| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
The 800cc bikes have higher corner speeds than the older 990cc bikes but right now the 200+ hp, 1000cc Superbikes are hitting higher top speeds in the straights than the 800cc MotoGP bikes. There were several articles on this at the start of the season. I don't know about AMA Superbike, but the World Superbike bikes were hitting higher trap speeds than the MotoGP bikes. This article at SpeedTV mentions it too: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motogp/36067/ ?page=4 | ||
| Davegess |
The MotoGP death statistic is very misleading as they have only been racing this a few years, you would have to include the 500 and 750 cc Grand Prix class to get a true comparison. The are doing a good job on safety, MotoGP and World Superbike have a very good record. | ||
| Rocketman |
I disagree Dave. The modern era race bikes have seen power and speeds increase dramatically yet the death toll is nowhere near what it was 20 odd years ago and more. Number of races, laps ridden, testing miles etc etc also need factoring into the equation. I'd be guessing but I'd have to say that the last 20 odd years of racing have proven safer than times previous. It's worthy of note that rider safety wear has a large part to play in this equation too. Rocket | ||
| Davegess |
Actaully I agree with you Rocket. I was just saying that GP and WSB over the same time period would have the same record. And it would be better than AMA | ||
| Blake |
The last death I recall was the Japanese rider at Suzuka, was that MotoGP or WSB? We had a guy die at OHR just last year. Just really bad luck, no wall, no barrier of any kind, no collision, not even very high speed, just crashed-out/thrown-off the bike and suffered some really horribly bad luck. I don't recall the last time anyone died in an AMA Superbike race. Am I forgetting some? Duhan had to quit due to his injuries, no? Of course then there is Wayne Rainy. And Gibbernau, that curse he suffered will forever scar him. Horrible stuff I tell you. lol. | ||
| Rocketman |
Daijiro Kato's fatal crash, 2003 Suzuka Moto GP Rocket | ||
| Macbuell |
I can't remember the last time anyone died in AMA Superbike either but Vincent Hascovik (sp?) was paralyzed just a few seasons ago. | ||
| Jaimec |
Check out this article: http://tinyurl.com/29wcab It's looking more and more like a sure thing!! | ||
| Jaimec |
Latest update: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jun/070619xi.h tm | ||
| Jaimec |
YES!!! http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motogp/38222/ | ||
| Trojan |
The biggest problem at Indy for MotoGP bikes running on the course used by the F1 guys would be the final corner (Turn 1 in 'normal' Indy races). This is a flat out in 4th or even 5th gear banked left hander with no run off area and a very hard wall on the outside. It would undoubtedly qualify as the most dangerous corner in MotoGP, if not the outright fastest. | ||
| Jackbequick |
When this was discussed in an earlier thread, it was said that, due to the safety issue at turn 1 that Trojan mentions, the track would be run in the opposite direction. If that is the track seen here it would have them approaching the long straight through turns 3 and 2. Turn 13 ought to be a real stormer though. I wonder if the run through 13 would be a full throttle run for MotoGP bikes? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roval IMS is a huge venue but it is not really a spectator's track in my view. I'd much rather see racing from closer up and at a technically more challenging track with some elevation changes. Flat out top speed is challenging but I like to see the bikes closer together and maneuvering through turns. Jack | ||
| Trojan |
The course that thre F1 guys run on is run clockwise, or the opposite way to the normal Indy track, but this still leaves the final corner as turn 1 and too dangerous for bikes to run on surely. There is an oval circuit in the UK at Rockingham, and this was used for a year for British Superbikes before being dropped for precisely the same reason. The circuit is now unused by bikes except for track days. With the extra corner speed of the 800 GP bikes they would actually be going a lot quicker at this dangerous point than Superbikes or even some of the cars. Even with an air fence in place it would still be a very dangerous corner (miss the air fence and what happens!). | ||
| Bads1 |
As far as I'm concerned Indy sucks for GP. I would love to see it at a better spectator friendly track. Road America would be awesome. They would have to spend the money to house it but it would be a great location none the less. | ||
| Jackbequick |
Trojan, Read the following link: http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID= 10563 It says that it has already been decided that MotoGP would run the course counterclockwise and that all safety concerns can be met. So as I understand it, the MotoGP course would be on this track layout but in the opposite direction of the markers seen there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Circuit_Indiana polis.png Bads1, I agree with you 100% but I'm thinking that, along with the other issues, they smell a potential for much more money at IMS. The people that call the shots don't care if 400,000 fans go away happy and thoroughly entertained, they just want them to come and spend money. Lots of money. Jack | ||
| Trojan |
Having read the cycle world article there is one thing that is very apparent. The track has been inspected by the FIM representative, but not any of the riders or team reps. Even running the course counterclockwise would leave an extremely high speed turn one with no run off area, which I am sure would concern most of the riders and teams. Dajro Kato, the last guy killed in MotoGP, was killed when he hit an exposed section of wall on the outside of a turn at Suzuka in an accident that at any other circuit he would probably have walked away from. From what I have heard and read, although I have never been there, Barber would be a much better and safer proposition than Indy. Unfortunately, like Monaco in F1, I think that financial considerations will take precedence over rider safety when it comes to deciding to run the GP at Indy. | ||
| Bads1 |
One thing I can say is money is being spent at RA and more will be over the coarse of the next few years. | ||
| Slaughter |
I've google-earth'd the track and it's obvious that they've made GREAT strides at trying to improve the road course but unless ALL turns have acceptable run-off, it's not going to fly. -at least I'd hope they'd be force to fix it first. Suzuka is "Honda's Own" track - so maybe there was some leverage there? Kato paid the price. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
I'm personally thrilled to have Moto GP in Indy, but I'm kind of biased considering it would only take me 30 minutes to see some of the best racing in the world. Consider my tickets at Indy allready paid for!!! | ||
| Bads1 |
How spectator friendly will it be ?? Road America and others you can walk to just about any area of the track to see the race. At Indy.... what you get to see 50% and most of it is grand stands...it sucks. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Barber is the most viable of open US options. What a facility! | ||
| Jaimec |
Barber is working on a World Superbike Round, not MotoGP. | ||
| Ebear |
The only problem with Barber is they need to build Garages with Skyboxes overhead.There is virtually nothing there for facilities.Other than that it is the most beautiful course I think on the AMA circuit.RA would be my second choice but it too would need some buildings...but with the bridge gone its safer.Haven't been to Virginia or Atlanta....and Miller is a dustbowl but large enough....Hey , maybe that new track in Texas or the facility by Fresno will be big enough!! | ||
| Bads1 |
What RA has is room. They now have a brand new medical facility and have enlarged parking in an area for factory teams of all types racing. More money is still being spent. All they really is garages. They have the room without doubt. | ||
| Slaughter |
Looking at the satellite view of the infield course, it really looks as if it is designed to be run clockwise, dunno - I've not read up on it but anybody know? | ||
| Jackbequick |
This is the F1 layout, it runs clockwise. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Circuit_Indiana polis.png This article Cycle World said the plan for MotoGP is to use the F1 layout but run it in the opposite direction or counter clockwise. The reason being they don't consider it safe to have the bikes approaching turn 1 from a clockwise direction. http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID= 10563 Jack | ||
| Slaughter |
Thanks Jack. It just looked all wrong running it the "Indy" direction. That makes sense - | ||
| Jaimec |
Done deal? http://tinyurl.com/2cpzgy | ||
| Blublak |
Looks like it.. Now, when do tickets go on sale and who do I have to hurt to get a pair?  | ||
| Jaimec |
September 14, 2008 http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motogp/38574/ |
