| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=37538 I think I saw some discussion on this in another thread, is Knapp really riding a Suzuki? Showing Shawn Higbee 16th fastest and Walt Sipp 22nd, both on 1125Rs. | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Pos. Rider Team Bike Time 1 Larry Pegram Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R 1:36.022 2 Aaron Yates Jordan Suzuki Brand Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:36.402 3 Tommy Hayden Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:36.697 4 Geoff May National Guard Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:36.836 5 Joshua Hayes Yamaha Motor Corp Yamaha R1 1:37.274 6 Ben Bostrom Yamaha Motor Corp Yamaha R1 1:37.293 7 Jake Holden Holden Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1:37.350 8 Michael Laverty Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:37.375 9 Neil Hodgson Corona Extra Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:37.559 10 Blake Young Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:37.578 11 Taylor Knapp Taylor Knapp Racing Buell 1125RR 1:38.203 12 Chris Ulrich Roadracingworld.com Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.409 13 S Charlton Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.287 14 D Jones Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.218 15 Scott Jensen Moto Garage Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.152 16 Shawn Higbee Higbee-Racing.com Buell 1125R 1:42.182 17 R Hix Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.772 18 Reno Karimian Team Reno Bazzaz Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:43.146 19 Josh Graham Moto Garage Racing Yamaha R1 1:43.775 20 Eric Haugo Liberty Waves Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:44.387 | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Another tidbit....there is also an interview from Larry Pegram, he said the track was sketchy, but he also said "every track we race on has some part that is sketchy", he said that the promoter in Kansas was extremely helpful to the riders and he praised them for their attitude and diligence to make the track safer....Mladin disagreed apparently and took his toys and went home. Here is the article: Think Suzuki's Mat Mladin didn't give up a lot by choosing not to race this weekend? Mat Mladin could have clinched his seventh AMA Superbike championship at Topeka. Mladin leads the points by 126. With his contract expiring and the unsteady state of the championship, quite possibly there could be only a few races left for Mat Mladin in the US. If 82 official AMA Superbike wins and 84 "crossed the line first" races wasn't enough, Mladin could have possibly achieved the 90 victory mark if he'd raced this weekend. There's no telling what other repercussions Mladin might suffer in this politically charged climate, either. Instead, Mat decided to stick with his beliefs that the track in its current state was unsafe. On his Twitter page, Mladin said riders needed to "stand up and be counted." No word yet if Mladin will be alone in sitting out the weekend or if this will lead to an "I'm Spartacus" type moment from other riders. ENDS | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Knapp appears to be riding his Gixxer. There were some reports of him testing on it earlier this week. Looks like his times and placement in the field are on par with the 1125RR. I am very curious why he's not riding the 1125RR. | ||
| Toona |
AMA live qualifying shows him on a 1125RR now. As of this moment, qualifying still ongoing, Knapp is in 9th with a 1:38:062 If it holds, Super Pole run baby! Higbee in 16th, 1:41:206 Sipp in 17th 1:42:063 | ||
| Elvis |
Buell confirmed on their twitter page that Knapp is riding his Suzuki, NOT the 1125RR. But he'll be the Superpole rider I'll be rooting for either way since Shawn isn't likely to get in. | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Another one decides not to run..... We're told by sources close to Jamie Hacking that the three-time AMA champion has decided not to race this weekend in Kansas. Jamie rode this morning before making his decision. Hacking has been one of the stronger safety advocates in his time on the US racing scene. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
As much as it surprises me, I am actually disappointed that Hacking is not running. I looked forward to seeing him and Slick mixing it up.....maybe I wanted to see a repeat move like Danny put on him a couple weekends ago. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Knapp should loan his RR to Shawn for the weekend dammit!  | ||
| Toona |
bummer, Knapp goes to 11th qualifying position with the same time 1:38:062 Higbee and Sipp 17th & 18th respectively times improved, but not enough to hold prior placement | ||
| Toona |
Hacking is only running Daytona Sportbike this year, not Superbike. | ||
| Toona |
DSB group A qualifies from 1:20-1:50 CST DSB group B qualifies from 2:00-2:30 CST Link to this weekends schedule: http://www.amaproracing.com/assets/HeartlandParkSc hedule.pdf | ||
| Doerman |
Mid-O was the inaugural run for the RR with Knapp piloting the bike. It was all wired up for for data collection. I also heard that it (the RR) was not to run again until the final race in NJ. That's all old data at this point and might well have changed. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Thanks for the heads up, Ozzie. that makes some sense. | ||
| Trojan |
I never thought I would ever say this....but well said Mat Mladin  http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=37546 | ||
| Doerman |
Mat is pretty vocal on this issue. He's vocal by nature and carries clout. I read in another article (and I can't remember where) that the MIC organization had requested a set of changes for Topeka that have all been met for this race. So I am not sure if Mladen's concerns are real or he is digging his heels in to protest DMG run AMA racing. Who knows. | ||
| Eboos |
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| Eboos |
I was told by a local insider who works for one of the teams that "there are some sketchey areas, but it's better then Loudon". | ||
| Macdiver |
Since I don't have the balls to do what these guys do on the track, I can not criticize any racer who does not run on a track they do not believe is safe. It is good for Matt Mladin and Jamie Hacking that they are in the position to make that decision. Most of the guys are not in the position to not race. While DMG views the racers as short term participants (see part 3 of RE interview) without the racers the long term guys have no race. Kansas needs to make more changes for next year. They need to look at NJMP. Several riders had some concerns about that track. There may be time to address those concerns. | ||
| Eboos |
The problem is, this is not the time to be trying to resolve these issues. Prior to scheduling, the safety commitiee approves or gives a conditional approval for a race track. Once that track is on the schedule, to have a rider like Mat Mladin throw a coup not only embarrasses the AMA, the track owners and promoters, but also costs the fans, the promoters, the sponsors and the AMA a lot of money. If Mat desided that after the safety commitiee (isn't he a part of it?) approved the course that it still wasn't up to his standard of what is safe, then he should have withdrew then, when the race was put on the schedule. To make a show of this is more of a showboating protest then a useful show of concern for safety. | ||
| Buell2001b |
Good for you Mat for not racing in a track that you feel it is not completely safe. Seriously guys, do you want Eslick our only chance at a championchip racing in a track that Mat thinks is not safe for him. the last thing I want is Eslick crashing. All I can say is eslick just get points and don't risk your life. | ||
| Buell2001b |
Why would Knapp let any other rider use his 1125RR? NO ONE has done better then Knapp in DSB other then Eslick. what makes you think sipp or the other guys can do better on the 1125RR. the only guy that could handle it would be Eslick. | ||
| Toona |
Why would Knapp let any other rider use his 1125RR? NO ONE has done better then Knapp in DSB other then Eslick. Umm, not sure it was HIS (Knapp's) 1125RR that he was riding at Mid Ohio. Not saying that his team (Rider's Direct for Superbike,(Latus for DSB)) didn't help with the initial set up. "Team Buell/Elves" did the majority of the "wrenching" (that I saw) on it during Mid Ohio. what makes you think sipp or the other guys can do better on the 1125RR. I think the only rider to actually race the 1125RR has been Knapp. Sipp and Higbee have been riding basically stock 1125R's in Superbike. Though multiple guys have ridden the 1125RR at a practice day at NJMP following Mid Ohio. the only guy that could handle it would be Eslick. Please don't "short change" the other riders out there.....well except for maybe Johnny Rock Page  | ||
| Trojan |
The problem is, this is not the time to be trying to resolve these issues. Prior to scheduling, the safety commitiee approves or gives a conditional approval for a race track. Once that track is on the schedule, to have a rider like Mat Mladin throw a coup not only embarrasses the AMA, the track owners and promoters, but also costs the fans, the promoters, the sponsors and the AMA a lot of money. If Mat desided that after the safety commitiee (isn't he a part of it?) approved the course that it still wasn't up to his standard of what is safe, then he should have withdrew then, when the race was put on the schedule. To make a show of this is more of a showboating protest then a useful show of concern for safety. I don't think that is entirely true and does Mladin, Hacing and now Pietri a great disservice. The concerns about the new circuit were raised by the safety committee some time ago and they were apparently re-assured that the necessary safety work would be completed in time for the race weekend. However on Wednesday and Thursday of this week there were stll bulldozers at the circuit removing sections of concrete wall that the riders complained about at first practice! Even with the offending concrete wall at turn one removed it left a run off area with a 25 foot drop off! Mladin did go out for for practice and completed two laps before making his final decision that the circuit ws unsafe to ride, and should be congratulated for having the balls to make a public stand against the circuit and the organisers (made easier by a huge championship lead admittedly). Hacking adn Pietri have no such cushion so their decisions should also be applauded rather than making 'whining' remarks. only wish that the other riders would get together and form a united front rather than have to make individual protests. Racers put their life on the line every weekend, and a part of that 'contract' with organisers is that they expect measures in place to make things as safe as possible. DMG obviously view the riders with very little respect (especially given RE's comments in his recent interviews regarding the 'temporary' nature of riders in the system!) and have very little understanding of how motorcycle and car safety differs. RE made excuses for the safety car incident at Laguna by saying that the US is very litigious so they need to protect corner workers etc from injury, yet allows races to take place on clearly unsuitable circuits because of purely commercial reasons. There are other circuits in the world that are inherently unsafe (IOM, Macau etc) but riders go there knowing the risks and are not riding there as part of a championship. If a circuit is being used as part of a major national championship where riders fell pressured to compete then there are no excuses. | ||
| Crusty |
Let me see if I have it right. The AMA and a Safety Committee comprised of expert racers inspected the track and made recommendations for improvements. The track owner made the improvements, and the Safety Committee returned and gave their approval. Now, at the last minute Mladin decides it's unsafe to race on, and makes a big production of it. In the recent past, Mladin has made several comments to the effect that he thought DMG was out to get him personally. I think he's just trying to sabotage the race and discredit the AMA. | ||
| Blake |
The solution is simple. Put a permanent standing yellow (no passing) at the particular area of concern. | ||
| Blake |
I just read Mladin's commentary. It comes across to me as disingenuous and vindictive. He and Hacking are free to not race. The bitchy vindictive commentary though, especially considering that virtually the entire paddock disagrees with him, is way out of line, petty, and shows his true character. Valid concerns or no, he's behaving in very poor form. AMA Pro Racing should at a minimum suspend him through the VIR round. | ||
| Blake |
Contrast Mladin's commentary with... http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=37511 and also that of Mr. Edmondson, a class act, no question... | ||
| Macdiver |
Blake, What commentary are you referencing? Is it this article on Roadracingworld? www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=3754 6 If so, I did not see it as vindictive. There should be more testing at new venues. Testing would have allowed more racers to evaluate the track for safety. Testing also allows the teams to dial in the bikes which provides better racing. As far as the tracks being unsafe, RE even stated in his interview that it is up to the racer to decide if a track is safe enough for that racer. Matt and the others decided that this track is does not meet their own safety standard and have decided not to race. It is obvious that the track owners want to fix the issues but enough was not done before hand. They now have another year to address the remaining issues. | ||
| Glitch |
Will he race at Road Atlanta again, or has he since they added a "Drift Zone"(for fast and furious drift racing) ? The reason I ask, is because a few years ago he had a tire come apart after turn 10A. He was able to run off the track and not even lay the bike down. If the same thing happened in the same spot now, he'd not have to run off area he did before. His run off would be pavement, not grass.  I don't have a dog in this fight, or an opinion on him, I'm just wondering. |
