (45 full shares, $37,865.12), Athletics (51 full shares, $34,325.16) and Nationals (49 full shares, $37,045,32).

The Braves, who participated in the NL Wild Card playoff, awarded 46 shares of $19,609.04. The Rangers, who played in the one-game Wild Card playoff in the AL, awarded 44 full shares of $16,999.09.

AIBA Delighted with Women’s Boxing Being Included at Glasgow 2014

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) have revealed their pleasure at Glasgow 2014 being the first Commonwealth Games to have Women’s Boxing included in its sports programme. 

The decision was made on Friday 28 September at the Commonwealth Games Federation’s General Assembly in Kampala (Uganda), just a few weeks after women’s boxing made its triumphant debut at the Olympic Games in London. 

“I am delighted that the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have added women’s boxing to its sports programme”, stated Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, AIBA President. “After the resounding success of the London 2012 Olympic Games, where women’s boxing was one of the star attractions, our fans will once again be treated to something truly special. 

“This inclusion demonstrates the continued growth in popularity of women’s boxing that I wish to continue promoting even further. Women boxers have reached world-class levels over the last couple of years and the Commonwealth Games will be another opportunity for these athletes to showcase their talents”. 

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will take place from 23 July to 3 August. Women’s Boxing will feature in the three Olympic weight categories: Fly (51kg), Light (60kg) and Middle (75kg).

Npower Reveal Newcastle Kids Stay in to Watch Sport Rather Than Playing it

Football League sponsor, npower, research has revealed that a quarter (24%)of teens in Newcastle spend more time watching sport on TV than playing sport outdoors.

Even more revealing is that one in four (25%) of children in Newcastle admitted they have no one to take them out or there are not enough facilities for them to enjoy the great outdoors. 

The research, commissioned by npower to celebrate the launch of its No Power Hour Road Show 2012, reveals that half (50%) of Newcastle kids admit they’re addicted to TV, the computer or video games. 

However, the unprecedented number of sporting events and national celebrations this summer may be inspiring a newfound wave of patriotism, uptake of sport and community spirit, with over a fifth (21%) of Newcastle’s children attending their first ever street party or picnic this year. One in four (24%) has also been inspired to take up a new sport or hobby this year, with athletics, track and field being the most popular choice (70%), closely followed by football (30%) and then swimming and/or diving (20%). 

As the title sponsor of The npower Football League, the energy company is treating kids in four major cities to yet another fab free summer event with a football-tastic display of themed activity zones, including a penalty shootout area, keepy-uppy contests and a dribbling zone to practice footie skills. The npower No Power Hour. Road Shows aim to show how football can be just one of many activities kids can take part in if they just turn off their gadgets and technology for an hour each day.

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, says: “Our research shows that there is a real desire amongst children to spend time outdoors but they are constrained by being constantly switched on to video games, TV and the computer or have no one available to take them outside.

“This summer’s spectacular series of events is providing inspiration for young people to switch off technology and spend time with friends, family and neighbours, learn new sports and hobbies and get out and about within their communities.

“Our npower No Power Hour Road Show will visit four of the UK’s major cities to energise families and show just how much fun can be had outside, away from gadgets, using their own energy.”

British SAS to Assist Police in London 2012 Security to Prevent Terror Attacks

British Army’s Special Air Service (SAS) have be given a key role in the London 2012 Olympics security with elite troops on standby at the Thames in case of a terror attack.

A fleet of high-powered military inflatables are set to be kept available on the East London riverside to dispatch special forces in the event of a Mumbai-style terror attack.

Security sources denied reports that an underground bunker was being developed as part of the major security operation.

But the SAS is understood to have been assisting the Metropolitan Police in attempts to avoid an atrocity next summer.

Several anti-terrorism exercises have been carried out at the London Olympics Village amid fears of armed sieges or sniper attacks.

Units, including members of Scotland Yard’s CO19 wing, will be armed with pistols, carbines and night vision goggles. Police resources will be slightly depleted as 2.5% of resources will be taken away from day to day policing 

The Olympics is set to be one of the biggest security tests on British soil in modern history, with a £600 million ($958.2m) budget set aside to keep the games safe.