ISSUE 27
Race proven exhausts
Win on Sunday, Ride on Monday Philipp Eng, BMW works driver
“Peng” has long since become a trademark Interview with Stéphane Peterhansel
I PREFER TO RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK
Troy Lee – designer and racer
DIRT IS IN MY BLOOD Antonio Costantini
A Classic Car Surgeon
A column by Toby Moody
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C ont e nt s
A K RAP OV I Č Akrapovič Lifestyle Magazine Issue 27, June 2020 Akrapovič d.d. Malo Hudo 8a SI-1295 Ivančna Gorica Slovenia www.akrapovic.com Editor in Chief: Miran Ališič Publisher: Korpmedia d.o.o. Tomšičeva 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia www.korpmedia.si Registration No.: 2272237000 VAT No.: SI14601737 Client Coordinator: Primož Jurman Photo Editor: Bor Dobrin Art Directors: Slavojka Akrapovič, Neja Engelsberger, Saša Kerkoš Cover design: Zdenko Bračevac Content Editor: Jasna Milinković Contributors: Alenka Birk, Ross Branch, Gerald Enzinger, Volker Hirth, Matevž Hribar, Primož Jurman, Gaber Keržišnik, Toby Moody, Imre Paulovits, Mitja Reven, Karin Sturm Contributing Photographers: Aleš Rosa, Alex Štokelj, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Bor Dobrin, Edoardo Bauer, Ford, Gaber Keržišnik, Graeme Brown, Hoch Zwei, Indian Motorcycle, Ivana Krešić, Marc Robinot, Uroš Podlogar, Yamaha Translation: Matjaž Horvat, Werner Schneider Proofreading: Katarina Mahnič Ad space marketing: www.yvision.ch Y.Vision GmbH, Poststrasse 9, 6300 Zug, Switzerland On the cover: Slip-On Race Line (Titanium) exhaust system for the Porsche 911 Carrera Printing: LUart, Lepovče 42, 1310 Ribnica, Slovenia
// Si NOTE All the longer articles in the Akrapovič magazine include a text that will be marked with the // Si sign and placed in a special frame. The Akrapovič company is based in Slovenia and this is why we decided to keep this part of the text in Slovenian as well.
Copyright notice This magazine and its entire textual and pictorial content are subject to copyright. Any reproduction thereof without prior written consent of the copyright holder is prohibited. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Akrapovič d.d., the publishers or the editors. Not for sale. Printed in Slovenia in June 2020 in 6,000 copies.
Contents
05 Letter
06 Akrapovič News
12 Evolution
14 Evolution
16 Evolution
24 Story
28 Adventure
32 Interview
40 Story
54 Story
60 Drive With Us
64 Story
70 Travel With Us
74 Original
78 High Gear
General Warning Because of the world-wide distribution of Akrapovič d.d. products, neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of its subsidiaries make any representation that the products comply with the air and/or noise emissions laws, or labeling laws, of any jurisdiction. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of the applicable laws where the products are to be used and to comply with those laws. Warning / USA Various U.S. states and the U.S. federal government have individual laws regulating the use of aftermarket exhaust parts and systems, especially as those parts and systems modify, remove, or replace original equipment catalysts. Please consult the appropriate laws in your area before installing any aftermarket part or system on your vehicle to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries or the sellers of the parts or systems make any representation that any of their parts or systems comply with any such laws. Warning / California California laws prohibit the use of any aftermarket exhaust part or system that modifies, removes or replaces original equipment catalysts unless the California Air Resources Board has issued an Executive Order regarding such part or system or unless the part or system is exempted by being used only on racing vehicles on closed courses. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries make any representation that any of their parts or systems has received such an Executive Order or that any of their parts or systems conform with the racing vehicles exemption. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of applicable California laws and to comply with those laws. CARB replacement part Product is considered a replacement part under the Air Resources Board of the California Environmental Protection Agency (»CARB«).
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Letter
05
photography Bor Dobrin
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We all love racing Motorcycle riders are an unusual bunch. They patiently wait for weeks on end for the first rays of sunlight to melt the snow before taking their carefully maintained metal machines out of the garage. Most of them reappear in the spring with some new accessories: a new jacket, helmet, motorcycle luggage or a new exhaust system. They ride very carefully through the first turns of the season because the tarmac is still dirty, slippery and cold. When the tires warm up sufficiently following this initial reconnaissance, many also think of races and racing riders, whom they see as their heroes, their idols, or perhaps just a bunch of extremely brave guys. And gals, of course. The joy of riding has remained strong this year, as I can attest by coming across numerous motorcycle riders enjoying the glorious spring weather on country roads, in alpine valleys and on alpine passes – in greater numbers than usual. In their own way, they wanted to live through the period of isolation and social distancing commanded by the coronavirus pandemic. Yet all of us who love riding for its own sake could also feel that we miss professional racing with its competitiveness, surges of adrenaline, speed, wheel-to-wheel duels… Sport, especially professional sport, was among the most affected this spring. Hundreds of thousands of spectators at racetracks and stadiums all over the world are an unimaginable sight at the moment of writing this article; international travel has been brought to a halt, but the people, forced into weeks of solitude and isolation, are increasingly longing for entertainment. Motorsport included. In the past weeks it has become even more abundantly clear why we humans love motorsport so much. Speed is something that begins to excite us very early on in life. My three-year-old in the front seat has by now many times urged his driver to overtake this or that vehicle on the motorway, to be the first
at the entrance to the tunnel or overpass, to take corners as quickly as possible, and when his head gets pressed into the protective side of his child seat he just lets out an enthusiastic “Wooow!” When a thundering motorcycle or sports car powered by a six- or eight-cylinder engine speeds by at high revs, he strains his head in the direction where the sound is coming from and his eyes light up enthusiastically. He then often relives these moments later as he plays with toy models in his room – and very noisily at that. So why have the past weeks of digital and virtual racing only managed to partially quench our desire for the real thing and are but a paltry alternative to motorsport? Motorsport needs spectators, fans, admirers. And they need motorsport. During these months of self-isolation, we have realised how very social we humans are, how much we like to socialise, laugh, cheer, mourn and, above all, hope. Our hopes and expectations have always driven us forward and I am sure that even this crisis will not change that. We will alter some of our habits and we will adjust, but I am sure that very soon we will again be able to get excited about racing and experience the fates of our heroes. In eager anticipation of a shorter, different and, of course, in many ways reduced motorsport season, we offer you what we believe is a good primer for what 2020 has in store for us. Time has not stopped for the Akrapovič magazine and we firmly believe that the world will soon return to the way we like it. With packed racetracks, full of sound and speed.
Miran Ališič Editor in chief
A krapov ič Ne w s
Racing Technology of Tomorrow Racing Technology of Tomorrow was the slogan used by Akrapovič at the November EICMA Motor Show in Milan. The silver thread of the red coloured booth was the link between the racing world, Akrapovič’s real-life laboratory for testing new materials and technological solutions, and the exhaust systems that the company develops and sells to the public. Both product families use the same materials and quite a few parts for the serial exhausts are manufactured on the same machines used for their MotoGP
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counterparts, which were also on display at the Akrapovič EICMA booth. The company brought a wide range of its newest products to Milan, including new exhaust systems for the BMW C 400 X/GT, Vespa GTS 300, Yamaha Ténéré 700 and the latest-generation Yamaha YZF-R1 alongside exhausts for 2020 off-road machines, as well as premiered its new range of exhaust systems for Triumph Modern Classics. But exhausts and factory MotoGP racing bikes were not the only showstoppers as many a gaze also lingered on the durability dyno robot.
The fastest man visits Akrapovic Record-breaking TT star Peter Hickman paid a call to Akrapovič in December. The Smiths Racing Team rider who in 2018 set a record lap speed of 217.989 km/h on the Isle of Man TT race on his BMW S 1000 RR, fitted with an Akrapovič exhaust, was given a comprehensive two-day tour of the company, including the R&D department. “The technical side of R&D and the actual manufacturing of the exhaust is mind-blowing. It’s so intense what Akrapovič goes through to make sure it’s absolutely as good as it can be. They even have their own laboratory to test metals and develop new ones. It’s really impressive,” Peter said after the visit, which he concluded as the guest of honour at the company’s Christmas party.
06 / 11
Akrapovič News
Marco Wittmann and Co. The 2020 DTM season will see the BMW M Motorsport team’s works BMW M4 DTM race car piloted by Akrapovič Brand Ambassador Marco Wittmann alongside teammates Timo Glock, Lucas Auer, Philipp Eng, Sheldon van der Linde and Jonathan Aberdein. Marco Wittmann is the most succesful member of the group, having become Rookie of the Year in 2013 and winning the DTM Championship in 2014 and 2016, thus becoming the youngest two-time DTM champion ever. The 2020 BMW M4 DTM racer is an evolution of last year’s model and made according to Class 1 regulations, where a major technical change this year mandates that the amount of fuel that can flow to the engine per hour has to be reduced from 95 to 90 kg.
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Hasty Flaming Buffalo The unique creation by Dutch designer Luuc Muis of LM Creations was the winner at the Indian Motorcycle Custom Contest: Project Scout Bobber. Hasty Flaming Buffalo exquisitely blends modern technology, including a bespoke Akrapovič exhaust system, with the classic lines of a 1910 Indian board track racer.
Photo: Ronald Rink/Roonworks
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Akrapovic Audi RS 5 DTM 2020
This year’s DTM championship will see Audi defending all three championship titles, keeping the same team that scored twelve victories, twelve pole positions, twelve fastest laps and 40 of 54 possible podium finishes in the 2019 season. The Audi RS 5 DTM race cars, fitted with Akrapovič exhausts, will thus be piloted by defending champion René Rast alongside Loïc Duval, Robin Frijns, Nico Müller, Mike Rockenfeller and Jamie Green, who will race in Akrapovič livery. The longest serving DTM driver on the entire 2020 grid will this year thus be behind the wheel of the black grey Akrapovič Audi RS 5 DTM.
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AudiDTM.jpg
Four champions drop by Multiple MXGP World Champion Antonio Cairoli, MX2 World Champion for the past two seasons Jorge Prado, Dakar Rally 2017 winner and current Cross-Country Rallies World Champion Sam Sunderland and 2019 Supercross World Champion Cooper Webb dropped in at Akrapovič in November to look at the development and manufacture of the company’s racing and serial exhaust systems. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders also visited Akrapovič’s titanium foundry and its metallurgical lab. This was the first visit to Akrapovič for the world champions, who have between them won a cool ten world championship titles on their KTM race bikes, fitted with Akrapovič exhausts.
06 / 11
Akrapovič News
BMW Team RLL wins Daytona thriller The BMW Team RLL’s BMW M8 GTE race car, fitted with an Akrapovič exhaust, defended last year’s victory at the famed 24 Hours of Daytona, part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The credit for winning the GTLM class goes to the drivers of race car No. 24, John Edwards, Jesse Krohn, Augusto Farfus and Chaz Mostert, who completed a total of 786 laps at the Florida race track. The GTLM category was extremely exciting this year with the lead changing hands more than 40 times.
BMWDaytona2.jpg
Another double Motorsport aktuell magazine readers honoured the Akrapovič brand by choosing it as the Most Popular Brand in Automobile Racing Sports in the Sports Exhaust Systems category and Most Popular Brand in Motorcycle Racing in the Exhaust Systems category. Akrapovič won its seventh double with 64.2% and 83.2% of votes, respectively, confirming that the company’s products are among the most recognised.
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“Gran Turismo Alleggerita” As Alfa Romeo celebrates its 110th anniversary, the legendary Italian car company unveiled the rousing Giulia GTA, whose bonnet hides a more powerful 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo engine with 540 HP that sings its tune through Akrapovič’s lightweight titanium exhaust, integrated with a rear carbonfibre diffuser. The limited edition Giulia GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerita – “alleggerita” being Italian for lightened) will have a production run of only 500 cars and will weigh up to 100 kg less than the Giulia Quadrifoglio due to the use of lighter materials. Specific technical solutions also using the know-how from Formula 1 have been deployed in order to improve the aerodynamics, setup and handling. The topof-the-line Giulia GTA is called the GTAm and boasts two racing seats, roll bar, 6-point safety belts, front splitter and larger visible rear wing in carbon fibre.
Sainz on top of Dakar The Bahrain JCW X-raid Team recorded a major success after the twelve stages and 7,500 kilometres of the 2020 Dakar as Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz raced to their third victory at the Dakar Rally: The duo won for the first time with the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy, which excelled at the challenging Saudi Arabia trials. Stéphane Peterhansel, aka Mr Dakar, and co-driver Paulo Fiuza also entered the history books by coming in third in the same desert racer. The 2020 Dakar, which was for the first time held in Saudi Arabia, also resulted in the third victory for an X-raid racing car with an Akrapovič exhaust. “We are absolutely overwhelmed by this great team result. First and third place we didn’t expect,” X-raid Team manager Sven Quandt was pleased after the race.
Fifteenth time in a row Motorrad magazine readers awarded Akrapovič Best Brand in the motorcycle exhaust category for the 15th year running. Akrapovič took the award for Best Brand with more than three quarters of the votes, or an incredible
2020
77%, giving the Slovenian company a huge winning margin over its closest rival. A total of 45,178 Motorrad readers and users took part in voting.
Kategorie: Auspuff
Historic machine swap
After the end of last year’s MotoGP and F1 championship seasons, multiple world champions Valentino Rossi and Lewis Hamilton swapped their rides at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack. Rossi thus sat behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W08 EQ Power+, which propelled Lewis to the 2017 Formula 1 World Champion title, while the Briton’s test ride on the racing circuit where Valentino actually raced just a few weeks before was on the Italian champion’s Day Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 fitted with an Akrapovič exhaust. “It was so cool to be out on track and see Valentino ahead of me on the same bike,” Lewis enthused at the end of the historic sports day, with Valentino echoing the F1 champion: “It was a great pleasure. I felt like a real F1 driver for a day. I didn’t want the day to end!”
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06 / 11
Akrapovič News
Warming up in the cold The Indian Motorcycle and Workhorse Speed Shop took part in the extreme Baikal Mile Ice Speed Festival, which took place between 25 February and 1 March, in order to provide the highly modified Scout Bobber sprint racer named Appaloosa v2.0 with the toughest of pre-season shakedown tests in preparation for the coming season. The masterpiece, designed by Brice Hennebert and equipped with an Akrapovič exhaust system, gripped the surface this time round with studded tyres as it geared up for the 2020 Sultans of Sprint season at the Baikal Mile with its specially prepared 1/8-mile and 1-mile ice tracks on Siberia’s frozen Lake Baikal. “The lake is huge. Over 600 km long, 80 km wide, containing more than 20% of the world’s fresh water,” Brice enthusiastically described the world’s deepest lake. It was also very cold.
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Ford GT supercar upgraded Ford Performance announced upgrades to the 2020 Ford GT with increased engine power, improved cooling and a lightweight Akrapovič titanium exhaust, now as standard for the supercar. The exhaust provides a deeply resonant and unmistakable sound emanating from the more powerful EcoBoost engine. Two new unique finishing options are available; the stunning Liquid Carbon that features the GT’s fully exposed carbon fibre body and the restyled Gulf Racing heritage livery that pays homage to Ford’s 1969 Le Mans win.
Perfect ten German sport auto magazine readers chose Akrapovič as their favourite brand among car exhaust systems for the tenth time in a row, giving it 76.9% of the vote. A total of 12,352 readers cast their vote.
Evolut ion
DURABILITY By introducing the hexagonal muffler design in 2005, AkrapoviÄ? changed the exhaust system industry forever and the evolution of the revolutionary shape still continues fifteen years later.
New design is adapting to modern trends and fresh ideas while following the legacy associated with the iconic hexagonal-shaped muffler.
12 / 13 Evolution
by Mitja Reven photography Akrapovič
REIMAGINED Visitors to the “Durability Reimagined”
The reception by visitors at the Italian show
section of the Akrapovič booth at the EICMA
confirmed that Akrapovič chose a pleasing and
Motorcycle Show in Milan in November 2019
fresh design. The development of the concepts
were in for a treat, as the Slovenian company
that were eventually displayed at EICMA
unveiled concepts of a new generation of
began in spring 2019 and is far from over as
exhaust systems that feature new design
prototype exhausts for upcoming motorcycles
ideas and further build on the proverbial
are already under development. The models
quality of Akrapovič exhaust systems in all
in the new line of mufflers are distinguished
riding conditions. The new muffler family is
by the diagonal design of the upper and lower
an evolution and points to a future direction
part of the sleeve and imprints that extend
in exhaust design, heralding a new era in an
beyond the sides. The new generation of
ever-expanding market of adventure, touring,
mufflers has also been designed with future
supernaked and other motorcycle segments.
emission standards in mind. All the exhausts
The progression of the legendary hexagonal
of the new “Durability Reimagined” generation
shape sees the new design adapting to
will be marked by perfect workmanship,
modern trends and fresh ideas while following
high-quality finish and the use of lightweight
the legacy associated with the iconic muffler.
materials such as titanium and carbon fibre, the shaping of which proudly showcases Akrapovič’s mastery. The first serially produced exhaust from the new family is the Slip-On Line (Titanium) for the all-new Kawasaki Z H2 and it clearly fits the bike’s profile perfectly. Visually the muffler seems smaller, which was actually quite a challenge for the design team, who are bound by the continuously more rigorous type-approval rules to use ever-larger mufflers. The future, it seems, is also in the hands of designers.
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Evolut ion
Euro 5
H I G H FIVE Tw o y e a r s a g o , A k r a p o v i č i n s t a l l e d a d u r a b i l i t y d y n o w h i ch h e r a l d e d t h e s t a r t o f m o r e intensive preparations for the arrival of the new Euro 5 emissions standard. High five for t h e n e w k i l o m e t r e s o n A k r a p o v i č ’s d y n a m o m e t e r s .
Euro 5, which entered into force for new
from scratch. Larger catalytic converters
motorcycles on 1 January this year, brought
moreover have a larger impact on exhaust
even greater challenges for motorcycle and
system design and manufacture, bolstering the
exhaust engineers and designers, as the new
importance of exhausts from both the technical
standard comes with even stricter regulations
and design points of view. Some solutions will
regarding the emissions of carbon monoxide,
include secondary catalytic converters, some
other gases and particulate matter. It comes
single ones, in certain converters will move
over 20 years after the Euro 1 emissions
closer to the engine. Is there anyone who
standard for motorcycles, which was
wants an unattractive exhaust system that does
introduced in 1999. Euro 2 followed in 2005,
not complement the bike’s appearance? Next
Euro 3 arrived two years later and Euro 4 came
time you see a motorcycle with an Akrapovič
ten years later still. The latter caused exhaust
Euro 5-compliant exhaust system, keep in mind
systems to become more complex, while Euro
that developers and designers have put more
5’s requirements mainly deal with catalytic
effort into designing it than ever before as they
converters, the price of which continues to rise
diligently work in Akrapovič’s R&D department,
due to their larger dimensions and the greater
constantly thinking of ways to provide
amount of precious metals being used. A new
customers with maximum enjoyment for both
regulation meanwhile brings a change for run-
their eyes and ears while keeping in mind the
in procedures.
ever higher product complexity.
In phase one, a bike equipped with an
While the Euro 5 standard is a major challenge
exhaust system with a catalytic converter
for Akrapovič, it is also an opportunity for the
must complete at least 3,500 kilometres
company to cash in on its almost 30 years of
before undergoing exhaust type-approval
experience in exhaust systems development
tests, a task which has for quite some time
and use the most advanced technology and
been on the to-do list of Akrapovič’s robot,
equipment to further bolster its strengths
which autonomously rides motorcycles on
through new solutions and know-how, all the
the durability dyno. “Sabrina”, the robot’s
while striving to provide its customers with
unofficial name, can complete the required
the best possible exhaust systems and thus
distance in just a few days in the high-tech
the most enjoyment on their bikes. Customers
room, while engineers focus on other tasks.
needn’t worry that Akrapovič exhausts might
And these are definitely not lacking, especially
fail to meet the required type approval or doubt
with the introduction of Euro 5, which required
their durability. The company’s own durability
numerous exhaust systems to be checked and
dyno and TÜV SÜD certified measurement
some to be upgraded, while many a technical
laboratory will definitely put paid to that.
masterpiece made of titanium, carbon fibre and stainless steel had or will have to be redone
14 / 15 Evolution
by Mitja Reven photography AkrapoviÄ?
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Before applying for a type-approval test, an exhaust with a catalytic converter will have to complete at least 3,500 kilometres. A job for the AkrapoviÄ? durability rob ot, then.
Evolut ion
Race proven exhausts
Win on SUNDAY
An unwritten rule of motorcycle sport says that those who win on a racing Sunday also reap the benefits on Monday, when customers choose the product that was the first past the chequered flag on the day before, be it a motorcycle, a car or an exhaust – in short “win on Sunday, sell on Monday”. Akrapovič goes a step beyond though, as their exhaust systems that can be purchased "on Monday", are closely related to the ones used by the teams in WorldSBK to win during the weekend.
16 / 21 Evolution
by Primož Jurman photography Alex Štokelj, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, Graeme Brown, Team HRC
Ride on Monday
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Akrapovič goes a step further, though, as its
by teams in WorldSBK and those that can be
layout that is distanced enough from the key
WorldSBK exhausts as well as exhausts that
purchased by the public at large. The latter are
components of the bike such as the radiator,
can be purchased from the company or its
usually classed as Evolution Line by Akrapovič
oil pump, rear swingarm and the like. Our main
partners for use on racetracks and, in case
and are intended for racetrack use, though the
goal is to increase maximum power and provide
of EC/ECE type-approved systems, also on
company also sells a wide range of other series,
a smooth power delivery throughout the entire
public roads are made from the same materials
including those with EC/ECE type approval for
power curve with minor adjustment to individual
with numerous component parts coming off
everyday usage.
riders' needs. WorldSBK exhausts look quite
the same machines or being made by the same
To better understand how to plan the scope
similar to their serial counterparts, but their
hardworking hands. As the Superbike World
of work and cooperation with various partners,
details are tailored to the wishes of the team."
Championship motorcycles, going head to head
we turned to Alojz "Slavko" Trstenjak, Head of
Miha Jeraj added: “We start with a serial
on the world’s most famous tracks, are based
exhaust and then upgrade it for racing by
the sheen of the victorious brand can thus also
Racing R&D, Miha Jeraj, Head of Project Office Racing R&D, and Urban Potočnik, Head of Motorcycle Exhaust Development R&D. The
extend to the component parts that complete
development of an exhaust system takes place in
3D environment first.” The reference framework
the winning package. This is certainly the case
several stages, usually in close collaboration with
during the design includes FIM regulations on
with Akrapovič exhausts, which are in the 2020
individual motorcycle brands and racing teams.
noise limits, materials and specific requirements
season being used by WorldSBK teams.
Slavko explains: “The, sometimes extremely,
such as the rider’s lean angle on the track,
limited time we have on our disposal when
engine power and the use of other racing
developing exhausts for WorldSBK racing
componets. Only a few exhausts are made for
teams is the main challenge and one of the key
WorldSBK teams every year and their purpose,
parametres that determine how we approach
requirements and life expectancy are quite
designing a new exhaust system. We then
different in comparison with exhausts that can
take the available space to design an exhaust
be bought by the public at large. While rapid
on commercially available supersport models,
Winner on the track, desirable in the garage In this article we will focus on two types of exhausts manufactured by Akrapovič: those used
using different components with the necessary adjustments, though we can also develop it in a
16 / 21 Evolution
development, responsiveness and the ability
if the Racing R&D department already
characterised by excellent performance while
to upgrade the system with further evolutions
cooperates with a WorldSBK team and thus
having a lower weight. A number of exhausts
is what counts most when working with racing
has experience with the exhaust. We can then
are available for BMW motorcycles, with the
teams, products developed for the market are
use their know-how and experience when
track-only Evolution Line (Titanium) for the S
targeted at a wider range of customers and
developing exhausts for the open market.
1000 RR standing out due to its excellent
developed with a longer lifespan in mind, so they
WorldSBK is our racing lab for the exhausts we
performance and low weight. An Akrapovič
remain in production for several years with no
develop for the general public. We obviously
exhaust, developed in collaboration with
major changes.
also account for the differences between
Honda Motor Corporation, has been fitted as
Urban Potočnik said the following about the
WorldSBK and serial motorcycles, mainly
standard on the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade,
initial design phase: “We begin developing
in electronics, but as regards appearance,
but Akrapovič is also developing aftermarket
an exhaust system for customers based on
we try to follow the racing exhaust’s looks.”
solutions for that particular model, including
one of the following: a requirement identified
However, Miha added that development can
an Evolution Line (Titanium) exhaust, meant
by our OEM partners or by ourselves due to
go both ways, meaning that the Racing R&D
exclusively for track use. But there’s more.
perceived market demand.” WorldSBK exhaust
department adheres as much as possible to
The company has launched a fully racing
development starts by determining the material
the shape of the open market exhaust, thus
oriented Evolution Line Kit (Titanium) exhaust
to be used and the layout, followed by extensive
maintaining the link with the serial Akrapovič
system for the new Fireblade which uses the
testing. Said Slavko: “In the development phase,
product and allowing the customer to
HRC Race Kit and has been developed at
we do 400 to 600 runs on a dynamometer, to
recognise the connection between the exhaust
the recommendation of the R&D department
test out different configurations.”
he or she bought and its racing version.
of Honda Motor Corporation. Owners of the Yamaha YZF-R1 are also spoilt for choice
Working with a racing team naturally has an impact on the relationship with a particular brand, and vice versa. In the words of Urban: “When developing a serial exhaust, it is perfect
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A range of Race Proven systems Akrapovič manufactures a wealth of products for different brands of motorcycles and all are
with numerous products available. At the top sits the track-only Evolution Line (Titanium), but there is also the EC/ECE type approved
Slip-On Line (Titanium), which bears many resemblances to the exhaust used by Yamaha teams in WorldSBK. Owners of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR meanwhile have at their disposal the Evolution Line (Carbon), designed exclusively for on-track riding while being related to the exhaust used by the Kawasaki Racing Team. The company moreover offers an EC/ECE type approved Slip-On Line (Carbon) with a muffler also made from the same materials and very similar to the system used by the KRT. For the Ducati Panigale V4 (all versions), Akrapovič meanwhile produces a wide range of exhausts, available through Ducati's sales network. The standout among them is the lightweight, powerful and racetrack-only Complete Titanium Exhaust System, a close relative of the version used by the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team in the WorldSBK.
High opinion by partners Akrapovič has maintained a strong presence in the Superbike World Championship in the past 25 years as well as created strong connections and brand awareness regarding various components and motorcycle performance. Moreover, working in WorldSBK is an art due to the close level of cooperation between Akrapovič and the teams, which in turn requires a high level of professionalism and equal respect for all partners. Trstenjak confirms this: “Throughout all these years we have and still are striving for a professional attitude. We don’t privilege anyone. Our work is organised so that a project manager takes care of one client in one championship and can thus fully devote himself to working with the team.” It comes as no surprise that worldwide customers and the teams Akrapovič works with hold the Slovenian company in high regard as well.
Marc Bongers (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director):“Akrapovič and BMW Motorrad
»
Barring a few differences dictated by racing-specific components, Akrapovič exhaust systems used by WorldSBK teams share much more than just the looks with their counterparts which are sold on the open market and do not require a factory racing bike to be used.
have cooperated closely for quite a few years. Cooperation with Akrapovič goes far beyond
// Si Zmagaj v nedeljo, pelji se v ponedeljek. V športnem motociklizmu velja nepisano pravilo, da tisti, ki zmaga v nedeljo, na dirkaški dan, ubere sadove tudi v ponedeljek, ko kupci izberejo zmagovalni nedeljski izdelek: motocikel, avto, izpuh. Pri Akrapoviču gredo še korak dlje – njihov izpušni sistem, ki ga je moč kupiti »v ponedeljek« in ki je dostopen vsem, je močno soroden tistemu, s katerimi ob koncu tedna zmagujejo ekipe v razredu WorldSBK; seveda z določenimi razlikami, ki jih narekuje njihova uporaba. Akrapovičevi sistemi WorldSBK in sistemi za vožnjo na stezah, v nekaterih primerih tudi za vožnjo v cestnem prometu – ki jih je mogoče kupiti pri Akrapovičevih partnerjih – so izdelani iz enakih materialov. Veliko delov je narejenih na istih strojih ali jih naredijo iste roke pridnih Akrapovičevih delavk in delavcev. Akrapovič je v zadnjih 25 letih močno prisoten v svetovnem prvenstvu razreda Superbike – WorldSBK, kjer se je utrdila povezava in prisotnost določenih komponent z zmogljivostjo motociklov in tekmovalnimi uspehi. Ne le kupci po vsem svetu, tudi ekipe, s katerimi Akrapovič sodeluje, imajo o slovenskem podjetju visoko mnenje.
16 / 21 Evolution
The WorldSBK teams using Akrapovič
the two wheels category as Akrapovič has been
exhaust systems in the 2020 season:
an established partner of BMW Motorsport in DTM and GT racing for many years. Akrapovič stands for innovation, high-tech and passion for
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
racing, making it the perfect partner for BMW
BMW S 1000 RR
Motorrad Motorsport. In terms of performance, it
Tom Sykes, Eugene Laverty
sometimes goes unnoticed that many of our main competitors have made the same choice for the
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
same reasons. Both premium brands emphasise
Ducati Panigale V4 R
aspects like lightweight construction, design and
Chaz Davies, Scott Redding
last but not least performance, especially in our
Team HRC
Tetsuhiro Kuwata (Honda Racing Corporation Director - General Manager Race Operations Management Division) and Yuzuru Ishikawa (Honda Motor Corporation - CBR1000RR-R Large Project Leader): “Our first impression
segment: Motorsports!” Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Alvaro Bautista, Leon Haslam Kawasaki Racing Team, Kawasaki ZX-10RR Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes
of extremely high quality across the board,
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team
and performance. Akrapovič offers cutting-edge
meaning their construction quality, durability
Yamaha YZF-R1
technology, is renowned worldwide for operating
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Michael van der Mark
in an extremely professional way and providing
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior
Akrapovič exhausts cover the entire range, from
Team
high quality, high performance products. production use to racing use. The target for our WorldSBK activity is for HRC to demonstrate
Yamaha YZF-R1 Garrett Gerloff, Federico Caricasulo
the best possible bike performance. We are
Ten Kate Yamaha WorldSBK
in the WorldSBK series together with Akrapovič.”
Supported Team Yamaha YZF-R1
therefore developing the best possible machine
Katsuhiro Yanagawa (Kawasaki Racing Team Parts Manager & Senior Mechanic): “Kawasaki and Akrapovič are long term partners. Our policy
Loris Baz
»
of Akrapovič products was that they are
with our technical suppliers is very clear, we work with the best and our technical partners are an
The Akrapovič story began almost three decades ago by converting road motorcycles into racing ones. Today you can buy serially-produced machines equipped with an Akrapovič exhaust that is very similar to the one used in WorldSBK.
extension of our team. Akrapovič management and the company share the values of Kawasaki, they love racing and they have the passion for an excellent product. Akrapovič provides us with the lightest materials, top quality titanium, excellence in welding, and top testing design process, so the combination gives KRT the highest quality. Akrapovič, I’m sure, also uses this knowledge in their consumer products, not only for the ZX-10RR but also for other Kawasaki bikes.”
Andrea Dosoli (Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Manager): “As a manufacturer, Yamaha has ambitious targets in both WorldSBK and EWC, targets that can only be achieved if everything works perfectly together, allowing the rider to fully exploit the potential of our Yamaha R1. Every component used on our R1 race machines is chosen based on quality, performance and reliability, three requirements against which our Akrapovič exhaust systems score highly. The know-how, professionalism
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and passion for quality for which Akrapovič is renowned, together with the fact that they share our goals, is exactly why they are such an important technical partner for Yamaha."
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Bike Stuff
Bike Stuff
by Mitja Reven
Akrapovič exhaust systems are designed for riders who demand maximum performance from their motorcycles. They feature exceptional production quality, hi-tech materials, increased engine performance and all come with amazing sound and appearance as standard. The change is also visual, as Akrapovič mufflers perfectly fit the exterior line of modern motorcycles and add a clean racing image.
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Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX + 0.4 kW (0.6 HP) / 9,600 rpm - 2.7 kg (- 51.7%)
Moto Guzzi V85 TT + 0.8 kW (1.1 HP) / 7,600 rpm - 2.5 kg (- 46.1%)
Yamaha Tracer 700 + 1.1 kW (1.5 HP) / 9,100 rpm - 2.0 kg (- 26.1%)
Suzuki V-Strom 1050 + 1.0 kW (1.4 HP) / 7,200 rpm - 1.3 kg (- 23.0%)
Kawasaki Z900 + 0.9 kW (1.2 HP) / 9,650 rpm - 2.1 kg (- 53.2%) Yamaha TMAX + 0.9 kW (1.2 HP) / 6,200 rpm - 1.9 kg (- 22.4%)
Because of the world-wide distribution of Akrapovič d.d. products, we make no representation that the products shown comply with the air, noise or other emission laws of your jurisdiction. Hence, please make sure you have all the relevant information before you consider purchasing any of the products. You are welcome to contact our local partner in your country if you have any questions or turn to page 4 and our website at www.akrapovic.com for additional information.
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Car Stuff by Mitja Reven
Car Stuff
Check out the latest Akrapovič aftermarket exhaust systems for cars, where only the best materials and exclusive titanium alloys are used. These materials are combined with high technology and exquisite craftsmanship of Akrapovič welders to create a package that separates them from everything else on the market.
BMW X3 M / X3 M Competition (F97) + 5.2 kW (7.1 HP) / 3,250 rpm, + 15.5 Nm / 2,200 rpm, - 10.7 kg (- 46.3%), Titanium, Evolution Link pipe set, Akrapovič Sound Kit
Porsche 911 Carrera (992) + 10.3 kW (14.0 HP) / 7,250 rpm, + 14.1 Nm / 3,550 rpm, - 8.4 kg (- 59.8%), Titanium, Link Pipe Set w Cat
Mercedes-AMG A 35 (W177) - OPF/GPF + 8.1 kW (11.0 HP) / 5,200 rpm, + 19.0 Nm / 2,850 rpm, - 6.4 kg (- 33.0%), Titanium, Evolution Link pipe set
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Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991.2) - OPF/GPF + 10.0 kW (13.6 HP) / 6,550 rpm, + 28.9 Nm / 2,100 rpm, Titanium, Rear Carbon Fiber Diffuser - High Gloss
Story
24 / 27 Story
by Gerald Enzinger photography Bor Dobrin, BMW
Philipp Eng, BMW works driver
“Peng” has long since become a trademark “Peng”! The word that blends the name and surname of motorsport driver Philipp Eng has long since become a trademark. In the 2018 DTM season the 30-year-old from Salzburg, who resides by the idyllic Mondsee, needed just three races for his first podium finish, led the DTM standings for a time in his second season and has already won 24-hours classics in both Daytona and Spa.
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It took Philipp until 2014, when he was 24, to be able to make a living solely by racing, but his decisive breakthrough came in 2016 when he became a BMW works driver, a time “when I was like a battered boxer from the Bronx – wounded, but hungry and ready to give it all to succeed.”
But “Peng” was anything but a shooting star in
with it a Formula 1 test in Mexico as a reward.
M8’s barebones chassis for the first time. At
the racing world and more than once his career
Back then he thought: “Now everyone will want
that moment I got extreme goose pimples. For
seemed to come to a stop before it had even
me… But nobody came knocking.” Moreover, a
the first time I was present when a racing car
begun. 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 – in
Henkel employee who promised him a job as a
was developed from scratch.” Eng loves talking
all those years a stop sign seemed to hover
test driver with the Formula 1 World Champions
to the engineers. “They ask you for your opinion.
above his career and those who followed
Brawn GP (later Mercedes) was nothing more
‘What do you think, how should the steering
him throughout the years understand why he
than a stooge without any real say within the
wheel look like, the dashboard, the switch
loves to read the biographies of cyclists like
company.
panel, where should each button be?’ That’s
Peter Sagan who, just like him, knows “how to
In the end it was Eng’s determination which
just so cool.”
overcome pain again and again during each
finally paid off for the enthusiastic cyclist. Today
Apart from being cool, it also serves as a bonus
stage of life.”
he is pushed by BMW as a works driver, but
to his promising DTM career. “Doing a racing
also challenged. The Salzburgian came to
weekend is great, but in those two days you
Munich in 2016 and in 2018 he was called up
mainly work on the setup. However, during the
It took Philipp until 2014, when he was 24, to
into the DTM squad. This was partly due to
vehicle’s development, you work closely with a
be able to make a living solely by racing, but
Charly Lamm, who has unfortunately since died,
large group of engineers from all parts of car
his decisive breakthrough came in 2016, when
encouraging Philipp during long talks to believe
design, the engine, gearbox, electronics. It’s
he became a BMW works driver, a time “when
in his DTM dream – even if that dream, similar to
great to be able to be part of the whole process
I was like a battered boxer from the Bronx –
René Rast’s, came true relatively late.
with the entire team.”
succeed.” His lucky star started shining late,
Involved from the ground up
despite earlier success like winning the Formula
Being part of a works team suits his character.
The way to a race driver’s heart is through his ears
BMW World Final 2007 that also brought
“I remember exactly the day when I saw the
Interesting as that may be, it is driving a DTM
Endurance
wounded, but hungry and ready to give it all to
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24 / 27 Story
race car that he loves most, partly because the way to a racing driver’s heart is through his ears. “I’m a sound fetishist. In modern racing there is hardly a better sound than in the DTM, even now, after the change from V8 to inline-4 engine. Luckily not too much was lost. Sure, it’s a little more comfortable because it’s not as loud. But the frequency and brutality of the sound is still the same. And I mean brutal in a positive way. It sounds simply awesome. I can’t imagine DTM if its sound would lose this feel.” Philipp sees sound as important for serial cars as well. “From my point of view, a lot of the feeling and emotion is created by the sound. Independent of the car. If it sounds great, one just notices it straight away. I’m always looking forward to the sound when I get into my M5. Especially when it’s still cold outside and I have to warm the engine up by revving. Sometimes it feels like the most important thing for me in a modern car.”
Health But the most important thing in his life is health. The current situation has led to the cancellation of DTM testing and many racing drivers can only satiate their desire to press the pedal to the metal in their own apartment through SIM racing. Eng is something like a pioneer in this field and had already won international titles in esports series almost a decade ago. Now BMW is using him for SIM races like Daytona or Sebring. When switching on his simulator only for a moment during our interview, DTM rival Mike Rockenfeller calls him on the phone immediately. He noticed Eng had come online and wants to challenge him on the spot.
Life is a challenge Occasionally life is a challenge too. Philipp, a late born child and dearly loved by his parents, found out early on in childhood during his karting career how it feels to be despised by the parents of other, slower children. He was also there when Henry Surtees had his fatal accident in 2009 in Brands Hatch. The day before, both of them stood on the podium with Philipp on the top. “I haven’t watched the video of the accident until today.”
There is life outside racing too In the years that followed, his jobs included working as an instructor at minus 20°C in Lapland. While he continued racing in various categories, he had to wait until 2014 for his first break, winning the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. The following year he repeated the feat, while adding the Porsche Supercup title for good measure, thereby causing things to finally turn for the better. What would the world-wise 30-year-old Eng of today tell his 18-year-old self? “Life always goes on, regardless of what’s happening right now. And don’t forget to also pay attention to the nice things away from a race track.” Advice many racing drivers might hear a lot of in 2020.
Advent ure
28 / 31 Adventure
GP Ice Race, Zell am See/Austria
Memories of childhood joy A person can be pulled by a dog or a horse in skijoring, true, but the name GP Ice Race is a dead giveaway that the version we are witnessing contains sounds of roaring machines. It all began in 1937, with skiers being pulled on the frozen Lake Zell by MOTORCYCLES, with car drivers coming into the picture a bit later, in 1952. After a 45-year hiatus, racing on ice returned last year: not as a serious contest, more as a bit of fun and a show for drivers and vehicles from different eras of motorsport: from classy oldtimers like Porsche 356, to legendary rally cars from the eighties and brand new supersport cars like this shiny Bentley Continental GT.
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by MatevĹž Hribar photography Bor Dobrin, Audi
The engine of the brand new Bentley Continental GT, customised especially for this race, was left untouched, but it did receive a roofmounted ski rack, extra lights, a safety cage, sports seats and a 30 mm suspension lift.
It is not a serious contest; it is more a bit of fun and a show for drivers and vehicles from different eras of motorsport.
“I’m only worried about the bindings,” former skiing ace Frank Wörndl strokes his chin while looking at the real deal, the – by today’s standards – inordinately long and flat skis used by Willy Bogner at the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics. He will be pulled on those skis along an icy track by former rally champion Stig Blomqvist in a 65-year-old DKW F91. “We used to do it in childhood. You took dad’s car, tied a thick rope at the back and went out to have fun,” is how Wörndl summed up the motorised version of skijoring. “Stig and I didn’t train at all. Let’s see how we do,” he laughed.
Bentley Continental GT Just a few steps away from the aforementioned DKW F91 rests a shiny,
Akrapovič titanium exhaust There is one thing we forgot to mention while listing the
brand new Bentley Continental GT, customised especially for this race.
customizations – the six-litre twelve-cylinder resonated through an
But its twin-turbocharged W12, generating a total of 467 kW (635 HP)
Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, similar to the one that was fitted
and 900 Nm of torque, was left untouched, mainly because there really
to another Continental GT for last year’s Pikes Peak record run.
is no need to change anything about it – for driving on ice or otherwise.
The customised Continental GT was certainly not the loudest at
We did notice some extra equipment in the guise of a roof-mounted ski
the Austrian ski resort – somewhat understandable as it was going
rack (of course!), extra lights, a safety cage, sports seats and a 30 mm
against legendary rally race cars such as the screaming Audi Sport
suspension lift to prevent the ice, ground up by the steel-spiked tyres,
quattro S1 E2, Lancia Delta Integrale, Subaru Impreza WRX STI and
from accumulating in the inner fender. Although pretty much all the other
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo – but it certainly generated one of the noblest
cars sport rims with narrower tires, the folks at Bentley Motorsport had
tunes. Although… René Rast also completed a few laps
to leave the originals on, as no other rims would cover the enormous
in the Audi RS 5 DTM race car, also equipped with an Akrapovič
brake callipers, the largest in the world on a production car.
exhaust...
Driven by Catie Munnings
No practice
The driver comes from a completely different period too: the barely
When I asked Catie’s “co-driver”, skier Sven Rauber, whether they
22-year-old Catie Munnings, Bentley’s first female racing driver of the
had trained before their first competitive run, he merely shook his
modern era, a World Rally Championship driver and an ice-driving
head. “Have you ever been pulled on skis by a car before?” “Not
instructor, looks positively tiny next to the muscle car, but hey, you should
officially,” he grinned. Yes, there likely isn’t an octane-infected
see how expertly she drifted the beast sideways at the final turn already in
resident of snow-covered countries who hasn’t tried something
lap two! “It’s an amazing feeling driving on ice, it feels like dancing,” said
similar. Do you want to do it again under controlled circumstances,
the former dancer – and she should know! “And the sound, even from the
in front of a crowd and competing against the timer? You can do so
inside, is amazing. When we were testing it yesterday, I did some laps
in Zell am See next year.
with the windows down just to hear it. Together with the spikes screaming on the ice – I’ve actually never heard anything like that!”
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28 / 31 Adventure
The six-litre twelve-cylinder resonated through an AkrapoviÄ? titanium exhaust system, similar to the one that was fitted to another Continental GT for last year’s Pikes Peak record run.
Inte r v iew
32 / 37 Interview
Stéphane Peterhansel by Miran Ališič photography Ivana Krešić, Edoardo Bauer, Rally Zone, X-raid team, Yamaha, MCH photography
I PREFER TO RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK There are but a few names in motorsport that are as well known and successful as Stéphane Peterhansel. Despite having notched up 13 Rally Dakar victories since he started competing on the African sand back in 1988, he is still trying to beat everybody there over 30 years later. Peterhansel first tried with motorcycles – he is still a biker at heart – and won at the Dakar six times on two wheels. After switching to four wheels the French driver, who now lives between Corsica and Switzerland, added seven more Dakar titles with three different car makes – Mitsubishi, followed by MINI and Peugeot. What else could he achieve? Perhaps a family victory at the world’s most famous rally? Funny you should ask, as he joined forces with his wife, German rally driver Andrea Mayer, and they planned to take on the rest at the 2020 Dakar in Saudi Arabia. A potential medical misdiagnosis halted their adventure, but Peterhansel exclusively confirmed during our interview that they will definitely try again in 2021.
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I didn’t find many stories about your private life or things you do away from racing either in the archives or while looking you up on the internet. Have you been around for so long that people have started taking you for granted or do you simply prefer to stay away from the media? I don’t want to show up in the public. I like the sport, I like racing, I like the challenge, but I’m not a public person just because of my name and my achievements. I don’t need this type of exposure, it’s got nothing to do with my racing. I’m not on social media and in fact avoid media as much as possible. Why should I have to take part only as a VIP? Many people from sport or business have a large ego and feel the need to expose their life to the media. I don’t want too much noise surrounding me and my achievements. I do what I must because of my sponsors and my team, but for me it’s about racing, fighting and winning.
Is it merely a case of belonging to another generation? No. There are many people from my generation who are far less successful than me and yet pop up everywhere. Somebody perhaps won once and shouts about it from the rooftops, turning this single achievement into a grand narrative. I don’t need that. It’s a question of personality. As we say in French ‘pour vivre heureux, vivons cachés’ (to live happily, live hidden).
You began riding bikes at only eight years old, but stopped soon thereafter and turned your attention to skateboarding, actually becoming a French champion. Why this change, why didn’t you continue with motorcycle racing? Financial reasons? My father wasn’t rich, but the causes weren’t financial. He could afford my racing at that level, no problem… But in motorsport you need a team or at least a mechanic to go with you everywhere. Many races take place in different cities or even distant countries and my father had no time for that. With skateboarding it’s just you and the board. The sport had just arrived from the US and became very popular. All my friends were skateboarders, so I became one too. It went on for some years and I even became the French Junior Skateboard Champion.
They are not exactly similar at first sight, bike riding and skateboarding. Or are they? They do have some things in common. Balance, for example. On a motorcycle you only have
32 / 37 Interview
“I watched Dakar every evening on TV. The desert, the beautiful landscape and being able to ride a bike full throttle through all those sand dunes, it must have been fantastic. I wanted to do it one day as well.” two wheels and you need to find a balance. On a skateboard there are four wheels, but you still need balance to stay on it. In those days, skateboards were not the same as today and being on one reminded me of skiing, slalom for example. To clock a good time in slalom, you need a good line. The same is true for skateboards and motorcycles. You need a good line to be fast. Balance and anticipating the line, those are the similarities between these sports.
When you were growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, a lot of kids were really interested in cars, bikes and motorsport. What about you?
Why aren’t kids getting so crazy about motorsport anymore?
What is your first memory of Dakar? What stuck in your mind?
Because they have so many more options. Back
I was 19 years old and racing in enduro. I
then it was motorsport or soccer and maybe a
watched Dakar every evening on TV and really
few other sports. Now they have a lot of different
enjoyed the fights between Hubert Auriol and
sports, but especially mobile phones, internet,
Cyril Neveu. The desert, the beautiful landscape
games… They live individually today, whereas
and being able to ride a bike full throttle through
with skateboarding we were a big group of
all those sand dunes, it must have been fantastic.
friends and cousins, everybody was doing
I wanted to do it one day as well.
it. Though I still wanted to be the best. That was when it all started for me and this desire remained with me all the way to motorcycles and cars. For most of my friends, skateboarding was just fun and games, whereas I wanted to be the best. So I trained more than everybody
But Dakar back then was a different sport. Firstly, it was more dangerous and adventurous, with no GPS, helicopters, etc. You were on your own. Just you, your bike and the dunes. True?
Mostly motorcycles. Offroad motorcycles. I read
else and this has stayed with me throughout my
all the magazines about motocross, supercross,
entire career. I had a fighting spirit from the very
also some about cars, but not Formula 1, I
beginning. It’s not easy to get to a high level with
preferred rally. I was a big fan of Ari Vatanen and
your body later if you don’t have this spirit from
Yes, of course. It wasn’t the same. There were no
later Colin McRae. And we naturally followed
the start. The skier Luc Alphand has the exact
safety gadgets, we had a compass and that was
Dakar as kids, too.
same spirit as me, for example. I mentioned him
it. And it was a longer race. My first Dakar was
because we were born on the same day, just two
14,000 kilometres long and took three weeks.
hours apart.
Now it’s two weeks and only 8,000 km. On the
32 / 37 Interview
other hand, the idea stayed the same. You want
and the road, not the people around me. I’m
to be fast. I was surprised by the beauty of the
convinced that such competition results in a
landscape and route in Saudi Arabia and I’m sure
better atmosphere between all of us. No doubt
it’s a really good place for the future of Dakar.
about that.
Today you also don’t need to walk for 5 kilometres if you run out of petrol.
You’ve decided to team up with your wife for the Dakar. The two of you haven’t raced there together yet, though you were successful at some other shorter races. You’ve won together as well. Don’t you think such a challenge could ruin a relationship?
(laughter) I remember my first Dakar in 1988 very well, how I used up all my petrol and had to walk at night to get some from the closest village. I finished the stage with a delay of almost a whole day. Yes, very different times back then. But the spirit is still the same and that is what makes Dakar so special and unique. Now everything is also more organised, there are more people around, there’s no risk to get lost, the medical helicopter arrives immediately if you crash or break your arm or leg. Safety improved immensely.
What do you think of the team spirit where everybody stops to help others if necessary and is awarded for doing so, while on the other hand everybody pursues their own success? Is it possible to do both at the same time? This spirit is very much alive among the bikers at Dakar. You are alone with your machine, fighting with your bike and you know you might need some help from a competitor at any stage of the race. We have great solidarity between bikers. It goes without saying that if you see an injured or a crashed biker, you stop. You forget about the race and help the guy. It could be you next time round. In the past you would lose the time doing that, but with the tracking system, data recording and equipment in place today, your time spent helping somebody is deducted. It’s less so with the cars, because there are always crewed by two people, who can help each other
No, I never thought it could affect our relationship. I was a little worried about the physical side, but not about the relationship. As you said, we raced together and had some success, we won the world championship together and I want to say that we feel even closer after this challenge. Because Andrea stopped racing some years ago, it would be difficult for her to return at her age, but she still likes the competitiveness and challenge. So I said, let’s do it together. It will be a new challenge for me, too.
Last year Andrea had some medical issues and couldn’t do the Dakar as your co-driver in MINI John Cooper Works Buggy of Bahrain JCW X-raid Team. But you can now confirm that you will try again next year? She was diagnosed with a problem in one of her arteries just one month before Dakar which could have developed into a potential risk during the race, so we decided not to take that chance. She has been checked by six other doctors since and all of them agreed that there was no risk for her to race, so we are now planning another world championship season together and, of course, the Dakar in January.
if necessary.
Did you ever have any problems with your teammates? No, never. I’ve had quite a few in the past 30 years, but I always got along with them. Maybe it was because we weren’t racing directly against each other. We were racing against the clock. It’s different. When you all start together and need to cross the finish line first, you sometimes need to push somebody off the line, you need to be a little bit more aggressive.
You prefer to race against the clock and not against another person in a direct open fight? Correct. I started in motocross and had to fight against others all the time. I switched to enduro for that reason. I prefer to race against the clock
Akrapovič exhaust systems have been connected with you for some years. I would hazard to guess that you felt more of a difference with an Akrapovič on the bike, right? True. Apart from the sound which is like music regardless of what the exhaust is mounted on, one really feels the difference on a bike. More power, more torque in the low rpms, a more linear delivery. Standard motorcycle exhausts are a bit more restricted in these areas. Akrapovič is able to produce the perfect curve.
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“I don’t need media exposure. It’s a question of personality. As we say in French ‘pour vivre heureux, vivons cachés’ (to live happily, live hidden).” // Si Stéphane Peterhansel: „Raje tekmujem z uro.“ V motošportu je le malo tako znanih in uspešnih dirkačev, kot je Stéphane Peterhansel. Čeprav je 54-letni Francoz že trinajstkrat – šestkrat kot motorist in sedemkrat kot avtomobilist – zmagal na reliju Dakar, še vedno poskuša premagati vse tekmece. „Začel sem v motokrosu, kjer smo vedno tekmovali drug proti drugemu. Zato sem presedlal v enduro. Raje tekmujem z uro in progo kot s tekmeci okoli sebe,“ pravi dirkač, ki izmenično živi na Korziki in v Švici. Za reli Dakar se je navdušil, ko je kot 19-letni mladenič vsak večer na televizijskem zaslonu spremljal dvoboje rojakov Huberta Auriola in Cyrila Neveuja: „Puščava, čudovita pokrajina in možnost peljati se z motorjem s polnim plinom po sipinah, to mora biti fantastično. To sem si želel doživeti.“ Zelo dobro se spomni svojega prvega Dakarja leta 1988, ko je porabil vso gorivo in je moral sredi noči pešačiti do prve vasi, da ga je dobil malo. „Ko sem se končno pripeljal na cilj preizkušnje, sem izgubil skoraj cel dan. To so bili popolnoma drugačni časi, vendar je duh Dakarja še vedno isti in zaradi tega je tako poseben in edinstven,“ pravi Stéphane.
F A N T A S T I C by Alenka Birk photography PR
REFLECTION “Reflection”, a new collaboration by Rimowa and luxury apparel brand Moncler is an eye-catching polished aluminium suitcase offset by matte black handles, frame, locks and reinforced riveted corners. Moncler’s addition to the original design is a striking and bold removable LED screen that can be customised to your tastes and displays ticker-style messages in block red lettering. It is a stylistic nod to displays found in transport hubs the world over, and the social media text blasts that have come to form the basis of our everyday communications.
rimowa.com
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YELLOW GOLD Logos and gold are back on track. If you like to make things simple yet catchy and imbued with a bit of edge, then you should choose the delicate logo print watch. With its clean, streamlined design that fits snugly around the wrist, the Gucci Grip watch takes its inspiration from the world of skateboarding, its name recalling the way the rider’s sneakers stick to the grip tape on a skateboard. The yellow gold PVD face has three windows to display the hour, minute and date, completed with a matching bracelet with engraved Interlocking Gs. Water resistant, Swiss Made and sexy Print Grip watch, 38 mm.
gucci.com
NEW ICON The year was 1990 and Nike’s design team unveiled its cult design Air Max 90 with the resounding slogan “bigger is better”. The end product were sneakers that surpassed all previous innovations. One of Tinker Hatfield’s most iconic models, the AIR MAX 90 has been through countless colours and textures throughout the years and the company used the 30th anniversary to launch a new iteration of the legendary footwear. The redesign resulted in a slightly slimmer model with a subtler profile and tighter toe area.
nike.com
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Fantastisch
Y LIVE The Y LIVE family (YSL Beauté) has a newcomer that seeks to carve a path between freshness and intensity. Inspired by the man who stands at the doorway to discovery and success, Eau de toilette Intense is the olfactive embodiment of someone who is not afraid of taking risks and making life-changing decisions. His natural self-confidence on the stage, a distinct feel for choosing the moment and the ability to keep the audience at the edge of their seats make Adam Levine the prime ambassador for the fragrance. After all, the road to success always begins with the question: “Why?”
yslbeauty.com
A LIFE AS ART Warhol: A Life As Art by Blake Gopnik is based on years of archival research and interviews with hundreds of Warhol’s surviving friends, lovers and enemies. This new 1,000-page biography of one of the most famous and influential artists the world has ever seen explores the myths around his reign in the art world, from his asexuality to his relationship with Edie Sedgwick. Blake Gopnik’s definitive account digs deep into the contradictions and radical genius that led Andy Warhol to revolutionise our cultural world. There’s also a Warhol exhibition opening at London’s Tate Modern.
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N E W T- S H I R T S No plain boring tees allowed in your wardrobe. Choose a groovy style – perhaps the ‘60s psychedelic print because tie-dye’s gone tasteful or one with a floral embroidered panel on the front. And put on some soft cotton jersey emblazoned with a skull motif in red and blue shades. All iconic T-shirts feature a crew neck and are the perfect go-to for a smart casual look that doesn’t compromise on style. Versace tie-dye Medusa logo print, Alexander McQueen skull-print cotton, Acne Studios floral embroidery.
farfetch.com
penguin.co.uk
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Story
by Gaber Keržišnik photography Gaber Keržišnik, TLD
Troy Lee – designer and racer
DIRT IS IN MY BLOOD I was enjoying myself walking around the store. Though this was not my first time in California, I cannot help but admire the items every time I come to Troy Lee Designs shop. It is a museum. The beautifully arranged shop is basically heaven for racing fans. Racing helmets and signed overalls are everywhere. Racing bikes are parked at each end and there’s even a proper IndyCar racer hanging down from the ceiling. I was just completing my first round of the shop, caressed on the outside by the Californian sun, when in came Troy Lee, the man who built the empire and the brand that is still used by “the world’s fastest racers”, as the company motto states.
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Troy Lee built an empire and a brand used today by “the world’s fastest racers”, as proclaimed by the company motto.
“Sorry, I’m a bit late. I’ve already done my
start painting and designing protective helmets
two-hour practice session on the bike today,”
for racers. “I’m still enjoying it. I like to sit down
the owner of Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM
and draw helmets. I’m currently designing
Factory Racing team apologised. Troy has
one for Will Power, a racer in the Indy series.
always been an avid motocross rider and is still
I adore drawing, but work has changed a lot
actively racing in the 50+ category.
in recent years. Today sponsors come first.
“I’ve repeatedly promised my wife that I will
Nothing happens without them. You create a
not race again, because I had a really nasty
helmet design around their logos. In the past
fall seven years ago. I was in a wheelchair for
we didn’t need to pay attention to that, we
a long time.” With a body full of screws, the
could design a helmet completely freestyle.
doctor in no uncertain terms discouraged him
From imagination straight onto paper.”
from racing ever again. Troy did manage for a while, but was quickly back on the bike. “I can’t just sit and watch my children race. Life is short and one must enjoy it…” is how the owner and founder of one of the most famous brands for protective equipment sees life as we walk around the company which today employs 81
Beginnings in Mom’s kitchen
Troy Lee made his first products at home. Similar to Igor Akrapovič’s story, who also started his career in the garage. Before Troy
people.
started designing helmets, he was remaking
Peruvian adventure
wanted a flat visor, some a curved one, others
visors for famous motocross racers. Some
Troy: “We are almost off with friends to Peru for a 10-day bike trip. It’s going to be a fantastic adventure. We go somewhere every year. Myanmar, Laos, Thailand… We want to see the world and experience a motorcycle adventure. We meet new people, try out exotic food, sleep outside… We try to stick to the chosen terrain, we avoid the roads if possible. Dirt is still in my blood.”
a longer one and others still one that was shorter. “I altered, repaired or made the visors according to their wishes. I heated plastic in my mom’s kitchen oven so I could bend and mould it. Because the entire house smelled of plastic and because I accidentally blew some paint onto my dad’s Cadillac while making a helmet in the garage, my parents threw me out, my hobby included. That’s when I set up my first workshop. Though, to be fair, colours do seem to run in the family. My father also drew,
Sponsors take precedence
painted and coloured beautifully,” Troy says, adding that racing is also a part of the family
We keep walking around the company headquarters. There are helmets, sketches, colouring books, cans of paint and brushes
tradition. Troy’s grandfather was the first to organise races and speed record attempts at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
everywhere. Troy Lee was one of the first to
There are helmets, sketches, colouring books, cans of paint and brushes everywhere. Troy Lee was one of the first to start painting and designing protective helmets for racers.
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Not just helmets
We stop at his office, located in the corner of the store, where he still likes to create. “I’ll take on anything, not just helmets. I design posters. I make a lot of them for the movie industry, especially if the film or documentary is connected to racing. I do other stuff as well. We’re just in the process of creating a sunglasses and motocross glasses line for Oakley. I also have to create a new image for Ken Block. Oh, and one more thing. Hollywood is nearby and we do a lot of work in film production. We take care of protective gear for the stuntmen and paint their helmets. It is usually necessary to draw hair and ears so that it’s not obvious that a driver is wearing a helmet as the car somersaults on the screen.”
Troy is always sketching
Troy keeps on sketching during our talk in the office. Using his hand, that is. I notice a whole bunch of felt-tip pens on his desk. “I don’t use computers in my work at all. I draw everything by hand, though the images are then converted to digital form by my boys who are well versed in computer programs. They take it to the next level. It’s proper teamwork.” When I was here last, the place was also full of motocross bikes from Troy’s racing team. But warehouses now stand where workshops used to be. The company is growing, but where did he move his team, which switched from Honda to KTM in 2015?
New premises with KTM
“Since becoming a factory team, we moved to a location not far from here, one where KTM is based as well. We wanted to be closer to them. KTM wanted to have more say as regards our team and the only way to do that
Racing runs in the family. Troy’s grandfather was the first to organise races and speed record attempts at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
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was to make the move. My nephew Tyler is the head of the team and I think it’s also good for his job to be as close as possible to KTM staff. Roger De Coster very kindly helped us get KTM’s support for the up to 250cc class, but since we haven’t won the championship yet, we kept wondering how to get those extra 20 percent. One of the decisions was to move under the same roof to facilitate the flow of information and knowledge.”
Akrapovič exhausts
“That’s also how we ended up with first-rate equipment like Akrapovič exhausts. I’d heard of the brand before and I knew they were a quality outlet, but only when I looked at their exhausts did I see how seriously they take attention to detail. Believe me, I have an eye for detail. Akrapovič exhausts are pieces of art and our racers are very happy. There is a clear upwards shift in quality. Now we use up far fewer exhausts…”
More a racer than designer
As I’m saying my goodbyes, Troy adds on the parking lot: “Honestly, I’ve always been more of a racer than a designer. I didn’t want a career in helmet colouring, I wanted one in racing. But life is what it is. I raced professionally for three years and painted helmets on the side as a hobby. Every time I got injured, I returned to colours and graphics with more zest, because I simply had to make the money to survive. Nobody believed then that I would succeed. Dad and Mom kept telling me that there was no way I’d be making a living with helmets. I actually thought they were probably right, but I persisted.” And this is how Troy Lee still managed to become the fastest racer. Not on a motorcycle himself, but rather by designing the most amazing racing helmets.
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// Si Troy Lee – dizajner in dirkač Trgovina podjetja Troy Lee Designs v Kaliforniji je pravi muzej in raj za ljubitelje dirk. Povsod visijo dirkaške čelade in podpisani kombinezoni. Na vsakem koncu so parkirani dirkalni motocikli. Na steni visi celo pravi dirkalnik serije IndyCar. Celotni imperij in znamko, ki jo danes uporabljajo “najhitrejši dirkači sveta”, kot pravi slogan podjetja, je zgradil Troy Lee. Lastnik dirkaške ekipe Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM Factory Racing je od nekdaj zagret motokrosist in še vedno aktivno dirka v kategoriji dirkačev, starejših od 50 let. Troy Lee je med prvimi začel barvati in poslikavati zaščitne čelade za dirkače. “Še vedno uživam v tem. Rad sedem za mizo in naredim poslikavo čelade. Obožujem tovrstno delo, ki pa se je zadnja leta precej spremenilo. Danes so v ospredju sponzorji. Brez njih ni nič. Okoli njihovih logotipov potem gradiš izgled čelade,” pravi 59-letni Američan. Poleg čelad oblikuje plakate. Veliko jih naredi za filmsko industrijo, zlasti za filme ali dokumentarce, povezane z dirkaškim športom.
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by Imre Paulovits photography Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Ducati Team, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, Polarity Photo / KTM Images, Team Suzuki Ecstar
Know your rider
Standing out from the crowd MotoGP bikes come in a sea of colours, blending motorcycle manufacturer labels with accessory giants and sponsors worth millions, all of whom want to be in the spotlight. But so do the riders and they still manage to squeeze in their distinctive personal features.
In the pioneering days of world championship racing it was not difficult to identify individual riders. If nothing else, their faces were easily visible under the open-face helmets. Then came the full-face versions, the face disappeared, but the helmet’s larger surface presented an even
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bigger canvas to apply individual paintwork, which soon became the riders’ trademark. As early as the 1970s, Barry Sheene showed the world how to be distinctive with a few tricks, such as a graphic on the helmet and a fixed
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start number written in the same style for years. Today’s MotoGP heroes have found even more ways to stand out from the colourful cluster of sponsored machines and rider equipment.
PR master
As a master of public appearances, Valentino
Valentino Rossi, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
Flying ace
Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) also
his childhood racing in minibike, and can still
pushed the boundaries in race outfit and bike
be found on the edge of his visor. Drudi initially
personalization. Still a teenager, he and his
came up with a helmet design featuring the sun
after the ace pilot from the movie Top Gun and
friends invented all kinds of flashy things to stand
and moon to reflect the two sides of Rossi, which
the Spaniard has been consistently employing
out from the crowd. Then he tasked his friend
was followed by numerous different, yet distinct
the image and symbolism of American fighter
and designer Aldo Drudi with producing images
and unmistakable helmet finishes that no other
pilots while in MotoGP. “Top Gun” in the style
of him and his pets as cartoon characters, first
racing rider had had before.
of the movie logo is emblazoned on the back of
as “Rossifumi”, then as “Valentinik” and finally
The overall appearance of the nine-time world
his race suit, while his helmet design, his start
as “The Doctor” as well as making stickers in all
champion has remained unique to this very day,
number and the inscription on his windscreen
kinds of poses. Following the example of Kevin
even in the changing employer and sponsorship
are deliberately kept in shades of grey in stark
Schwantz, he chose neon yellow as his personal
environment, and the neon yellow 46 has
contrast to the neon yellow of his team-mate.
colour, and a lot of the things he and his friends
become known by more than just race fans. “The
came up with found their place on his gear. The
Doctor”, written in colourful capital letters on
“Tribù dei Chihuahua”, a fictional Indian tribe
his lower back and on the windscreen, has also
When colours collide
that served as the name of his childhood gang,
stayed put for years, just like the dogs and cats
was until recently emblazoned on his helmet.
who found their place behind the seat.
The turtle, once the mascot of the legendary Tazio Nuvolari, was adopted by Rossi during
His teammate Maverick Viñales was named
Neon yellow is not only used by Valentino Rossi, but also by Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rider Andrea “The Maniac” Iannone. His teammate Aleix Espargaró has opted for a contrasting pink and yellow combination, making it very easy for
both cameras and competitors to recognise him. While there was a dash of pink and yellow on the bike in the 2019 season, the new 2020 Aprilia only kept the contrast for the start number, though the two colours can still be found on Aleix’s leathers as well as on his boots and helmet. Aleix heavily leans on both colours which
Numbers matter too
In the past, start numbers were assigned according to the final standings from the year before, but GP riders soon began following in the footsteps of Barry Sheene, who had kept his start number 7 throughout his career. These numbers are all individualised in shape and
Danilo Petrucci, Ducati Team
serve as a tribute to his baby twins Mia and Max.
colour and have thus become a trademark over time. Aleix Espargaró has a pink star in the 4 of his 41, his brother Pol has the two fours of his 44 very close together. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider also kept his nickname “Polyccio” from his childhood. His new teammate Brad Binder had used 41 for years, but had to change it because it was already in use when he moved to MotoGP. The South African opted for 33, which has been stylised so that it can be read like his initials BB. The MotoGP rookie has changed his helmet supplier for this year, but kept his beautiful Sakartdesign paintjob, where the colors of South Africa are artistically spread over the helmet, incorporating his mascot - the cheetah.
A touch of style
Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Joan Mir has had a penchant for yellow for years, while his team-
As a master of public appearances, Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) also pushed the boundaries in personalization. Still a teenager, he and his friends invented all kinds of flashy things to stand out from the crowd and later he tasked his friend and designer Aldo Drudi to draw him and his pets as cartoon characters.
Joan Mir, Team Suzuki Ecstar
Pol Espargaró, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Andrea Dovizioso’s longstanding relationship with Ducati meanwhile resulted in his nickname “Desmo Dovi”, which he proudly displayed on the back of his racing overalls. For this year he changed it to “Undaunted”, a horseshoe with his number on it as the middle “U”.
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mate Álex Rins prefers red, so colourful splashes are deliberately incorporated into their race
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suits and start numbers 36 and 42, respectively.
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Suzuki has also painted a yellow and a red tongue in their bikes’ air intakes to be able to better tell them apart. The sturdily built Ducati Team rider Danilo Petrucci bears his nickname “Petrux”, which is sewn on the back of his suit, like an ancient Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
warrior. His teammate Andrea Dovizioso’s longstanding relationship with Ducati meanwhile resulted in his nickname “Desmo Dovi”, which he proudly displayed on the back of his racing overalls. For this year he changed it to “Undaunted”, a horseshoe with his number on it as the middle “U”. Dovizioso’s start number has for some time been 4, written as 04 and he had kept a white and a black horse on both sides of his helmet for years to symbolise the mind and instinct. However, the horses have now been placed on his boots, with the Japanese anime character Pegasus taking over the helmet. “Thanks to his armour, Pegasus can turn into a white robotic horse, as rational an engineer as I am!” Dovi explains the purpose of the mythical knight on his helmet.
Personality shines through
These are but a few examples of how the heroes of MotoGP, both past and present, embellish their outfits in order to let their personalities shine through. While such decorations do not
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Brad Binder had used the start number 41 for years, but had to change it because it was already in use when he moved to MotoGP. The South African opted for 33, which has been stylized so that it can be read like his initials BB.
improve the cornering, accelleration or top speed of their motorcycles, they most certainly make the sport more interesting and give us another insight into the minds of the men riding the machines. Long may it continue!
Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rider Aleix Espargaró has opted for a contrasting pink and yellow combination, making it very easy for both cameras and competitors to recognise him. Aleix heavily leans on both colours which serve as a tribute to his baby twins Mia and Max.
Story
by Volker Hirth photography Audi
PLAYING ALONGSIDE THE BIG BOYS’ ORCHESTRA
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WRT Team Audi Sport
Everybody roots for the underdog. The dark horse, seemingly without a chance for success, which somehow manages to overcome the odds and achieve the impossible. But it does not happen by magic. It requires skilful leadership, a manager who knows how to motivate, a dedicated and hardworking team and the pieces of the puzzle might just fall into place. The Belgian private W Racing Team (WRT) has been facing this challenge for many years – since last year in the DTM, one of the technically most advanced global racing series, as well. It has not become the champion yet, but it has shown that this underdog can bite. Front row at the Lausitzring, 4th and 5th overall at the Nßrburgring, and the team had the best rookie among the drivers. It was not always the first violin, but was at least playing with the orchestra of the big boys. And it might just signal to others that private teams in the DTM can be on an equal footing with their works counterparts.
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Former Belgian racing driver Vincent Vosse, his
that it’s possible to compete with the big boys
former engineer and ex-member of Volkswagen
as well. That inspired me.” The challenge really
Motorsport René Verbist, and entrepreneur
is quite enormous. He has to do a lot more
Yves Weerts founded the team around ten
budgeting. What the other teams do with 18
years ago with Vosse now serving as its co-
people he has to do with 16. More manpower
CEO and team manager. WRT has bagged 36
is off the cards. Though, truth be told, his
titles since its founding, becoming one of the
pride of their achievements in his first DTM
most successful private teams globally. Vincent
season did shine through during our interview.
is justifiably proud of those achievements,
His crew is a ragtag bunch from very different
though his first season in the DTM, despite
racing series. They come from Formula E,
everybody singing his praises and talking about
rallying and the GT and touring car series. He
a very good rookie year, has not met his high
would have liked to hire experienced people
standards. According to him, it was actually
from among the top engineering experts.
WRT’s worst first season in a racing series.
Financial constraints, however, meant that he
“But if the others are happy, I am too,” Vincent
had to do mainly with newcomers, some of
shrugs. The others? First of all, there are the
whom did not know DTM well at all. How can
partners with Audi being the most important
one be successful like that? “ We simply had
one. “We have a superb relationship with Audi,”
to be a little smarter than the others. We may
Vincent explains. “When we are at the front of
have to be better at working together than the
the grid, just like at the Lausitzring, they are as
others. Mechanics and engineers must work
happy as if it was somebody from the works
well together. We don’t have the resources
team.” A lot of trust has been generated during
the big boys have. We have to work closer and
the many years of cooperation and while there
this can be motivating. I was lucky last year
is no technical transfer between his team and
that I came together with the right people.”
the one managed by Audi Sport, learning by
Vincent’s leadership philosophy sounds anti-
watching is permitted. Many Audi partners are
authoritarian. “I interfere as little as possible.
automatically his partners too.
I need to trust the people I hired. I know the sport very well, but that doesn’t mean that I
A ragtag bunch He could have made his career an easier one. Get hired as team manager with Audi, BMW or Mercedes and forget about budgetary woes. No, that’s not his style. “As a driver I was always racing with private teams. And I realised
Belgian Vincent Vosse, a former racing driver, founded this team with a couple of friends around ten years ago and is Co-CEO and team manager today. WRT bagged 36 titles since its founding, becoming one of the most successful private teams globally.
know everything. When I have an experienced engineer, who has spent 20 years in the business, it makes no sense to try and tell him to do something differently. He knows what he’s doing. I have to trust him and he also feels this trust. That’s how it works!”
Relatively safe The new season should be better. While the current situation is far from ideal, Vincent does not have to worry too much about his
“As a driver I was always racing with private teams. And I realised that it’s possible to poke the big boys as well. That inspired me.” Vincent Vosse
employees at the moment. One of his partners is a big logistics company, and most of his team found shelter there. This partnership was a stroke of luck as well, because the logistics industry is booming at the moment. Furthermore, WRT is still a supplier for Hyundai, Volkswagen and Toyota when it comes to the development of their racing cars. But nothing can compare to the excitement of the races and everybody is itching to go back to doing what they do best.
Gerhard Berger does a top job Vincent is keen on the coming races. As his team is now part of the show and not a rookie team anymore, he feels ready to deliver in a racing series he is very impressed with. “Of course, the DTM could also run with 1000 HP. But they don’t. And this makes them a really honest racing series. If you take the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for example, smaller teams do not have a realistic chance of winning it; so, although I love the event as a fan, I would not enter it just to be a participant. No, the DTM is really different. The cars have become very reliable and the costs are manageable. Gerhard Berger is doing a top job.”
Three cars on the grid DTM has wowed Vincent so much that he will enter the new season with three cars, one more than in 2019. The drivers are a good mix of talent and experience. Let us start with Ed Jones. The 25-year-old Brit from Dubai is a star in the US, where he raced in IndyCars, the American counterpart to Formula 1. When racing on the oval track, a driver needs the courage to steer his car through tiny gaps at more than 300 km/h. On racing circuits, however, it is the driving skills that are the decisive factor, a quality Jones should bring to the DTM. By his side will be Fabio Scherer, the just 20-year-old Swiss who came from Formula 3. The DTM contract fulfilled his dream. The third party is the only one with DTM experience – Ferdinand Habsburg, who raced with Aston Martin last year. Ferdinand is the great grandson of Emperor Karl I of Austria, but, being an Austrian, is not permitted to hold a title. If he could, he might have called himself Imperial Prince and Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary, Bohemia and Croatia. True blue blood there. Now he only needs to become a royal presence in the DTM as well.
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Story
by Gaber Keržišnik photography Shmee150 Archive, Ryan k Greger, Sam Moores, Josiah Kwong, Akrapovič
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TIM BURTON AKA SHMEE150
LIVING THE DREAM “It all began completely by chance. I used to be an avid skier, I was making a living as a ski instructor. My friend and I liked recording our ski stunts and after buying a new camera 10 years ago, I decided to try it out before putting it to real use on the snow. Setting out to do so, I ran into the Top Gear team by chance, who were shooting material for their show not far from me. They had a Ferrari 458 Italia and a Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. I shot some material, happy to have come across something interesting, and uploaded everything to YouTube. Imagine my surprise when I woke up the next morning to see that my video had been viewed more than 10,000 times overnight,” began Tim Burton – Shmee150.
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Tim began making an online name for himself in 2010 by creating a web presence and starting a YouTube Channel. He was also interested in modern electronic gadgets. He set up an online shop, quickly followed up by a brick-and-mortar store in London. However, he sold that relatively soon afterwards and set off in search of new adventures.
You never forget the first one “The first really fast car I bought was an Audi S5. I had it for about 6 months, but it’s not said in vain that you never forget your first one. Fast cars have always been my passion. Funny though, I’ve always been attracted to four wheels only. Motorcycles never really caught my attention, even though we crossed paths on several occasions. I’ve been to MotoGP races, I was lucky enough to meet Valentino Rossi, but riding fast on two wheels? No… that was never a part of my world,” Tim explains.
Across four continents Tim Burton is not the kind of person to let fast cars or supercars just gather dust in a garage. Most of all he likes to take them out for a spin, at every opportunity and to every place possible. He only had five of them last year, but the number has since grown to eleven. During the winter, Tim and his team were planning a new adventure. They want to take the supercar collection to four different continents and, of course, record and combine all the footage into an entertaining video. Apart from Europe, they are also interested in America, Africa and parts of Asia. “We are always looking for new places and new continents. New cars as well, of course. They can either her be mine or just borrowed for an adrenaline lap or two. My team and I have built up enough trust and we can really live our supercar dream,” adds Tim, who has become a well-trusted name by the carmakers and whose passion and unique take on presenting their latest and greatest models had resulted in many car brands happily lending him their unique machines, which he, it must be said, always drives within speed limits.
Tim is also a racer
is global and so is my audience. Shmee is a
Akrapovič exhaust systems
Tim Burton, aka Shmee150, likes to relax on
story about fast cars and a dream job, though I
Tim Burton uses Akrapovič exhausts on some
a racing circuit. You can often find him on a
never bring my personal life into it. Unlike some
of his cars. Currently this means a Ford GT
racetrack or an abandoned airport, enjoying the
other youtubers posting similar content, I never
and a Mercedes-AMG G 63. According to
sound of engines and the screeching of tires.
bring my family or private life online. One must
him, it’s not so much about the extra power
Every now and then he also takes part in track
be careful about that…”
and reduced weight, even though both do play
days, which allow him to truly let go and put the
a role. His favourite characteristic is the noble
pedal to the metal. He holds a racing licence and
Vehicles from his youth
sound that these prestigious cars produce
used to be quite a regular at races in the UK and
We obviously had to touch on the topics
through Akrapovič exhausts. “It’s more about
Germany. He has even taken part in the Mille
that are simply a must when two petrolheads
emotions and how beautifully and well made
Miglia regularity rally for classic and vintage cars,
come together. What’s his favourite car?
Akrapovič exhausts really are. I saw that with
in a legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, no less.
How does he decide which car to buy or
my own eyes when I visited the factory. Nothing
just take for a spin and what is his favourite
beats the beauty of a supercar sound. If you
Hardworking and obsessed with what he does
brand? According to Tim, the answer is iconic
are lucky enough to be able to hear it on the
models, though not necessarily the most
racetrack as you floor it out of a fast corner and
Work now takes up too much time, and there
recent ones.
is none left for racing. Tim is living the dream,
“It’s mainly cars from my childhood. They
but still remains, in his words, as hardworking
could be ten years old or even older. Lately,
and committed as he was at the start. “My job
I’ve been drawn to fast Mercedes models. I’m
is my source of income and my hobby. My team
thinking about a Mercedes C 63 Black Series,
and I devote all of my free time to it. We sleep a
but it’s not my only dream. I’ve been dreaming
little and work a lot. As far as my working hours
of a Porsche Carrera GT for quite some time,
go, you can usually find me behind a computer
and there are a few other cars in the running
screen even at 3 a.m. If I’m not behind a
as well. It’s hard to decide. Asking me what
steering wheel, I’m probably staring at a laptop
my favourite car is, is like asking a father
screen and munching on a sandwich. My work
which child is his favourite.”
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let the engine max out, you’ve probably just lived through the best moment any true sports car fan can experience,” says Tim, as our time together draws to a close and he prepares for his new adventure. So, where to next? Well, we don’t know that just yet. But it will likely be passionately recorded and include a steering wheel, a narrow seat with a huge engine at the back and probably being located quite close to the ground. And, perhaps, underneath gullwing doors.
by Alenka Birk photography www.slovenia.info, Iztok Medja (Pot med krošnjami d.o.o.), www.attrap-reves.com, www.sohohuse.com, www.ford.com, PR
TREETOP WALK -
Would you like to view nature as the birds see it? Try the Treetop Walk with a total length of 1,000 metres, located in the heart of the majestic forests blanketing the Pohorje massif, more accurately near the top of the 1,517-metre Rogla, Slovenia. Your breath will be taken away by the vistas from the 37-metre-tall tower, which not only gives you a panoramic view but also puts you within reach of giant trees, some of which are over a hundred years old. The walk will take you through a diverse forest where you will find many surprises and new things to learn about the processes inside the woods. www.potmedkrosnjamipohorje.si
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SLEEP IN A BUBBLE Would you like to sleep under the stars with all the comfort of a hotel room? Attrap’Rêves invites you to an unusual and romantic experience – glamping at a bubble hotel in the South of France, conveniently tucked away in a picturesque woodland area just a few minutes outside of Marseille. The magical sensory experience is made possible through the well designed and environmentally friendly accommodations, without sacrificing the ambience. A true Provençal pine forest is waiting for you inside the 15,000 m2 area. Have you ever wanted to sleep inside a bubble? Go for it, but be careful – everything is designed so as to prevent you from closing your eyes. So contemplate the milky way instead, until the moon shows its sleepy face. Sweet bubble dreams! www.attrap-reves.com
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Crazy Stuff
GREEK SUMMER PARADISE Perched above a rocky stretch of the Cycladic coastline is the Soho Roc House with 45 bedrooms, a poolside veranda, a restaurant and lounge areas. Some of the bedrooms have sea views and private terraces with hand-sewn hammocks. Just a short walk away is Scorpios, a beach experience set in a cove on the southern tip of Mykonos. Inspired by an ancient Greek agora, Scorpios is a gathering place and community of creatives, musicians and storytellers, with a restaurant, terraces and daybeds dotted across the sand. Wow! www.sohohouse.com/en-us/houses/soho-roc-house
EMOJI JACKET Expressing your feelings and warning others while on a bicycle has just become a whole lot easier. How? As part of the “Share The Road” campaign, Ford has commissioned a prototype Emoji Jacket featuring a large LED panel on its back, which allows the riders to more easily and more clearly show drivers what their intentions are and how they are feeling. The cyclist can activate emojis, indicators and the hazard sign using a wireless remote mounted on the bicycle’s handlebars. Emojis and bicycles combined – who would have thought it possible? www.ford.com
Driv e With Us
by Miran Ališič photography Bor Dobrin
STELVIO ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO IN THE HEART OF THE ALPS A name that evokes a mountain, steep and winding hairpin turns and an amazing backdrop, unrivalled in Europe. Stelvio is the highest mountain pass in Italy and the second highest paved pass in the Alps. The endless snaking hairpin turns carved into steep rock excite and at the same time bring despair to professional cyclists, whose course at the famous Giro d‘Italia almost always takes them over the legendary crossing between South Tyrol and Lombardy which also branches towards Switzerland’s Val Müstair valley at the Umbrail pass beneath Stelvio. Our Alfa Romeo with its “Quadrifoglio” green four-leaf clover does not share the concerns of the cyclists though, and the sporty SUV is fully justified of being named Stelvio. Just like the pass, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio could also hardly offer more.
O
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STELVIO
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was turning the car around near the top, I was
S telvio is the highest mount ain pass in It aly and the second highest paved pas s in the Alps.
approached by a middle-aged man, who had been, before being drawn to the roadside by the amazing sound, sipping his morning coffee on the terrace of the nearby rockmounted Tibet restaurant. “This must be an Akrapovič,” he began, adding: “As soon as I heard you approaching the summit from way in the distance, I was convinced that it was an
First the pass. Its highest point lies 2,757 m above the sea, but you will never be alone on the peak with its ageing hotels in dire need
Akrapovič, because it sounds so unique.” He continued praising the pipes that played the tune, adding that he comes from the east of
of renovation scattered around like a flock
Germany, and has quite a few Alfa Romeos in
of birds. They are joined by restaurants and
his garage. He asked us to take a few photos
bars, also in need of an overhaul, one of the
alongside the Stelvio and then remained
last summer ski resorts in the Alps, a dozen
leaning on the fence for quite some time,
souvenir stands abutting the road, a sandy
listening to the roar of the lightweight titanium
football pitch right here in the centre of the
Akrapovič exhaust.
Alps, the highest bank branch in Europe, a chapel and a bus station for a few regular bus lines serving Italy and Switzerland. To the north of the pass is the three-language peak (2,843 m), where Italian Lombardy, German-speaking South Tyrol and the Romansh-speaking Swiss Canton of Graubünden meet. The most interesting part of the pass is its eastern approach with its steep hairpin turns which we took on from the South Tyrolese village of Prato allo Stelvio in our test drive Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, rightfully red to reflect its fame.
Unfazed by inclines During its first few kilometres the road follows a narrow valley with gentle turns, not really allowing the 375 kW (510 HP) 2.9 V6 BiTurbo, developed with inputs from Ferrari, to fully strut its stuff. It does allow it to announce its power and flexibility as well as highlights the precise and extremely responsive automatic transmission. But as soon as we reach the first set of hairpin turns, Stelvio showcases its power, absorbing the incline with ease. Pressing on its neat Ferrari-style aluminium pedal leaves you feeling as if you were still on level ground. Not that the 375 kW would ever give you a reason to feel otherwise. Optional EUR 7,500 ceramic brakes are a welcome sporting addition if you want to push yourself and the car a tad more… Photographer Bor and I took off towards the top of Stelvio in the Stelvio early in the morning, which turned out to be the right choice, as we were basically alone on the pass until about 9 a.m. One more thing. Stelvio’s steering wheel was racing-precise.
Praising the symphony of the sound Near the top of the pass I made some U-turns, navigating the last few hairpins at least four times in order to line up the best shot. As I
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history: “This pass has always been the dividing line between two worlds, Italian in the west and Tyrolean, German, in the east. At first glance, it might not be that obvious, but even here, in this small area, there is a sharp dividing line between our German outlets and the Italian ones around the corner. Even though no borders exist here right now, historical boundaries still remain in our heads. Our interests are also very different. For us, Tyroleans, the pass is much more important than it is for Lombardy on the other side. The Swiss over there, well, they have kept to themselves throughout much of history and don’t really care much about our pass.” But that was not always the case. At the end of the 18th century, the Swiss from Engadin were able to prevent the construction of the road from Bormio over the Stelvio, as they were afraid about the impact on their own transport route through the Engadin valley, but when Lombardy became part of the Austrian Empire after 1815, the Habsburgs moved swiftly to construct the shortest link between Lombardy and the interior of the empire. Over 2,000 workers built the 50-kilometre stretch between 1820 and 1825, a remarkable feat for a time without machines. Until 1848, the road was also kept open in the winter and a horse-drawn carriage with changing stations required about nine hours to cross. Now it is mainly a tourist road.
Best-in-class SUV Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s descent towards Bormio is less spectacular as it lacks the steepness, the hairpins and the giddy overhangs that mark its eastern side, so I turn right at the Umbrail pass beneath Stelvio to Val Müstair in Engadin,
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Switzerland, and double back from there to my starting point in South Tyrol. This Alfa Romeo proudly carries the green four-leaf clover that adorned the victorious Alfa Romeo race cars at
Thöni’s kiosk
grand prix races 90 years ago. That was when
As the sun’s rays reached the lower parts of the
Alfas were best in class. Even now we can
pass, it was time for a break. We were there in the middle of the week and the pass slowly began filling up with people occupying more
safely say that Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is at the top of its SUV category. Even more so when equipped with an Akrapovič exhaust.
and more tables on the terraces, while the first souvenir shops began opening the wooden doors of their kiosks. I stopped at the one run by 40-year-old Kristina Thöni with Thöni written above the kiosk. “Yes, yes, almost all of us from the village below are at least distantly related to the famous skier,” she answered a bit testily when I asked her if she was in any way related to the ‘70s ski icon Gustavo Thöni. She opened up a bit more when I asked her how her business was high up here in the middle of the Alps. “It’s tough, customers look at many items, but only buy a few,” she said.
Historical boundaries in the heads Mrs Thöni cannot avoid the area’s complicated
This Alfa Romeo proudly carries the green four-leaf clover that adorned the victorious Alfa Romeo race car s at grand prix races 90 year s ago.
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Story
A classic car His workshop is in ZĂźrich West, in a small lane opposite the Letzigrund stadium, but the Weltklasse (World Class) track and field meeting held next door interest him little. His heart beats not for athletics, as the 80-year-old Antonio Costantini has been a car lover all his life. His reputation as a surgeon for classic cars brought him global renown. And this is where he truly is world class.
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surgeon Antonio Costantini
by Miran Ališič photography Ivana Krešić, Alberto Cirigliano, Alberto Costantini Archive
This was his last winter at his shop as well as his last handover of a vehicle. When we met on a rainy morning, the workshop was already almost empty. “It was different once,” he begins to explain in Italian, “but I guess all things must come to an end.” For over 30 years the man from southern Italy has been restoring high performance cars, mainly Ferraris and Maseratis. “There were never more than two, three a year,” Antonio reminisces. “I always wanted to work alone. Me, my tools and my wife as the backbone of the organization.” Seems like they were a successful pair. Antonio met Margret during a test drive in a VW Beetle. At that time he was helping a friend who ran a petrol station and from whom Margret had bought a second-hand “Käfer”. “This was 60 years ago and I wouldn’t have made it without Margret,” Antonio stresses, showing us an album full of photos. The dominant colour there is red, Ferrari red more exactly. But it all began quite differently.
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The 80-year-old Antonio Costantini has been a
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car lover all his life. His reputation as a surgeon for classic cars brought him global renown.
Apprenticeship in a garage
working for free. In fact, he still went without
He was born in 1940 in Martano, not far from
“In the village they talked about Switzerland,
With just five years of secondary school
Lecce, in the deep south of Italy. “After the
the need for mechanics there and that they
under his belt, Antonio began a new life in
war we were very poor and my father died
paid 2.50 Swiss francs (EUR 2.20) per hour.
Switzerland. “To me it was like a different
when I was 14,” Antonio recalls his youth in
Can you imagine? In 1960, when we earned
planet, everything was very difficult, but all I
Italy. His mother tried to get an apprenticeship
nothing!” Antonio managed to make it to the
wanted was to learn and succeed,” Antonio
in a garage for her technically inclined son
border in Wattwil in Toggenburg. “It was very
says. At the start, he was changing his
and this proved to be the perfect choice. He
different from today. Only a few passed the
employers frequently, while improving his skills
was proud to have been given the chance
strict medical tests and were let through by the
everywhere he worked. It seemed to work,
to become a mechanic, even though he was
Swiss border guards. I was lucky.”
as he received a call from the Lamborghini
payment when he made it to chief mechanic.
New life in Switzerland
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“My first restored Ferrari was a 275 GTB/4 and my job was to fix the mechanical parts. The body was restored by specialists in Modena, while I rebuilt the engine, gearbox and other mechanical systems.”
Chief Ferrari mechanic
dealership in Zürich a bit later. “Suddenly I
a “Cavaliere” in Italy, with the certificate
got to know people from a totally different
signed by Italian president Carlo Azeglio
environment. I could hardly believe that I
Ciampi. A very proud Antonio Costantini
Eventually it became all Ferrari. Swiss importer
was allowed to work on Lamborghinis.” His
also showed us his membership card for the
Karl Foitek made the switch from Lamborghini
boss recognised the young mechanic’s skills
“Meccanici Veterani Formula 1”, and although
and Antonio thus became the chief Ferrari
and offered him advanced training in the
he never worked in Formula 1, he was
mechanic. Foitek had three sons and chief
Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
awarded for his effort in the restoration of a
mechanic soon turned race mechanic. During
He learned quickly, literally soaking up the
Ferrari 500 F2 from 1952, the very racing car
the week he worked on the Ferraris in the
knowledge and his diploma as a Lamborghini
Alberto Ascari used to win the first F1 World
workshop and on weekends at the race tracks.
mechanic was personally signed by Ferruccio
Championship title for the Scuderia from
Margret meanwhile took care for the two
Lamborghini. Later on he was knighted, made
Maranello (1952 and 1953).
children at home. “But I always wanted to have
His reputation soon spread out from the Zürich West district of Altstetten. It reached Turkey, then South Africa, even sheiks brought their Ferraris or Lamborghinis by plane to be serviced in Zürich.
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my own workshop,” he says, eyes shining. He
the car surgeon from Apulia explains his secret
was supported by two very wealthy clients –
of how to do customer relations. When he
Antonio doesn’t name them – in the transition.
turned 70, his clients organised a multi-day
“Back then Foitek predicted that it would be
classic car rally over the Swiss mountains. It
three months at the most before I would call
was called Coppa Costantini and Antonio’s
him back,” smiles the short man, who has finally
Ferrari featured number 70. “The weather was
exchanged his red works overalls for a pair of
bad, but the atmosphere was amazing.” In the
jeans and blue jacket. “My first restored Ferrari
meantime, he has also acquired two Ferraris of
was a 275 GTB/4 and my job was to fix the
his own. A Ferrari 400 GT, because he wanted
mechanical parts. The body was restored by
his children to be able to accompany him, and
specialists in Modena, while I rebuilt the engine,
a Ferrari 512 BB.
gearbox and other mechanical systems.”
Making everything perfect
The final gem – a Ferrari 275 GTS
Antonio is a very precise man who wants to
He reminisces about his pieces of art and
you!). The moment was fitting. His children
mentions that the Ferrari 250 features his
showed no interest in continuing his work
favourite engine. “That’s an indestructible
and the small workshop opposite the “World
piece of machinery and with 12 cylinders it
Class” stadium is scheduled to be demolished
also looks beautiful.” A much less treasured
anyway. Antonio Costantini says that he keeps
memory is the Maserati 450 S. “A very difficult
all the drawings and mechanical details in his
engine, extremely complicated and it was
head and that’s where the other traces of his
tiresome and demanding to restore it.” And his
lifetime achievement will remain – the workshop
final gem? That was another Ferrari – a 275
will disappear, but the incredible story of a
GTS. “A German customer wanted to have it
classic car surgeon will survive. Just like the
in its original state and it took me two years
energetic retiree, who speedily drives off in his
to deliver,” Antonio wistfully talks about his
modern Abarth 500. In the future he will work
final vehicular surgery. “Maybe it took a little
in a small studio, which is set up similarly to the
longer because I knew it would be my last car.”
workshop, and above all will work as an adviser
On this occasion he even published a book
for collectors.
make everything perfect. “But this takes time and requires patience. Besides, I didn’t want to work with others – I wanted to keep control.” His reputation soon spread out from the Zürich West district of Altstetten. It reached Turkey, then South Africa, even sheiks brought their Ferraris or Lamborghinis by plane to be serviced in Zürich. “In this job, discretion is king, alongside properly documented repairs and a detailed invoice. The customers may be wealthy, but most of all they are aficionados with a lot of knowledge and passion for cars. They always want to know everything about them and it was my task to know even more,”
entitled Und Tschüss – Ciao! (Bye-bye – see
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In 1960 Antonio managed to make it to the border in Wattwil in Toggenburg. “It was very different from today. Only a few passed the strict medical tests and were let through by the Swiss border guards. I was lucky.”
// Si Antonio Costantini – “kirurg” za starodobnike Antonio Costantini spada med vodilne restavratorje klasičnih italijanskih avtomobilov. Več kot 60 let je ljubitelj avtomobilov z juga Italije, ki se je leta 1960 preselil v Švico, z veliko strasti in največjo natančnostjo opravljal svoj poklic ter obnovil na desetine predvsem Ferrarijevih in Maseratijevih klasičnih avtomobilov. Z ženo Margret sta več kot 30 let vodila majhno delavnico v zahodnem delu Züricha, kjer je dosledno izpolnjeval visoke zahteve strank. Pridobil si je sloves “kirurga” za starodobnike. Antonio Costantini je za svoje življenjsko delo dobil več priznanj. Zanj je najpomembnejše, da ljudje razumejo njegovo delo. Konec leta 2019 je 80-letnik delavnico zaprl, ker so stavbo porušili in zdaj deluje kot svetovalec.
Travel With Us
My Botswana
DIAMONDS ARE NOT FOREVER
When you think of Africa, motorsport is probably not the first thing to come to your mind. What the name rightfully evokes is nature and wildlife and, perhaps, precious stones. We all adore safaris, we love unspoiled wilderness, and diamonds, we are told, are a girl’s best friend‌ But yes, there is motorsport in Africa as well. Mostly at the northern and southern edges of our beautiful continent. I am an airline pilot during the week and a competitive motocross rider on the weekends. And I use up my free time to sign up for the Dakar. I have done it twice already. But this article will not be about me, my motorsport activities or Dakar adventures. You will rather read about my adoptive land. So, ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts and prepare for take off!
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by Ross Branch
photography Getty Images/istock
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Dear passengers, I hope you enjoyed your flight
“a place of small stones” is also home to the
and welcome to Botswana, the land of people
richest diamond mine in the world. And those
who speak the Tswana, a language spoken
are clean diamonds, with all workers having
by roughly 5 million people in southern Africa.
good wages and well organised health and
The land of exclusive safari destinations and
education systems. Most of us, the people of
a burgeoning mineral industry, predominantly
Botswana, are “diamond babies”, because most
diamond mining. The land that was known as
were able to make our dreams come true with
the British protectorate of Bechuanaland before
the help of our well organised social system.
gaining independence in 1966 and is currently Africa’s oldest continuous democracy. The land that has grown from just 400,000 people in 1950 to just over 2.2 million people now. And, finally, the land whose capital looks more like Las Vegas than an African city. Gaborone, until 1969 spelled as Gaberones or Gaborone’s town after a tribal chief whose village occupied the territory during colonial times, will not bog you down in chaotic traffic. Its streets are clean, sleek glass towers dominate the skyline and the open or street markets so common in Africa have been replaced by a large number of modern shopping malls, especially at the “Main Mall” strip in the town’s centre. It is a small capital city for a country the size of France and is currently home to only about 230,000 people. While that may not seem like a lot, you must
Workers here work hard, but are paid well, live in nice houses and receive free education and health care.
Kalahari desert The defining feature of the country is without a doubt the Kalahari. Meaning “the waterless place” in Tswana, it covers 70% of the country, though it being called a desert is a bit of a misnomer. This is not the Sahara and while you can come across some spectacular sand dunes, it is best described as a semi-arid sandy savannah. This means that it can support a lot more wildlife than a pure desert, with the country’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve serving as proof of its abundant wildlife. This game reserve covers 10% of the country’s
remember that just 50 years ago Gaborone was
surface area, is the second largest game
a village with a couple hundred shabby houses
reserve in the world and, to put it in perspective,
and a British cage tower. Not to mention that
is larger than the Netherlands!
back then it was located in one of the poorest
In the northwest of the country, the Kalahari
countries in Africa with a GDP per capita of just
advances and retreats as part of the annual
EUR 64. The country’s GDP per capita stands
ritual dance with the Okavango Delta, which
at around EUR 6,800 today and the annual
turns large parts of this dry land into a lush
growth during the past fifty years never dipped
inland paradise during its seasonal flooding.
under 4%.
There you will find a miniature Africa, with some
So what is fuelling this rapid growth? The
900 species of animals and 1,500 species of
country’s biggest source of revenue are
plants calling it their home. Visiting the delta
diamonds with the Botswana government and
is a must for anyone who enjoys the outdoors
De Beers each owning 50% of Debswana, the
and safaris as the region contains its own
leading producer of diamonds by value in the
unique ecosystem alongside a treasure trove
world. My hometown, Jwaneng, which means
of flora and fauna, some only found within its
The Kalahari Ferrari Ross Branch was born in South Africa, but his family soon afterwards moved to Botswana, which he nowadays calls his home. Settling down in the small mining town of Jwaneng, his love of motorcycles started at an early age and he would either ride with his father across the Kalahari or repair motorcycles in the garage. Having competed in MX1, Ross also ventured off into Cross-Country racing and endurance, finding considerable success in the desert races in Botswana and South Africa. His career highs include winning seven Botswana 1000 Desert Races, earning him the nickname “Kalahari Ferrari”, two consecutive OR1 and overall Cross-Country Championship titles in 2016 and 2017. He followed all of that up with a brave assault at the mother of all rallies, the Dakar, where he finished as best rookie and crossing the finish line in 13th place in 2019. All even more impressive when you learn that he works as an airline pilot during the week and only races during the weekend.
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boundaries. Book soon though, because the number of tourists is intentionally kept low to
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maintain the pristine nature of this seasonal paradise, which was named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013 and officially listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2014.
Okavango Feeding the mighty delta is the Okavango river, which brings in the precipitation that falls in the Angolan highlands in January and February. The majority of the abundant rainwater usually completes the 1,500-km journey southwards between June and August, reaching the delta in winter, also the driest season in Botswana. This bountiful influx causes the delta to swell to about three times its usual size, covering some 15,000 square kilometres and resulting in one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife, drawn to the abundance of food and water from other much more arid places. But all this wealth of water is destined to evaporate. Not a single drop from this inland delta makes it to a sea or an ocean.
Migration of zebra and wildebeest Another treasure trove of nature, the Makgadikgadi Pan, is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The pan is all that is left of what used to be a lake larger than Switzerland which dried up tens of thousands of years ago. Recent DNA studies have shown that our first ancestors began to evolve in this region over 200,000 years ago, when the landscape was very different, made up of lush grasslands, lakes, rivers and woodland. Archaeological research has moreover revealed the presence of prehistoric man through numerous finds of stone tools. On a more contemporary note, the world’s largest migration of zebra and wildebeest can be seen crossing the Boteti River to Sua Pan. The Nata Bird Sanctuary in Sua Pan is a great place to view birdlife, such as the breeding flamingos, and antelope. You can also see paintings from 19th century British artists on baobab trees in Nxai Pan.
Working for a bright future While Botswana might mainly mean diamonds to the rest of the world, we, the people of Botswana, are not putting all of our eggs in one basket. We are well aware that the supply of precious stones dug from beneath the earth will eventually dry up. We welcome investment into our politically stable country in farming, tourism, finance and IT industries in order to diversify and secure a bright future for our people. We want the former Bechuanaland and the current Botswana to remain an oasis of nature and peace, where wildlife and man can live together and where prosperity and peace are the same for all. I am therefore proud to be able to say: “Welcome to Botswana. Welcome to my land.”
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Original
Inside volcanoes is where Ulla Lohmann makes her dreams come true Want to visit the place Ulla Lohmann calls home? Try 600 meters below the rim of a volcanic crater, less than 50 meters above a boiling lava lake with a temperature of several hundred degrees, in the midst of rising gases and vapours. This is where she fulfils her dreams by doing science, photography and filming. “Don’t dream it – do it,” is the slogan of the 42-year-old who was brought up in a small village in Rhineland-Palatinate. She fell in love with volcanoes while still a child following a trip to Mt. Vesuvius, where her father showed her the ruins of Pompeii. The little rest that was needed was supplied by Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
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by Karin Sturm photography Ulla Lohmann
Dreams don’t have to stay that – just dreams. You can make them come true, even if it sometimes takes a little longer due to setbacks. What is needed most of all is passion. “I like this word, because it also contains the difficult parts, the suffering one sometimes has to go through to reach one’s goal,” she explains.
EXPEDITION LEADER Countless obstacles have been placed on her path indeed, some so grave that they might well have driven others to despair, such as the premature death of her father and a serious injury that put a stop to a promising career in gymnastics. But then the highs came as well; winning a youth research competition that brought EUR 1,500 in prize money, which she used to help finance her first big trip around the world. When the money ran out, she managed to get hired as a chef on a ship in the South Sea. She told the captain she could cook – which was not exactly the case. But when this white lie was discovered, the ship was already on the high seas… Cooking is fortunately
ULLA LOHMANN
a skill that can be learnt, and it also helped her secure her first place in a major expedition as an expedition chef for an international research team she crossed paths with.
EVERYTHING IS FUN However, from there to expedition manager, internationally recognized documentary filmmaker and photojournalist was still a long journey that took nearly 20 years. “One has to keep the passion burning – even when it’s sometimes not so easy to keep the fire going.” To rappel into a volcano in a way that nobody had done before “can take up to ten years of preparation. But when one really loves what one does it’s not really a problem. Up to now I’ve never had the feeling that this is my job, because I’ve had so much fun with what I’m doing.”
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST Being inside of volcanoes, studying the uncontrolled force of nature is one part of what she does. Ulla is a researcher at heart, one who wants to help to better understand the processes inside the earth, also with the aim to develop better warning systems for upcoming eruptions. But she is also acutely aware of the humans living nearby her beloved volcanoes, most of all the indigenous peoples of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu in the South Pacific, and strives to preserve their ancient knowledge, which often explains through myths what modern science tries
Dreams don’t have to stay that – just dreams. You can make them come true, even if it sometimes takes a little longer due to setbacks. What is needed most of all is passion, is the belief of Ulla Lohmann.
to understand today. She wants to put people first, as she does so often in her images. “That may be more of a female thing. I only noticed it after a while. Men and women may have to master the same things during expeditions, but they often have different points of view. I find the connection between people and the environment very exciting; it is my very special area.”
VOLCANOES ARE PREDICTABLE She does not feel that she is particularly at risk during her expeditions: “One learns to assess and weigh up the risks. The better one knows the surroundings, the better one knows how to behave. Volcanoes
are predictable; there are signs before they erupt. I have always felt at home in nature. A night out alone in the jungle? For those not used to it, it might be a nightmare, for me, no problem! I generally don’t feel comfortable in big cities, because what will happen can be quite unpredictable. I know how to deal with a snake, how it behaves, I’m familiar with that. I’m not so sure about people on drugs or drunks.”
SON MANU IS ALWAYS WITH HER But she doesn’t want to remain completely on the outside either. Travelling between her home base in Upper Bavaria, nestled between the Alps and Lake Starnberg, and the exotic destinations has its allure. The location of the family base is where it is mainly due to husband Basti, an experienced climber and mountaineer, who hails from the area. Their son Manu, who has already seen 41 countries at the age of a mere 20 months, seems to love this kind of life as well. He just soaks it all in and has fun wherever he is, be it at the foot of a volcano or inside an auditorium of the Alpine Club in Cologne, where he helps in arranging the chairs. Does it change one’s life, the attitude towards one’s activities, after a child is born? “I’ve always taken responsibility for me and my team, always only done what I could feel responsible for. And it’s not as dangerous as it looks. When one knows the environment and prepares accordingly, one can make good assessments. It’s more predictable than any motorway in the world.”
CLIMBING THE HIGHEST PEAKS IN ALL 47 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES Ulla is very concerned with how to justify a lifestyle that entails a lot of flying in the current time of climate change and the need for sustainability. “It’s not as if I do it mainly for pleasure. Additionally, there are interesting projects basically right outside the door, which could be done by land travel. We want to climb the highest peaks of all 47 European countries for example. Some of them – in the Alps – during winter, also to make people more aware of climate change.”
ULTIMATE DESTINATION – MT. EREBUS But there still exists an ultimate destination far away: Erebus, a volcano in Antarctica, between the poles of “fire and ice”. “Very few people went there as of yet, and nobody ever really rappelled into it. This is what I very much want to do!”
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“Men and women may have to master the same things during expeditions, but they may often have a different point of view. I find the connection between people and the environment very exciting; it is my very special area.� Ulla Lohmann
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High Gear
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E-sports and sim racing
IT IS NO LONGER A DIRTY WORD TO BE CALLED A SIM RACER Nearly everything we do today is digital. Phones, emails, reading world news from an app or watching the latest film riddled with CGI, but how does this digital element come into the world of motor racing. “Obvious!” I hear you cry, thinking of ECUs, engine strategy in racing and software predicting tyre degradation through a car race, but actually the main area of digital that is growing in motorsport is e-sports and sim racing. With our mobile phones turning into tiny laptops, they have become an integral part of our lives – at any one given time 75% of adults can grab their mobile phone without moving their feet while students spend between 6 and 12 hours a day on their devices. Generation Z are more likely to use a mobile phone as their primary device to watch YouTube… you get the picture. However, in motorsport, the quality of virtual reality has reached such heights that it should almost be called “nearly reality”. The introduction of a new GBP 5m simulator at Mercedes-AMG F1 team has given it a machine that has been running for five days a week and all seven days during a Grand Prix weekend testing set ups in order to get that elusive fastest lap time. The proof of the effectiveness is plain to see as Mercedes have won the F1 World Championship title for the past six seasons straight – no other team has ever done that in the history of the sport – and this is partly down to the six top flight drivers hired by Mercedes-AMG F1 to use the simulator more and more as testing restrictions become ever tighter. F1 sims in factories are a world away from when Ferrari used to have three test teams running cars concurrently at Mugello, Fiorano and other circuits spending billions of lire per season on trucks, mechanics and travel – never
mind the chassis, bodywork, tyres and the rest. So how can the tech of the F1 world blend with the competitive world of gaming? E-sports is the answer and it has been going on since the advent of the internet and connectivity. The Nissan GT Academy was the first to bridge the digital and real worlds with Lucas Ordoñez and Jann Mardenborough winning their drives in F3 and then 24 Hours of Le Mans. There was the proof that they could drive digitally and cross over to do it in the real world on a real race track. GT Academy pioneer Darren Cox says: “E-sports bubbled under the surface for very long, but these guys are no longer to be ignored as F1, MotoGP and 24 Hours of Le Mans have all created their own e-sports championships. There is now no longer a blurring of the lines between real and virtual world racing. It’s here.” F1 teams have their own hand-picked e-sports drivers who are integral for the team but it works the other way too, with F1 race winner Max Verstappen teaming up with Lando Norris to win the virtual Spa 24 Hours last year with an Audi R8 LMS. The Dutchman has always been a sim racer but has now let it be known it is no longer a dirty word to be called one. Manufacturers are embracing it too, as the simplicity of racing games makes them more approachable than many other games; everyone knows what a race is, so attach a steering wheel and some pedals and mum, dad, brothers and sisters will instantly know what to do once the lights turn green. In 2019 Porsche offered around EUR 90,000 purse for their Porsche Esports Supercup with a big finale hosted by them in Germany. Sebastian Hornung of Porsche put things into perspective: “Kids grew up with cars, toys and
The article here does not necessarily correspond with the opinions of Akrapovič d.d., the publishers or the editors.
by Toby Moody illustration Natan Esku
posters 20 years ago, now it’s computer games. 20 hours a week with your favourite car or brand, an exposure you can’t get with advertising in a normal way. That is a big part of our marketing approach, and e-sports is a continued roadmap of that. Make a competition, become a beloved brand for sim racing, and be in the relevant mindset to really make fans first, and then hopefully make customers out of fans.” Indeed, Porsche has used the Forza Motorsport game to reveal their Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the Cayman GT4 Clubsport before they were unveiled in the real world. You can’t blame them either, with the near perfect replication of tracks, the surroundings, the crowd… even the faces of the mechanics are similar to those in real life and that is even before the winners of global sim racing championships receive their awards and stand alongside their real-life heroes. Sim racing and e-sports are here to stay and this was brought home to me by a MotoGP rider racing a sim bike at Suzuka. “There’s a bump in one corner that meant I never got the perfect line through it, and in the game I still had the same problem.” But the final word must go to Darren Cox who sums it up perfectly. “There’s been a massive change of acceptance over the past 18 months with F1 teams embracing e-sports, but it’s the old story of nothing changes until everything changes all at once.” Time to buy a wheel and some pedals, I think.
Toby Moody International motorsport TV broadcaster for both two wheels and four, having commentated on motor sport for 20 years. Follow @tobymoody / Twitter and Instagram
Akrapovič Slip-On Line (Titanium) exhaust system for enduro motorcycles Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020
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GENERAL WARNING Because of the world-wide distribution of Akrapovič d.d. products, neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of its subsidiaries make any representation that the products comply with the air and/or noise emissions laws, or labeling laws, of any jurisdiction. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of the applicable laws where the products are to be used and to comply with those law. WARNING USA Various U.S. states and the U.S. federal government have individual laws regulating the use of aftermarket exhaust parts and systems, especially as those parts and systems modify, remove, or replace original equipment catalysts. Please consult the appropriate laws in your area before installing any aftermarket part or system on your vehicle to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries or the sellers of the parts or systems make any representation that any of their parts or systems comply with any such laws. WARNING CALIFORNIA California laws prohibit the use of any aftermarket exhaust part or system that modifies, removes or replaces original equipment catalysts unless the California Air Resources Board has issued an Executive Order regarding such part or system or unless the part or system is exempted by being used only on racing vehicles on closed courses. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries make any representation that any of their parts or systems has received such an Executive Order or that any of their parts or systems conform with the racing vehicles exemption. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of applicable California laws and to comply with those laws.
Product code: 801880
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Akrapovič d.d. Malo Hudo 8a, 1295 Ivančna Gorica, Slovenia / www.akrapovic.com
GENERAL WARNING Because of the world-wide distribution of Akrapovič d.d. products, neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of its subsidiaries make any representation that the products comply with the air and/or noise emissions laws, or labeling laws, of any jurisdiction. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of the applicable laws where the products are to be used and to comply with those law. USA WARNING Various U.S. states and the U.S. federal government have individual laws regulating the use of aftermarket exhaust parts and systems, especially as those parts and systems modify, remove, or replace original equipment catalysts. Please consult the appropriate laws in your area before installing any aftermarket part or system on your vehicle to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries or the sellers of the parts or systems make any representation that any of their parts or systems comply with any such laws. CALIFORNIA WARNING California laws prohibit the use of any aftermarket exhaust part or system that modifies, removes or replaces original equipment catalysts unless the California Air Resources Board has issued an Executive Order regarding such part or system or unless the part or system is exempted by being used only on racing vehicles on closed courses. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries make any representation that any of their parts or systems has received such an Executive Order or that any of their parts or systems conform with the racing vehicles exemption. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of applicable California laws and to comply with those laws.