08 MotoGP opener to be held at night!

**Matt Bleck** · 13th November 2007, 15:47

It's offical, Round 1 of next years GP will be raced under lights!

http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/moto...&news_id=21556

**riffer** · 13th November 2007, 18:31

Excellent news. Apart from the added excitement of the change of style and seeing the riders overcome the issues of different lighting, it will quite possibly be on at a more friendly time for those of us who live in the arse end of the world.

**cowpoos** · 13th November 2007, 19:02

Originally Posted by riffer

Excellent news. Apart from the added excitement of the change of style and seeing the riders overcome the issues of different lighting, it will quite possibly be on at a more friendly time for those of us who live in the arse end of the world.

nah...they will just delay it a day and play it in the middle of the night!

**k14** · 13th November 2007, 19:05

Originally Posted by riffer

Excellent news. Apart from the added excitement of the change of style and seeing the riders overcome the issues of different lighting, it will quite possibly be on at a more friendly time for those of us who live in the arse end of the world.

Nope, the reason its under lights is so that the european audience can watch it in the afternoon. If it was during the day it would have been at a good time for us, but sadly it will be at 10pm or midnight just like the other european rounds.

**paturoa** · 13th November 2007, 19:15

That is just stupid.

There are so many things wrong with asking racers at the highest level to ride at night.

**Nicksta** · 13th November 2007, 21:23

well, i'm looking forward to seeing it.. i assume it will be all flood lit so not really "night" racing... i'd love to give it a go.. i ride faster at night

man, its only just finished and i cant wait for anther round of MotoGP

**rsnut** · 13th November 2007, 21:44

Great to see Ducati is already testing for this night racing with the Desmosedici RR - as they say a MotoGP bike with lights.

Another season on top coming up !

**xwhatsit** · 13th November 2007, 22:21

They talked about doing this with F1 -- Bernie wanted it bad, but the drivers weren't too keen amongst others. Great for TV ratings. This will be the reason for doing it; any added excitement for sport's sake will be purely a side effect.

I wouldn't've thought the bikes would need lights, would they? At least they weren't going to do that with F1, just really good track lighting.

**k14** · 14th November 2007, 06:51

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

They talked about doing this with F1 -- Bernie wanted it bad, but the drivers weren't too keen amongst others. Great for TV ratings. This will be the reason for doing it; any added excitement for sport's sake will be purely a side effect.

I wouldn't've thought the bikes would need lights, would they? At least they weren't going to do that with F1, just really good track lighting.

They are doing it for F1 next year in singapore.

**White trash** · 14th November 2007, 07:16

Originally Posted by paturoa

That is just stupid.

There are so many things wrong with asking racers at the highest level to ride at night.

Know all the details do ya?

From what I've read, they will have at least the same lighting levels as a day race. Then take into account the cooler track temp, cooler air and you should have some spectacular lap times. Bring it on I reckon.

**BarryG** · 14th November 2007, 07:20

I think a factor, apart from the TV aspect, is that it'll be a bit cooler at night. In fact, it could get bloody cold in the desert at night, I think. I wonder if practice and qualifying is at night too? If not, that'll play havoc with tyre selection, surely?
I think the whole idea's pretty wank. Uninteresting antiseptic track, nobody there to watch - what's the point?!
Cheers
Barry

**White trash** · 14th November 2007, 07:24

Originally Posted by BarryG

Uninteresting antiseptic track, nobody there to watch - what's the point?!

Bit like racing at Taupo really.

**cowpoos** · 14th November 2007, 07:46

why are so people negitive about it!! its a fantasic idea...and the racers that tested the under lights trial loved it...they had a wet simulation,power cut simulation and normal simulation...and don't for get it won't be just any light shining down on the track!!