MotoGP 2012

**Crasherfromwayback** · 26th March 2012, 14:02

Can't wait for the action to start!

**Mental Trousers** · 26th March 2012, 14:04

Originally Posted by Cleve

the full article is here: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...es-beyond-2012

One thing from that article is the bit about pit stops.

One proposal is to establish a minimum time in the pits at around two minutes. This matter will come under discussion with some team technicians favoring a neutralized minimum time (with any rider completing his wheel and tire changes in less than the minimum held at the exit of pit lane until the time is completed) while others believe that at this level of professional championship teams should be expected to simply use endurance racing equipment and skills to make the fastest stops possible.

I've always believed that pit stops should have a minimum time put on them, not just for MotoGP but for things like F1, Aussie V8's etc.

The reason for this is that the teams job is to prepare the bike for the rider. Once the flag drops the team are spectators until the end of the race and it's solely up to the rider. That is something that is fundamental to any kind of non-endurance motor racing until you get to the higher levels and I don't think that should be different.

A race should be won on the track, not in the pits. Any form of racing that relies on pit stops to sort out the finish order needs a damn good shake up.

**DidJit** · 26th March 2012, 14:07

Dennis Noyes and David Emmett are great at illuminating the inner workings of this little sport of ours, aren't they?

On another note, just to show he's got a playful side to him as well, Stoner's last session, time sheet topping dash yesterday was, "... just trying to be cheeky!"

**baffa** · 26th March 2012, 14:30

Originally Posted by merv

The nice thing about a MotoGP bike is it looks so like an ordinary sportsbike you could ride on the street. You can't say the same about an F1 car, it looks nothing like and ordinary sportscar.

That's why touring cars exist. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport for me, regardless of whether you like bikes, cars, or both, you cant help but be impressed by F1 cars and their drivers.
They have to be 640 kilos minimum with full fuel and driver. So a dry F1 car weighs just over 400 kilo, with 800hp. They also spend a million bucks making a new front wing, but that's the price you pay!

Both seasons seem to be heating up, going to be a great year motorsport, 2 wheels or 4.

**Cleve** · 27th March 2012, 06:36

Originally Posted by Reckless

great read thanks Cleve

No worries. Dennis has been busy post Jerez final test. Here is his next one.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...an-he-looks/P1

**Crasherfromwayback** · 27th March 2012, 07:03

Originally Posted by Cleve

No worries. Dennis has been busy post Jerez final test. Here is his next one.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...an-he-looks/P1

I think even the non believers are starting to believe!

**Badjelly** · 27th March 2012, 09:17

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

A race should be won on the track, not in the pits. Any form of racing that relies on pit stops to sort out the finish order needs a damn good shake up.

Damn straight. Mind you, 50 million NASCAR fans might disagree with you (and me) on this one.

**slowpoke** · 27th March 2012, 22:39

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

One thing from that article is the bit about pit stops.

I've always believed that pit stops should have a minimum time put on them, not just for MotoGP but for things like F1, Aussie V8's etc.

The reason for this is that the teams job is to prepare the bike for the rider. Once the flag drops the team are spectators until the end of the race and it's solely up to the rider. That is something that is fundamental to any kind of non-endurance motor racing until you get to the higher levels and I don't think that should be different.

A race should be won on the track, not in the pits. Any form of racing that relies on pit stops to sort out the finish order needs a damn good shake up.

Originally Posted by Badjelly

Damn straight. Mind you, 50 million NASCAR fans might disagree with you (and me) on this one.

I dunno, pitstops are why it's a TEAM sport. Too often the emphasis is on the rider (driver) and the bike (car) totally forgetting the rest of the crew who have sweated mentally and physically off the track. The race is the culmination of effort, not the only effort.

So I have no problem at all with flag to flag races where the riders/drivers have to change to "wet" bikes or refuel. But I do have a problem with mandatory piststops in short sprint races as per F1 where mandatory stops are used to artificially inject drama into an otherwise processional event. If teams want to voluntarily pit to effect some smart thinking tyre/fuel strategy all good, but a mandatory tyre change etc is just bollocks.

On a side note remember that dude in "Closer to the Edge" changing out that rear rim in 30 odd seconds? Farkin' amazing!