| Author | Message | ||
     Rocket_in_uk |
What I can say about the press release is it was vague. What it was was contradictory between both riders, and nothing revealed at all which would inspire any fan confidence at this early stage. We have been here before with Buell. Frankly when EBR said they're in WSBK I was not expecting them to approach the racing with what appears to be the same mindset as before. Underfunded. Constrained by HD, etc etc. Whatever. I expected with Hero's backing this was going to be something pretty impressive from the start. Since the missed testing at P.I and the poor performance in the race. And now the missed official testing in Spain. It's starting to look like EBR are not hitting the ground running. This despite Hero being involved. I was expecting more. A lot more. And whilst it might be too early to judge, it's beginning to feel like this is more of the same old same old. In my opinion you don't come to WSBK to ease your way in if you're staking your reputation upon the support of one of the wealthiest motorcycle manufacturers in the world who just happen to be the largest volume two wheel producer. No excuses no where to hide. So what's holding EBR back I have to wonder? This is me on my  Rocket in England | ||
| Davegess |
I love this thread. Nobody knows nothin' so everyone is talkin'. I know somethin' but I can't talk.  | ||
| Bads1 |
Then why say do when you can't.  | ||
| Court |
Duh . . .you gotta love the internet. | ||
| Trojan |
Here's a thing...... The reason that teams in WSB/MotoGP/AMA/BSB/NASCAR/F1 etc etc etc employ PR people (at considerable expense)to distribute press releases isn't to give absolute bare facts to the eagerly awaiting public. They are desingend to give as much information as necessary dressed up in positivity and PR speak in order to show the team in the best possible light to sponsors, press and fans. Press releases don't add to the competitiveness of the team, they are done by PR teams to publicise the team and please sponsors more than anything else. Other teams read them with a huge dose of sceptisim (if at all) because they all play the same PR game. The EBR press release was vague and included things like 'Overall the test went well' and 'We tested a lot of different solutions, some that were positive and were a step forward. It was a good test and it helped us to know which direction to move. ' That is what prompted me to suggest that they either have an inexperienced PR person or a poor test, otherwise they would have been full of the usual vim and vinegar and BS that the others all show. read the test releases from Honda/Aprilia/Ducati/kawasaki to see what I mean. Nobody knows how the bikes from any of the teams will fare at Aragon yet because they haven't ruedn a wheel. friday will give us some indication but qualifying Saturday and racing Sunday is when the BS will stop and we will see whose PR team were telling the truth. | ||
| Trojan |
Here is a press release issued for today by GB MotoKawasaki BSB team just to show what a 'normal' PR issuede press release is like...... GBmoto Kawasaki's Chris Walker continued to go from strength to strength in the MCE British Superbike two day test at Snetterton, so much so he ended the final day third fastest overall. Reflecting on the sessions he’s just pleased that he experienced no major problems out on the 300 circuit. The veteran racer has had a busy couple of weeks – from six days of testing in Spain at the Cartagena and Almeria circuits, to Donington last week. But all the information gathered from previous tests meant the team were able to bring a revised package to Snetterton. This allowed both Walker and his new team-mate James Ellison to continue the essential set-up of their brand new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R machines, working on changing suspension, chassis balance and electronics to find a comfortable base setting and achieve good times towards the end of the final session. The team now head back to the workshop where they will further refine the ZX-10R machine ahead of the opening round of the British Superbike championship at Brands Hatch next weekend. But Walker is happy that he saved his best lap until last, finishing the test with a solid 1’48.931 lap in the final session. As this was a public test we actually know that Walker ran off track twice and that Ellison had all sorts of electrical problems that severely hampered his test schedule. Walker managed one last fast lap on soft tyres to give the team somehting to crow about. The press release has been worded to show that the team have made real progress in their testing schedule (whether they actually have or not) and make sure that they get the best possible press reaction. Maybe EBR need to hire the GB Moto PR agency to handle their press releases in future  | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
It's either to early in the morning Matt, or our 'American' friends don't want us Brits to teach them how to suck eggs when it comes to racing motorcycles  Rocket in England | ||
| Court |
Hahahahaha . . . . better let Weber Shandwick know . . . I'm sure they are open to learning. | ||
| Simond |
The expensive PR people are the reason I don't read press racing team press releases anymore. I'll watch and make my own mind up. | ||
| Trojan |
Hahahahaha . . . . better let Weber Shandwick know . . . I'm sure they are open to learning. Are they responsible for putting out the press releases for the Italian based EBR race team then? | ||
| Classax |
OR perhaps the EBR Hero team PR people are just accurate and left out all the 'normal team BS' as Trojan put it. We are aware that with age Yates has grown more sedate in speech and on the track for that matter, than May. One said it was a 'positive test' the other said it was 'a good' test and both said they were 'confident they were taking steps'foward' and 'in the right direction' from PI. Both felt they would be 'more competitive' than they were at PI and this is all some how "vague", "damning", or "bad"?!?!?  Curse you foul english! Stupid common language, makes it nearly impossible to communicate! Perhaps this will help  What they SHOULD have said was, " incidentally and by the way, the tests weren't bad, we only had to make a few minor adjustments, that were suggested will be a fix. We did not consider any other options that may have only turned out to be quite good or very interesting. While we as a team almost agree that its only minor progress, and we hear what you say about our performance at PI and we'll bear it in mind , with the greatest respect, we're a bit disappointed with the very brave proposals that we don't know what we are doing or are making illogical decisions. We are sure its our fault not yours and you really must come to dinner."  At PI May would have garnered the 12th superpole spot and all things being equal that would have been good for a top 15 finish. If he did that on a machine that clearly had technical issues holding it back to below even street bike trap speeds, its no wonder he crashed hard. If he did that on the same set up that saw Yates get lapped, I "MAY" have a new found respect for him. The fact that he's confident he will improve from that performance is a GOOD thing. The fact that Yates who was clearly frustrated by his lack of pace at PI is confident that they are moving forward in the right direction and is not looking to }"hopefully run around with the EVO's and perhaps get a tow" is a good thing. The fact that the EBR/Hero team's published goal has now gone from just making the grid and fininshing the races to both riders making superpole is a GREAT thing!  Rocket- "with the greatest respect" The fact that you think 'Americans' would want to learn how to 'suck eggs' when it come to anything illustrates the language barrier more than ever. Here's a hint the rest of the world actually says what they mean. Its ok though I just have to put on my kid's opposite land goggles, whenever I read your posts. (Message edited by Classax on April 10, 2014) | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ Throw some English/Italian translation into the mix and now we've got some real confusion.  | ||
| Gregtonn |
There is PR "BS" (both terms are largely interchangeable). Then there is the good old midwest American work ethic that says, "Under promise, over deliver". With regard to learning to suck eggs; I prefer the use of proper eating utensils to having egg on my face but, thanks for the offer. G | ||
| Trojan |
eating utensils at least you didn't say 'silverware' or, even worse 'flatware' | ||
| Reepicheep |
So the complaints are that the press releases from an engineering driven company don't contain enough spin and misinformation. Excellent! Score another win for EBR! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Photo of all 9 competing manufacturer's bikes taken at Aragon this morning, just posted to Facebook:  | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Rocket- "with the greatest respect" The fact that you think 'Americans' would want to learn how to 'suck eggs' when it come to anything illustrates the language barrier more than ever. Classax with the greatest respect, I don't know where you got this 'fact' from about me thinking? You are correct though. There most definitely is a language barrier judging by your reply to my comment. I did say "I'd teach you (American friends) how to suck eggs". Clearly there was no 'thinking' about me doing so. That's because it's clear the teaching is really necessary. Well past the thinking about it stage then, if you know what I mean Now who is this Webber what's his face fella? Not another BS current I hope? Ah the Internet. Gotta dig the place man........ Rocket in England | ||
| Classax |
Classax...You are correct... Rocket in England Fixed it for you...Non gratis.  | ||
| Fast1075 |
When the flag drops the bullshait stops. Free Practice 1: 5:45 AM Friday EDT Free Practice 2: 9:30 AM Friday EDT (Adjust time as required for your time zone) 12 hours People, 12 hours till we know more. | ||
| Smoke |
can't wait! good luck fellows! tim | ||
| Gregtonn |
How to Suck an Egg  (See also; The Bad Web Where Englishmen explain How to Race WSB) By: M.M. O'Leary (1997) The purpose of this exercise is to follow precise unnecessary directions issued by a higher HQ. You have been directed to be in possession of a fresh empty eggshell for no apparent reason. Simple issuance of tasks being insufficient in any anal-retentive, career-oriented, hopelessly bureaucratic military staff society, the staff of the higher HQ have issued the following instructions: 1. The Egg. Acquire an egg. An appropriately sized egg would be a chicken's egg or one similar in volume. This egg should be; a. Not too small, as a small egg might be too fragile, difficult to hold or could unexpectedly be aspirated and lead to choking; and b. Not too large, for too large an egg would require you to suck out too much material. Remember that volume increases in a cube function relationship to dimensional increases along a single axis. A goose egg twice as long as a medium chicken's egg and similar in proportion, therefore would contain about eight times as much suckable material. 2. Egg Purchase. You can pick these up by the dozen at your local grocery. If you think this operation will require practice, perhaps you should buy a full dozen. No recovery action against the Higher HQ is to be taken as a result of this purchase. Excessive purchase requirements may be submitted on the next cyclical. 3. Identification and Marking of the Ends of the Egg. Take an egg carefully in your hand, examine it and identify the smaller end. The smaller end may be identified by measuring the outside diameter one-third of the distance from each end of the egg, the end farthest from the greater cross-sectional circumference will be the "small end." This is the end upon which the sucking will occur. The other end is the large end and, therefore, will be the end furthest from you while sucking. Using a fine tipped felt marker, mark the ends of the egg now to differentiate them later without having to repeat this determination process. Mark the small end with an "S" (for small or suck) and the large end with an "O" (for the other end"). 4. Piercing the Egg. Successful sucking of an egg requires that a small hole (see below for recommended sizes) is made in each end of the egg. The following guidance is provided to assist the staff officer in establishing a hole in each end of the egg: a. Using a small pointed object (pin, pen, unfolded paperclip, staff officer's head, etc.) to make the small holes in each end of the egg b. Make the "S" hole, through which all egg contents will flow in a short explosive journey, 5 mm in diameter; c. Make the "O" hole, through which only air will travel, about 2 mm in diameter; d. Place the holes at the points where the imagined line of the longitudinal axis of the egg would intersect its shell; e. Do not use too vigorous an action or grip the egg too firmly while effecting the required piercing. Doing so might result in a crushed egg; f. Ensure you pierce both ends of the egg. If you only pierce the large end, you will be attempting to suck the egg through its unbroken shell. If you only pierce the small end, no air can get into the egg as you suck. You could end up collapsing the egg or unexpectedly trying to swallow it. If you feel that one hole is sufficient, then ensure someone competent in the Heimlich manoeuvre is present. 5. Setting Down the Egg. Place the egg gently on your desk. You will not need it for the next step. 6. Confirming the Ability to Suck. Before actually sucking the egg, it is necessary to confirm that you know the requisite physical actions to effect sucking. Hold apiece of white bond paper vertically in front of your face such that it gently contacts the tip of your nose. Suck! If the paper does not appear to move, but only trembles slightly, you are in fact sucking. If the paper moves noticeably away from your face, you are not sucking, but blowing. This action is inappropriate. Practice sucking until you are able to do it without error. Put the sheet of paper back in the printer, or save it until the next time an egg must be sucked. 7. Picking up the Egg. Pick up the egg. Make sure you have picked up the prepared egg with the two end holes, marked "S" and "O". 8. Bringing the Egg in Contact with the Lips. Place the pierced egg against your lips, centering the "S" hole on an opening in your pursed lips. Ensure the lips are pursed or you may end up trying to brace the shell on your teeth with undesirable results. 9. Canting the Egg. Tilt the egg upwards to ensure all of the internal material tends to drain toward the lower hole in the small end of the egg. 10. Advise on Preparing to Suck. Ensure that you use an inward sucking action. Inadvertently blowing outwards will not be successful. "Blowing" could result in your workspace, or a watching fellow staff officer, being coated with albumen and yolk. You might end up with the requisite empty shell, but you have failed to follow issued direction and been left with a sticky mess. If you happen to "blow" the egg out of you grasp, you will not even be left with the empty shell. 11. Sucking the Egg. Suck! 12. What to do With a Mouthful of Albumen and Yolk. Swallow. 13. Result of the Successful Suck. If you have correctly selected your egg and followed the above instructions, you should now be left with one empty eggshell and a bad taste in your mouth. 14. After-Action Reporting and Actions. Follow the instructions at Annex A regarding the further handling of this shell and complete the form at Annex B, with info copies to G3 Higher HQ, PaffO Higher HQ and NDHQ on task completion. Submission of Annex C, Egg Sucking Report, and approval by all Higher HQs will authorize the successful staff egg-sucker to wear the "Sucker" badge in an order and position determined in accordance with the performance criteria at Appendix 1 to Annex C and place the letters "S.T.A.F.F." after their name on all correspondence. 15. The Staff Officer's Egg-Sucking Guide. Local HQ are to reformat and produce the above instructions in the form of a pocket-sized, accordion style card for individual carriage and reference. All staff officers are to be in possession of their copy of the Staff Officers Egg-Sucking card at all times when in the following orders of dress: DEU (all), Garrison Dress, Combat, PT strip, mufti, nil. 16. Higher HQ sends. 17. Watch for further issues in this series, including: "Pulling Your Head From Your Arse", "Sucking Up", and "Smoke-Sculpting and Mirror Management - A Staff Guide to Briefing the Unaware". G  | ||
| Gregtonn |
Sorry. I just couldn't stop myself. G | ||
| Trojan |
So the complaints are that the press releases from an engineering driven company don't contain enough spin and misinformation. You think that the rest of the teams aren't engineering driven? This is world superbike, not local soap box derby. Every team at world championship level either uses a PR company or has PR staff attached to the team specifically to deal with the press in order to maximise exposure for sponsors and team and to put the best gloss possible on every story. This is a multi million dollar industry and that is the game unfortunately. If EBR are not doing this then that is a missing part of the team in just the same way as missing a mechanic. A lot of the PR stuff that comes out needs to be read between the lines of course, but at this level they need professional media jugglers as well as engineering expertise. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Back on the publicity front, this was posted to the team's Facebook page this morning- polishing the bikes prior to the first practice session:  | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Gregg, sorry to disappoint, but clearly that's a military egg, which don't count. Sucking eggs is all about having the right egg to start with. Such an egg needs to pass inspection from its conception. If inspection passed then much testing of said egg is an absolute. If testing is successful, at this point it will be required that professional racers test said egg. Changes may be made accordingly. When said egg us up to speed and ready for competition, the very British way is to send it testing with other eggs from other manufacturers. These are the official tests where much can be gained about track and opposition as well as your own egg. Then it becomes time to race. When sucking eggs in racing terms, most egg manufacturers have targets and goals. Between races there is some testing still allowed. It's always a good idea to carry out such testing as before. With others at the official test, for obvious reasons. Another issue which should never be overlooked is your eggs PR team and their press releases. Racing should never be done down. Not even a hint of it, by your PR team, as many will understand you've not quite got the hang of sucking eggs. Thus they will expect your efforts to race, to be fiercely criticised by those who know how to suck eggs properly. The moral here is to never let an opportunity pass you by when you can have a great egg sucker teach you how to suck eggs. Of course, no one likes to be taught how to suck eggs, which usually results in those needing to be taught to protest vehemently. In racing terms this generally means the waving of national flags and a lot of racing bravado talk. Which still doesn't make up for a lack of egg sucking as time and results will often tell. Rocket in England | ||
| Gaesati |
....and to think I just went to PI to watch Buells compete at a world level. I wasn't worried about PR or sucking eggs. | ||
| Fast1075 |
****! (Message edited by fast1075 on April 11, 2014) | ||
| Trojan |
Back on the publicity front, this was posted to the team's Facebook page this morning- polishing the bikes prior to the first practice session: I think they may need more than a spit and polish....First practice results are in... 25 A. YATES EBR 1190 RX 2'06.591 NQ P. SEBESTYEN BMW S1000 RR EVO 2'08.882 NQ G. MAY EBR 1190 RX 2'08.895 fastest was Johnny Rea on the Honda at 1'58.449" .... Top speed for Yates & May were shown as 282kmh against the Honda at 318kmh. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
It is not looking good at the moment.... Lets hope that FP2 goes better . The Bimota on the other hand seems to be competitive from the first Free Practice..... That is impressive.... (Message edited by vagelis46 on April 11, 2014) | ||
| Trojan |
The Bimota on the other hand seems to be competitive from the first Free Practice..... That is impressive.... Especially as their last test was ruined by weather so they have less running than anyone ele (and both riders have been left kicking their heels for months with no practice!). Jules Cluzel on the MV is looking good in Supersport too. |
