MotoGP Thread

[WKDBLD]

Originally Posted by NeverlosT

I want cobras on the track at quatar and mountain lions in the pits at laguna.

Mmm Cougars . . .

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DG

On the prowl
Meet the new urban cougars – older women who enjoy younger men.
By KATHERINE NGUYEN
The Orange County Register

We're not talking about the ferocious mountain lion.

The cougar we're tracking lurks in happening bars or upscale lounges, likely lapping up a pretty martini and basking in the attention of younger admirers.

She's typically in her 30s to late 40s, attractive, defiant when society tries to cage her. Fiercely untamed, she prefers sexy clothing.

Think Samantha Jones from "Sex and the City" or Edie Britt from "Desperate Housewives."

If you aren't familiar with the species yet, you should be.

[WKDBLD]

Originally Posted by NorcalBoy

Ah, Yeah........Hmmmmmmm. There is a very complex set of factors involved this year........This will be the most competitive campaign in the last 10 years, both from a mechanical/technological standpoint as well as a mental standpoint. Interesting..........

Agreed! We have good reason to hope for a most epic season.

Good discussion here. VFR riders are a thoughtful bunch.

[nozzle]

Originally Posted by R.W.

10. Will any rider be a serious threat to Stoner for the 2008 championship?

er, it looks to be a no from the very, very, very early look. 1.2 seconds FASTER than his lap record!! - from the motorcycle news site....

"Casey Stoner though has stunned the paddock with a 1:55.368 on his 14th lap, which beats his record lap set in the first race of 2007 by 1.2secs!

Stoner’s lap record pace nearly 12 months ago of 1:56.528 was obliterated, with no other rider as yet to lap within two seconds of the factory Ducati rider.

Stoner’s seventh lap was just 0.2secs outside of his lap record, and highlighting just how devastatingly quick he is performing, Valentino Rossi’s seventh lap was a 1.59.754"

Meanwhile, back in the pit area, Dani was helping Jack off the camel. Dani's bike will reflect his status as "#2"

[drewl]

I voted for Pedrobot. That fool don't mess around. He'll flat bust a team mates' hand just to get a better start. He's like the Raiders of the 70s and 80s.
PISH!!! let's see the Hondas up front!

[nozzle]

Different Honda team is behind Stoner on first night of testing in Qatar

http://www.superbike-news.co.uk/abso...sp?a=11029&z=4

[R.W.]

Originally Posted by drewl

I voted for Pedrobot. That fool don't mess around. He'll flat bust a team mates' hand just to get a better start. He's like the Raiders of the 70s and 80s.
PISH!!! let's see the Hondas up front!

[/quote]

[NorcalBoy]

That's the funkiest lookin' sidecar I've ever seen..........

[JamieDaugherty]

Originally Posted by R.W.

1. Will Yamaha's pneumatic valves work out?
2. Will the Michelin's last in the latter part of the race
3. Will Toseland podium this year?
4. Did Hopper make a wise decision going to Team Green?
5. How will Ben Spies do in his two races?
6. Will DePuniet & Elias continue to crash?
7. Is Melandri & Pedrosa ready to be a serious threat for the Championship?
8. Will Lorenzo be a player?
9.Will Dovizioso and De Angelis out preform some of the veterans?
10. Will any rider be a serious threat to Stoner for the 2008 championship?

1) Not a chance
2) Maybe
3) No
4) No
5) Good, but not great
6) Of course
7) No, yes
8) Who?
9) Who and who?
10) Sure, they all will

[pvancle]

In '06, it was all about the tires--what tires could handle the explosive power of the 990s. Hayden had the upper hand from his dirt track experience. He could handle the power and tire slide relying on his rear brake (steel not carbon fiber, ok probably a lot more too).

In '07, top HP was achieved with higher reving engines, to the tune of 18k. Honda's and Yamaha's value springs could not keep up. Hayden's storied power trip was over. Stoner's 250cc experience kicked in, plus the Duc's mechanical values did not fail! Plus plus, who had the tires for this setup? Bridgestone. No longer could Michelin manufacture tires Sat night before Sunday's race.

Coming into '08, the Duc's values are proven. Pneumatic values in motorcycles will work (Aprilia anyone?), but there is little real-world application for pneumatic values as there is for traction control and fuel economy. Afterall, the FIM doesn't set the rules (ok, it does), the manufacturers do!

Here's my prediction for '08: Honda will realize pneumatic nirvana as a stop-gap measure and will either improve spring technology for real-world application or develop a desmodo alternative for '09. I see a race for the top by Stoner, Rossi, and Hayden--yeah, I know these guys have been around the block, but they are hungry. Rossi will get the most out of those tires!

[R.W.]

Free Practice

1. Casey STONER (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:55.442
2. Jorge LORENZO (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:55.453
3. James TOSELAND (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:55.812
4. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:55.942
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda), Michelin, 1:55.963
6. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:56.120
7. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda), Michelin, 1:56.234
8. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:56.279
9. Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha), Bridgestone, 1:56.395
10. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:56.922
11. Dani PEDROSA (Honda), Michelin, 1:56.962
12. Shinya NAKANO (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:57.011
13. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda), Michelin, 1:57.045
14. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:57.091
15. Toni ELIAS (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:57.311
16. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, 1:57.416
17. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, 1:57.934
18. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:58.500

[Bubba Zanetti]

I would love to see Hayden, Edwards & Hopkins dominate MotoGP.

BZ

[alexi]

Stoner will win, he is a faster rider on a faster machine.

Just face it guys, aussies do it better.

Remember Mick, no wonder Repsol is all over the place, they never got over losing him, Criville was a flash in the pan using micks computer logs. Just my 2 cents, hey maybe I am a bit biased.

[R.W.]

How about them rookies

[alexi]

It was a day for the new breed of riders.

[R.W.]

A couple of nice pics from Qatar...








[/quote]

[R.W.]

Pedrosa making new friends again

MotoGP: Lorenzo speaks out on rivals' behaviour

Lollipop-licking Spaniard disappointed by lack of respect after his stunning second place at Qatar

SPANISH multi World Champion Jorge Lorenzo has spoken out about his amazing ride to second place in Qatar and what he really thinks of rivals Valention Rossi and Dani Pedrosa.

Speaking to Spanish press, he said: "We all want to win at Valencia, but I will be a man about what happens there. If Dani wins the race then I will congratulate him on the achievement. That is how my parents brought me up to be."

The comments have apparently been spurred on by the lack of congratulations from Pedrosa to Lorenzo after the MotoGP rookie's stunning ride, first time out a couple of weeks ago.

But Lorenzo is at least aiming high for himself, saying that he: "Will be the world-wide champion at some point." The double 250cc World Champ went on to land a couple more verbal jabs at Pedrosa, adding: "Each person is responsible for what he says and does. If I were in his place I would have congratulated a newcomer who had managed to be second.

"For the past 20 years things have happened very quickly for me, but I continue to be the same as always, with my defects and my virtues. I always I act how I feel about things."

Jorge said that in his eyes team-mate Valentino Rossi is: "The best rider in history. I say that from my heart, what happened at Qatar for him was because of tyres and I am sure that he will be fighting for the win in Valencia.

"For me it will be an emotional time to race in Valencia in the MotoGP class, I hope it goes as well as last year when I won on the 250. But we are not going to let the Qatar result go to our heads, we are just looking to the next race - concentrating our efforts on Valencia. I'm not even thinking about the championship yet."

Source: MotoGP

[PuCaudata]

Can anyone recommend a good source for information on Moto GP racing? Magazines? Internet?