When BMW released the M3 GTS, you would have expected that there would be drivers from all over the world drooling at the chance to take the almighty car out for a spin.

Well, drivers, drool with envy. MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi already has first dibs.

The Italian motorbike superstar earned the privilege after being awarded the BMW M award prize for being this year’s Best Qualifier. As part of this prize, Rossi was given a chance to run the M3 GTS around the Ricardo Tormo circuit for a few laps.

After his much-enviable run around with the M3 GTs, MotoGP found Rossi and asked about his comments on the car. “It was amazing in the GTS, just amazing,” he said. “It was great, especially under braking with the light weight that it has.”

Rossi was so taken by the M3 GTS that he even managed to convince BMW to trade in his BMW M Award prize for a brand-new M3 GTS, making him one of the very first owners of BMW’s new superduper sports car.

Yes, we know. Some guys just have all the luck.

MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi takes the new BMW M3 GTS out for a run originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 November 2009 10:00 EST.

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We ran into Top Chef’s Fabio Viviani at the Red Bull Grand Prix in Mazda Raceways at Laguna Seca. Although Fabio was deeply focused on the track, he still took time for a pose. Fabio was cheering for the Italian Team, while climbing up the hill toward the best spot on the track, the famous ’Corkscrew’. At the end of the qualifying session Valentino Rossi, the fastest Italian on two wheels ended up at the 2 position.

Valentino rossi

TopSpeed with Top Chef's Fabio originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 4 July 2009 18:44 EST.

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Today, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) announced the end of the 250GP class. The sanctioning body unanimously voted to the following changes in the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations:

 Unleaded fuel will comply with the new EU standards;
 Replacement of the 250GP class with 600cc four-stroke engines.

Currently, the 250GP class consists of two-stroke engines with a maximum of 250cc. This class has been active since the inception of the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix by the FIM in 1949. Although the reasoning is understandable, the thought of completely eliminating the 250GP class is sad, to say the least. It has always been the most successful of the so-called “support” groups to MotoGP (the premier racing class). In fact, it was the 250GP where manufacturers like Aprilia, KTM, and others made their mark in motorcycling racing.

I realize in this eco-friendly world that a two-stroke engine is considered worthless and unnecessary; however I had the pleasure of seeing a real 250GP in the form of an Aprilia RS250. It was a few years back at a local bike rider’s watering hole and this very different sounding bike pulled up. It was probably the coolest looking bike I had ever seen. It looked and sounded like it was ready and waiting for the next Grand Prix. The end of an era in motorcycle racing has been thrust upon us; I do believe a moment of silence is owed to the 250GP class.

MotoGP Rule Changes: 250GP is History originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 29 June 2008 08:10 EST.

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Casey Stoner wins the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 23 July 2007 11:07 EST.

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"The Doctor" speaks about the Red Bull U.S. Grand prix originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 20 July 2007 07:10 EST.

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Ducati is returning to Misano again for an occasion that any true Ducatista should not miss originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 18 July 2007 13:00 EST.

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MotoGP returns to Indianapolis originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 16 July 2007 22:16 EST.

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Dani Pedrosa wins the German Moto Grand Prix. originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 16 July 2007 20:39 EST.

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Casey Stoner wins the German Grand Prix pole position originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 14 July 2007 19:48 EST.

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Rossi seals Yamaha's 150th victory originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 10 July 2007 10:42 EST.

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20 July 2007 - 22 July 2007

2007 Red Bull USGP Ducati Island originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 10 July 2007 09:00 EST.

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MotoGP to INDY originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 22 June 2007 02:43 EST.

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