| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
But no word yet on the Yamaha Tech3 squad I see... | ||
| Jimidan |
I hope Chaz joins D'antin, and Ducati starts to evolve the GP8 for next year. Me too I hope that Chaz starts to develop for next year, as he certainly didn't set the world on fire in AMA racing, and he wasn't even racing in Superbike with the best riders. Of course, I realize that AMA racing is the most competitive series in the world this side of MotoGP, and that it was unreasonable to expect that Chaz was going to be all that competitive, despite the rally cries from his countrymen. Let's just chalk it up to silly nationalistic banter. He is a nice guy and all and I have enjoyed his articles in Roadracer X} (Message edited by jimidan on September 19, 2007) | ||
| Jaimec |
Chaz will miss Motegi as he had an adverse reaction to the tetanus shot he received in Monterey last weekend. On another front, it looks like Dunlop is out of MotoGP, as this article about Toseland reveals that the Tech3 squad will be running Michelin tires next season: http://tinyurl.com/25suwt | ||
| Trojan |
I hope that Chaz starts to develop for next year, as he certainly didn't set the world on fire in AMA racing, and he wasn't even racing in Superbike with the best riders. Of course, I realize that AMA racing is the most competitive series in the world this side of MotoGP, and that it was unreasonable to expect that Chaz was going to be all that competitive, despite the rally cries from his countrymen. Let's just chalk it up to silly nationalistic banter. Jimi, I agree with a lot of things you say on this board, but certainly not this time. If you had followed Chaz davies during his 250GP days you would know what a raw talent he really is. Chaz had NEVER ridden a 4 stroke bike EVER before starting the AMA season this year, and had never seen ANY of the tracks he was going to be racing on. He was also racing for a relatively small private team (albieit with ex-factory Yamahas at their disposal) against some pretty mega factory outfits in FX. So for him to score podiums in his first season, and to finish the year in such a strong points position at the end of the year is testament to his extraordinary ability. As for AMA racing being second only to MotoGP, I can think of a few different national series that are as good as AMA Superbikes, and Chaz was racing in Formula Xtreme which had less depth of field than the Superbikes did. That said, he was racing against some tough cookies in FX as well. The fact that he was chosen to stand in for Alex Hoffman at Laguna shows the regard he is held in by the MotoGP paddock and teams. Let's face it, they had the choice of pretty much the whole AMA paddock to choose from (contracts permitting). At Laguna he had just 1 practice session to get to know the bike before the race, yet was lapping faster than Hayden during the second half of the race. Had it not been for pitting with machine problems he would have embarrassed a few of the GP regulars too. Chaz has suffered from chronic underfunding for years ( along with a lot of good British riders) and has ridden some pretty awful machinery to some very impressive results in that time, so I am chuffed that he has landed even the slim chance of a full time GP ride with D'Antin and think that he will surprise a few people once he gets to grips with it. Latest news is that Chaz won't be racing at Motegi after all, as he has developed a reaction to an anti-tetanus injection he received at the final AMA round. His arm is now so swollen he couldn't ride the bike. If it wasn't for bad luck he'd have none at all at the moment! | ||
| Jaimec |
Considering that Hayden was knocked out of the race in the first lap (by Hopkins), and then riding with a damaged bike, I wouldn't say that lapping faster than him was really much of an accomplishment... | ||
| Trojan |
But no word yet on the Yamaha Tech3 squad I see... From motorcyclenews.com 'And MCN has also learned that Toseland and new team-mate Colin Edwards will definitely be running on Michelin tyres in the 2008 world championship.' Certainly makes sense with the other factory team running Michelins. | ||
| Jaimec |
They should've done like Honda with the Gresini team... one team with Michelin, and one with Bridgestone. Still, I suspect Edwards has a preference for the Michelins as he's more familiar with them than the Bridgestones and neither he nor Toseland would want to start off the season KNOWING they wouldn't be competitive on Dunlops... | ||
| Trojan |
Considering that Hayden was knocked out of the race in the first lap (by Hopkins), and then riding with a damaged bike, I wouldn't say that lapping faster than him was really much of an accomplishment... OK, let me put it another way. By the end of the race Davies was lapping faster than everyone outside the top 6. Commentaters worked out that if he had not had to stop for the sprocket problem he would have finished insie the top ten. Not a bad result for a first ever ride on a MotoGP bike. I hope Chaz takes the opportunity he has been offered as the official Ducati/Bridgestone test rider for 2008. He may not get to race but at least will build up a lot of experience on the bike and may fill in for injured riders. It looks like the second D'Antin seat is already taken alongside Guintoli, so I don't think Chaz will get a full time GP ride next year unfortunately. They should've done like Honda with the Gresini team... one team with Michelin, and one with Bridgestone. I disagree. In fact I think that having two teams on the same bike and tyres will double the development effort and will work a lot better than splitting their resources. This year the Michelin teams have all suffered because of lack of testing, so it makes sense to put everyone on the same tyres and share setup information. The two Yamaha teams will be much closer next year than they are now, with the Tech 3 team becoming a second factory effort rather than just a satellite team, so we can expect a lot more information exchange between the two garages. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
The only team having info for both Michelin and Bridgestone tires, is Honda. The fact that HRC is going for Michelin next year(apparently), shows the Michelin is still on top of the game. If HRC knew that switching to Bridgestones would give them an edge for the title in 2008, they would have done it. It is funny that the fact that Stoner is winning on the GP7, have convienced many people that Bridgestones are superior to Michelin. Taking Suzuki out (& their exceptional riders), what is the success of the rest of the Bridgestone bikes???? None. It shows that Bridgestone can play the PR game, and that they are using Stoner's and Ducatis success to the maximum. But this is fine since they have invested a lot of money and efford in the motoGP, and now they are looking for pay back. People seem to forget the problems the Bridgestone teams had at 70% of the tracks last years. Are we to believe that a miracle happened this year and Bridgestones became un-beatable?? No-way This year, Stoner's talent & use of the GP7's potential to the maximum, and the Honda & Yamaha teams falling asleep, have boosted Bridgestones. Rossi made many complains for his Michelin tiers this year. He seems to forget that Michelin was giving him the best compound from all the Michelin riders on Sunday morning, so the race was made easy for him. Sete Gibernau was complaining about this. But he was a looser, so who would listen to him?? Certainly not the rossi-maniacs. I am glad that the new rule have changed that. Good Luck Casey ! Get the title at Motegi! The Ducatisti can wait no longer !!!! | ||
| Jaimec |
Psssssst: Honda hasn't agreed to using Michelin next year. So far only Yamaha has signed on the dotted line. | ||
| Trojan |
what is the success of the rest of the Bridgestone bikes???? Take a look at the results from most of the GP's this year and you'll see that the top 6 (top 10 in some!) were packed with Bridgestone runners who ordinarily wouldn't be up that high in the finishing order. Nobody is taking anything away from Stoner's riding this year (although his arrogance in some interviews is a bit premature methinks), but it is acknowledged throughout MotoGP that the Bridgestone tyre has been much better than the Michelins so far this year. It will be interesting when tyre performance parity is restored to see how good some of this years top 6 finishers really are. Interestingly, I read a very good technical article the other day regarding the Ducati and its engine management system, which made a lot of sense when watching Casey ride the bike. Apparently they have developed the management to a much greater extent than Yamaha/Honda etc so that Stoner can ride at much more full throttle for the whole lap than the other machines, and the engine management will decide exactly how much power to give depending upon lean angle, wheelspin and a host of other factors. Whilst all manufacturers have electronic aids it appears that Ducati has the most advanced of the lot. No wonder Stoner is so outspoken in his support of electronic rider aids in his recent interviews. When watching him in close up at the last GP he was at full throttle at the apex of some slower corners whilst still leant right over, and where you would expect him to just be starting to accelerate from a neutral throttle. Maybe it goes some way to explain how he has gone from 'fast but crashes a lot' to 'fast and doesn't crash'? It would also explain why Capirossi, a much more experienced rider and blisteringly fast every year until now, has not gelled with the Ducati this year and demanded a completely different setup on his bike. I really hope that the electronics are much more limited next year so that pure rider ability decides who wins and not tyres or technology. | ||
| Jaimec |
According to MCN, Honda wants Bridgestone, but Bridgestone DOESN'T want the Repsol team. Also, BOTH Hayden and Pedrosa are pressuring Honda to make the switch: http://tinyurl.com/3e3zvp Will Yamaha be the ONLY team running Michelin next year? | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I really hope electronics are banned 100% from motoGP. No more traction control for F1 next year. | ||
| Davegess |
I really hope electronics are banned 100% from motoGP. I agree 100% | ||
| Jaimec |
Traction Control was one of the things holding Nicky back this year. Nicky likes to back the bike into the turns, American flat-track style. The traction control was preventing him from doing that. Somewhere mid season they finally dialed his back and with Michelin's improvements he's been running towards the front again. | ||
| Blake |
I'd like to see minimum weight limits that include the rider. Was anyone complaining much in previous years when Michelin was the de facto leader in tire performance for MotoGP? Why now wrt Bridgestone, because it is Rossi who has fallen victim to superior tire tech? Was not each tire manufacturer obliged to follow the same rules? Spec tires would be fine by me. But then some of the racing machines also provide advantages for some riders over others, yes? MotoGP is not purely about rider skill; it is as much about machine and tire performance and the competency and hard work of the crews, yes? I don't like the idea of automated throttle/engine control. I know some like Kevin Cameron who I respect most highly see it as just another step in the progression of motorcycle technology, but where do we ultimately draw the line? Taken to the inevitable extreme, we'll eventually see automated power steering, braking, shifting, and at some point we can throw away the rider and just have a bunch of robots racing around the track. What will be left of the human achievement part of the sport when all a rider need do is cling to the bike as it optimally negotiates the race course thanks to amazingly advanced computer-controlled automated riding systems? | ||
| Vagelis46 |
The answer to the future of electronics in racing was given by F1, the leader in motor-racing technology. Traction control is banned for 2008 in F1. I think motoGP will follow soon. I will be very happy with this. As far as electronics & motorcycles, I find the ABS in my BMW 1150RT very dangerous. Sometimes it kicks in before the braking limit is reached, and I almost get down the cliffs! Decent riders and electronics do not mix together! One of my friends on an Aprilia Caponord with ABS, crashed in the back of a car, because the "electronics" ABS took control over him, and decided to reduce the braking forces. He is certain that he would have braked easily with a normal braking system. Also I would never buy a moto with a servo-motor actuating the baterflys of the fuel system. So good-bye Yamaha R6 and R1!!! MotoGp teams complain about the cost of racing, but the spend all the money they can get to improve expensive electronic systems. But I guess that every team is doing its best to win. The only rider that talked about the electronics, was Troy Corser. He suggested that they have no place in racing. Thanks Troy! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
1. minimum weight w/fuel & rider -- oh yea 2. traction control cheats the talented riders . It's nothing more than handicapping. 3. Put everyone on the same rubber. Take this out of the equation. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Bigdaddy: I couldn't agree more. Those changes would make the racing much better. I don't particularly care to see the electronics handicapping to make the races closer and "more interesting" I understand that the number of high-sides is down and that's nice, but it has made the racing too.....vanila. Let the rider shine! the manufacturers would love for it to be solely an equipment race, but that is not going to please the fans. It does....and SHOULD...matter who is riding the bike. | ||
| Jaimec |
It's an all-Michelin front row at Motegi! Pedrosa, Rossi and Hayden. Stoner qualified way down in ninth. Just as Michelin is getting competitive again, Dorna proposes a one tire rule. Hmmmmmmmm... | ||
| Smoke |
hoping for an exciting race tomorrow. i would like to see the tire wars continue and the electronic control diminish next year. go Nicky!!! tim | ||
| Jackbequick |
Today is the day: Speed Channel, 6:00PM Eastern time. Reshowings: Tuesday 9/25 1:00PM EDT Wednesday 9/26 4:00AM EDT Jack | ||
| Vagelis46 |
WELL DONE CASEY !!!! GO DUCATI!!! | ||
| Smoke |
CONGRATULATIONS to Casey Stoner on winning the championship and Loris Capirossi on winning an unusual race!! tim | ||
| Jaimec |
It was a PERFECT day for Ducati and I was glad to see the "Old Man" win one more for the team. For some reason, Loris hasn't been able to "click" with the new Ducati as his team mate has, but this time it was his strategy and wiles that pulled out the day for him. When everyone else was pulling in to change bikes, his tires were already warmed up to operating temperature. Michelin also made a tactical error in sending out their riders with "cut slicks" whereas the Bridgestone riders were using regular slicks after changing bikes. That cost them as well. Also interesting to see Dunlop fighting for a podium position, so congratulations to Sylvain Guintoli as well. He just missed out on the third position outrunning his two Michelin-shod compadres. A week off, and then a home coming for the newly crowned MotoGP world champion at Philip Island! | ||
| Vagelis46 |
What is going on with the '08 tire rule?? Any news - rumours ??? | ||
| Jaimec |
So far they're fighting about the single "control tire" rule. I can understand why. Personally, I think the ONLY change that was necessary was to allow the teams to make their tire decisions AFTER the first practice, not BEFORE. I have no problems with trying to keep costs down, and keeping all of the tire manufacturers on an even setting, but I think it was STUPID to force the teams to make their tire choices before even setting foot on the track at least ONCE. And by the way, I'm getting pretty sick and tired of everyone saying the only reason they want to change the rules now is to punish Bridgestone for their success. The whole point of changing the rules in the first place was to punish Michelin for their success (via their ability to overnight "factory special" tires to their teams for race day). Everybody seems to forget that. Guess it's okay to punish Michelin for their success, but not to punish Bridgestone for theirs? In any event, no one should be punished, and that's a stupid argument. Just get them back on an even keel. By the way, I see British Superbike is going to a "Control Tire" rule for 2008 too... | ||
| Vagelis46 |
So, what will decide which tire manufacturer will be the chosen one ? The tire manufacturer that offers more money to the organizers? Will the teams have a say? Stoner said that he does not like just one tire supplier. Is he afraid that if everybody has the same tires, Rossi or Pedrosa will beat him? Is he afraid that if Ducati has to switch to Michelin, they will take them a lot of time to change their settings, and he will lose the chances for the '09 title ?? I think Ducati&Stoner should not worry too much for what is going to happen. They are the '08 champions. They should look at the next tire rule (whatever that is) as a new opportunity to show their superiority, as a bike-rider package. | ||
| Jaimec |
Good question. I would hope that if they DO go the control tire route that they use a DIFFERENT manufacturer every year! That should keep everyone on equal footing. Every year everyone would have to start over fresh! No excuses! | ||
| Trojan |
The decision on whether to go down the control tyre route won't be taken until after the Malaysian GP in order to give the tyre companies time to come to an agreement that suits everybody. At the moment Bridgestone & Michelin cannot agree on a format that suits the organisers, teams and spectators. TV audiences have slumped considerably this season because of the boring races, and that is the main concern of Dorna. Obviously those that have benefitted from the current rules (Ducati, Suzuki, Bridgestone etc) are against any changes, whilst those that have suffered (the rest) want change. Unless the two sides can come to a compromise a solution will be imposed on them and they will only have themselves to blame. Interestingly, it may not be any of the current tyre providers that gets to supply the whole grid next year. It could be Pirelli, Metzeler or even Continental, and to be honest it really doesn't matter who it is provided everyone has the same tyre. Bridgestone have already said that they will be unwilling to supply the whole grid next year, although I thnk that is just brinkmanship on their part, and if offered the contract they would grab it with both hands. Personally I think it will work far better than the current rules (or the previous few years for that matter), which were badly thought out and doomed to fail before the season even started. A control tyre will close up the racing for a much better series or everyone (except maybe the tyre companies who don't gett he contract). |
