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News

BMW U.S. Rider Academy To Hold Course For GS Trophy Qualifiers

Do you need some training before your big day? Do you want some tips? Well, BMW Motorrad U.S. is offering a two-day course to help participants prepare for the qualifiers.

The U.S. GS Trophy team qualifiers are coming soon, scheduled to take place from October 12 to 15, 2023. This weekend event will determine who will represent the United States as part of the 2024 International GS Trophy Team in Namibia.

Next year, three men and two women will be chosen to represent the United States. For more details, check out our other article.

The course, hosted by BMW Motorrad U.S., will take place from September 20 to 21, 2023. The BMW U.S. Rider Academy will hold a class to help aspiring International GS Trophy competitors improve their skills and increase their chances of securing a spot in next year’s competition.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience individual and team challenges in the style of the International GS Trophy, as well as develop their off-road adventure riding skills to prepare for the qualifiers.

Enrollment in the course costs $1,800 USD, with the fee covering bike rental for two days from the BMW U.S. Rider Academy. This advanced to expert-level course is designed for those with solid off-road riding experience.

If you want the best chance of securing a spot in the U.S. GS Trophy Team, this course is a good option. Not only will you get more time in the saddle, but you will also gain insight into the qualifying round of the competition. September is the last opportunity to take this prep course, so enroll now.

Motorsport

Witness the Tesla Model S Plaid Reach Its 200 MPH Top Speed on the Autobahn

When it comes to production vehicles, very few can compare to the sheer power and speed of the Tesla Model S. Regardless of your stance on electric cars, it’s impossible to deny the jaw-dropping acceleration of this super sedan, with its 1,020-horsepower drivetrain propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in just two seconds and completing the quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds. The only compromise is typically seen in the top speed, as electric vehicles usually fall short compared to their combustion-powered counterparts.

However, there’s an exception to this rule. The Model S Plaid featured in an incredible recent video from AutoTopNL is certainly capable of reaching 200 mph. While the standard version of the Model S Plaid has a limited top speed of 166 mph, we have previously witnessed another Model S Plaid reach this speed in just 14 seconds. However, the Model S Plaid in this video has no such restrictions. Equipped with a track package and a full-size steering wheel, it was pushed to its limits by a skilled driver on a deserted stretch of the German Autobahn.

And the limit in this case? 328 kph, which is exactly equivalent to 203.8 mph. The highway was quiet enough for a full-throttle acceleration from a standing start, allowing us to witness not only the impressive final top speed but also the mind-blowing acceleration of the Model S Plaid. The video shows the car reaching 100 kph (62 mph) in just 2.56 seconds, followed by 200 kph (124 mph) in a mere 6.82 seconds. The official timer reveals a quarter-mile time of 9.62 seconds and a half-mile time of 15.03 seconds. The Model S Plaid covers a mile in 24.22 seconds, although the driver had already started decelerating by that point.

Unfortunately, the video does not include the time it takes for the car to reach its maximum speed from a standstill. However, based on the time stamps, it can be estimated that the sprint takes approximately 22.5 seconds, which aligns with the one-mile time as the driver starts to slow down at the mile-mark. All of this impressive performance is achieved in an eerily silent manner.

The video also features the Model S Plaid taking some laps at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, showcasing its prowess on the race track. While there’s no doubt about its formidable straight-line speed, the track package undoubtedly enhances its performance in the corners as well. Tesla recently reclaimed the Nurburgring lap record for a production electric vehicle, completing the Nordschleife circuit in an impressive 7 minutes and 25.23 seconds.

News

Ural Motorcycles introduces Green Tanager Accent Kit for the Gear Up

If you’re a fan of bright colors on motorcycles, you’ll be excited to hear about Ural’s latest Special Project color package for the Gear Up. The 2023 Gear Up Standard 2WD initially came in a standard color called International Klein Blue. To make it more eye-catching, Ural took inspiration from nature once again and created the Green Tanager accent package. This package includes lime green accent pieces such as a headlight bezel, luggage rack, skid plate, lime green badges, and lime green tanager drawing decals. The result is a vibrant and summery look.

The name “Green Tanager” comes from two birds, the glistening green tanager and the green-headed tanager, both of which have similar color schemes. The glistening green tanager has lime green feathers across its body, while the green-headed tanager features a green head transitioning into bright blue feathers on its wings, with pops of neon yellow, black, and acid green under the wings and toward the rear.

If you love this color combination and own a Gear Up or plan to buy one, you can purchase the Green Tanager accent package from your local Ural dealer. You have the option to have it installed by the dealer or install it yourself. The package itself costs $2,250. Adding black powder paint to the powertrain will cost an additional $1,000. A brand new 2023 Ural Gear Up Standard 2WD in International Klein Blue has an MSRP of $21,999.