Uncategorized

Woolie's Return to Laguna Seca

Aug 26, 2016

Deus Ex Machina's Michael Woolaway was invited up to World Superbike Championships at Laguna Seca Raceway to be in the Motul paddock with the Ago TT, his newly finished MV Agusta Brutale 800rr. Just hours after the final assembly of the bike was completed in Woolie's Workshop, the van was loaded up and on its way north a day before the races to explore a bit of the Big Sur coast and the beautiful Carmel Valley wine-country, where Woolie spent much of his childhood with his family. A special bonus of the trip was an impromptu visit to the new Talbott motorcycle museum in Carmel Valley that just so happens to have a mighty fine collection of vintage MV Agusta racers. Here is a gallery of the field-trip in it's entirety and an account of the experience from the man himself. Special thanks to Jim Krantz for the use of a few of his photos. Read more about the AgoTT HERE Join us for the bike release party on Sunday August 28th at 9am - 1pm at Deus Venice "When I was approached to build a bike for Mv Agusta it was a no-brainer for me as I grew up idolizing the brand and their factory rider Giacomo Agostini. Getting the bike finished by in time to go to Laguna Seca for World Superbike was a challenge but I really wanted to take it up there because as a kid my dad would take us to the races all the time and some of my best family memories are at Laguna Seca with my dad and brothers. In fact being at those races back then is probably the biggest influences that has shaped me into who I am today. After working all those hours late into the night to complete the bike, before I knew it we were there pulling into Laguna Seca and it all came back me, my memories as a kid. We saw the Porsche 917's run there in the Can AM series and Mark Donohue was the man to beat. I also saw King Kenny Roberts win many races there on his Factory Yamaha TZ. With so many good memories of camping and barbecuing with my brothers, I wondered if things had changed over the years for this new generation of race fans. It did not take long to see that things where still as I remembered, the feeling of relaxation and fresh air where people came out to see the riders put it all out on the line for a victory or at least do there very best with what they came with. It was then time for me to bring the Ago TT into the pits and it was great seeing so many familiar faces and catching up with my friends at Team Hammer and Graves Motorsports on the way to the Factory MV Agusta team paddock area. What happened next was totally unexpected as the factory mechanics came out and started looking at the bike and saying "Bella! Bella!". I was amazed that these guys paid any attention to it, as they are working with the highest level motorcycles and parts. Motul was one of the big sponsors of this build and they had a full agenda for the bike and on Saturday it all kicked off with a big the crowd in the press tent. It was an honor to present the build that I had put so much work into. Pirelli provided some racing slicks that were put on at the track thanks to Newport Italian and we got access to the track at sunset for some photos and some track time. In all it was a great weekend and I recommend to take your family to the races and camp out and give your kids a memory they will never forget." — Woolie Special thanks for support from MV Agusta, MOTUL, Pirelli, and Atelier Faust, and WSBK.

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!