| Author | Message | ||
     Fresnobuell |
I always feel like the big strike against bringing an American over is the fact that they have to learn the new tracks. It's one thing to do it in the lower classes, but to expect them to be competitive on a Superbike is not realistic. Really the only way is to go over as early as possible and start in the smaller classes. | ||
| Jaimec |
That didn't stop Ben Spies. Unfortunately, he set an unrealistically high bar that none of the other Americans (so far) have been able to match. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I think Ben Spies was definitely the exception to the rule...it will take a season to learn the tracks. A team must be willing to sit thru a season of mediocre results with a rider that is new to all the tracks and most aren't willing to do so (at the highest levels). (Message edited by fresnobuell on October 16, 2019) | ||
| Jaimec |
Here we go again... no US round of World Superbike on the calendar for 2020: https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/world-superbi ke-weathertech-raceway-laguna-seca-not-on-2020-sch edule/ | ||
| Fresnobuell |
There is a window in both WSBk and MA schedules in July. Let's hope they come to a meeting of the minds like last year. Laguna Seca has other troubles apparently.... https://racer.com/2019/11/19/insight-monterey-coun ty-sham/ This one-man "company" will surely destroy Laguna Seca. He seems shady as hell. Sueing the County because your kids can't handle their "customized" SUV. That speaks volumes to me...along with the bribes. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Kid's accident was likely caused by leather straps breaking on their raised SUV and inexperience of an 18 year old driver, who might have been drinking prior in the day. It was right after the MotoGP race in 2007. Traffic would have been bumper to bumper on that road (as well as any road leading out). Reckless driving was likely not involved (confirmed by witnesses as well.) Dad sued Monterey County as well as the company or person who raised the SUV. | ||
| Jaimec |
Seems a damned shame that we FINALLY have an American on a competitive motorcycle in WSBK, and they WON'T be coming here for us to see. If they can't get Laguna Seca, what about Utah or Indiana?? Both of those places have tracks that could accommodate WSBK. The article I read said that the US and Thailand rounds were dropped so they could add Germany and another Spanish round. Don't know if they could fit another round in there.  | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I know a factor of WSBK coming to Laguna was the fact that the US round was the last before the long summer break. The teams liked to be able to stay here and vacation. That likely won't be the case now because the new German round is at the end of July and THEN the summer break comes.... | ||
| Jaimec |
Garrett Gerloff interviewed by MCN: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/world-superbi kes/2020/january/garrett-gerloff-interview/ | ||
| Jaimec |
Gerloff third fastest in the wet, first practice of 2020. Jonathan Rea sat the day out. Haslam fastest on the new Honda followed by Van Der Mark on the factory Yamaha. Bautista (naturally) crashed. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
WSBK on NBC Sports. I checked my Guide on Sling and all I could find is a listing for WSBKs in Qatar for MOnday at 3pm. Gee not very inspiring to see it tape delayed for Monday mid-afternoon and with the wrong guide info. I think we are going to miss Bein Sports ALOT. | ||
| Jaimec |
I know. I'm guessing NBC has more subscribers, but beIN put them ALL to shame with the quality of their broadcasting. Back to the bad old days of tape delayed coverage, and commercial interruptions in the middle of the race... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
WTF. I just read that NBC will only air 6 rounds of WSBK. Plus it seems GP is bouncing between NBC and NBCSN so surely it will be confusing to keep track of what channel. Already miss Bein Sports and they haven't even started yet. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
How much are the online subscriptions? Shame we are forced to go that route...but not too surprising as road racing here is on a downward spiral. and yes everything is tape delayed. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
WSBK subscription is about 70 euros which is roughly $77. Going to pull the trigger. I do like the on demand feature, meaning no more missed races on DVR do to my brain farts or bad guide on Sling. | ||
| Jaimec |
$77? Geez, Netflix is WAY cheaper than that, and I watch it a lot more. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I get that sentiment Jaime, but I have spent alot more on a given night at the bar. A whole season of WSBK without worrying about how NBC is gonna screw it up is totally worth it to me. | ||
| Jaimec |
Just read Gerloff suffered a concussion in warm up, so he's out the rest of the weekend. | ||
| Jaimec |
I suppose once MotoGP made their announcement it was just a matter of time before WSBK did the same. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/world-superbi ke-race-in-qatar-postponed-by-travel-restrictions/ | ||
| Fresnobuell |
The racing was incredible at PI, especially the Superpole race and Race 2. Treat to watch. One can only hope the rest of the season's racing is close to the show they put on in Australia. The streaming service for WSBK worked flawlessly. How nice to be able to pick and choose what/when one wants to watch! And in full 1080 HD. Beautiful. | ||
| Jaimec |
Yeah, the NBCSN coverage SUCKED. They only showed Race 2, with some highlights from Race 1 and the Superpole race. WTF??? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Scott Redding in an interesting character. Already up to speed on the Ducati. Nice bit on honesty in his post-race comments. Paraphrasing a bit here but he basically said the racing is hard but fair. He said he had a big smile on his face while gritting his teeth at the same time. I have to imagine that's what racers love, although coming from BSB I am sure he got his share of that there as well. He seems to be a likeable guy. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Since all the racing has been cancelled, I watched World Supersport at Phillip Island. Disappointing. Surprisingly processional. Mandatory pit stops which scrambled the field. Many time penalties on botched pit stops so that made it even more unclear as to what was going on... Just wondering how the Superbikes can have no problem with tires lasting 20+ laps but the Supersport bikes needs to have a second set for a 16 lap race? | ||
| Jaimec |
Gerloff done good, outscoring his teammate all weekend! | ||
| Jaimec |
Gerloff third fastest in FP1 at Catalunya! https://www.crash.net/wsbk/results/944666/1/worlds bk-catalunya-free-practice-results-1 | ||
| Crackers |
Guys Gerloff on podium(3rd place)race 2 today he rode amazingly, great to see USA ride on Podium last time it was Nicky. | ||
| Jaimec |
Four years since an American stood on the WSBK podium. Can Gerloff snag a win in his first year?? | ||
| Jaimec |
https://motoamerica.com/gerloff-on-the-podium-in-w orld-superbike/ | ||
| Jaimec |
Gerloff tops the time sheets after a wet Friday practice! | ||
| Jaimec |
Gerloff didn't make any friends in Race 1, did he? Haven't had a chance to watch Race 2 yet (it's not on till 7:30 tonight on NBCSN). |
