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Motorcycle Forum / General / Racing / September 2008Indy MGP (spoiler, for those who care)
I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather conditions as this. Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves and trash blowing all over the place. I hope this is an anomaly for this year. I think it was a good call to end it when they did. As for the race, it was pretty damn good. Rossi worked on Hayden for a long time, made some moves and got repassed but eventually made it stick. It did look like Hayden had a good speed advantage at the end of the front straight but Rossi got next to him going up the straight and dove in past him for the lead. Then he sort of eased away. Anyway, Hayden rode the best race I've seen him do in a long time. Dovisioso looked pretty tough too. It was nice to see him lead a few of the early laps. Spies rode a great race to hang with Stoner and Dovi. He looked very good out there. I hope people who matter take note of that. That was the first time Lorenzo ever finished on the podium in a wet race in his entire career. I wasn't super impressed with the coverage but it wasn't the worst I've seen. The course looked pretty decent, though, particularly for an infield thing (which usually suck).  Signaturetanx, Howard I'll take the case! remove YOUR SHOES to reply, ok? > I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather conditions as this. > Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves and trash blowing all over the > place. I hope this is an anomaly for this year. I think it was a good call to end it > when they did. The wind was blowing VERY hard from where I sat, at the top of the turn four (oval) stands, but I didn't see anything get on the track there and I don't know how hard ot was blowing at track level, and it wasn't raining hard, although it started to drizzle over the last six or so before they called it. It was definitely getting dark in that midwestern storm kind of way. What I didn't agree with was calling the 250 race so quickly. It wassupposed to go off at 4:15 and the weather was much better by 4:30, much brighter, no more rain, wind reduced to a breeze. Hate to put it in those terms, but the (old) AMA would've gotten it in. The called it pretty quickly, because I couls see the cornerworkers packing it in long before they announced it. > As for the race, it was pretty damn good. Rossi worked on Hayden for a long time, > made some moves and got repassed but eventually made it stick. It did look like > Hayden had a good speed advantage at the end of the front straight but Rossi got next > to him going up the straight and dove in past him for the lead. Rossi's pass for the lead was at the end of the infield straight, not the front straight. Nick hung for quitw a while after that, but then you could see he just wasn't getting any grip on the left side, he just wasn't driving off the corners as hard. The track was very mixed most of the race, some spots with standing or running water but a lot of it damp but not really wet, it hadn't really rained in some time. It seemed likely that tire wear would be impacted, and Nick's soft choice bit him in the end. But Rossi was pretty clearly the fastest guy on thw track, although it took him some time to get by both Lorenzo and Hayden. >> I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather conditions >> as this. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > or so before they called it. It was definitely getting dark in that > midwestern storm kind of way. This was not a midwestern storn. A midwestern storm would have blown over in about 15 minutes. I was watching the weather radar all morning and during the race. You could see the storm was moving very quickly. NWS wind info: Noon: 22 mph out of the south with gusts to 31 1 pm: 16 mph SE gusts to 31 2 pm: 22 S / gusts 28 3pm: 25 SW / gusts 41 4pm: 33 NW / gusts 59 5pm: 26 W / gusts 37 About 70 miles south of Indy there was a wind speed recorded at 81 > What I didn't agree with was calling the 250 race so quickly. It > wassupposed to go off at 4:15 and the weather was much better by 4:30, > much brighter, no more rain, wind reduced to a breeze. Hate to put it > in those terms, but the (old) AMA would've gotten it in. The called it > pretty quickly, because I couls see the cornerworkers packing it in > long before they announced it. I suspect that a big part of the reason that they cancelled the 250 race was because they missed their live TV broadcast window. >> As for the race, it was pretty damn good. Rossi worked on Hayden for a >> long time, [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > guy on thw track, although it took him some time to get by both > Lorenzo and Hayden. > > It was definitely getting dark in that > > midwestern storm kind of way. > > This was not a midwestern storn. Didn't say it was. A midwestern storm would have blown over in > about 15 minutes. > I was watching the weather radar all morning and during the race. You could > see the storm was moving very quickly. Exactly. Particular conditions didn't hang around very long all day - the classic "don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it'll change" thing - very much unlike Friday, which was more typical weather. > > What I didn't agree with was calling the 250 race so quickly. It > > wassupposed to go off at 4:15 and the weather was much better by 4:30, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I suspect that a big part of the reason that they cancelled the 250 race was > because they missed their live TV broadcast window. I think the real reason was that they called the MotoGP race without a restart, due to conditions (and probably the refusal of certain key individuals to go out again), and could hardly send the 250s out then. Remember that rescheduling the 250 race already put it out of its window. > > It was definitely getting dark in that > > midwestern storm kind of way. > > This was not a midwestern storn. Didn't say it was. A midwestern storm would have blown over in > about 15 minutes. > I was watching the weather radar all morning and during the race. You could > see the storm was moving very quickly. Exactly. Particular conditions didn't hang around very long all day - the classic "don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it'll change" thing - very much unlike Friday, which was more typical weather. > > What I didn't agree with was calling the 250 race so quickly. It > > wassupposed to go off at 4:15 and the weather was much better by 4:30, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I suspect that a big part of the reason that they cancelled the 250 race was > because they missed their live TV broadcast window. I think the real reason was that they called the MotoGP race without a restart, due to conditions (and probably the refusal of certain key individuals to go out again), and could hardly send the 250s out then. Remember that rescheduling the 250 race already put it out of its window. >> I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather conditions >> as this. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > or so before they called it. It was definitely getting dark in that > midwestern storm kind of way. I was in Corner 7 Terrace. It cleared up and was half way decent for the start of the main race, although still windy. Then, with eight or so laps to go the rain came. I suppose me and my two brothers would have enjoyed it a little more if we would have bought rain ponchos once we got there and not after we were walking in the rain for thirty minutes. The weather was horrible. I was at all the F1 races at Indy except the first. One thing that stuck out - the F1 crowd at Indy was very international. When I walked around I heard many different languages. Not so for this MotoGP race. It seemed all were Americans. Well behaved too, but all Americans. I think the foreign visitors to the F1 races are the ones that kept that race afloat at Indy. I hope this race can survive at Indy without the big international crowd. One question - I went into one of the main track gift shops and noticed they had no shirts hanging up on the back wall. Were those shirts all sold out or did the gift shop simply not put shirts up on that wall? I'm talking about the gift shop with windows on all of one side of it. > > The wind was blowing VERY hard from where I sat, at the top of the > > turn four (oval) stands, but I didn't see anything get on the track [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > would have bought rain ponchos once we got there and not after we were > walking in the rain for thirty minutes. The weather was horrible. Eh, you just have to gut it out, and it's something you'll remember. I thought Friday was tougher, rain pretty much all day and I didn't buy my pancho until Sunday morning. Sunday was a walk in the park... > I was at all the F1 races at Indy except the first. One thing that > stuck out - the F1 crowd at Indy was very international... I hope this race can survive at Indy without the big international > crowd. There were a few globe-trotters there, but it was pretty local, lots of folks who don't know bike racing all that well. Nothing like Laguna in that respect. It did seem like there was an appreciation for the action, although I didn't see much interest in 125 or 250, and a lot left before they called the 250 race. They also seemed to be behind the American riders more - the race has no chance if there aren't Yanks in the class. > One question - I went into one of the main track gift shops and noticed > they had no shirts hanging up on the back wall. Were those shirts all sold > out or did the gift shop simply not put shirts up on that wall? Sold out. I bought my stuff on the way in on Sunday when they had some left. >> > The wind was blowing VERY hard from where I sat, at the top of the >> > turn four (oval) stands, but I didn't see anything get on the track [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > thought Friday was tougher, rain pretty much all day and I didn't buy > my pancho until Sunday morning. Sunday was a walk in the park... Exactly what I thought - it's something we all will remember. I was feeling bad tho for those that traveled long distances to see the race. Me - I'm only an hour away. Not a long drive. But, when the rain was coming down and the wind was blowing, I had a little smile on my face and I was laughing a little thinking to myself - if this was held in the summer with nice warm weather, all I would remember is - another nice day watching cool racing. But now I will always remember having to tuff it out in the wild weather while watching the cool racing. Actually, I was laughing a lot at the weather we were in! After watching all the F1 races there and going to the NHRA U.S. Nationals last week - every time the MotoGP cars came around the corner I had the same thought - uh, where are the other two wheels on these cars? Oh yeah, these are motorcycles! > > I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather conditions as > > this. Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves and trash blowing all over [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > or so before they called it. It was definitely getting dark in that > midwestern storm kind of way. You could see crap blowing around the track on TV. I consider the water on the track as part of the weather conditions. > What I didn't agree with was calling the 250 race so quickly. It > wassupposed to go off at 4:15 and the weather was much better by 4:30, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Rossi's pass for the lead was at the end of the infield straight, not > the front straight. You're right - my mistake. What I wrote implied the pass was on the front straight. That wasn't my intention. Signaturetanx, Howard I'll take the case! remove YOUR SHOES to reply, ok? > As for the race, it was pretty damn good... Dovisioso > looked pretty tough too. It was nice to see him lead a few of the early laps. That's about all he did, he was fading much of the race. Could be he made a too-soft tire choice. Spies > rode a great race to hang with Stoner and Dovi. Had the race not been flagged, he certainly would've gotten Dovi, and maybe Stoner, who looked pretty inconsistent. He'd closed on them from quite a ways back, having taken a number of laps to get by Pedrosa early on. He looked very good out there. I hope > people who matter take note of that. Problem is, it may be too late. He was clearly faster than Vermeulen and Capirossi, particularly Loris, who sucked all weekend, so that typically GP-centric decision is looking pretty stupid right now. Spies doesn't seem to figure too much in the Ducati plans, which are all about guys like Gibernau, Canepa, Elias, Kallio, equally GP- centric and short-sighted. Kawi is apparently gone, those also lined up for career GP guys, which just leaves satellite Hondas, a bad way for Ben to get in, if it happens. Just makes me shake my head - typical... That was the first time Lorenzo ever finished on > the podium in a wet race in his entire career. And maybe Hayden as well? Can't recall for sure. > The > course looked pretty decent, though, particularly for an infield thing (which usually > suck). Except for the small complex after the first turn, which was lame and caused problems in the wet. And there didn't seem to be too many prime passing spots. But I thought watching outside the final complex was good, a nice chunk of faster turns and decent action in the race. I'd to back again. But in August next year it'll be hot, very hot... >> Spies rode a great race to hang with Stoner and Dovi. >>He looked very good out there. I hope people who matter take note of that. >Problem is, it may be too late. He was clearly faster than Vermeulen >and Capirossi, particularly Loris, who sucked all weekend, so that [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >for Ben to get in, if it happens. Just makes me shake my head - >typical... We've locked horns in the past, but on this I have to agree with you - if no one takes up Spies in 2009 then that's a big loss to GP. SignatureChamp Mark N <menusbaum@earthlink.net> Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:51:21 >which just leaves satellite Hondas, a bad way >for Ben to get in, if it happens. It's not working too bad for Dovi this year. SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Not Responsible For Unsolicited Manuscripts or Email The Eurosport guys had Chaz Davies in the booth. He was saying he has no idea where he'll be racing next year, because the US scene was such a bloody mess. And then they were saying that Ben Spies was probably racing in the US next year. But where, on what, in what series? SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Not Responsible For Unsolicited Manuscripts or Email > The Eurosport guys had Chaz Davies in the booth. He was saying he has no > idea where he'll be racing next year, because the US scene was such a > bloody mess. And then they were saying that Ben Spies was probably > racing in the US next year. But where, on what, in what series? The last thing I saw on his GP prospects was with JiS, which is in the process of splitting with Scot post-Dovi. But Honda isn't encouraging a 7th bike, Scot wants to run their 250 Jap (and you know Honda will eat that up), LCR is back with de Puniet (gag), and Gresini will get two bikes and is reported to be chasing Elias as well as having de Angelis and Harada (double - triple? - gag). So the jig is pretty much up in GP for Spies unless Alice pulls a surprise. WSB is probably in a holding pattern, and Batta wants him, assumedly also Corse (with Vermeulen gone) and perhaps others. But the freight is one problem, and that Ben will likely only sign up anywhere with a MotoGP deal tied into it. So who wants to pay him for a year to learn the tracks and then leave? My guess would be that there will be a Honda/Suzuki-DMG compromise by Laguna, and Spies will return for another year of SB racing plus a number of wildcards plus a guaranteed GP ride for 2010. The CN post today on the AMA schedule is heavily front-loaded (Laguna is on the July 4 weekend, and only two rounds indicated after, although at least NJ will be added), so Spies could effectively be a 3rd Rizla rider over the 2nd half. And he'll get his $2-3M... Mark N <menusbaum@earthlink.net> Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:57:17 >WSB is probably in a holding pattern, and Batta wants him, assumedly >also Corse (with Vermeulen gone) and perhaps others. The main Ducati Corse ride has gone to Haga, no? >Spies will return for another year of SB racing plus a >number of wildcards plus a guaranteed GP ride for 2010. There is no guaranteed GP ride. Not ever. It all seems to be changing by the hour. Maybe there will be a DGM SBK series to the agreed 2009 rules and moving to FIM rules in 2010. SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Not Responsible For Unsolicited Manuscripts or Email > Mark N <menusbaum@earthlink.net> Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:57:17 > >WSB is probably in a holding pattern, and Batta wants him, assumedly [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > It all seems to be changing by the hour. Maybe there will be a DGM SBK > series to the agreed 2009 rules and moving to FIM rules in 2010. Maybe: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=34230 Signaturetanx, Howard I'll take the case! remove YOUR SHOES to reply, ok? Howard Kveck <YOURhoward@h-SHOESbomb.com> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:33:01 >> It all seems to be changing by the hour. Maybe there will be a DGM SBK >> series to the agreed 2009 rules and moving to FIM rules in 2010. > > Maybe: >http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=34230 After all the chaos this summer, that article just looks bizarre. As of a week ago, it didn't look like DGM had any series that was remotely like any of the FIM series. At least no SBK and a middleweight formula that was nothing like WSS. Arguably ASB was kind of like World Superstock but even that was different. Am I right in thinking that we're days away from a DGM announcement that in 2009 they'll have SBK to FIM rules[1], middleweight to FIM WSS rules and a Superstock 1000 to FIM Superstock rules. And that Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Jordan, Erion et al have signed up to run on all the existing tracks? And that they were wrong and Mladin has his points re-instated. And Daytona 200 will be SBK. And hell has frozen over. [1]You know what. 2008 AMA SBK is legal in 2008 WSB. They're just not quite as fast as they could be. So even now, it's not too late to go to FIM SBK rules for 2009. With the one exception of the spec tyre. None of the teams should find it hard to get the parts and information to build up bikes to the slightly higher spec. If not for Daytona then by June. SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Not Responsible For Unsolicited Manuscripts or Email > Howard Kveck >>> It all seems to be changing by the hour. Maybe there will be a DGM SBK [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > And hell has frozen over. No, hell will have frozen over when you are no longer fixated on everyone running the same Euro-rules for production racing... Ippolito has been seeking unified national SB rules for some time, and his intention is that they be lower spec than WSB rules. He's also complained about the AMA selling off all sanctioning and rules-making authority to DMG, leaving America with no FIM representation. My guess is that this meeting was about that, perhaps even initiated by DMG in an effort to do an end-run around MIC and whomever. The other thing that has to be considered is that this was posted by RRW, and their posts on this subject have precious little to do with journalism these days. Their spin is decidedly off plumb, although it's not clear exactly what their intentions are, beyond trying to keep racing from splitting into two series. Mark N <menusbaum@NYETSPAMearthlink.net> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:26:03 >No, hell will have frozen over when you are no longer fixated on >everyone running the same Euro-rules for production racing... Eventually, you'll understand the benefit of every national series running the same production based rules. When the USA eventually stops trying to go its own way and whoever it is that is running the national series sees sense. And maybe then somebody like Jason DiSalvo (or Spies) might have got the Yamaha Italia ride instead of Tom Sykes. We keep getting these press releases that AMA or DGM will run to FIM SBK rules some time in the future and it keeps not happening or being put off another year. Meanwhile BSB just did it (announced in July (?) for 2009). SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Non-Carbonated > Mark N <menusbaum@NYETSPAMearthlink.net> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:26:03 >> No, hell will have frozen over when you are no longer fixated on [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > put off another year. Meanwhile BSB just did it (announced in July (?) > for 2009). There might be some wiggle room left in ASB and DSB, but from what little I've heard SBK is *not* on the table, though the way this deal has gone down you never know. I also heard that DMG/AMA is in discussions with FIM on standardizing WSS type rules for various National series... T3 <notme@nowhere.net> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:59:31 >There might be some wiggle room left in ASB and DSB, but from what >little I've heard SBK is *not* on the table, though the way this deal >has gone down you never know. I also heard that DMG/AMA is in >discussions with FIM on standardizing WSS type rules for various >National series... Rumours from Indy that Spies will be back in the USA next year. If not on a Superbike, then on what? SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Non-Carbonated > T3 <notme@nowhere.net> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:59:31 >> There might be some wiggle room left in ASB and DSB, but from what [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Rumours from Indy that Spies will be back in the USA next year. If not > on a Superbike, then on what? I'll be dammed if I know for sure, but one would assume it would be in ASB, if not DSB as well, though the next question is on what? No word as yet on 'Zuki's plans, but I'd be very surprised if his agent isn't entertaining a few different offers. Is there anything worthwhile in WSB? Who gets Bayliss's ride, that is, if he actually does leave at the top of his game? (hat's off to him if he does too) T3 <notme@nowhere.net> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:49:30 >I'll be dammed if I know for sure, but one would assume it would be in >ASB, if not DSB as well, though the next question is on what? No word >as yet on 'Zuki's plans, but I'd be very surprised if his agent isn't >entertaining a few different offers. Is there anything worthwhile in >WSB? Who gets Bayliss's ride, that is, if he actually does leave at the >top of his game? (hat's off to him if he does too) Looks like Haga already has it. If Corser goes to BMW there'd be a place at Yamaha. And i's still not clear who's riding at Alstare-Suzuki. Although Batta has already said he can't afford Spies unless someone else pays. SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Non-Carbonated > T3 <notme@nowhere.net> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:49:30 >> I'll be dammed if I know for sure, but one would assume it would be in [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Alstare-Suzuki. Although Batta has already said he can't afford Spies > unless someone else pays. Haga-san, I bet he's happy about that, but if Ben's gonna go anywhere somebody's got to write a check, prolly a pretty nice one too... > Julian Bond said: > > Mark N [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > series sees sense. And maybe then somebody like Jason DiSalvo (or > > Spies) might have got the Yamaha Italia ride instead of Tom Sykes. Yeah, let's ignore the fact that AMA SBs are virtually identical to WSBs and there is no discernable difference in riding them, that Sykes is from "Superbike Island" where they have 2-3 WSB rounds a year, that the WSB Euro-managers are just as myopic and sponsor-focused as their MotoGP brethren, that Spies asking price is an order of magnitude above Sykes (and rightly so), etc., etc. > > We keep getting these press releases that AMA or DGM will run to FIM > > SBK rules some time in the future and it keeps not happening or being > > put off another year. Really? Funny we don't get those over here... Meanwhile BSB just did it (announced in July (?) > > for 2009). Julian, let's not forget that BSB currently doesn't run WSB rules and that they have instead chosen the "dumb down economics" path, and that they were running 1000-4s while WSB was still arguing about restrictor plates and the like. So BSB has seen the value in going their own way, and for good reasons. So why have they now been corrupted? > There might be some wiggle room left in ASB and DSB, but from what > little I've heard SBK is *not* on the table, though the way this deal > has gone down you never know. I also heard that DMG/AMA is in > discussions with FIM on standardizing WSS type rules for various > National series... Given what has played out over the last few days, my guess is that DMG has made a big concession on something, and that's why we see the love fest between Rog Ed and Ray Blank, why the promoters are falling line line (which I think is conditional based on their comments to date - "We'll do the deal as long as you deliver the factories and their riders"), etc. My guess is SB will be back on a feature class basis, and either DSB will be changed in some material way or they agreed to add a 600SS class. Frankly, I can't see how the DSB concept works without a dyno and weight minimum and I can't see them giving it up altogether (nor should they), so my bet would be on the latter. And I'd guess ASB is probably a goner. Me, I'd be happy with that, which is about what I suggested months ago... The real issue is about dictatorial power, and that's what will be interesting to see how it plays out. That may well be part of what the Dinger - Rog Ed - Ippolito discussion was about, bringing the AMA back or maybe someone else in some capacity as a sanctioning body. There has to be someone who has rules and rules enforcement input and appeal authority, I think, certainly to get Suzuki back in the fold after the bad blood over the DQs and Harris' earlier comments about the "four- legged stool". And that they are now in is a huge assumption. Mark N <menusbaum@earthlink.net> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:55:13 >Yeah, let's ignore the fact that AMA SBs are virtually identical to >WSBs and there is no discernable difference in riding them, that Sykes >is from "Superbike Island" where they have 2-3 WSB rounds a year, Didn't AMA get two rounds that were run at the same meeting as all those Euro-Managers this year? >> > We keep getting these press releases that AMA or DGM will run to FIM >> > SBK rules some time in the future and it keeps not happening or being >> > put off another year. > >Really? Funny we don't get those over here... This has come up twice this year now. And at least once a year for the last 3 there's been statements from the FIM that they were working with all the major championships, including the AMA to try and rationalise the rules. >Meanwhile BSB just did it (announced in July (?) >> > for 2009). [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >plates and the like. So BSB has seen the value in going their own way, >and for good reasons. So why have they now been corrupted? Because the Teams asked for it. They tried a mildly dumbed down formula this year and it's caused problems. The point is not really that one option is better than the other but that you can change the rules for the next year relatively quickly. It's still not too late for DGM to announce FIM rules for SBK in 2009 SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Non-Carbonated > Mark N >> Yeah, let's ignore the fact that AMA SBs are virtually identical to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Didn't AMA get two rounds that were run at the same meeting as all those > Euro-Managers this year? Two rounds if you count two separate series. And it's not like America is nearly as important to WSB as the UK is - if it wasn't for the support the series got in the UK in 03-04, the series might have collapsed altogether. What's amazing is that the series didn't have any Brit riders in SB at all this year, and I'm sure the Flamminis are making sure that doesn't happen again... >>> > We keep getting these press releases that AMA or DGM will run to FIM >>> > SBK rules some time in the future and it keeps not happening or being [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > all the major championships, including the AMA to try and rationalise > the rules. What has come up here has been Ippolito trying to pitch his general concept and all possible rules packages being thrown back and forth between DMG and Honda/Suzuki while negotiations completely broke down. Prior to that the AMA and the OEMs had worked up their future rules package, and it sure wasn't WSB rules. And I seem to recall the AMA's Barrick going to an FIM meeting to discuss rules unification a couple years ago and coming home saying it was a waste of time, no one over there was really interested in accomplishing anything, they just wanted to socialize... >> Meanwhile BSB just did it (announced in July (?) >>> > for 2009). [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > the next year relatively quickly. It's still not too late for DGM to > announce FIM rules for SBK in 2009 DMG can announce anything they want, always have, but it's not like they really care, it only really matters to the OEMs and they're not exactly making the specific SB rules package their top priority, the issues have been much bigger than that. My guess is what will be announced at Laguna is that they have agreed to extend the current class structure another year, that's the only thing I can think of that explains why everyone has lined up so quickly behind the DMG series given where we were only a week ago, that's what the promoters had been demanding. They might tweak that a bit from here, but I seriously doubt that it'll include an immediate switch to WSB rules. Certainly would be on the table for 2010, though. Mark N <menusbaum@NYETSPAMearthlink.net> Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:03:54 >Prior to that the AMA and the OEMs had worked up their future rules >package, and it sure wasn't WSB rules. Neither was it so far away either. The real fly in the ointment being 1200cc twins as always. SignatureJulian Bond E&MSN: julian_bond at voidstar.com M: +44 (0)77 5907 2173 Webmaster: http://www.ecademy.com/ T: +44 (0)192 0412 433 Personal WebLog: http://www.voidstar.com/ skype:julian.bond?chat Pure Music Television > Mark N > >which just leaves satellite Hondas, a bad way > >for Ben to get in, if it happens. > > It's not working too bad for Dovi this year. Dovi: Ex125/250 EuroMed midget riding a "compact bike for compact riders" with Honda, the most JIS-fixated of the factories. Better to look to the Edwards/Bayliss/Hayden experiences. The best thing for Spies is that it would get him in the door, but held be the biggest rider in the series, and that's not likely a good thing on a Honda. Plus his shot at anything worthwhile with Repsol is slight as long as Pedrosa/Puig are there. I'll be interesting to see how things work out for Dovi in that respect. >> As for the race, it was pretty damn good... Dovisioso >> looked pretty tough too. It was nice to see him lead a few of the early >> laps. > > That's about all he did, he was fading much of the race. Could be he > made a too-soft tire choice. I think he mentioned that post race. > Spies >> rode a great race to hang with Stoner and Dovi. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > I'd to back again. But in August next year it'll be hot, very hot... Depends on your definition of hot. Likely to be low 90's and muggy. But if it's in August at least it won't be going up against the NFL for TV ratings. P.S. I was underwhelmed with Schwantz's commentary. > I'd to back again. But in August next year it'll be hot, very hot... Not hot enough for the asphalt to crumble though. > I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather conditions as this. > Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves and trash blowing all over the > place. I hope this is an anomaly for this year. I think it was a good call to end it > when they did. I would call hurricane Ike an anomaly. > As for the race, it was pretty damn good. Rossi worked on Hayden for a long time, > made some moves and got repassed but eventually made it stick. It did look like [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > people who matter take note of that. That was the first time Lorenzo ever finished on > the podium in a wet race in his entire career. Race wasn't too bad - the calling of the race was necessary, but made it pretty a pretty anti-climatic ending. Nicky was looking good, but then you could tell the tires were fading and then really dropped off, he was plummeting the last couple of laps and was lucky for the call or he would have lost 2nd and maybe even the podium. Then the talk of a restart actually could have been good for him because with fresh tires he could have challenged Rossi some more. Lorenzo looked pretty good as well decent start then dropped a bit and then started reeling folks back in. Stoner didn't look great, but not horrible - what was interesting to me was the top 6 were really ahead of the pack pretty quick. I wonder if Suzuki realizes how dumb they look. > I wasn't super impressed with the coverage but it wasn't the worst I've seen. The > course looked pretty decent, though, particularly for an infield thing (which usually > suck). I agree - generally mediocre. Bruce >> I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather >> conditions as this. Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves and [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > I agree - generally mediocre. A restart would have been fantastic. Re: Coverage? Why can we not get more than 60 minutes of coverage? We need a good pre-race show, at least. >> I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather >> conditions as this. Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves >> and trash blowing all over the place. I hope this is an anomaly for >> this year. I think it was a good call to end it when they did. > > I would call hurricane Ike an anomaly. No hurricane, not even close, a little wind for sure, but until the rain is littered with roofing tiles, tree limbs, or other deadly missiles and is sideways (and stings when it hit's), it's just a little blow.. >> As for the race, it was pretty damn good. Rossi worked on Hayden for >> a long time, made some moves and got repassed but eventually made it [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >> was the first time Lorenzo ever finished on the podium in a wet race in >> his entire career. We didn't spend much time at the Speedway at all, as all day Sat. we were at the Fairgrounds hangin' with the Miler's where the rumors were flyin' as well as the bikes. As it turned out, Saturday night *was* the weekend, as Sunday was anti-climatic due to the weather. FT really put on a show for the MGP crowd and it was great to see a few Euro's getting off on the sideways circus we know as the Mile. Hat's off to Carr and Co. for the .03 win over Coolbeth and the factory Harley guys, a (typically) very close race decided off the last turn, great stuff! We were sorta' pulling for Jake and his screamin' 'Zuki, but it wilted under the onslaught of so many well tuned XR's, maybe next year, then again, maybe never as long as those damn XR's are around.. > Race wasn't too bad - the calling of the race was necessary, but made > it pretty a [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > were really > ahead of the pack pretty quick. I wonder if Suzuki realizes how dumb they look. It's really hard to say where Spies would've ended up had the weather been a little more co-operative. Be that as it may, show very well he did.. Oh yeah, I think it's fairly safe to say Honda has found their way with the pneumatics', as Hayden seemed to have everyone pretty much covered down the front straight, though it looked like Rossi had him just about everywhere else.. As far as the crowd goes, it was difficult to gauge attendance due to so many seats Indy offers, but given this event was held in the rain 2 weeks after football season began it looked fairly healthy to say the least.. WTF is up with Tennessee and +$5 gas? Thievin' bastard's all!!! >>> I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather >>> conditions as this. Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > is littered with roofing tiles, tree limbs, or other deadly missiles and > is sideways (and stings when it hit's), it's just a little blow.. I know it wasn't still hurricane force winds, but that weather was the tail end of what was Hurricane Ike. so It *was* an anomaly, not typical mid-western weather. Bruce >>>> I've never seen a race conducted under such horrible weather >>>> conditions as this. Wow. It wasn't just the rain - there were leaves [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Bruce Oh, for sure it suk'd and it's timing was "impeccable" too, that said, an hour south of town it was clear, though still a tad windy... |
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