Last week, we wrote about retired Formula One racer Michael Schumacher taking part in a track day at France’s Paul Ricard circuit on a Ducati 1199 Panigale. The event’s sponsor, Monster Energy, has released a video offering a behind-the-scenes look at the event.

The seven-time F1 champion was joined by TT racer John McGuinness, retired MotoGP racer Randy Momola, Moto2 racer Pol Espargaro and Keith Flint, a musician from the group Prodigy and a racer in the U.K.’s  Hottrax Endurance Championship.

Schumacher rode on a Panigale dressed in the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team’s gray color (perhaps a bit awkward considering Ducati‘s new owner Audi). As expected, McGuinness rode on his Honda TT Legends team’s CBR1000RR, and Espargaro on his FTR Kalex Moto2 bike. Mamola rode a Yamaha YZF-R1,while Flint rode his Suzuki GSX-R1000 endurance racer to complete the varied collection of sportbikes.

Check out the video after the jump, and especially the shot of the four riders pulling wheelies just after the 3-minute mark. Continue Reading »

Formula One racing star Michael Schumacher is a noted motorcyclist, having competed in various motorcycle races after his initial retirement from car racing. Schumacher was no slouch either, and once received an open invitation to ride a Honda in the World Superbike Championship.

Schumacher recently got a chance to ride motorcycles on a track, taking part in a track day at the Paul Ricard circuit in France organized by Monster Energy and Mercedes-Benz. Schumacher was joined by some notable company as well, riding with retired Grand Prix racer Randy Mamola, TT racer John McGuinness, Moto2 racer Pol Espargaro and musician Keith Flint of Prodigy, who also happens to be an endurance racer.

The now re-retired Schumacher rode a Ducati 1199 Panigale (pictured in the red leathers below), and McGuinness says he acquitted himself well alongside the professional motorcycle racers. Continue Reading »

Former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz headlines a star-studded group of racers taking part in a parade lap during the 2012 Isle of Man TT.

Schwantz leads the group of six racers, past and present, selected by helmet-maker Arai to take part in the parade lap of the Isle of Man’s Mountain Course. Schwantz has visited the Isle of Man before, but this will mark his first closed lap of the circuit.

Joining the 1993 World Champion will be fellow American Randy Mamola, former TT racer Phillip McCallen, former British and World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson, eight-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson, and MotoGP racer Cal Crutchlow. Continue Reading »

Retired racer Loris Capirossi has been named BMW M MotoGP Expert, representing the official MotoGP safety car provider in the world championship.

Since retiring from racing after the 2011 MotoGP season Capirossi has been serving as MotoGP’s Safety Adviser. That, plus his familiarity with the MotoGP paddock and its racing circuits, makes him the logical choice as an ambassador for BMW M, the German manufacturer’s racing-performance subsidiary. Capirossi takes over the position from Randy Mamola who held the role for the last 13 years. Continue Reading »