MotoGP 2015

[pritch]

Bradley Smith has kindly just posted a reminder that this is race week, and that everything happens a day earier this week because the Assen race is on Saturday.

[carbonhed]

Bradley Smith has kindly just posted a reminder that this is race week, and that everything happens a day earier this week because the Assen race is on Saturday.

Motorcycling legend

[pritch]

The ups and downs of racing? In FP1 Danny Kent has gapped the field, MM93 crashed on the outlap.

Rossi finished top in FP1. Now he just needs to do that in qualifying.

[Reckless]

Good move! Now eliminate soft tyres for qualifying and I'll be a happy chappy

Before the Motul TT Assen the Moto3™ grid met with Race Direction’s Mike Webb to discuss safety issues with slip-streaming in Qualifying.
Qualifying for the Catalunya round of the World Championship saw up to thirty Moto3™ riders riding slowly on the racing line, endangering not only themselves but also others on track. Riders waiting for a tow is not a new problem in Moto3™, nor any class, but Catalunya saw the issue reach a critical point and demonstrate that the previous penalty system was not working.

“We have an on going problem especially in Moto3 where riders specifically wait for a faster rider to go past so they can follow in hopes of improving their lap time,” said Mike Webb. He continued, “At some circuits it’s not a big problem but in Catalunya it was a big problem in Moto3. In those conditions no one has a chance to set a fast lap and it’s dangerous.”

Previously, a rider found to be riding dangerously would be given a penalty point with the collection of these resulting in various sanctions such as starting from the back of the grid, from the pits or being disqualified from the race. This proved ineffective in the Moto3™ class.

Beginning in Assen riders must be within 107% of their normal lap time with each circulation in Free Practice and Qualifying sessions. This is not a hard limit, but more of an indicator to race direction and as such riders falling outside this 107% margin will be reviewed. If it is found a rider was deliberately slow to wait for another rider they will be penalised with warnings, which may lead to a penalty affecting grid positions.

If this system fails, Race Direction has proposed a change to the format of Qualifying. This suggested change is similar to the old ‘Superpole’ system where riders leave the pit-lane one by one to ensure each rider has a ‘clean’ lap. This would reduce the number of riders on track to remove the problem. This is an extreme solution and Mike Webb is keen to avoid this radical final step.

[Doppleganger]

Bradley Smith has kindly just posted a reminder that this is race week, and that everything happens a day earier this week because the Assen race is on Saturday.

From next year its moving to race day on a Sunday

https://motomatters.com/news/2015/06...switch_fr.html

[pritch]

Q1 is due at 12.10AM

Q2 follows at 12.35

Might have a coffee to keep me awake.

Ezpelata is just outlining Dorna's plans for next year and into the future. Lots to read tomorrow.

[pritch]

Rossi on pole. So the old dude can still do it.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Rossi on pole. So the old dude can still do it.

He'll be bloody hard to beat round there. Obviously loves the place! Miller in 20th some 2 secs off the front. Not sure HRC have got that gamble right. http://superbikeplanet.com/2015/Jun/150626-vr-pole.htm

[Oscar]

The old geezer was paying $15 for pole!
Thanks Vale!

[Crasherfromwayback]

The old geezer was paying $15 for pole!
Thanks Vale!

Nice collect there mate!

[p.dath]

I notice the next round of MotoGP is on tonight at midnight. Does anyone know any bars on the North Shore of Auckland or even anywhere in Auckland that would show it?

[pritch]

For those with access there is an interesting video about the onboard camera gear. It's thirty years since it was used for the first time at Assen and the gear has changed - a lot. Things didn't go to plan but it worked out well. It's an interesting clip.

[Mental Trousers]

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/0...new-era/178675

Must say I'm disappointed. The technical rules are to stay the same, so only 4 cylinder 4 strokes up to 1000cc.

Stability is good and the manufacturers won't have to develop new engines, just keep evolving their current designs. But it also means there's not going to be anything different or new, so more twin beam frames, forks in the front and no 2 strokes/rotaries/forced induction etc.

A maximum of 24 riders limits the number of manufacturers though. However, has there ever been a time when there's been more than 6 major manufacturers participating??

[BMWST?]

VR better get a good start.He could very easily find himself back a few places,and the Honda s already seem to be improving.He might find himself behind 3 hondas a yamaha and a suzuki.,albeit much closer to the front.George wont let him back in front with out a fight....we been there before.Bring it.

[ellipsis]

For those with access there is an interesting video about the onboard camera gear. It's thirty years since it was used for the first time at Assen and the gear has changed - a lot. Things didn't go to plan but it worked out well. It's an interesting clip.

...On a rain off day on the Island in '82 we got to see the first onboard shots of a lap around the Mountain...Can't remember if it was Mick Grant or Bob McElnea on the Honda...it will be a memory that sticks, not so much for the vid which was a bit mindblowing, but the audience in the picture theatre doing violent left and right leans for the whole 37+ miles...it was on a continuous loop and I only managed a lap and a half before my neck got sore too...