OT: Racing 2008-2009 (Spoiler Alert)

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:50 pm

Rodster wrote:I hear ya Adam but i'm a little spoiled after watching the last race which will go down in MotoGP history as one the finest, a true classic.

It's funny what constitutes a "classic" in these increasingly processional days of 800cc's and too many electronics. There were at least three races in the 2006 season -- the last of the 990's -- that were as good or better than Laguna this year.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:02 pm

pk500 wrote:
Rodster wrote:I hear ya Adam but i'm a little spoiled after watching the last race which will go down in MotoGP history as one the finest, a true classic.
It's funny what constitutes a "classic" in these increasingly processional days of 800cc's and too many electronics. There were at least three races in the 2006 season -- the last of the 990's -- that were as good or better than Laguna this year.

Take care,
PK

Tell me and i'll check them out.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:09 pm

Estoril, for example.

Not that I'm a complete miserablist, because Laguna was a cracking race, but I can't bring myself to call it a classic either. Then again, Rod, if I had your boundless enthusiasm for these things I'd probably agree with you - it's just two different approaches.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:48 pm

Yep, Laguna was a fine race, and MotoGP still consistently offers some of the most spectacular, entertaining motor racing on the planet. But Estoril and these three races in 2006 were better than Laguna, full stop:

Sachsenring, for one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSWIx9ZWrzg

Assen, for two:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf9jFKUlQX0

Mugello, for three:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw8QhjO5 ... re=related

2005 and 2006 were about as good as it gets. Everyone had their bikes dialed into the max after four and five years of the 990cc formula, the tire companies were fairly equal, and the bikes slid a lot more because of the extra power and less traction control and wheelie control.

It's funny: Dorna held a meeting yesterday at Brno to talk about the rise in cornering speeds, which are causing crashes that are seriously injuring riders. To their credit, they're looking for a solution.

The solution is simple: Return to the 990s, and remove the electronic aids. Cornering speeds will drop, and the racing will improve. Win-win.

At the very least, stay with the 800s and remove the aids.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:39 pm

The least surprising bit of news of this, or any other, Moto GP season:

Ducati aren't keeping Marco Melandri

I assume that if Kawasaki were really the best of the options open to him, Marco didn't really have all that many options.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:00 pm

GB_Simo wrote:PK, the BBC team today were saying how much better the Alice Ducatis have been going since Luis D'Antin stepped down, and very carefully suggested that his running of the team hadn't exactly been on the level. What are they referring to?

Adam:

Forgot to answer this. Sorry.

I know little about this situation, but the scraps I have read indicated that Ducati and D'Antin had some sort of pissing match. Now that D'Antin is out of the picture, Ducati is more willing to give some trick parts from the factory team to the satellite team.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:01 pm

GB_Simo wrote:The least surprising bit of news of this, or any other, Moto GP season:

Ducati aren't keeping Marco Melandri

I assume that if Kawasaki were really the best of the options open to him, Marco didn't really have all that many options.

So Ant West is on the street. SHOCKER!

This opens a tidy spot at Ducati to be filled by one Nicholas Hayden.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:17 pm

As much as we root for our boys Colin and Nicky I don't know if Nicky can hang with Casey Stoner. Every Eurosport race I watch they're always going on about how much of a beast the Ducati is on the track and how Casey has been able to consistently tame it while at the same time getting the most out of the bike.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:55 pm

Rodster wrote:As much as we root for our boys Colin and Nicky I don't know if Nicky can hang with Casey Stoner. Every Eurosport race I watch they're always going on about how much of a beast the Ducati is on the track and how Casey has been able to consistently tame it while at the same time getting the most out of the bike.

Hogwash.

Nicky comes from a dirt track background, as he rode in AMA Flat Track National Championship competition throughout the late 90s. He LOVES a bike that moves around a lot because of that background, and no bike is more of a bronco in MotoGP than the Ducati.

There are two reasons why Nick has been so out to lunch the last two seasons. One, Honda built its last two bikes around the pint-sized body of Pedrosa. Two, the rear wheels of the 800s are glued to the ground compared to those of the 990s, and Nicky won the last 990 title.

If anyone besides Stoner can tame the Ducati, it's Nicky Hayden, especially if Dorna and the FIM neuter or eliminate the electronics for next season, which is rumored.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:17 pm

pk500 wrote:I know little about this situation, but the scraps I have read indicated that Ducati and D'Antin had some sort of pissing match. Now that D'Antin is out of the picture, Ducati is more willing to give some trick parts from the factory team to the satellite team.

After the race, Elias mentioned how the bike had been much better since he got new parts at the Sachsenring. That makes more sense now, thanks.

Meanwhile, those of us in the UK or taking a UK feed for their Formula One action continue to play Guess The Commentator. On the 10 Tenths forum, Martin Haven (a man I could listen to all day, who I'd have loved to hear doing Formula One but who is as far away from the kind of man the BBC would employ as you can be) has confirmed that he's been turned down, then added that 'everyone we can think of has already been turned down.' With the rumours that Croft will still be on Radio 5 Live next year gathering pace, I'm quite looking forward to seeing who they eventually name.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:04 am

I'm starting to see why James Allen is so reviled. At the end of Q3 Hamilton crossed the line for Pole. He obviously was elated all the while stating how Massa was on terms to take Pole. As Felipe crossed the line the screen flashed Pole Position for Massa. At the same time he yells out that Massa didn't beat Lewis and was second on the grid for the race. Tick Tock 1...2 seconds, the revelation finally registers Massa is indeed on Pole.

Say who's responsible for the annoying voyeur cam shots of the Pit Wall and Pit area garage during live coverage? Is it ITV? I noticed Speed Channel uses the same annoying feed. I hope the BBC isn't this bad.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:25 am

Rodster wrote:As Felipe crossed the line the screen flashed Pole Position for Massa. At the same time he yells out that Massa didn't beat Lewis and was second on the grid for the race. Tick Tock 1...2 seconds, the revelation finally registers Massa is indeed on Pole.

"Can Massa take pole? NOOOOOOOOO HE CAN'T yes he can!"

Rodster wrote:Say who's responsible for the annoying voyeur cam shots of the Pit Wall and Pit area garage during live coverage? Is it ITV? I noticed Speed Channel uses the same annoying feed. I hope the BBC isn't this bad.

The host broadcaster is responsible for that kind of thing. Every race except Monaco, Brazil and Japan now has Formula One Management as host broadcaster, so it's Bernie you'll want to talk to about that one. The BBC will have exactly the same problem, because every broadcaster takes exactly the same feed.

That wasn't the most stimulating race I've ever seen. Great drive from Felipe, though it'll be interesting to see what, if any, penalties are assessed against Ferrari for that pitlane release. It certainly wasn't the wisest pit release ever seen (though much, much wiser than Kimi's later attempt to leave with half of his pit crew on board) but I'm struggling to be as animated about it as everybody else, particularly the maddeningly Lewis-centric ITV.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:49 pm

Impressive drive by Felipe Massa and an even more impressive drive by Lewis who was fighting the Flu and a strained neck.

Felipe got off cheap with a reprimand and a $10,000 euro fine which Ferrari will no doubt pay for. Where the hell is Kimi's head these days? His teammate is making him look silly, he hasn't gotten a handle on his qualifying woes and he runs over one of his mechanics.

Latest rumor is Mario Theissen is looking at Alonso for 2009. Mario might be showing Nick the door if this is true. The problem Mario will have to contend with is Alonso will wind up with Ferrari in 2010 that's if Ferrari doesn't snatch Sebastian Vettel who also had an impressive qualy and race. His teammate Seabass had a good weekend as well.

Vettel is a rising star and if I were Ferrari I would look at building the team around him instead. Alonso comes with too much baggage.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:32 pm

I just learned that 1961 World Champion Phil Hill, the first American to win the Formula One World Championship, died this morning in Northern California.

Godspeed to an absolute motor racing legend.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:25 pm

Sad news indeed !

RIP

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:19 pm

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/ ... 1927-2008/

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70116

If you have an Autosport Online subscription, check out the two part series on Phil Hill from a few years ago. It is very well done. Truly one of the greats from an era that did not see too many of the greats survive.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:22 pm

If ever a man loved the automobile...on top of that, Phil Hill was an underrated single-seater pilot and had few peers as a sportscar racer and development driver. A terrible shame, but what a life to have led.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:20 am

Its sad to see one of the true gentlemen of the sport go, what a legacy.

I'm heading off this weekend for the Grand Am race in South Jersey. Hopefully I can get a few decent pics to post for you guys.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:16 am

Just talked to my friend who's brother is a crew chief in the Grand Am series. Evidently the teams are not happy at all, as the track is only about 2 car widths wide. Its so narrow that while doing around 140mph heading towards the front straight, points leader Scott Pruit had a GT car check up in front of him, and with nowhere to go leaves the track and completely totals his car. They took it back to Indy for repairs and will hopefully make it in time for the race on Sunday, although any chance of qualifying is pretty much shot.

Its so bad that they are considering running the GT and DP cars as 2 seperate races. I really hope the track gets its stuff together in the off season to keep this series coming back.

Should make for an interesting weekend!

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:32 pm

This Superleague Formula business isn't going to work. Bit of a shame, because the cars sound glorious, but they don't look particularly quick, and I can count on the fingers of Captain Hook's bad hand the number of spectators Setanta's coverage picked up on.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:28 pm

OK, here are some pics from Saturdays day at the track.

First, for the ladies, is Patrick Dempsey's car:

Next is for the rFactor gang, a 1979 Tyrell F1 car:

Here I am in the garage next to the number 60 Michael Shank Racing DP car:

This one is a Ferrari chasis that will most likely be running in the DP series next year:

And here they are wheeling the 60 car into the pits:

The track is cool, and talking to my friends brother the biggest complaint is the dust; since the track JUST got finished there is no grass, so whenever a car goes off it looks like the beginning of Wizard Of Oz. Makes for a slick track! The 01 car didn't make it back in time for qualifying, so they will be starting in the back tomorrow.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:25 pm

Gurantsu wrote:Here I am in the garage next to the number 60 Michael Shank Racing DP car:

Wearing the shorts of a man who can't play a G chord properly, I see.

Great photos, mate. You must be having a ball there.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:34 pm

Love the shot of the Tyrrell! But the dude in the USGP shirt is a dick ...

Have fun!

Take care,
PK

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:23 pm

GB_Simo wrote:
Gurantsu wrote:Here I am in the garage next to the number 60 Michael Shank Racing DP car:
Wearing the shorts of a man who can't play a G chord properly, I see.

Great photos, mate. You must be having a ball there.

LOL dont know what that means Adam but i can tell its funny.

Great pics , whos the guy in the last pic ? a perfect example of how fit these race drivers are. If he would run an extra mile a day i can see an F1 ride in his future.

(hope i didnt just insult your Friends brother Grant

)

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:48 pm

Great pics , whos the guy in the last pic ? a perfect example of how fit these race drivers are. If he would run an extra mile a day i can see an F1 ride in his future.

(hope i didnt just insult your Friends brother Grant )

LOL, no, friends brother is the guy pushing the car, closest to the camera. He used to be Danica Patricks crewchief. Heck of a nice guy.

The race should be a hoot, as Scott Pruet is an agressive driver; starting last and leading the points means he'll be pushing extra hard to get up front.