MotoGP 2016

[pritch]

There was some good racing with Baker winning the Grand Final by about half a length from Marquez with Mees some way back in third.

A man to watch is Ohmuri(?) the Japanese rider. He comes from a drifting background. Apparently he was very fast in practice but the pundits felt he wouldn't do so well in the races. He won a final so they may have to revisit that assessment. There was some confusion at the start of the grand final with him nowhere to be seen. At the last moment another competitor was pulled out and Ohmuri took his place.

A good start is imperative because there aren't many passing lanes around the small track.

Each year there seems to be more coverage, hopefully that'll hold true for next year.

[Erelyes]

2016 rule changes. http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/225...ogp-rules.html

The important stuff imho (that is, as spectators)

Re-Starting Interrupted Races
In order to minimise the time taken to restart an interrupted race a new procedure has been approved for all classes. This will involve a shorter time spent in the pit lane before the new sighting lap and a significantly shorter countdown on the grid prior to the warm up lap. (Engines will not be stopped and only one mechanic per rider will be permitted onto the grid).

In the Moto3 and Moto2 classes when there is more than one race interruption the length of the restarted race will always be 2/3 of the previous race, with a minimum of five laps. So, for example, if the first restarted race was 2/3 of the original race distance then the distance of the second restarted race would be 2/3 of that distance — always with a minimum of five laps. In situations where a restarted race has been interrupted after less than five laps then the distance for the next race will be determined by Race Direction with a minimum of five laps.

Track Familiarisation
For all classes the regulations have been amended to ensure that when a rider uses a machine of the same capacity as the relevant MotoGP class, this can only be a standard production road-homologated machine.

Penalties for Using Engines over Allocation
In the Moto3 and MotoGP classes, where more than one extra engine is taken at a single event then penalties for the second and any subsequent extra engines will be carried forward to the next event(s).

MotoGP Class Tyres
In line with the appointment of Michelin as the Official Tyre Supplier, the allocations of slick tyres have been modified. Riders will now be permitted to use a maximum of 22 tyres (10 front and 12 rear).

For wet tyres the allocation is a maximum of 7 front and 7 rear.

Riders will now also have the option of an intermediate tyre with a maximum allocation of 3 front and 3 rear.

Engine Allocations — MotoGP Class
It has already been agreed that manufacturers can homologate three different engine specifications which may be used by different riders during the season. It has now been agreed that manufacturers who lose “concessions” may homologate additional engine specifications for the first season after losing those concessions. However, the maximum number of different specifications is related to the number of Satellite teams being supplied. The formula to be used to calculate this number is:
One Factory team + 2 Satellite teams = 3 different specifications
One Factory team + 3 Satellite teams = 4 different specifications
One Factory team + 4 Satellite teams = 5 different specifications

MotoGP Class — Effective Immediately
Previous regulations made frequent reference to “Open” and “Factory” classes and machine types. All such references will now be removed.

[pritch]

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ra...ogp-get-nasty/

[speights_bud]

Riders will now also have the option of an intermediate tyre with a maximum allocation of 3 front and 3 rear.

That sounds fun.... Not really enough allocated to get a good set up? But good enough in the right conditions?

[Shaun Harris]

Pay ya taxes bitch

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2015/Dec/151231a.htm

[Crasherfromwayback]

Pay ya taxes bitch

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2015/Dec/151231a.htm

Drop in the bucket compared to Rossi's tax fine a few years ago...

[Shaun Harris]

Drop in the bucket compared to Rossi's tax fine a few years ago...

Hell yea mate

[denill]

Drop in the bucket compared to Rossi's tax fine a few years ago...

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...bill/3735.html

[Shaun Harris]

Testing for all these turkeys again this month, very cool. I am hanging to see how the Suzuki goes with trick gearbox and = ECU system

[puddytat]

Ive been thinking of renewing my MotoGP subscription for a while now....but have been waiting for the currency exchange rate to improve. Which according to various talking heads isn't going to happen & they're saying it'll drop more.....
Bugger.

I have noticed though, that if your in the market for bike stuff though that actually most of the stuff Ive been looking at is cheaper here than in Oz.

[pritch]

At the time Rossi was living in the UK as a result of management advice he was not the only one. There was another at the same time it may have been Milandri? Rossi wasn't fined it was more in the nature of a settlement the taxman having decided that despite spending large amounts of time in the UK, Italy was still functionally his home.

Several racers live on the IoM, they weren't all born there either. It has a friendly tax regime.

Bradders, Marquez and others live in Andorra, and it's not just for the skiing.

The Rolling Stones lived in France for years way back when. The English papers are currently unhappy about the number of Brit born billionaires who live and work in the UK but claim residency of some tropical tax haven to avoid paying UK taxes.

C'est la vie?


Oh and if you're missing racing the Dakar is about to kick off. I can't find any streaming but there should be pics each day.

[puddytat]

Try this au...

http://www.3pmstream.com/motor-sport...ing-video.html

[pritch]

Least surprising announcement of the year to date? Lorenzo has signed a three year contract with Shark helmets.

Then there are the latest thoughts from Mr Emmett.https://motomatters.com/opinion/2016...ly_premat.html

I thought his comments re trail braking were interesting having read Keith Code writing that the current riders no longer trail the brakes. They are either on the gas or on the brakes. 'Cept if they trail brake the Michelins they might be on their nose?

[pritch]

Try this au...

http://www.3pmstream.com/motor-sport...ing-video.html

Thanks again for that, but when I went to check that live they wanted a bankcard number. I see though that SKY has a highlights package each night at 8.00 and since the start was postponed a day we haven't missed much. It's on a different channel each night but there is at least a gas fuelled fix available.

[Shaun Harris]

Least surprising announcement of the year to date? Lorenzo has signed a three year contract with Shark helmets.

Then there are the latest thoughts from Mr Emmett.https://motomatters.com/opinion/2016...ly_premat.html

I thought his comments re trail braking were interesting having read Keith Code writing that the current riders no longer trail the brakes. They are either on the gas or on the brakes. 'Cept if they trail brake the Michelins they might be on their nose?

"Lorenzo QUOTE" I am very proud to be tackling the forthcoming seasons with such a prestigious brand as Shark, which has a long history in MotoGP," Lorenzo said. "For me, this represents a most exciting challenge and I am quite sure that, together, we will form a great team. I really hope that I can reward all this confidence they have placed in me with some major successes.”


He also hopes he can remember to fit his breath guard if it rains, that is the challenge he refers too