Rossi “Laguna Seca unsuitable for bike racing”

[Bob]

Valentino Rossi has slated the Laguna Seca circuit, calling it unsuitable for motorcycle racing.

Speaking after practice Rossi said: "The track was quite dangerous in many points, but some are very, very dangerous. When you walk around or go with a scooter it's dangerous, but it's less dangerous on a motorbike.”

"The level of security is not very good, certainly not as good as the other tracks we go to. If they don't change it, I don't think we will be able to race here again."

Marco Melandri supported Rossi’s sentiments, following a crash in the famous ‘corkscrew’ downhill corner. "I find the track so much less fun than I thought," he said "It's not so nice. It's small, slippery, bumpy. Also the corners, nothing special. For our bike, too much power this track. You fly everywhere."

[White trash]

Well I'm not sure how a motorbike is less dangerous than a scooter there. Nicky Hayden, Troy Baylis and John Hopkins would all have the opposite coments of Melandris, I'm sure. I wonder at what point these guys decide it's "too dangerous". I mean, they're riding 200+ HP bikes on the ragged edge, for 25 laps. That to me sound fucken dangerous in itself.

[Two Smoker]

Obviously they arent keen to do Isle of Man...

[zadok]

As far as I can recall, they stopped racing there for some time now because it was regarded as a dangerous track. Maybe they haven't upgraded it enough or at all. As we all know, Rossi is a brilliant rider, he would know. I must try and find the article. Off to work now. :bye:

[TwoSeven]

Rossi is a poof then. LS is one of the most exciting tracks around, if he cant ride it, then leave it to someone who can - maybe he should do what the F1 guys do, get teh test riders to do all the hard graft.

[T.I.E]

whats hard about a track? what debri? or people walking around the track whilst racing?
its a track. oh no it has a corner. well shit aint that what racing is about? putting someones skills and bike against someone else? on the same track?
if it's too dangerous then slow down a little. everyone has the same advantage/disadvantages.

i don't get it. maybe they have live stock walking around.

its too dangerous. well shit sherlock it's called racing.

[onearmedbandit]

Have to say however it's-oh'-so-fucking-easy to be an armchair critic. "He's a poof" etc, get over yourselves. Here is a guy with BIGGER balls than anyone here, undisputed world champ many times over yet we have people here who know better. Maybe you guys should start your own team, or better yet head over to LS and show this 'poof' how to really ride a bike. I'll be watching Prime to see your efforts.

[Two Smoker]

Have to say however it's-oh'-so-fucking-easy to be an armchair critic. "He's a poof" etc, get over yourselves. Here is a guy with BIGGER balls than anyone here, undisputed world champ many times over yet we have people here who know better. Maybe you guys should start your own team, or better yet head over to LS and show this 'poof' how to really ride a bike. I'll be watching Prime to see your efforts.

Yep i second this.... But i dont think he would ever race at pukekohe.... or isle of man.... due to so many bumps...

[Ghost Lemur]

Have to say however it's-oh'-so-fucking-easy to be an armchair critic. "He's a poof" etc, get over yourselves. Here is a guy with BIGGER balls than anyone here, undisputed world champ many times over yet we have people here who know better. Maybe you guys should start your own team, or better yet head over to LS and show this 'poof' how to really ride a bike. I'll be watching Prime to see your efforts.

Well said.

Also has anyone ever known Rossi to blame a track for anything? I certainly haven't. Wasn't LS dropped for being dangerous in the first place? I thought they'd obviously fixed it and that's why the GP was returning, maybe they haven't and there are other reasons why LS has been included this year (money?). I remember Schwartz coming off (through the corkscew) and head full force bloody close to the metal barrier once, said something along the lines of truely thinking he was a goner.

And talk of Rossi being a poof and needing to "just ride". No one is better than Rossi at being able to out ride a bike, or track. Being able to push things that bit further, find lines (and fractions of seconds) others can only dream of.

I love how some people are so quick to jump down his throat the moment he voices an opinion. If you guys remember he had a few words to say about the Shanghai track too. Didn't stop him from wiping the floor with everyone else. :motu:

What pisses me off more is that I heard there is no 125/250 racing. Personally I'd prefer they didn't bother going there in future if they're not going to have a full race program.

[enigma51]

they have not tried pukie yet!!!!!!

Run off ....... whats that?

[FROSTY]

guys unless YOU have been there to that place then please refrain from comment. LS is a nice track --ON a 600 proddy bike.But even on that it has places that are friggin dangerous. As in like the top of the hill at Pukie dangerous with the railings pretty darn close.Spectator security isn't the best well actually probably on a parr with Pukie I guess but pretty low level for an event at that level.
The track surface is pretty good -again by NZ standards --but compare it to anywhere else these guys race and its pretty shocking.
Now I must say --the last time I rode there was in ninteen-hrumpmutter so things may have changed but the corkscrew at half pace was pretty scarey stuff -on the pase or near to it and its frigging terrifying -There is nothing in NZ even slightly like it on a track and maybee just maybee a couple of road sections ive ridden sorta come close

[James Deuce]

There are still places at LS where you can go straight in to tyre wall or a concrete wall, the last turn for instance. Lose it on the first part of the front "straight" and you could spear into a concrete wall like Dajiro Kato did at Suzuka.

"Poof" eh Two Seven? At least he isn't English.

Kenny Roberts and to a lesser extent Barry Sheene got the same "poof" comment levelled at them in the '70s when they were still racing on tracks that had railway crossings and telephone poles. Two or three riders died every year in each class, and people shrugged their shoulders and kept on racing until those guys stuck their hands up and said "fair pay, and better safety or we'll go elsewhere".

Rossi has big balls for speaking up, especially if he is facing criticism like we see on here, for pointing out that LS is an obsolete goat track.

[FROSTY]

OHH fuck Jim --You friggin did it diddnt ya--Ya just had to spoil our run of publicly disagreeing. :devil2:
It gets my goat that people who have never actually ridden there can make an educated comment on a circuit

[onearmedbandit]

Two Seven, do you care to support your comment regarding Rossi, or was it just a knee-jerk reaction?

[Two Smoker]

OHH fuck Jim --You friggin did it diddnt ya--Ya just had to spoil our run of publicly disagreeing. :devil2:
It gets my goat that people who have never actually ridden there can make an educated comment on a circuit

ive driven it on Gran Turismo 2 and 3.... That makes me more of an expert than rossi :tugger: *yeah right*

[SPORK]

Yeah, I drive my 900 hp Skyline on it, with no problems. He must be a complete faggort head for not doing the entire track at 300kph hitting the barrier on every corner.

We all know that's how it's meant to be done!

[Marknz]

anyone that might have raced or at least ridden hard on the road can see that LS is not really suitable for MotoGP bikes. There are just too many crests close to difficult braking areas for bikes that are that light and generate so much horsepower. I support Vale and Marco's comments.

And no, I haven't ridden there, not even on PS.

[TwoSeven]

Two Seven, do you care to support your comment regarding Rossi, or was it just a knee-jerk reaction?

Yes, he is a poof if he is bitching about a track that the most of the MotoGP, World superbike, AMA and a host of other riders are perfectly happy with.

[Marknz]

Yes, he is a poof if he is bitching about a track that the most of the MotoGP, World superbike, AMA and a host of other riders are perfectly happy with.

Who says the rest of them are perfectly happy with it? Maybe they just don't have the balls to stand up and say what they think. There have been many ex racers who have finished their careers and talked down Laguna Seca, Mick Doohan being one of them.

[Marknz]

from www.superbikeplanet.com...

A release from Rossi is now floating around the pressroom which states:

"Now it is coming better, the track has more grip today. Our work is well in progress and we were already better than the initial session by the end of yesterday afternoon. The track feels less difficult now . I had a long meeting with many of the other riders and Ezpelenta (Dorna CEO) and we said that if they want us to come back next year they have to make many changes, including the asphalt which has many bumps. We also need more run off space in the Corkscrew. For me this will be a very difficult race, more difficult than all the others because of riders like Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss--basically all the experience of Superbike and American riders at this track. Personally, it would be good if I can be on the podium tomorrow. I don't want to speak of victory now.

I did some laps behind Troy Bayliss and realized I need to change my style a bit here to more physical, I think we need a harder set-up as well."

ENDS

[TwoSeven]

lol. Those sounds like 'i'm really not eating my words honest' statements.

[SixPackBack]

Rossi really could be a poof, you never see a beautifull women waiting for him in the pit just his 'freind'.........not anti gay, but when you start digging......

[onearmedbandit]

Rossi really could be a poof, you never see a beautifull women waiting for him in the pit just his 'freind'.........not anti gay, but when you start digging......

lol! He does come off a bit 'camp' sometimes.

[Patch]

from www.superbikeplanet.com...

A release from Rossi is now floating around the pressroom which states:

"Now it is coming better, the track has more grip today. Our work is well in progress and we were already better than the initial session by the end of yesterday afternoon. The track feels less difficult now . I had a long meeting with many of the other riders and Ezpelenta (Dorna CEO) and we said that if they want us to come back next year they have to make many changes, including the asphalt which has many bumps. We also need more run off space in the Corkscrew. For me this will be a very difficult race, more difficult than all the others because of riders like Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss--basically all the experience of Superbike and American riders at this track. Personally, it would be good if I can be on the podium tomorrow. I don't want to speak of victory now.

I did some laps behind Troy Bayliss and realized I need to change my style a bit here to more physical, I think we need a harder set-up as well."

ENDS
Sounds like someone gets paid far too much. Pay him less and he won't bitch quite sooooo much :D Or if he don't like it get a job :eek:

Poor ole Rossi, have to ride a fast bike round the best tracks in the world and get fuckin paid for it. What a hard life. :baby:

[Warr]

Rossi has enough points. He could just not start if he thought it was not to his liking.

[Brian d marge]

At the end of the day ..the race is at L/s That what you have to put up with ... I feel sorry for the backmarkers on a limited budget ,
Our local track has changed , there is a huge double,,, onto a tabletop ,, IF you get the drive off the whoops and through the corner you clear the jump ...if not ,,,is about an 6 foot drop ,,,I hate it ,,,so I dont like going there ..but thats the track and thats it ,

These moto gp bikes, can be tuned and detuned to suit the varying conditions ...Rossi will make an Educated guess on how far hes willing to push it ...

I personally agree with the lack of run off and Yes I understand about the difference between saying and doing ....( 30 16 year olds with a death wish ...and the 15 sec board goes up........and me pooing meself ...the next pooing session Was to be the 24th ,,but I have been told I am working ,,,:mad:)

Either way its going to be an interesting race !! and as with things in life ..they always seem better with a little pinch of salt .....:devil2:

Stephen

( BTW ,,the only reason Rossi is where he is ,,,,,is because I remain undiscovered ... and dont have access to an Yz and I drink to much ,,,and the wife wont let me be an international jet setting playboy ,,,,,I need to lose about 20 kg ,,,and start exercising ,,and buy more jane fonda work out videos .................................................. ..)

[Lou Girardin]

Ya gotta love armchair racers. None of the other classes talked about here run 240 hp motors in a 145 kg bike.
If Rossi's a poof, he's the worlds fastest poof. Unless one of the F1 guys like a bit of dirt tracking, that is.

[That Guy]

Lets just get this straight. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY who can qualify a 500, a motoGP bike, a 250 GP bike or even a 125 GP bike in the World Champs is a poof. At ANY circuit. Ever tried it? ALL those guys have balls made of cast iron.

[Coyote]

Lets just get this straight. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY who can qualify a 500, a motoGP bike, a 250 GP bike or even a 125 GP bike in the World Champs is a poof. At ANY circuit. Ever tried it? ALL those guys have balls made of cast iron.
I wanna try it! Even a 125 would be good enough for me. Some of them manage over 200 don't they?

If he isn't happy with the track, I can always take his place :whistle:

[NordieBoy]

I wanna try it! Even a 125 would be good enough for me. Some of them manage over 200 don't they?

If he isn't happy with the track, I can always take his place :whistle:

You trying to prove That Guy wrong or something?

:D

[SixPackBack]

Lets just get this straight. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY who can qualify a 500, a motoGP bike, a 250 GP bike or even a 125 GP bike in the World Champs is a poof. At ANY circuit. Ever tried it? ALL those guys have balls made of cast iron.

Bit homophobic.....you know what they say about those that complain the loudest
Bet you've got something against furry animals too!

[TwoSeven]

For the mentally challenged. Poof being a slang term in my culture for sissy.

[That Guy]

Bit homophobic.....you know what they say about those that complain the loudest
Bet you've got something against furry animals too!

I'll have you know I live with two furry animals (one had his cast iron parts cut off) and have two lesbian friends (who act like they've got cast iron parts) :p

[SixPackBack]

I'll have you know I live with two furry animals (one had his cast iron parts cut off) and have two lesbian friends (who act like they've got cast iron parts) :p

I got two animals, barby the sheep and lana the lama [think lana's gay but, bitch spits at me as soon as i get to close]

[Brian d marge]

I got two animals, barby the sheep and lana the lama [think lana's gay but, bitch spits at me as soon as i get to close]

Lana the Lama ...I would be spitting if my mum named be lana the Lama

( I can talk my dogs name is Bazil ..... calling him in the morning is a bit interestin ,,,bazzeeelll sound like cybil faulty !!) :rofl:

Stephen

[Quasievil]

Speaking after practice Rossi said: "The track was quite dangerous in many points, but some are very, very dangerous. When you walk around or go with a scooter it's dangerous, but it's less dangerous on a motorbike.”

."


Dont tell Motu, he would advise Rossi to learn to ride better and be within his capabilities, not mention he would comment that Rossi should expect the forces of nature when racing..............

Idiot

[Marknz]

I wanna try it! Even a 125 would be good enough for me. Some of them manage over 200 don't they?

If he isn't happy with the track, I can always take his place :whistle:

All current Moto 125 class bikes do in excess of 200kph at places like Phillip Island and Mugello.

[FROSTY]

Thats a bit rough Tony. This forum is for exactly this. .
Discussion is fine and dandy but calling someone a wimp/poof for showing concern about a tracks condition thats downrite rude, Add to that not even knowing the track and people need to pull their heads in.

[TwoSeven]

He is a wimp that backed down when he realised everyone was happy with the track and he was just looking like a nancy boy. :)

[pritch]

Sounds like someone gets paid far too much.

Of course from some of the comments on here I would assume the authors to be possessed of superior technical ability to Rossi. This is probably why he is only payed about a million dollars a week....

[Bob]

All current Moto 125 class bikes do in excess of 200kph at places like Phillip Island and Mugello.

I assume you are being ironic, aren't you? My SV650S can do in excess of 200kph! The GP bikes are capable of 205mph, equating to about 325kph... bit of a difference... and that on a bike weighing next to nothing.

As for Laguna Seca... OK I've not been involved with writing about racing for a few years now, but I can remember World Superbike riders complaining. I think one of the main complaints is corner 5 or 6, where if you go straight on, you go straight at a concrete wall. There have also been complaints over the years about the lack of run-off at some parts of the track.

That said, from what I've seen (on the screen admittedly - one of the channels over here shows AMA) of the other tracks in the US, Laguna Seca looks postively wonderful. Some of the other tracks the AMA Superbike championship runs on are truly appalling.

[TwoSeven]

http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/2004pics/prerally/imgs/prerally0091.jpg
Avid biker :Punk:


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/7/74/ValentinoRossi.jpg
Sissy :ride:

[Lou Girardin]

Well the poof got third! On his first appearance at LS and behind 2 guys who cut their teeth on that track. Guess he's just a no talent loser.
But hang on!
Who's leading the World Championship again? :rofl:

[TwoSeven]

Still a poof tho.

[Motu]

Dont tell Motu, he would advise Rossi to learn to ride better and be within his capabilities, not mention he would comment that Rossi should expect the forces of nature when racing..............

Idiot

I think Rossi is more inline with my thinking than your's,he knows he shouldn't push too hard on a track he doesn't know,or to mix it up with guys who know it far better than he...he took a safe 3rd today,he kept infront of the hasbeens,kept in touch with the guys in front...perfect,as usual.

[Wellyman]

He just gets paid so much as a 'factory rider' he has the right to bitch and moan. but i think personally he should harden up. I have ridden it on the playstation and the corkscrew is for sure the hardest part of the track.
WM

[k14]

All current Moto 125 class bikes do in excess of 200kph at places like Phillip Island and Mugello.

They do it at every track. Think they can do 230 on the longest straights and would do over 200 on all of them. Heck even my one would be able to nudge the 200 mark at puke. Estimate 180ish at rupuna with current gearing.

[pete376403]

Even if Rossi doesn't like the track he still made a fairly good job of it. 3rd place is still a whole lot better than most of the others.

[pritch]

He just gets paid so much as a 'factory rider' he has the right to bitch and moan. but i think personally he should harden up. I have ridden it on the playstation and the corkscrew is for sure the hardest part of the track.
WM

As a "leading rider" he maybe feels a responsibility to himself and the other riders. As Wayne Rainey says on "Faster" sometimes even the obvious hazards don't get attended to until someone gets badly hurt. And there speaks the sad voice of experience.

Of course then it's too bloody late!

Sorry, but Playstation has fuck-all to do with anything. That gets a mention in "Faster" too (Hopkins?).

May I recommend that those who think Rossi is a poof, or needs to harden up watch the movie "Faster". If your attention span permits you to stay awake right through the movie, you will understand a whole lot more about motorcycle racing than you do so far.

And I mean that in the nicest possible way :-)

[Lou Girardin]

He just gets paid so much as a 'factory rider' he has the right to bitch and moan. but i think personally he should harden up. I have ridden it on the playstation and the corkscrew is for sure the hardest part of the track.
WM

For God's sake, next you'll say wanking's as good as shagging.
Or an alcopop is as good as a bottle of Grange.

[placidfemme]

May I recommend that those who think Rossi is a poof, or needs to harden up watch the movie "Faster". If your attention span permits you to stay awake right through the movie, you will understand a whole lot more about motorcycle racing than you do so far.

And I mean that in the nicest possible way :-)

Rossi rocks... and he's cute in a furry little animal kinda way.... can you rent "Faster" at video stores? If not where could I get a copy?

[Bob]

As a "leading rider" he maybe feels a responsibility to himself and the other riders. As Wayne Rainey says on "Faster" sometimes even the obvious hazards don't get attended to until someone gets badly hurt. And there speaks the sad voice of experience.

Of course then it's too bloody late!

Sorry, but Playstation has fuck-all to do with anything. That gets a mention in "Faster" too (Hopkins?).

May I recommend that those who think Rossi is a poof, or needs to harden up watch the movie "Faster". If your attention span permits you to stay awake right through the movie, you will understand a whole lot more about motorcycle racing than you do so far.

And I mean that in the nicest possible way :-)

I'm normally Mr Neutral around here, but WELL SAID. Rossi, as leading rider, is THE person who is in a position to complain if things are not right. Anyone recall Philip Island not that many years ago, when Troy Corser got the 2nd World Superbike race called off as it was too dangerous to ride? Only he could do that with any degree of officialdom, as he was the leading rider in the championship at the time.

This carries on from precendents set by Sheene and Roberts, who both campaigned long and hard to get improvements made at tracks.

And for anyone who thinks that playing on a Playstation compares in any way to actually riding a bike.... get real will you.... or at least get back on a bike again and see what real life is like.

Rant over.

[Pixie]

In 2040 the Rossi knockers of today will be boring their grandchildren with....
"aah todays Zap Brannigan is no great racer.I remember Rossi back in '05,There was was a racer!Seven feet tall ,if he was an inch!He had eyes that glowed like the fires of hell.Constantly surrounded by hoards of beautiful women.Didn't ride no fusion powered anti-grav bike either.Young poofs....."

[erik]

Rossi rocks... and he's cute in a furry little animal kinda way.... can you rent "Faster" at video stores? If not where could I get a copy?

Motomail have it.

[Motu]

Phill Reed was the first rider to get on the safety kick,he got a reputation as a touchy testy prick and got all the ''too scared to race'' allegations,I think it was him who first refused to ride IOM.To doubt the talent of these guys is an insult.

[That Guy]

They do it at every track. Think they can do 230 on the longest straights and would do over 200 on all of them. Heck even my one would be able to nudge the 200 mark at puke. Estimate 180ish at rupuna with current gearing.

I think the top factory 125s will do 240 at Mugello, Estoril, Phillip Island and the like with a bit of drafting. The coolest part though is that unlike motoGP bikes they don't brake for the corners until the apex is 20 metres away....well....maybe 100 but it looks like 20 when you watch them

[erik]

I think the top factory 125s will do 240 at Mugello, Estoril, Phillip Island and the like with a bit of drafting.

wouldn't the bike in front have to be doing 240 for any drafting bikes to be doing 240?
Or can you use drafting to go faster than the bike you are drafting behind?

[James Deuce]

wouldn't the bike in front have to be doing 240 for any drafting bikes to be doing 240?
Or can you use drafting to go faster than the bike you are drafting behind?

Drafting boosts the average speed of all the participants. By having another bike RIGHT behind you, your wake departs from your bike a lot further back, thereby reducing drag. You can see it in Nascar when someone in a top team drops off the draft. They slowly drop back from the pack, despite having essentially the same horsepower and drag figures as the cars they've been running with.

[TwoSeven]

The basic rule with aerodynamics is that you must put back what you displace, or you get a vortex forming behind the vehicle which has the effect of sucking you backwards.

When riding a 250/125 at speed, its important to get the correct curve shape in your back so that you form the tear drop off the front faring to the rear of the seat. Modern rules allow for a dove tail rear section now, so use that to complete the shape.

Ditto with the side of the bike and elbows/knees.

[gav]

No wonder Marco Melandri complained......Ouch!!
THey didnt stop going to Laguna because it was dangerous, they stopped going because no promoter would touch the event as they were losing money hand over fist. Think King Kenny Roberts promoted the last two rounds raced there. 1993 the race was the week after local hero Wayne Rainey was paralysed and never to walk again after his crash in Italy. A very sombre occasion for the US crowd to accept, for sure. They sure had some bad luck there . American Bubba Shobert ended his career after running into a stationary Kevin Magee who was doing a burnout, (same place Colin Edwards stopped this year :no: ) The next year Kevin Magee nearly lost his life after suffering serious head injuries in a crash and hitting a wall. Mick Doohan also crashed after colliding with a haybale and ended up sitting in the middle of the track.