MotoGP 2012

[DidJit]

Last night reaffirms my belief that Moto2 is the premiere class.

The whole race was just incredible. Any man's game. ...

Moto2 was absolutely brilliant. Great to see all and sundry giving Marquez absolutely no quarter. Little shit just takes it and then returns it with interest tho Still love to see him on a bike where he can't just motor past people on the straights. Must drive Iannone to despair tho he's got the slam it down the inside routine down to perfection. Gutsy ride from Redding. ...

You fellas weren't wrong about that Moto2 race (just got to see it now)... What an epic!

[Mental Trousers]

Will say what about his mate Spies daring to say this about a track? Do you see Alberto Puig up in arms over it? No.

As Ben Spies tweeted later, Gonna complain a bit... .. they built a track in the middle of nowhere with nothing in sight. You shouldn't be able to hit a wall if u try..dumb.

Twice in the same spot over the weekend. The first time he ditched the bike. But the dudes a racer so the second time he tried to save it and get back in the race.

Although it was a left hander it was a front end bobble that caused it to sit up.

It's a very fast part of the track too so I'm surprised there isn't a huge run off.

You can see (bottom left) there's no run off for the second half of the turn

[Crasherfromwayback]

.

You can see (bottom left) there's no run off for the second half of the turn
[]

And I agree it's shit. Just laughing that when Stoner said Indy was shite...Schwantz had a boo hoo.

[Drew]

I reckon the runoff looks quite adequate. The most likely reason you'd hit that fence is by riding into it, and that's totally possible anywhere on any track I'd have thought. Just my take on it.

[tail_end_charlie]

You fellas weren't wrong about that Moto2 race (just got to see it now)... What an epic!

That certainly was a cracker of a Moto2 race. Near the end (when MM was 2nd I think) Gavin and Emmett were commenting that MM couldn't really take it easy in 2nd place to get the points..........cause if he took it easy, he would find himself in 8th in a couple of corners. And that was so true, the battle between the lead group of about 8 was absolutely epic. And more passes made in the last lap between those guys than in the whole MotoGP race. It was a bit of a let down to watch that after Moto2, although the Tech3 boys definately kept you expecting sparks to fly. Its good to watch the aliens carve up the track in their perfect flowing form, but to be honest, it can't beat the cut and thrust dance that was going on in Moto2.

Twice in the same spot over the weekend. The first time he ditched the bike. But the dudes a racer so the second time he tried to save it and get back in the race.

Although it was a left hander it was a front end bobble that caused it to sit up.

It's a very fast part of the track too so I'm surprised there isn't a huge run off.

You can see (bottom left) there's no run off for the second half of the turn

Yeah, that was one hell of a crash. Looked quite sickening to watch it live, and I'm surprised (and relieved) that Nicky came out of it ok. Definately need to look into some track mods or air fences or something I would think. I know you can't prevent every crash like that from happening, but they can't let one like that go and not do something for future races.

[Drew]

Yeah, that was one hell of a crash. Looked quite sickening to watch it live, and I'm surprised (and relieved) that Nicky came out of it ok. Definately need to look into some track mods or air fences or something I would think. I know you can't prevent every crash like that from happening, but they can't let one like that go and not do something for future races.

He was hardly moving (all things considered), silly bugger should have at least tried to turn away from riding straight into the wall.

Looked bad, till you look at the bike as they push it away. Broken fairing, and bike still rolling sweet as they push it.

[Mental Trousers]

Nicky Hayden managed it twice, although the first time he locked up the rear and laid it down so he didn't nail the wall hard, but I think the bike still did hit it (don't quote me on that). The point where he had the problem is right where they're out the widest and leant over the furthest (it's a double apex so it's right in the middle of those two apexes).

From what I can gather MotoGP/2/3 are the only major series that use the big sweeper. F1, Superbikes and others use the continue on past it to the hairpin.

[GD66]

[QUOTE=Drew;1130407826]He was hardly moving (all things considered), silly bugger should have at least tried to turn away from riding straight into the wall. [QUOTE]



True, I've watched it a few times and am mystified why he just fixates on the wall and beelines towards it with the inside foot off the rest and leg trailing, just like that annoying habit racers have acquired when setting up to tip into a corner. Surely with both feet on the rests, the necessary weight transfer would have made it a simple matter to lay the thing down with plenty of time and room to spare.
Also, a pet peeve of mine once again arises, particularly as it's a relatively new track. Why aren't those runoff areas sealed ? Yes, you still need a trap, and ideally an airfence as well BUT surely if the first 30 or 40 metres are sealed, riders can either bail out safely, skid sideways or dump the bike on its side and prevent most of those injury-causing, bike-damaging rollover prangs that traps breed....

[Crasherfromwayback]

[with the inside foot off the rest and leg trailing, just like that annoying habit racers have acquired when setting up to tip into a corner.



. Why aren't those runoff areas sealed ? Yes, you still need a trap, and ideally an airfence as well BUT surely if the first 30 or 40 metres are sealed, riders can either bail out safely, skid sideways or dump the bike on its side and prevent most of those injury-causing, bike-damaging rollover prangs that traps breed....

I agree. It's gay and looks gay. As I've said before...ain't seen too many people out brake Lorenzo...and he keeps his feet on the pegs.

Secondly...easy. The track ends when it does. If you seal it outside of the track...there's no penalty for running out of track. Stoner complained years ago about the usage of astro turf etc on the outside of the track...and fair enough. If you can't use the track made avail to you...and run wide onto what should be grass/dirt...you should hit the deck.

[Oscar]

I've been warned to "Check the interweb later today for some interesting developments on MotoGP and WSB..."

[Oscar]

I've been warned to "Check the interweb later today for some interesting developments on MotoGP and WSB..."

Yup, here we go:

Bridgepoint brings together MotoGP and World Superbikes

Infront Sports & Media to act as marketing partner and global advisor for both championships

Bridgepoint has announced that Dorna Sports and Infront Sports & Media have reached agreement to bring both their motorcycle racing interests under a single umbrella organisation. Dorna is the organiser of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix ("MotoGP"), whilst Infront organises the eni FIM Superbike World Championship ("WorldSBK") through its subsidiary Infront Motor Sports.

As a consequence, MotoGP and WorldSBK, will be integrated within the Dorna Sports group but managed as separate events with a view to enhancing the two distinct championships. The objective is to allow both series to develop and enhance their championship personalities, retaining their leadership positions in the arena of world motorcycle road racing - WorldSBK, with its focus on production-based racing, and MotoGP with its focus on prototype racing. At the same time, both championships will benefit from joint marketing and commercial strategies.

Alongside this re-organisation, Infront has been appointed as marketing partner and global advisor to both championships.

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront Sports & Media, said: "Under the new structure, the two leading motorcycle road racing events are now set for sustainable further growth and development. A true win-win situation has been created. Both Dorna and Infront can now further strengthen and focus on their core competencies and, in addition, achieve leading positions in their specific area of expertise."

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, added: "We're very excited to have the two top motorcycle road racing series under one roof. We fully expect to develop and strengthen the distinct nature of both MotoGP and WorldSBK as separate properties and remain committed to working with teams and manufacturers, circuit owners, sponsors and broadcasters to give fans the best experience yet."

Commenting on the re-organisation, Bridgepoint said: "This is a logical and exciting development which should ensure that both these fantastic Championships continue to flourish."

Translation: Dorna takes over WSBK.

[quallman1234]

I think they got sick of WSBK threatening to sue them so they just brought them out!

Yup, here we go:



Translation: Dorna takes over WSBK.

[Drew]

I agree. It's gay and looks gay. As I've said before...ain't seen too many people out brake Lorenzo...and he keeps his feet on the pegs.

Secondly...easy. The track ends when it does. If you seal it outside of the track...there's no penalty for running out of track. Stoner complained years ago about the usage of astro turf etc on the outside of the track...and fair enough. If you can't use the track made avail to you...and run wide onto what should be grass/dirt...you should hit the deck.

I agree that if there is Tarmac outside the corner, it'll get used, and that is wrong. But the Astros turf thing is about saving money on track upkeep.

[Drew]

Hmmm, wonder how much the cost of running superbike is about to go up, to pay for what they've done to gp?

[tail_end_charlie]

I agree that if there is Tarmac outside the corner, it'll get used, and that is wrong. But the Astros turf thing is about saving money on track upkeep.

I thought that the astroturf was there to prevent riders using the whole track and then some. So you have the track out to the curb, then astroturf put down just outside the curb (about 1-2 meters wide) and then a nice paved area to be able to reel the bike in before you get into the gravel pit. That way when the riders out brake themselves, they have to stand it up/get off the brakes to cross the astroturf, but they can brake and turn on the remaining asphalt without crashing. In doing so they will loose a whole lot of time, and places, but still have the ability to recover without crashing (cause thats dangerous!).