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B MW D r i v i ng E xperience
No Grip? No Problem!
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P G o t o M in i t a c u D h it w iC Akrapov >>>
by Primož Jurman
by Primož Jurman
photography Primož Jurman
photography Ducati
The famous Italian brand presented its new MotoGP bikes, rider line-up and new partners for the 2014 season including Akrapovič.
The onset of winter turns roads into skating rinks. Low temperatures, snow, and ice can be a problem for many drivers. But BMW has a solution: it’s called BMW Ice Perfection training. And there’s no better place to experience winter conditions than where winter is at home – Scandinavia. To be more precise: in Lapland, in the town of Arjeplog, just a few kilometres away from the Arctic Circle. Temperatures regularly dip below minus 30 degrees in the winter, making coldness a guarantee. Water freezes and turns beautiful lakes into a perfect playground for cars and
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drivers. BMW maintains a winter test center here in Arjeplog, in order to test their cars in extremely cold weather conditions. Overseen by experienced BMW instructors, the participants are taught the secrets of driving in proper winter conditions while driving the powerful BMW M3. They even discover new dimensions of driving – not to mention drifting. The course is not just educational – it’s also a lot of fun! The over 70-cm thick ice provides a perfect venue for endless fun. Such an experience and adrenaline shot might only be matched by a taxi drive with the
“Ice Racer,” a customised BMW M car that has undergone some weight reduction, been fitted with an Akrapovič full titanium exhaust system and special tyres with spikes. The BMW outpost is also important for Akrapovič, as it hosts an M3 and M6 equipped with a full titanium Akrapovič exhaust system, thereby showcasing the exhaust’s quality as it continues to function without a hitch even in these extreme conditions. Powerful cars with a perfect sound – a great combination to have a great time, despite the lack of grip.
After the Ducati Team press conference in early March at the Audi Forum at Munich Airport, the new Desmosedici GP14’s livery was unveiled to international media and Audi Group management in an evening event, the day before the Audi Annual Press Conference for the Audi Group’s 2013 financial year at Ingolstadt. Two Desmosedici GP14 machines, in an exciting new matte colour scheme, entered the stage, driven by Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow, in front of over 300 international members of the press, who were invited to Munich and then to Ingolstadt by Audi for the Annual Press Conference. It was also a night to remember for Akrapovič, since from this season onwards, Italian bikes are being equipped with Akrapovič Exhausts. The night brought back memories from 1991, when Igor Akrapovič was developing aftermarket exhausts systems for Ducati’s models 851, 888 and 926. With those bikes some important racing successes in the history of Akrapovič were achieved and it was a long journey of more than 20 years from that humble start to the present, as Akrapovič is the official sponsor of Ducati Corse for MotoGP programme. Claudio Domenicali (Ducati Motor Holding CEO), introduced the team, represented on the stage by Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager), Paolo Ciabatti (Ducati Corse Sporting Director) and by two riders for 2014 - Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow. The sporting activities for the new season and the technical details of the new Desmosedici GP14 were illustrated, in light of the latest tests and the decision to take part in the MotoGP championship in Open configuration. He stated that Ducati was ready for the new MotoGP season, firmly convinced in the enthusiasm, passion and technical competence of the team, together with the support of sponsors, »tifosi« fans and partners. That includes Akrapovič, which is proud to be with the Italian brand and has high hopes for the best possible results in the 2014 MotoGP season. Founder and owner of Akrapovič, Igor Akrapovič, was on hand at the presentation of the team and said: “We are extremely proud and pleased to have started working with Ducati’s MotoGP factory team, after several years of talks. We feel upbeat, especially with the enormous progress shown in preliminary testing. We believe that our work contributed to the positive results of the tests as well.”
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“Ducati was ready for the new MotoGP season, firmly convinced in the enthusiasm, passion and technical competence of the team.”
Claudio Domenicali Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso