Wsbk 2017

[pritch]

Seasons greetings to y'all.

There are new rules for allocating grid positions in Race 2. The podium finishers in Race 1 go back to row 3, in reverse order, and it gets even stranger from there. Crash.net have an explanation here: http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/23553...d-shakeup.html

We all have until the Philip Island round kicks off to get our heads around this, otherwise there'll be a collective WTF? There might be a few of those anyway.
It'll be interesting to see if it works as intended, the aim being to provide exciting racing.



I did not type Wsbk, I typed WSBK but even the advanced edit fuction won't let me change that. Bastard!

[roogazza]

Seasons greetings to y'all.

There are new rules for allocating grid positions in Race 2. The podium finishers in Race 1 go back to row 3, in reverse order, and it gets even stranger from there. Crash.net have an explanation here: http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/23553...d-shakeup.html
We all have until the Philip Island round kicks off to get our heads around this, otherwise there'll be a collective WTF? There might be a few of those anyway.
It'll be interesting to see if it works as intended, the aim being to provide exciting racing.
I did not type Wsbk, I typed WSBK but even the advanced edit fuction won't let me change that. Bastard!

Not really a surprise coming from an outfit like Dorna huh pritch ?
Its all about the Dollar and Television. Imagine winning the first leg (on a previous day,thanks Dorna !) and being shoved back to the third row for the next days race , position 9 !!!!???
Whats next, a factory2 class ?

[Mental Trousers]

Stupid made-for-tv-audiences rules. I've always thought you either a) don't change the grid positions or b) use the results from the previous race to set grid positions. Reverse grids of any type are done purely to entertain audiences.

[pritch]

Was listening to the Motopod podcast today and the new rules were a topic.

I had wondered why just the first three rows? Their version was that there can be a considerable skill/experience difference between the guys at or near the front of the grid and those at the back. Rea, Sykes, and Davies are used to passing and being passed by each other. Some of the tailenders might create dangerous situations in the process of being passed by twenty odd riders.

On balance though they felt it unnecessarily complicated. One guy who apparently didn't approve did not say a word, he had just posted a picture of Mickey Mouse.

[roogazza]

Just looked , 26th Feb, first round Phillip Is.

[Luckylegs]

Just looked , 26th Feb, first round Phillip Is.

Oi Crasher!!! This means a month before you need to re-fill that fridge for the GP start... So what odds are you givin' me on Melandri this time around. Perhaps a short term dabble as well as a longer one for the season. Melandri on the podium within the first 2-3 races?

[pritch]

The first winter test is underway at Jerez. It may not be much but it's something.

Sufuoglu is not riding, he broke a wrist training on a motard apparently.

[roogazza]

The first winter test is underway at Jerez. It may not be much but it's something.

Sufuoglu is not riding, he broke a wrist training on a motard apparently.

Bet Sofog is rapt with that ? I see Rea is looking for a few more neddys and Sykes burbling about changing styles again. Can't see his style matching Rea's myself. Sykes might do well at a street circuit with no corner speed ? haha Wanganui maybe if pigs fly ? Still fast tho I guess.
Can't wait for it all to start.

[pritch]

After day 1 Rea fastest followed by Sykes , the two Ducatis next. Honda has work to do.

[Badjelly]

Ducati to produce a V4 superbike, apparently intended as a basis for production-based racing series like WorldSBK.

https://motomatters.com/analysis/201...der_a_new.html

I for one think that's great news.

Disclaimer: This opinion is based on an almost complete ignorance of what it's like to ride fast sport bikes, let alone to race.

[pritch]

Suzuki are testing at Sepang, well it may be Yoshimura are testing. Apparently Yoshimura are handling the Suzuki Superbike campaign as well as Moto America and BSB.

[roogazza]

Saturday week guys ! Not long to go now.
Lets hope the P.I. weather plays the game at this first round for the year.
Go johnny Rea !!!!!!!

[Dadpole]

Go johnny Rea !!!!!!!

Who would bet against him?

Anyway - Go Melandri (As long as Mrs M is there)

[Badjelly]

Go Melandri (As long as Mrs M is there)

https://goo.gl/images/zFcZrb

[pritch]

Saturday week guys ! Not long to go now.

And it's on SKY Sport 3, 2.15 to 6.00PM Saturday.

Sunday 3.15 to 6.05PM Sunday on pop up 2.

Two weeks thereafter Thailand, still at a civilised hour for those of us downunder.

A double take on checking the calendar though, the German round is sponsored by Prosecco? I'd have thought the Germans would have had that covered.