OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lozza on January 11, 2009, 07:12:09 am
-
Kawasaki has suspended MotoGP activities due to credit crunch etc etc leaves 17 bikes on the grid 1 short of the FIM min 18 bikes for a championship. So no need to set the video this year or buy the review dvd ;D But a better question is how did the situation get so dire. Here is some good analysis, and applies to more than MotoGP
http://www.motogpmatters.com/opinion/2009/01/08/saving_motogp_part_1_why_is_motogp_so_ex.html
http://www.motogpmatters.com/opinion/2009/01/09/saving_motogp_part_2_how_to_encourage_th.html
http://www.motogpmatters.com/opinion/2009/01/10/saving_motogp_part_3_avoiding_the_traps_.html
-
If you add Honda and others pulling out of F1 to the above it points to a lot of problems in elite level motorsport in general, not all of them due to the financial 'crisis'. I'm just waiting for the V8 Supercars to announce cutbacks. I bet it's coming.
-
I think it's telling that Paton, a privateer team that had been involved in 500GP's since the mid 60's, pulled out with the introduction of MotoGP. Four strokes are expensive. Period. Now the FIM are doing the same in the 250 class?
What did SuperHunky say: "you wanted works bikes, now you've got them".
-
Mabe it's a good thing, meaning big budget racers are at the same level as Joe Blow. Back to basics time
Be interesting to see what rule changes happen in both sports ::)
-
Mabe it's a good thing, meaning big budget racers are at the same level as Joe Blow. Back to basics time
Be interesting to see what rule changes happen in both sports ::)
Totally agree, time to dust off the Protons, BSLs and all the other enthusiast attempts at building a world beater.
I would say MX support will be slashed as scarce resources go to supporting the road racers. But I doubt Bubba will need to claim food stamps any time soon. ;D
-
Interesting you mention Paton they were heavily SHAFTED by Dorna they met all the criteria(Shaun Geronimi scored them a single point at Eastern Creek to do this) but still refused a permit to start. They had friends in high places though,Cathcart rode it one year and reckoned it would fly with the bank of trick electronic Keihins. Lo and Behold a top HRC man went for a friendly visit the Paton pit and a brand spanking new bank of carbs got left behind, value over 100,000 GBP ;D. Paton announced recently they will be making copies of the 2000 bike cost 100,000Euro or so for 190HP. The FIM has no control over 125,250 and MotoGP that is all Dorna and the MSMA. I might have soul or a kidney for sale............................
http://www.paton.it/500Gp2T2001.htm
-
One of the links mentioned the WCM. I couldn't understand why they were pushed out at the time. Now it makes sense.
After watching the movie about Kim Newcombe ("Love, speed and loss") I asked myself: "what chance would he have now?".
-
I think the Japanese companies are just warming up to cost cutting. Some of the he automotive divisions have still not recommenced production in the New Year which can bleed the whole company out.
If I was an executive at Honda I would make the choice between MotoGP or Superbikes and probably go with production based Superbikes to support existing model sales. Then put what I saved back into supporting my advertising costs.
-
It'll also be a test of character for a stack of prima donna, or should that be "Grand Prix Madonna" racers, who will have a pay cut or no ride for '09. Interesting to see how many of them adapt, and organise some self-funding to race in another series/category, or else decide to sit it out, pick up the cash and complain how tough life is while accepting redundancy money. Meanwhile, to all those other overpaid nonentities who will have to dig in their pockets if they want to go racing........now you know how we feel !! >:(
-
I hear that at least one of the big, local drit bike teams will lose its manufacturer money in the second half of this year.
-
As a big fan of moto gp I'm sorry to see Kawasaki departing. Am surprised that they hung in for as long as they did without a team sponsor. Having said that for a long time I have thought that it's more of quality rider problem (money). And here in lies the problem.
Shinya is the only rider of the Kawasaki whom has come close to finding the limits of the 4 stroke Kawasaki's.
On the rider issue there is probably 6 or 8 in the class that are plainly out of there league including Melandri and Hopper whom were never going to add anything to the Kawasaki cause.
-
I hear that at least one of the big, local drit bike teams will lose its manufacturer money in the second half of this year.
any idea which one ???
-
All of them >:( So pick any one, facts are all auto mobile and motorcycle manufacturers are not selling even the stocks of new vehicles they have. NO sales = No cash, certainly not for now overrated bloated racing events that are steadily loosing lots of interest with the public around the world. Meaning it is becoming a waste of advertising money to support them.
-
A slight variation but this year Guiseippi loungo who owns The rights to the mx GPs is charging over 40 vet riders £500 PER MEETING to enter. Talk about trying to kill something before it gets going.
-
What did Valentino say, the last race of the season was the most boring race he had ever ridden then promptly called for all the electronics to be removed to make things more interesting.
Dorna can ask what it likes, there just won't be any bikes there.
-
As a big fan of moto gp I'm sorry to see Kawasaki departing. Am surprised that they hung in for as long as they did without a team sponsor. Having said that for a long time I have thought that it's more of quality rider problem (money). And here in lies the problem.
Shinya is the only rider of the Kawasaki whom has come close to finding the limits of the 4 stroke Kawasaki's.
On the rider issue there is probably 6 or 8 in the class that are plainly out of there league including Melandri and Hopper whom were never going to add anything to the Kawasaki cause.
Now that's harsh :o.
I call it as primarily engineering/money/management and not rider performance/skill/talent. Too many riders too far down the pack, and some of them have run at the front of the pack with the right gear ;).
-
Rossi certainly didn't complain about the 08 M1's new electronics package or refuse to ride the M1 unless the electronics were disabled or removed.That remark was more to bait Casey Stoner and add to the furphy that the Ducati has 'more' and 'better' electronics, when in fact the M1 & GP08 run the same Magnetti Marelli Marvel 4 ECU (as do many in WSBK)
-
Part 1 makes good reading but it then falls in a hole and doesn't recover.
The discussion about 'What to do' or improvements is pointless and in complete insolation from the dominant cause of Kawa and Honda pulling out - Global financial meltdown aka Global Recession (thank you Wall Street and GWB for total lack of 'good governance' and timely regulation :-\ >:()
The interest now is 'will the FIM change the rules to allow the Championship with less then 18 starters'?, or will they/Dorna come up with some fotch potch to keep 'the circus' on the road.
-
If you add Honda and others pulling out of F1 to the above it points to a lot of problems in elite level motorsport in general, not all of them due to the financial 'crisis'. I'm just waiting for the V8 Supercars to announce cutbacks. I bet it's coming.
I read an article that stated the honda pulled out because it didn't see the point any more as F1, did not assist in any way towards the business and only pulled some un-godly figure out of it. The article also went on to say that F1 is loosing crowds and viewers. Intresting!!!
-
Formula One is dead in the water. I attended the Singapore F1GP night race in September and it was as boring as batshit. The racing was dull and once Alonso got away it became a procession. The difference between the fast guys (Ferrari, Renault) and the also rans is woeful. The night concept was interesting but after awhile the eeriness of the synthetic lighting became a bit annoying. I don't know if it was an Asian thing or not but there was surprising little atmosphere and carnival feel like we have in Melbourne or even more on the Gold Coast for the Indys. The merchandising was a ripper. $85au for a baseball cap!
I remember my introduction to F1 back in 1977 at the Long Beach USGP and the atmosphere, noise and spectacle were amazing. There were any number of drivers and teams capable of winning and there were actual on track passing and dices. Now it's a boring procession. The FIA are equally to blame with that miserable old wanker Bernie Ecclestone. The tracks have had every last bit of interest taken out of them with dumb chicanes and idiot proof corners that make passing difficult. The cars are way too technical and therefore expensive which leaves room on the grid only for the very wealthy multi nationals. Technical advancement is one thing but when it takes away the entertainment the fans go elsewhere. Right now, IndyCars, despite being a few steps behind F1 technically is streets in front as entertainment.
I think MotoGP is in danger of falling into the same shit hole that F1 is wallowing in if they don't watch themselves. Promoter greed (Ecclestone and Ioungo are tarred with the same brush), ever growing performance gaps between the front runners and the minnows caused by impossible to follow technical changes on a yearly basis and dull, lifeless tracks are killing MotoGP in the same way as F1 is dying. MotoGP has become so elitist that proud old teams like Paton are being lost at the expense of the big money with little return for the small teams. Kawasaki pulling out is as big a sign of illness in the ranks as Honda dropping out of F1. Meanwhile Superbikes gain more and more corporate and spectator following.
The V8 supercar promoters are making big mistakes that are also taking away the formerly unstoppable fan base. How many of you are a little bored by the current format and the ever growing "NASCARisation" of the cars? Nearly everyone I speak to has become disillusioned with the V8s of late. Theyre now carbon fibre 'funnycars' that are looking less and less like their road brothers. The quest for parity has taken away the brand identification that fans thrive on. The only way to tell the cars apart is often the paint graphics. It won't be long before the V8 Supercars are just like NASCARS where they all run the same body shell and frame, the only difference being the engines and painted on grilles and tail lights with the company logo painted on.
And don't start me on the current motocross format and the dumbing down of the motocross World Championships in favour of media exposure for supercross and even worse Freestyle. Most of the detrimental changes in motorsports in general are firmly based on decisions made by TV executives and insurance companies. The sports have become too technical, too safe and as a result, too boring. Is it any surprise that the most popular motorsport right now is drag racing, a sport that dares to allow individualism among race vehicles and noise and action on the track.
I still love all forms of motorsport but I , along with many, many fans are being short changed on entertainment. I wouldn't care if they halved the horsepower and speed of all of the above race classes as long as it promoted close racing. If you want to see how sick MotoGP is, have a look at the 1987 World 500 Championship rounds (I've got the whole series on video) and compare it to the 2008 series. The current format is very, very sick in comparison.
-
I tend to agree with you on V8 super cars. The fan base is not there any more and numbers are declining
Being a loyal HOLDEN supporter they lost me when we had to put a Ford parts on our cars :D
-
F1 has fallen foul of the 'unintended consequences law' as after Senna's death the FIA had to be seen to be doing something.They made the cars longer and narrower which actually made them more aero efficient and faster.Then the rise in computer fluid dymamics(CFD) which made cars sprout those flap things everywhere. While this made them go round corners fast but the wake/dirty air trail got longer, to suddenly go from tons of downforce to none isn't fun at 180mph when you hit the car in fronts wake. Plus bad Bernie wants to spare tv directors the tough decision to cut from the car in the lead to show you the fierce battle for 13th, so he spreads them out, just as NASCAR closes the field up artificialy. Mark Larkam has said many time that efficient aero packages make overtaking very hard, even in a V8, stripping away the mechanical grip the aero gives would make cars very skatey and difficult to drive fast thus easy to make a mistake.They just as easy have wings and spoilers for looks only.Just look at a Formula Ford race no aero= great racing, 1 mistake 2 cars pass you.
MotoGP is in no danger of falling in a shit hole as it's been in it for years, just how you manage to drive even the tobacco squillions away must be very hard indeed.
True about the tracks great tracks make great races, Bathurst the last few years has been pretty good, as was MotoGP at Laguna Seca and Phillip Island
F1 wasn't boring at all when you a few (normaly French) nutters up the front. There are some shorter versions
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=wfvYaAiCuCI
Also needs a few fierce rivals
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=SHUk7lI4x7w
This what happens with no chicanes, geez this is a quick track and hard work too
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=M4EjKX9xLfk&feature=related
-
OMG - are Firko and Lozza agreeing?
:D
Everyone says that the V8 Supercar crowds are disappearing. Anyone know where they're going?
Sure as hell not to rallying (which has been systematically undermined by its steering body for years, in pursuit of their own short-term financial gain... sound familiar?).
-
OMG - are Firko and Lozza agreeing?
:D
Everyone says that the V8 Supercar crowds are disappearing. Anyone know where they're going?
they are all drinking pre mix Vodkas at the drags and watching freestyle MX next to the skateboard area.
Went to the street racing in Wanganui on Boxing day, you can still walk in the pits, stand 2 feet from the action at the first corner and people were racing anything and everything, from Harley Softtails to factory Aprilias . They gave the Britten a run with Andrew Stroud on it......all good stuff.
-
Valentino didn't turn up but nobody cared ;D
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_0518.jpg)
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_0516.jpg)
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_0523.jpg)
-
True sport and entertainment right there MarkFX. Look rest of World at what the New Zealundas are doing right now!!! Biggest Cheers to the Kiwis :) Tim754
-
True sport and entertainment right there MarkFX. Look rest of World at what the New Zealundas are doing right now!!! Biggest Cheers to the Kiwis :) Tim754
Oh for sure....the guy on the Softtail was running mid field in the BEARS and shut down quite a few bikes (KTM, Ducati) that should have left him for dead....the joy of it.
-
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_0523.jpg)
What a great pic, that's an early drift or is it the angle that makes it look that way?
-
OMG - are Firko and Lozza agreeing?
We may disagree on many things but mostly it's a 'good cop, bad cop' alternate view thing. I'm a stickler for old school tradition and he's one for gizmo inspired progress. It's just different views on similar subjects with no animosity (from me anyway).
Bathurst the last few years has been pretty good, as was MotoGP at Laguna Seca and Phillip Island
Here we go, agreeing again. Bathurst, Philip Island and Laguna Seca are the last of the old school tracks that have layouts that inspire good racing. I'd add the Long Beach Indy Car street circuit as a personal favourite but I'm not sure if I like it because it's actually a good street circuit or because it's a nostalgic link to my past.
I'm having one last fling at the V8 Supercars in April, going to the Clipsal V8 race in Adelaide. My fellow Kevlars have been going down there for the last few years and swear by it as a race and as a party. They've finally managed to talk me into going but if it sucks, that'll be the last V8 race for me until they change the format. It's usually a reasonably good race on the telly so I live in hope that it'll be worth the airfare.
The Wanganui meeting is the kind of grass roots event that we're missing in this country. New Zealand has it by the balls, no strangling Sport and Recreation act there. We get drip fed a watered down pile of televised crap and we're told by the media that it's exciting and for a while we believe them. Eventually we wake up to the brainwashing and realise that it's boring, over technical crap feeding the pockets of Ecclestone/Longo/Cochrane. I had more fun at the Nostalgia Drags, club speedway at Nepean and Classic Dirt last year than any of the so-called premier events I attended.
And don't start me on the disgrace that Rugby League has become................. :'(
-
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_0523.jpg)
What a great pic, that's an early drift or is it the angle that makes it look that way?
No thats serious drift, Aitkens bought out factory Aprilia 450 and was sliding from way out. No feet down no nothing, just line up the corners 50 meters out and slider her in. He has done pretty well in the US series.
Cool thing is you are standing 2 feet away agaisnt the fence when he does it. Grandstands are off the back of flat bed trucks and most injuries occur from drunks falling off them. No private security, no bag searches, you can buy a beer, walk in the pits.....it rules.
-
What date is the clipsal in adelaide ?
Ooops, I got it wrong, it's on the March 19-22. http://www.clipsal500.com.au/2009-bring-it-on/ (http://www.clipsal500.com.au/2009-bring-it-on/)
-
Yes well after many sessions my senior therapist has convinced me otherwise of that firko !
Thw Wanganui races have a great history going back to the 70's with the Marlboro Summer series when all the big names used to come out for a ride and party. Keep a watch out for this weapon Jarod's NS 400/RGV hybrid brought together under the watchful eye of a Kiwi national treasure ,exGP engineer(and BSL) and 2 stroke guru Wobbly. Have to go over and watch if it's that good, interesting that the seeming evergreen Andrew Stroud did alright this year.
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s297/Lozza85_2007/nzrjan09044.jpg)
-
The NZers have had to eat a lot of crow over the years for lack of numbers in participants and sponsorship dollars, because when you're chasing sponsor $$$ in NZ, if you aren't rugby union, you can piss off. In spite of that, their best-kept secret would have to be the NZV8s series, a lookalike to Aussie V8 Supercars (sigh), but with a tamer engine, lower rev limit, higher weight limit, 4-speed box (I think), and control tyres. In spite of these apparently draconian limitations, the reality is, this series is a pisser, with heaps of passing, white-knuckle action, controversy and contact ! No wonder they are kept under wraps when the V8SC circus goes to NZ, never making any mention or any race footage on the Channel 7 telecast, because this series goes against everything V8 Supercars stands for : sensible rules, logical costs, and close racing !
Meanwhile, while their erstwhile location for the A1GP round, Taupo, continues to shoot itself in the foot, Hampton Downs raceway south of Auckland is quietly getting towards completion, and has already subtly inveigled themselves into the plans of both A1GP, and World Superbikes, and will be open for testing later this year. Unusually for a NZ circuit, it is actually designed by someone with a clue, and contains multi-radius corners and (gasp!) elevation changes...
So, quietly and unobtrusively, they're getting there. And don't even get me started on those bastards and their vmx administration, tracks from heaven and no entertainment of any influence from Motorcycling New Zealand, jeez they shit me..... ;D
-
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/Peakplunge9.jpg)
yep and there is always the chance of finding true love
-
Yes well after many sessions my senior therapist has convinced me otherwise of that firko
Otherwise of what Lozza?
Friends involved in the car racing scene, specifically the Ute and Biante series' and a few of us old Kevlars have been discussing the plight of the V8 Supercars over many a beer in recent months and we reckon we've got the hot ticket to get the interest back and the costs down in touring cars. Instead of the current 'funnycar' regs, why not use the exact same formula the utes use, only for sedans. The ute racing is close with shitloads of passing and biffo the lead changes are frequent. The cars are so basic you can drive them on the street and most of all, the build costs and upkeep are a fraction of that of the current formula.
and has already subtly inveigled themselves into the plans of both A1GP, and World Superbikes
While I like the basic concept of A1, in reality it's as boring as batshit, features mostly substandard drivers nobody's heard of and the "representing ones country" concept is bogus. How many open wheel race tracks are there in India or Turkey for christ sake? I've been to two A1 GPs at Eastern Creek and it's so lacking in big time atmosphere it's embarrassing. I reckon A1s running on borrowed time, until the sultan of Brunei or whoever it is bankrolling the series, realises he's backing a loser and pulls the finance.
-
Yes, Go the Kiwis. It's probably creeping up on them unfortunately, but so far the Kiwis have had the good sense not to worship the unholy Trinity of Laziness, Greed, and Stupidity that seems to have throttled our western ' civilization.' Pity we couldn't get a bit of their spirit back into our favourite sports. F1 wasn't worth watching until Lewis arrived and re introduced instant instinctive passing so it will be interesting to see how 2009 goes now that he's been normalised by the FIA and passing will only take place while cars are jacked up in the pits.
No short term brazillion dollar profits, race meetings that excite the spectators, all those magnificent grassy VMX tracks, " if you have a bike and twenty dollars you can race . . . . . . ." , I'd like to see that. ;)
-
I WENT TO ORAN PARK V8 SUPERCARS
I AGREE BORING AS BATSHIT
HIGHLIGHT WAS PAUL STUBBER IN EX HARVEY A9X
TOURING CAR MASTERS
OPPOSITE LOCK ON TO THE MAIN STRAIGHT
-
I just rewatched that great Alain Prost v Gilles Villeneuve 1979 French GP clip that Lozza posted and if that doesn't give you goosebumps you've died and don't yet know it. That clip should be standard viewing for those who think that the current F1 races are "exciting". How good is old Murray Walker too. Some of the best race calling ever came from when he and James Hunt shared the job.
F1 wasn't boring at all when you a few (normaly French) nutters up the front
So very true. Gilles Villeneuve is my all time favourite GP driver. The guy had gonads the size of emu eggs and lived the hard drinking, womanising lifestyle we once expected from our F1 heroes. His son Jaques wasn't bad either but didn't have the class of his dad (although he was engaged to Dani Minogue, my dream girls sister!). Oh yes, Gilles Villeneuve was Canadian not French but I'm sure you knew that Loz. ;)
-
Historic sidecars at Wanganui were a hoot.....full throttle sliding into the corners then bouncing around like jet skis, top Triump didn't disgrace itself when it raced later with the moderns.
I mean lets face it most Aussie V8s these days are driven by overweight forty something mums dropping their kids off at school singing along to the new Britney CD. Maybe a race series that involves jostling for parking outside a school would make more sense. The hoons are all driving Civics and WRXs.
-
As much as I love the good old V8, (I have 32 cylinders shared between 3 cars!) I feel you're right Marc. As the baby boomer V8 guy fades off, the younger gen Y and X 'dudes' won't give a stuff for V8 racing. That's why a circus act like drifting is becoming so popular, they can identify with the cars. Perhaps the 2 litre Group A championship was a decade too soon.
-
Perhaps the 2 litre Group A championship was a decade too soon.
The SuperTourers died for a lot of reasons (mostly relating to cost and marketing), but I do agree with the basic statement.
Although, trying to keep up with on-road trends and base a racing class around it is a hiding to nowhere. By the time you've identified a trend, worked out the rules, gotten people involved, and started racing, then the trend will have moved on.
Not to mention the sheer diversity of trends out there... Its not just the big three/big two anymore.
Which leads me to think that a replacement of the V8 series* needs diversity more than anything else. 2WD production cars that are available in Australia for under $X (I'd sugggest a figure around/under $100,000), and then some modifications available.
The previous Prodcution Car series in recent time have all undermined themselves by allowing big dollar specials, AWD cars, and/or not having stable regs (usually they start out too restrictive, and end up too permissive).
*Not that I think the V8s will be in serious trouble for a few years yet.
-
I agree Nathan. No matter what new series' are thought up, the rule fudgers and manipulators eventually bugger it up.
I like Firkos pub theory of adapting the Ute series rules to suit sedans. I think it'd work as the cars are slammed, have big fat tyres so they look racy to the spectators and the action is hot to trot, in fact I reckon it's the best racing around right now, with plenty of passing and fender bending. The Super Tourers were indeed a great idea at the wrong time controlled by guys who weren't up to the challenges of selling it to the V8 crazy public. 10 years too early is a good call. It'd probably work now but I doubt you'd find a promoter willing to throw any money at it now.
I have to agree with earlier assumptions on A1GP. I too went to Eastern Ck for the first one and I found it lifeless and dull, full of drivers barely out of Formula Ford standard. The atmosphere, or lack of it was crook. My mates and I were sitting in the Eastern Ck Tavern with a schooner of Coopers in front of us straight after the first race. We'd seen enough! The 'country not the driver' concept is indeed flawed, to say that these guys are representing the pride of their nations is bullshit. It just doesn't come off. I predict that the Arab oil money backers will soon tire of it and go back to breeding and racing better race horses, something that they know makes money.
-
and for some good news from the Western Farming sector.
Mack 1 Kawasaki roars off with sales trifecta
BY KEN WILSON
14/01/2009 10:07:00 AM
ONE OF Australia's most successful Kawasaki dealerships, Midland-based Mack 1 Kawasaki, has pulled off a trifecta of national awards with the parent company.
Last week Kawasaki Australia announced Mack 1 Kawasaki as the top-selling dealership for motor cycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Mules (utility vehicles).
Last year Mack 1 Kawasaki picked up sales awards for motor cycles and ATVs and last week's achievement continues a strong annual showing by the company for the last 15 years.
"But it's the first time we've won all three awards in the same year," dealer principal Mark Daviot said.
And judging by inquiry for this year, Mack 1 Kawasaki already looks to be strong contenders for more awards.
According to Mark, the company's success reflects a team effort.
"We have a very experienced sales and service team that particularly extends into the agricultural areas and we match that with an extensive product range with one of the biggest showrooms in WA," he said. "And our parts division is the largest Kawasaki outlet in Australia.
"We have developed the business into a one-stop shop where customers can make a purchase and obtain finance, insurance and a license."
-
have you checked the price of wheat lately ::) New Zealand farming sector is in for a rocky ride.
-
"Domenicali then discussed the global financial crisis, which is also hitting MotoGP, answering a host of questions from the floor.
"It is definitely a situation we have to face up to right now but I would like to take a slightly different view of it, because whilst it is true that companies are having to face up to changes, with reducing sales of cars or bikes, on the other hand motorcycle racing, like so many other sports, is well loved, it has so many fans all over the world and it will find a way to move forward. We are considering a variety of proposals, together with the other constructors, the organisers and the Federation with this objective in mind; for example modifying the rules on the durability of the engines, which produce one of the biggest costs in MotoGP. The objective of extending engine durability is a matter for 2010 because it involves modifications that include the redesigning of internal components and that takes a certain amount of time. For this season we are looking at taking a step towards it by reducing the length of each practice session. Ducati also has to face up to this difficult situation but we have the support of solid partners: starting with our multi-year agreement with our title sponsor Marlboro, as well as Shell and Telecom. We have also renewed important contracts with Enel and Riello. There are also lots of other companies who promote their products through motorcycle racing with the Ducati Marlboro Team such as Alfa Romeo, Gatorade and Puma. Of course these are tough times but there are still plenty of ways to make sure that the MotoGP World Championship remains a leading promotional vehicle."
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jan/090114esdxc.htm
-
I meant that there is supposed to be animosity between us firko. :D
I dunno about the A1GP thing maybe if there was some Aussie hotshot up there it might make it interesting.There is a Top Gear clip of the Arnoux/Villeneuve race where Clarkson makes the point that they banged wheels 4 times in one lap and nothing broke on either car, nor did they spin off into the sand trap.So making them able to take a hammering and be a bit forgiving to drive or ride in MotoGP's case,might be an improvement. Nothing like seeing a rally car complete a stage on 3 wheels ;D
One of the biggest hooks is unpredictablity, no need to pay to much attention if your not in any danger of missing something, fans always point to that of the Rainey/Schwantz/Lawson/Gardner/young Doohan era , on Sunday night when you fired up the VCR, with the dulcid tones of Bazza and Dazza, when the lights went out, the result wasn't a forgone conclusion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJC6q5_LtSI&feature=related
LOve the Japanese commentators
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chFrgVRZXfk&feature=related
As the saying goes..."to finish first ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj8vV-CTABs&feature=related
-
World Superbike and SuperStreet Entry Lists Essentially Double the Size Of The MotoGP Entry List. And the racing is closer. Says something for Production Based ;).
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/newind.htm/
Pity its on pay TV ::).
-
Those were the days my friend.....
(http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn458/mx250syd/eggp1966large.jpg)
Full stands, full grids, a day out the working man could afford, close racing, superb riders, dedicated racers, passion, passion, passion.
Then we got progress...........
::) :P ::) :P ::) :P :-[ :-\ :'(
And two strokes reigned supereme ;) 8).
-
now you have to max your credit card to even attend most things let alone enter. Used to be your biggest cost was gas and tyres, not the cost of entry. I think my first actual race day cost $2 including a temp license and BBQ ;D
-
Also a few demon late brakers needed like Garry Cowan, unfortunately killed at Daytona the following year. :'(
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=sVVoHKlbN1Q
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=qQGAOhY8PWo
-
Those were the days my friend.....
(http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn458/mx250syd/eggp1966large.jpg)
Full stands, full grids, a day out the working man could afford, close racing, superb riders, dedicated racers, passion, passion, passion.
Then we got progress...........
::) :P ::) :P ::) :P :-[ :-\ :'(
Top pic Gra, probably the west German GP of 1966, with Hailwood and Stuart Graham on the Honda 6s, Duff and Read on the Yamahas, Stastny on the Jawa....check out the size of the crowd....great days, but no tv cover in those times.... :(
And two strokes reigned supereme ;) 8).
-
Whilst the powers-that-be are harping on about decreasing the costs in GP racing they have introduced a revised formula for the 250 class (as I mentioned in an earlier post), this pushes manufacturers to 600cc 4S. Bye bye Aprillia and KTM. I don't know what these guys are smoking but I want some.
-
"Friday, January 16, 2009
Kawasaki announced their pull-out of MotoGP "from 2009" for economic reasons, but seven days later the question of whether they will race in 2009 or not is muddied even more with the news development that the factory have two of their test riders and the 2009 Kawasaki MotoGP 800 at Eastern Creek in Australia for a test.
Frenchman Olivier Jacque and Kawasaki ace (and ex-Moriwaki Dream Fighter pilot) Tamaki Serizawa are both on site at Eastern Creek testing '09 Kawasaki machines with new chassis, swingarm and improved internals.
Photos of the bikes show that they are without Monster branding."
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jan/090116kec.htm
??? :o Go figure.
-
http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/01/17/kawasaki_testing_but_not_racing.html
Looks as though no ladies have sung just yet...............what a soap opera..............with out the good sorts ;D
-
http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/01/17/kawasaki_testing_but_not_racing.html
Looks as though no ladies have sung just yet...............what a soap opera..............with out the good sorts ;D
Sounds like blind panic and absolute desparation ::). Surely a privateer Kawasaki team with minimal expertise, money or experience would be hard placed to qualify for the grid, you would expect.
-
http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/01/17/kawasaki_testing_but_not_racing.html
Looks as though no ladies have sung just yet...............what a soap opera..............with out the good sorts ;D
Sounds like blind panic and absolute desparation ::). Surely a privateer Kawasaki team with minimal expertise, money or experience would be hard placed to qualify for the grid, you would expect.
UNLESS the rest of the teams didn't turn up either ;)
-
The circus and uncertainity continues........
"Marco Melandri expects to hear by Jan 30 what his role will be in the 2009 Kawasaki MotoGP team. Kawasaki pulled their team from the MotoGP series last month but stories persist that Kawasaki will race MotoGP in some form in 2009.
Melandri seems to think that he'll either be riding for Kawasaki or will be paid to perform other services. "I just hope that I don't have to work in a store in Japan," he joked yesterday in a meeting with reporters.
In the meantime, Melandri has been linked with an unnamed Honda MotoGP team and had an offer to slot in at Marco Borciani's Ducati WSBK team, the latter of which he turned down"
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jan/090120a33.htm
-
The circus continues........... ;D
Ya just gotta have 18 bikes on the grid ;).
"Melandri Agrees To Ride "Dornasaki"?
by dean adams
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sources in Europe this afternoon confirm that Italian Marco Melandri has agreed to ride the ex-Kawasaki MotoGP bikes this season. Insiders suggest that Dorna will run the team independently and the bikes will be not be branded with the Kawasaki logo.
Dorna is attempting to acquire the Kawasaki machines and run them through a self-sponsored effort in 2009."
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Feb/09021033-2.htm
-
This is just a Carmelo wish list/stunt.
CLICK HERE (http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/02/08/kawasaki_to_come_back_under_another_name.html)
-
wild fantasy alright, whats the point for corporation to develop the bikes and then trundle round at the back of the field without your name on the tank. Dorna has done its best to reduce the number of starters by effectively eliminating privateer efforts and now they have what they wanted. Plus you have the 250s limping about on 3 year old bikes.
Why don't they allow modified production bikes....but wait that is Super bike racing
-
Sources in the mainstream sports media in Italy are reporting that the on-again-off-again saga that is Kawasaki is sort of on again. According to both Tuttosport and Sportmediaset, Marco Melandri will be riding a privately run Kawasaki, in a team led by Michael Bartholemy. The deal is said to have been put together by Dorna, in the person of CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, who has been in constant negotiation with Kawasaki since the news broke.
Details of the deal are somewhere between sketchy and nonexistent, but the deal seems to be that Kawasaki will make all of the 2009-spec bikes available to Michael Bartholemy, and the Belgian team manager will field a single rider in the person of Marco Melandri. Shortly after the news broke that Kawasaki would be withdrawing from MotoGP, the factory said that it had enough bikes and parts to last approximately a quarter of a season, and so presumably, this would be enough to run a single rider for at least have a season, perhaps a little longer if the practice restrictions are pushed through as expected.
Finance for the project will most likely come from Dorna - presumably in fear of breaching their own contract with the FIM to field at least 18 riders for a world championship - possibly with some seed money from Kawasaki, to buy out their remaining contract, which committed them to race in MotoGP until 2011. Melandri would presumably be riding the 2009-spec bikes tested by Olivier Jacque in Australia during January, despite reports of poor reliability. And maintenance and - speculatively - engine development could be done by the French company Solution F, as reported by GPOne.com in January.
-
thats it convergence towards WSB is the end of the story....it sucks anyway
-
Melandri reports on his blog that the will be sitting out 09. Italian press is somewhat excitable ;D
-
I think finally it is the commercial issue, the same one that killed 2 strokes. That factories only make money off bikes they can sell you, so there getting scarcer by the minute support dollars have to go where they will sell the most replica racers.... Superbikes. I think Melandri and those guys also have the problem of getting the huge money they got in 2008 again this year.
-
Thanks Marc, you seem to agree with my post back to the first page. 8) about who will be next to move away from certain "events'
All of them ! So pick any one, facts are all auto mobile and motorcycle manufacturers are not selling even the stocks of new vehicles they have. NO sales = No cash, certainly not for now overrated bloated racing events that are steadily loosing lots of interest with the public around the world. Meaning it is becoming a waste of advertising money to support them.
-
Companies like Honda are busy laying people off. That means in Japan justifying to the labor department you really are in a serious financial state, racing programs and high paid foreigners don't get the smiley face when you are convincing the Government to approve your downsizing.