| Author | Message | ||
     Fresnobuell |
did Bein show Race 1 at all? I only got a soccer game with the "Race 1 cancelled" scrolling accross the screen with no reason why. I am glad it wasn't cancelled due to a tragedy. That crossed my mind. | ||
| Jaimec |
I don't know the answer to that. Not sure if FiOS got the updated schedule in time for my DVR. Since I already knew the outcome I didn't check to see what was actually recorded... | ||
| Jaimec |
Oh well... I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Bautista was always a crasher in GP. Maybe the honeymoon is over? Anyhow, I have a new favorite WSBK racer. I can't spell his name, but it's the Turkish dude. I like the way he hangs it out there when he rides. Two wheel slides are cool. Reminds me a bit of Eslick, but this guy can actually ride a Superbike. | ||
| Jaimec |
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Hopefully Bautista can keep it together. It's about TIME someone was able to provide a challenge to Rea and Kawasaki. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Toprack gave Rea everything he could handle in Race 2. I was so pulling for him to make that pass on the last lap for the win. He tried but Rea was able to go back underneath. I loved that the announcers were basically giving the race to Rea on lap 4-5 (with Toprack leading) and it took Rea until the second to the last lap to actually make that pass. I think Rea as able to conserve some tire by riding in second all race and that was the difference. I can't wait to see if Toprack can challenge for a podium at Laguna Seca. | ||
| Jaimec |
I guess the honeymoon IS over, and Bautista has returned to form... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
God that wet race was boring. I had to fast forward thru it and watch for the crashes. Does it ever not rain in Donnington? | ||
| Jaimec |
Donington is in England. 'Nuff said. | ||
| Big_dog |
Who's going to Laguna Seca for the World Superbike and Moto America? I'll be riding my SX to/from the track all 3 days. Camping at Monterey Pines RV park. Hope to see some EBR's. | ||
| Jaimec |
I wish. Ever since MotoGP left Indianapolis the only road racing I see these days is MotoAmerica in Pittsburgh and New Jersey. | ||
| Jaimec |
Marco Melandri is hanging up his helmet at the end of this year. That means we don't get to see Manuela Raffaetà on TV anymore (at least here in the States). In other news, we'll have someone to cheer for in Laguna Seca as JD Beach will wildcard in WSBK as well as race in MotoAmerica. Sure hope Stanboli is bringing a couple of crates of parts because that bike is going to take a BEATING. Herrin tried it last year; hoping JD can do better. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Me! Will be camping and arriving Friday morning and leaving Monday morning. My FAVORITE weekend of the year. Can't friggin wait! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I am pulling for Toprak. I don't think he's been to Laguna Seca so that will probably be the difference of fighting for the podium and running mid-pack. Hopefully, he's gets up to speed quickly at new circuits, but Laguna is technical and I just don't think you can learn it your first race weekend when tenths of seconds make the difference. I hope I'm wrong. I like seeing a satellite bike messing up the factory bikes plans... | ||
| Jaimec |
Bautista hasn't seen Laguna Seca since 2013. He definitely starts off on the wrong foot this weekend. Hoping JD can use his "local advantage" to do us proud! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Will be interesting to see if Chaz can out do his teammate this weekend. Lots of success and familiarity with Laguna on Chaz's side of the garage. | ||
| Jaimec |
I've gotta ping Greg and Jason on FB tonight and ask them if they have any insight into what Stanboli has to do to get JD's bike qualified for both MotoAmerica and WSBK on the same weekend (besides swapping tires). Might be something good for "Greg's Garage." | ||
| Firstbuell |
yo Fresnobuell, RE: whatz happening @ WSBK? - for a gazillion years, Jerry & crew have camped above T9/10 is that still on? I sure hope so, since my plan is bringing BBQ meat (& mebbe a side) to gathering + a folding chair to watch...... | ||
| Firstbuell |
well, I walked up to the Buellers camp above T9/10 late Fri, didn’t see any Buells parked there & no Buell flags..... did I miss everyone, or is that wunnerful chapter now closed? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Just rolled in from an awesome weekend at Laguna Seca. WSBK races were boring, but a couple of my predictions came true. Chaz ran well and Bautista was a disaster. Toprak had a great weekend and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Stand up wheelies across the finish line at well over 100 MPH will do that sort of thing, along with being a good dude. He's is a nice soft spoken respectful young man. Easy to root for him for several different reasons. I see him as a solid contender to continue his rise up the standings. He was at Laguna Seca last year, but crashed hard at the Corkscrew which ended his weekend prematurely....so this weekend was essentially still a learning experience which makes his results even more impressive. | ||
| Jaimec |
If Bautista can keep it on two wheels this weekend he just may end Rea's streak at Portimao... He's looking good so far. | ||
| Jaimec |
Looks like I was spot on with my prediction... Bautista seems to be old school "Win it or bin it." | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Toprak is consistently 3rd or 4th fastest, period. Considering he's on a satellite team and consistently in front of a factory Kawi (Haslam), that's damn impressive. Spoke to a few people at Laguna Seca and the consensus is Haslam got the ride because he's British...ie, a marketing move. I had the chance to speak to Toprak on a few occasions at Laguna and he said his bike does not work as well on qualifying tires, hence his lower start position in Race 1. However, when they get on race tires he is fast--which is evident by his climb thru the field in Race 1 and strong performance in the Superpole race (and resulting starting position in Race 2). It will be interesting to see if this pattern continues for the remainder of the season. I would really like to see him get on the top step! (Message edited by fresnobuell on September 11, 2019) | ||
| Jaimec |
So Bautista has signed for HRC. Personally, I think that was a BAD move. He's already proven his speed on the Ducati. So what if he crashed a lot? Does anyone remember Casey Stoner's first year in MotoGP? If Bautista could keep it on two wheels, there is NO ONE else in WSBK who could challenge him, not even Jonathan Rea. Bautista threw away his best chance of getting a World Title next year. The last person to win WSBK on a Honda was the late Nicky Hayden. Before that, you'd have to go back to when Rea rode the Honda. So what if they're coming out with a new bike next year? It will likely require at LEAST a year of development before it is competitive. It's also likely they'll make the same mistake Ducati did when Stoner was winning races on the Desmosedici. They built their Superbike around a MotoGP bike only ONE MAN could ride. Honda has a similar situation now with Marquez. If they think building a Superbike on what they've learned in MotoGP, Bautista could be in a world of hurt. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling next year will be a year of frustration for Alvaro. | ||
| Jaimec |
So it was Alvaro's decision to jump to the Honda? I think maybe he took a few too many shots to the head in those crashes of his... https://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/930186/1/domenical i-bautista-turned-down-sevenfigure-twoyear-ducati- deal (Message edited by jaimec on September 27, 2019) | ||
| Jaimec |
I think Fresnobuell will be very happy with the outcome of Race #1 from Magny-Cours... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
...and Superpole! Both wins coming from P15 on the grid to the top step on the podium! Incredible racing by Toprak and on an Independent team nonetheless. I am still bummed about his crash in Race 2. No doubt the pressure of starting in P1 after Superpole got him a bit anxious and that obviously backfired. I hope his heel is ok as it slammed down hard on that highside. Also, for those that thought he was in line for Haslam's seat next year, he jumped ship to Yamaha because he was pissed at Kawi for inviting him to be a part of the Kawi endurance team but then sitting him completely during the race. Haslam and Rea were allowed to race and this really rubbed Toprak the wrong way as Toprak is obviously way faster than Haslam at this point. COngrats to the most exciting rider in WSBK on his first two wins! | ||
| Jaimec |
I had heard that Toprak had an issue with Kawasaki, but I couldn't imagine what it was. Thanks for the clarification. | ||
| Jaimec |
I see Haslam has lost his seat in 2020. Maybe Lowes could fill it? | ||
| Jaimec |
Gerloff to WSBK next year! Not sure why him and not CamBee. Is the thought process saying Cam is too old now? Anyway, with Attack Performance taking over the Yamaha Factory team in MotoAmerica next year it probably means JD Beach won't lose his ride. |
