MotoGP 2013

[Geeen]

Seems MM is far from the first to drag his elbow, heaps others doing it.

[Kendog]

Seems MM is far from the first to drag his elbow, heaps others doing it.

Raised ground, doesn't count

[sugilite:Me]

My recollection is that Simon left because he couldn't adjust to dunlops.
It is pretty moot as WCM lost Yamaha and Red Bull shortly thereafter...

I think it was the other way around. Simon was winning on Dunlops, then the next year the team switched to michelin and Simon was not the same on those. I always thought that WCM being a private team, yet had a winning bike/rider/tyre combo were absolutely insane to go and change that, as history came to prove, such a waste!

[Oscar]

I think it was the other way around. Simon was winning on Dunlops, then the next year the team switched to michelin and Simon was not the same on those. I always thought that WCM being a private team, yet had a winning bike/rider/tyre combo were absolutely insane to go and change that, as history came to prove, such a waste!

I stand corrected.
I think there also talk that as Simon had just started a family, he'd lost a bit of his edge.

[sugilite:Me]

I stand corrected.
I think there also talk that as Simon had just started a family, he'd lost a bit of his edge.

I'm not sure bout the family thing, I would be surprised if a rider had just started winning at the pinnacle of his sport would let that effect him much. My smoke hazed dodgy memory recalls that at the time the dunlops had less side grip but were very consistent sliders right to the last lap, which suited Simon. The michelins of the day had more side grip, but let go very suddenly causing massive confidence bursting high sides, esp if one was used to the consistent dunlops. I remember even the production slicks of the day were like that. In 90 (I think) Tony Rees was backed by Yokahama and at Ruapuna on the sweeper leading to the front straight, Tony had it hanging out speedway style. Honestly one of the most awe inspiring sights I've yet seen on the NZ scene. For the TT race, Yokahamas man (Ian Dawson?) told Tony he could fit a michelin in order to have a chance at winning. Tony did so, but on lap 2 on the very same corner met with the infamous michelin high side, was scary to see for sure as it was epic. Lucky he was a tough nuggety bugga!

[Crasherfromwayback]

. Tony did so, but on lap 2 on the very same corner met with the infamous michelin high side, was scary to see for sure as it was epic. Lucky he was a tough nuggety bugga!

I was there to see that too.

[roogazza]

I think it was the other way around. Simon was winning on Dunlops, then the next year the team switched to michelin and Simon was not the same on those. I always thought that WCM being a private team, yet had a winning bike/rider/tyre combo were absolutely insane to go and change that, as history came to prove, such a waste!

I think you may well be correct there sugilite. The first time I met my French friend (Jacques Hutteau of ELF fuel) about 8 yrs ago, he said (knowing I was a kiwi) what about that Crafar guy ? 12 seconds on Doohan at Donington where did that come from ???? His opinion was that it was tyres (Dunlops), but a great ride all the same.

[AllanB]

They must use much grippier paint on the racecourse than NZ roads or that front tyre would slide out!

[McWild]

They must use much grippier paint on the racecourse than NZ roads or that front tyre would slide out!

That's something I've always been curious about actually, the majority of racetracks on the calendar there never seems to be an issue braking hard or accelerating hard on the white lines, even in the wet. Anyone know what sort of paint is being put on the track to allow that?

[Geeen]

That's something I've always been curious about actually, the majority of racetracks on the calendar there never seems to be an issue braking hard or accelerating hard on the white lines, even in the wet. Anyone know what sort of paint is being put on the track to allow that?

When I was watching the IOM coverage the commentators were talking about the paint mix used for the white lines, they do add sand or something to it to make it grippier. I can only assume a similar thing is done on racetracks

[sugilite:Me]

I read somewhere years ago it was recycled crushed glass, and eu countries even use it on their roads, now there is a thought!

[Drew]

I read somewhere years ago it was recycled crushed glass, and eu countries even use it on their roads, now there is a thought!

That's just so everyone feels good about recycling. Crushed up glass...is sand. They use it for sand traps at golf courses too.

Anyhoo, sand in paint is very grippy. It also completely fucks spray units. So we'll never get it here, since road marking is an outsourced service.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Anyhoo, sand in paint is very grippy. It also completely fucks spray units. So we'll never get it here, since road marking is an outsourced service.

So let's just put some paint in their sand blasters then...

[DidJit]

“You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Crasherfromwayback again.”

[denill]

The money shot yah missed Gaz!