MotoGP Thread

Amen to that! :biggrin:

 

Wow for once we agree

Thou the man to catch is Stoner, and the Ducati team . I see nothing in the way for a repete, less a huge get off where stoner himself is broken. Be nice if Hayden can make a stronger showing I like him, but riding for Repsol will I'm afraid keep his hands tied. Be interesting how the move to Kawasaki works for Hopkins, could be a sleeper, but I'm pretty sure Kawasaki doesn't have the machine to pull it off. Rossi well the guy got skills yes, tires aside he's got a lot to make up for as IMO the Yamaha team is no match for the Ducati. Toesland could be a surprise, gots the touch, just to bad he couldn't find a Honda to ride, other wise I'd have him one to watch out for. Spies who? Going to be or at least I'd like to believe this could be a season of all seasons.

 

It's well known fact that Stoner use to eat some occasional gravel on the LCR Honda, but is now widely regarded as the best traction control rider of the modern area, with that said, I think he'll win the 2008 MotoGp championship, but I'll be very curious to see how he does when MotoGp takes away traction control and goes with spec ECU's...

 

Mr. Stoner isn't the only one. With the exception of maybe James Toseland, all of the top ten riders seem to have viewed the tarmac up close and personal during preseason testing. Some a few more times than just once. Even with traction control, there seems to be quite a few get offs taking place........that last little bit of speed seems to be increasingly harder to come by.

 

Hayden has been at the top of the time sheets in pre-season, here is the latest:

http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/mot...nt_id=6160&gallery_id=51983&championship_id=3

Honda has a new motor that will be dialed in before the opener; Honda looks strong.

 

Yes the fuel limitations are in place for '08.

Ducati should be known as M&M's racing, as, in Magneti & Marelli. In the era of electronics, Ducati's package seems to have the upper hand in terms of development. The current rule package has definately been a big assist to Ducati's success. They seem to have the best electronics and tires......Silly Stuka, it's not about shear HP and ability anymore!

 

I think the Ducati advantage was power that came from valve control; Honda as a new pneumatic valve control set up for 08 which based on the time sheets in pre-season is strong. Mileage is yet to be determined and I do not see a Ducati advantage here.

 

The Desmo valve control has been around long enough to be well understood and is bullet-proof. Until the Honda & Kawi engines with huff-n-puff valve control last through a few races without problems I will have to give it up for the Desmo boys.... that said I think the Suzuki air valved engines have a year of experience and showed some promise last year. I think the Rizla riders will have a shot to compete if they can qualify.... but then that comes back to tyres, tires, tires.

 

Mmm Cougars . . .

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ocregister.com/newsimages/show/2005/06/23cougar1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/life/life/article_570204.php&h=321&w=400&sz=33&hl=en&start=6&tbnid=2Uagf-n53vVPNM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcougar%2Bwomen%26gbv%3D2%26hl%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.

 

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

Good discussion here. VFR riders are a thoughtful bunch.

 

Stoner's off and running..

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"

 

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!

 

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

http://www.superbike-news.co.uk/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=11029&z=4

 

[/QUOTE]

 

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

 

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

 

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!

 

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