| Author | Message | ||
     Jimidan |
One reason I don't have as much enthusiasm for the Indy MotoGP event is the lack of real motorcycle racing in the support classes. I have zero desire to watch two stroke road racing. I don't like it. It annoys me. Blake, there is soooo much going on at Indy that you don't even have to watch the 125's and 250's...but that will not matter next year as the 250 will be replaced by the 600's. A lot of folks did their walking around during the times the 2-strokes were running and then got back to their seats for the big boys practices, qualifying and race. I watched MotoGP qualifying on the berm near the back straight-away, while the race was watched at Ducati Island. I did watch the 250 and 125 races (125's from the open grandstands and 250 from the Duck Island) as I do keep up with the racers on SPEED, but you don't have to. Indy MotoGP was the best spectator racing experiences of my life. I can't wait to go back next year. Then there is the Indy Mile on Saturday night that is always a hoot, and Bike Week in downtown that will make you think of Daytona without all of the drunk bikers on hogs. The town is full of motorcycle enthusiasts who love racing. You just gotta come to see it. I am still trying to make it to California to watch the MotoGP show out there...maybe next year the wife and I can make that. We are taking care of her parents with Alzheimers right now, but someday... | ||
| Crusty |
I agree with everything that Jimidan said about the MotoGP at Indy. Now that I've been to the Speedway, I can understand why the Indy 500 is the biggest auto race on earth. The track at Daytona is impressive, but the IMS is in a class of its own. Terri and I spent most of Saturday walking around the infield. We checked out the different vendors I tried on helmets and found the one I'm going to purchase next. Terri found a pair of boots that she really liked (Santa Clause is bringing them for Christmas). We got to get up close and personal with a Formula 1 Ferrari at the Bridgestone display. There were Demo rides, big displays by manufacturers, Speed TV was broadcasting live, there were seminars being given by people like Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey, Freebies by the ton, food vendors all around. It was total immersion. Terri and I walked through the infield all morning, and we didn't cover half of it. We sat across from Ducati Island (where most of the Ducatisti were wearing red) in the Southwest Vista. The racing was great. I had the pleasure of watching the little rat weasel Pedrosa throw it away while leading the race. Rossi also threw it away while chasing Lorenzo. Nicky made the box. The City closed off the Downtown area to all vehicles except motorcycles on Friday and Saturday nights, and it was a gas. The mile was classic Dirt Track. I strongly recommend you check it out. Terri and I had as much fun as we could have hoped for. We'll be back next year. | ||
| Smoke |
renewed my INDY GP tickets already!! camping across from the track again and will be ordering my mile tickets too! too much fun! and the support classes had a lot of competition throughout the field too!! tim | ||
| Blake |
Can't be as as impressive as Oak Hill Raceway though. | ||
| Crusty |
Oh; Terri and I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for $49.00/night. we had reservations at the local Motel 6 for $66.00/night, but we got a tip about Hotwire and took a chance on it. A very nice place to stay for one hell of a deal! | ||
| Duggram |
Anybody have any experience with taking an RV to Indy? We want to take the toyhauler next year with a street bike. Any advice appreciated. (Message edited by duggram on September 20, 2009) | ||
| Jaimec |
TEAM TEXAS!!! Matt's worst nightmare?  | ||
| Trojan |
That has to be worst kept secret in the history of motorcycle racing! Toseland was told 10 days ago that he was going to be released from his contract but everyone then denied that Spies was going to take his place...who else was in the frame! I suppose they will just have to modify the motorhomes now so they can fit two ten gallon hats in instead of one, and fit more spitoons to collect all the chewing tobacco It appears that Toseland is doing a straight switch with Ben and taking over his ride in WSBK. He will be partnered by Cal Crutchlow, who has apparently been blocked by Yamaha from getting out of his two year contract in order to race in Moto2. Crutchlow was widely expected to join Gresini in Moto2 next year and had already stated that was his preference. However, he did have a pretty watertight contract with Yamaha and they have obviously decided that he will stick to it, so Cal will have to see out his second year in WSBK with the Yamaha team after all (I'm sure that will be de-motivating before the season even starts!) | ||
| Ebear |
Ben Spies: From the AMA Horizon Award to AMA Superbike to World Superbike to MotoGP... -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Posted October 1, 2009 Email Print From a press release issued by Monster Yamaha Tech 3... Monster Yamaha Tech 3 are delighted to announce they will field Colin Edwards and Ben Spies in an all-American line-up for the 2010 MotoGP World Championship. Edwards has agreed a new one-year contract after the Texan produced the best form of his MotoGP career during 2009, including a stunning second place in the British MotoGP at Donington Park. The 35-year-old has featured in the top seven in ten out of 13 races so far and he's still firmly in contention for a top five world championship placing. Joining the vastly experienced Edwards will be fellow Texan Spies. The 25-year-old joins the Tech 3 squad with outstanding credentials h aving enjoyed phenomenal success on board Yamaha's R1 machine in the World Superbike championship. Winner of 12 out of 24 races so far with nine pole positions, Spies is already ranked in the top 15 World Superbike riders in history. Herve Poncharal – Team Manager: “I am delighted that Colin will remain with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team in 2010. He has proved once again in 2009 that he remains one of the world's best riders and he is a tremendous asset for Tech 3, Yamaha and Monster. Colin has been an integral part of our recent success and his dedication and impressive performances mean his new contract is thoroughly deserved. It also gives me great pleasure to welcome Ben to Tech 3. It's a very exciting prospect having a rider of Ben's calibre join our team. Everybody is aware that he is a rider with i ncredible talent and huge potential, which he has proved with some outstanding performances for Yamaha in World Superbikes this season. And I have no doubt that together with Tech 3, Yamaha and Monster that Ben will be a big success in 2010 in MotoGP. Colin and Ben together means Tech 3 will arguably field its strongest ever line-up and everybody in the team can look forward to 2010 with tremendous excitement and optimism. Finally I would also like to thank James Toseland. He has been one of the most determined and dedicated riders ever to work with Tech 3. I have nothing but admiration for James and it has been a privilege working with him. I wish him all the best for the future.” | ||
| Ebear |
(I Believe BLAKE made this proposition FIRST.......)   ELBOWZ...hanging it out at Ohio...  Burning it up at Seca...  And Wild Man Edwards...(hiding a Beer)...at IMS Show..)Racing just got Sooo much better! | ||
| Vagelis46 |
What would be the biggest news, after Spies joined motoGP for 2010 ?? Spies racing in Valencia, just like Bayliss did in 2006 after he got his WSBK title.....It sounds great !! Better than that, just think what would happen if Spies wins the race ! | ||
| Blake |
Darn "average" and "middle-of-the-pack" motorcycle racers. What is Tech-3 thinking? ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Davegess |
It will be intersting to watch. I still think he is getting a bike very close to what Rossi has. | ||
| Jaimec |
Since the YZF-R1 has a MotoGP derived engine, he should be much more comfortable with that transition than he was going from the IL4 GSXR-1000 to the V4 Suzuki MotoGP bike last year. PLUS, he gets to keep his current technical team with him. That's HUGE! | ||
| Trojan |
Since the YZF-R1 has a MotoGP derived engine, he should be much more comfortable with that transition than he was going from the IL4 GSXR-1000 to the V4 Suzuki MotoGP bike last year. Other than the fact that they are both IL4 engines with strange firing orders, there is very little similarity between the R1 and M1 engines, and the chassis will make the biggest difference. As Rossi says: “For me, the MotoGP riding style is very close to a 250 riding style now. Riders like Jorge (Lorenzo), Dani (Pedrosa), (Casey) Stoner, and maybe (Marco) Simoncelli next year, arriving from 250 have a big advantage compared to the riders that arrive from World Superbike. The style of riding these bikes, especially with the Bridgestone tyres, is more similar to the 250s, and has a big difference compared to a superbike. Together with this, the 250 riders know all the tracks, and the World Superbike riders know just two or three. So I think it's a lot more difficult for Superbike riders to arrive at the top in MotoGP, especially at the beginning, compared to riders from 250 like Jorge who arrived last year and made three pole positions in the first three races. But maybe it's just a question of time, because Ben is young. I think he's the only guy in Superbikes at the moment that is able to try to win in MotoGP, “said Rossi. Rossi is certainly confident that Spies will be able to make a successful switch to MotoGP, a task that has eluded several big names that have previously come from WSB. It will be interesting to see how it pans out that's for sure  PLUS, he gets to keep his current technical team with him. That's HUGE! Keeping his existing technical team will be more for confidence than anything else, as they will also have a huge learning curve to master with the new bike and chassis over the winter and next year. It may even have been an advantage to have an experienced MotoGP crew chief and techincal guy for the first year rather than take his existing Superbike crew. (Message edited by trojan on October 02, 2009) | ||
| Jaimec |
Hey, it worked for him in the transition from AMA to World Superbike, and from the GSXR-1000 he cut his teeth on to the totally new YZF-R1. If anyone can do it, it's Ben. Remember, Rossi had Burgess when he transitioned from the V5 RC211V to the IL4 YZF-M1. Even he admits he couldn't have done it without Jeremy. Not to mention the two-stroke 500 to the four stroke 990, and then the four stroke 990 M1 to the four stroke 800 M1. I never discount the importance of the rider's confidence in his technical team. | ||
| Jimidan |
Blake Sez: Darn "average" and "middle-of-the-pack" motorcycle racers. What is Tech-3 thinking? : ]" It is a very good time to be a Texan! Maybe you will have to come to Indy next year to support this Texas Team. You will not be sorry. | ||
| Crusty |
Indy will blow your mind. | ||
| Trojan |
I'm looking forward to the 2010 season already, just to experience the unbiased and totally un-nationalistic discussions about the relative race series on here 'Team Redneck' (Colin Edwards title, not mine I hasten to add!) in MotoGP and team 'Rule Britannia' in WSBK....Bring it on | ||
| Blake |
I'd like to see the MotoGP race at Indy. So many races, so little time! | ||
| Smoke |
put it on your calendar now Blake and spring for the tickets! if you already have the tickets you are more likely to show and camping is cheap for the 3 day weekend. see ya there! 28aug? tim | ||
| Jaimec |
Valencia just got more interesting: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresul ts/MotoGP/2009/October/oct0309-spies-to-race-rossi -and-toseland-in-valencia/ | ||
| Vagelis46 |
Spies racing in Valencia ! | ||
| Gregtonn |
It may even have been an advantage to have an experienced MotoGP crew chief and techincal guy for the first year rather than take his existing Superbike crew. Not likely. One of the most important aspects of the rider/crew chief connection is trust and the ability to communicate. A good crew chief knows how to make adjustments to suit his rider. A crew chief not familiar with the same rider might make a large adjustment when only a small tweak is what the rider needed. Those are the sorts of things that result in crashes and loss of rider confidence. I would agree that adding a "technical guy" who is familiar with the intricacies of the new bike would likely be an advantage. G | ||
| Gaesati |
Stoner is back ! Despite the time off, he finished in second spot behind xxxx who pulled a blinder of a race. Great race for Nicky. Amazing the improvement now that Ducati is working with him. Now if he can only escape being taken out by every man and his dog in races he should have a terrific season next year. Colin Edwards is also vindicating his new contract. | ||
| Gaesati |
It will be interesting to see how Spies goes in Valencia. He is looking more and more like a rider who could be up there with the likes of W. Rainey. (The greatest of all US roadracers) | ||
| Dentguy |
Please don't post any final race results yet or kindly put up a spoiler alert. We don't get to see the race for another 8 1/2 hours. Was reading posts from yesterday, came across yours and now I know who came in second. I do appreciate you not posting the winner. Thanks. | ||
| Duggram |
Dentguy, for your own protection don't read the forums. Why are you reading it any way? If I was trying to do what you are, I'd stay off the Internet till after I saw the race. It's not like you're going to die if you don't read the forum for 8 hours. Then you'll have a great time watching the show. HTH | ||
| Dentguy |
Duggram, Most people here have enough courtesy to not post results until later or preface with "spoiler". All I am asking for and definitely not the first to ask for that. But, thanks for all your thoughtful knowledge. It's good to know I will not die if I skip the forum for 8 hours. | ||
| Smoke |
i usually stay out of the race forum until i finish watching the races. tim |
