Moto Gp & Wsb, 2012.

[Bluetongue]

A shame for Vale at this point in his career, he should still be able to hang with the frontrunners. But he cant and it seems he can write this year off too as far as a championship goes.

Kartman I agree with you less weight is better but is Marquez so small was my point.

[NormanW]

A shame for Vale at this point in his career, he should still be able to hang with the frontrunners. But he cant and it seems he can write this year off too as far as a championship goes.

Kartman I agree with you less weight is better but is Marquez so small was my point.

Yeh, it's looking like a repeat of last year but as we know anything can happen.

Can't wait for the next one in Jerez.

[kartman]

A shame for Vale at this point in his career, he should still be able to hang with the frontrunners. But he cant and it seems he can write this year off too as far as a championship goes.

Kartman I agree with you less weight is better but is Marquez so small was my point.

My point is it's crazy to have any restricted class with no weight limit regardless of Marquez' size it's his weight that counts.

[Lickey]

Joan Lascorz was taken off a life support machine today, he has spinal injuries after a testing crash at Imola, day after the WSB event, doctors are not sure if he will regain full mobilty,

Very sad news for an upcoming SB rider..

[NormanW]

Joan Lascorz was taken off a life support machine today, he has spinal injuries after a testing crash at Imola, day after the WSB event, doctors are not sure if he will regain full mobilty,

Very sad news for an upcoming SB rider..

Thanks for that Lickey, here is the latest: worldsbk.com/en/news/5-sbk-news/12649-joan-lascorz-update-12-april.html

Let's hope he recovers completely.

[Bluetongue]

A shame for Vale at this point in his career, he should still be able to hang with the frontrunners. But he cant and it seems he can write this year off too as far as a championship goes.

Kartman I agree with you less weight is better but is Marquez so small was my point.

My point is it's crazy to have any restricted class with no weight limit regardless of Marquez' size it's his weight that counts.

Well according to motogp.com he is 5 kilo less than Luthi or perhaps more importantly 8 kilos less than Iannone and a massive 15kilo less than Scott Redding. So you do have a point and Marquez for champion. I dont have to like him very much though.

[Kwasaki]

Weight is crucial = better corner exit speed = faster on straight also better tyre life/performance = better corner exit speed =faster on straight.

Oops should be less weight is crucial

Agree to a point but I say skill and attitude has a lot more to do with it.

Maybe already read but some info as you were posted about weight.

The following are the minimum weights permitted:

MotoGP :- Up to 800cc – 150 kg and 801 - 1000cc - 153 kg

Moto 2 :- motorcycle 140 kg

Moto 3 :- motorcycle + rider 148 kg

The teams may add ballast to their bikes to achieve the minimum weights and the weight may be checked at the initial technical control, but the main control of weight is made at the end of practice sessions or at the end of the race. For the Moto3 class the weight checked is the total of the rider with full protective clothing plus the weight of the motorcycle.

Others thing's :- " Casey Stoner: 800cc Champion, Jorge Lorenzo: 250cc, 800cc Champion,

Valentino Rossi: 125cc, 250cc, 500cc, 990cc, 800cc Champion, Best Bike or Not, History will speak for it self in the future.... "

When I see quote's like this it make me think how fate plays it's part in the sport so for me, I like motorcycle history and here’s something for those who may like a read :-

Least we forget Stoners record his attitude for me is questionable but his skill has to be admired, bringing that bucking bronco power crazy Ducati at the time to win his 1st MotoGP championship in 2007 with 125 pt lead was a feat in it’self.

He competed in his first race was when he was four years old, between his very first race win at the age of nine and the age of fourteen, dirt racing track in Australia Stoner won 41 dirt and long track titles and 70 state titles, who would not be proud of that, and what a great thing for a father to see.

What impresses me, an illustration of his passion at age twelve, over one weekend he raced in 5 different categories in all 7 rounds of each capacity. A whole weekend consisting of 35 different races, not only did he compete in all these categories and different engine capacities, the young Casey went on to win 32 out of the 35 races. There were five Australian titles to be won that weekend, Stoner won all 5. That’s very impressive.

The legal age in Australia to road race is 16. so at the age of 14 years, Stoner and his parents agreed he was ready to move up onto road racing so they packed up and moved to England, where the legal age for road racing is 14, good old England eh.

He attracted immediate sponsorship after just one race in England and went on to take the English 125cc Aprilia Championship in 2000, his first year of road racing, again impressive.

I have watch him over the years in 125 & 250 and then in MotoGP, as we know Stoner won the World Championship for the second time in 2011 at his home round at Phillip Island, riding for Honda.

I like this and had to smile, Stoner first child was born on 16 February 2012, whom they named Alessandra Maria. Ironically, the same birthday as Stoner's long-time rival Valentino Rossi.

Ride to live. K.

[Bluetongue]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/84F6mjPBFzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

quick kwaka

[NormanW]

Gone but not forgotten...http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Abraham+leads+Simoncelli+tribute+at+Brno

[soihok]

My wife, brother and I witnessed Marco's crash at Sepang as we were sat across from that corner.

It really was such an extreme incident. Difficult to believe what had just happened, it wasn't until we got back to hotel that we saw a report that he had lost his life. We had a bad feeling when the race was cancelled.

The inspiration and spirit of Super Sic lives on.

[NormanW]

My wife, brother and I witnessed Marco's crash at Sepang as we were sat across from that corner.

It really was such an extreme incident. Difficult to believe what had just happened, it wasn't until we got back to hotel that we saw a report that he had lost his life. We had a bad feeling when the race was cancelled.

The inspiration and spirit of Super Sic lives on.

OMG!

I personally think he had a heart attack the way the bike went in such an extreme direction exit that corner. I know he was 26 but given the heat and pressure of that day I can't get it out of my head. I have analysed it so many times.

He really did 'fall' off the bike.

I suppose we will never know.

I do miss him and believe that he was a future champion.

I have sort of made my little tribute to him by getting some '58' stickers made. He are the said stickers (in the first 58 seconds of the video).

Was there ever an official report/reason?

[soihok]

Interesting video Norm. I feel like I've had one too many when watching it

[Kwasaki]

My wife, brother and I witnessed Marco's crash at Sepang as we were sat across from that corner.

It really was such an extreme incident. Difficult to believe what had just happened, it wasn't until we got back to hotel that we saw a report that he had lost his life. We had a bad feeling when the race was cancelled.

The inspiration and spirit of Super Sic lives on.

OMG!

I personally think he had a heart attack the way the bike went in such an extreme direction exit that corner. I know he was 26 but given the heat and pressure of that day I can't get it out of my head. I have analysed it so many times.

He really did 'fall' off the bike.

I suppose we will never know.

I do miss him and believe that he was a future champion.

I have sort of made my little tribute to him by getting some '58' stickers made.

Was there ever an official report/reason?

There were lots of comments at the time, the follow up to where you reckon he fell off is unusual most say freaky but easily explained and could happen.

Here's one take which explains to me what happen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ35A_H3AwA

RIP Ciccio.

[NormanW]

My wife, brother and I witnessed Marco's crash at Sepang as we were sat across from that corner.

It really was such an extreme incident. Difficult to believe what had just happened, it wasn't until we got back to hotel that we saw a report that he had lost his life. We had a bad feeling when the race was cancelled.

The inspiration and spirit of Super Sic lives on.

OMG!

I personally think he had a heart attack the way the bike went in such an extreme direction exit that corner. I know he was 26 but given the heat and pressure of that day I can't get it out of my head. I have analysed it so many times.

He really did 'fall' off the bike.

I suppose we will never know.

I do miss him and believe that he was a future champion.

I have sort of made my little tribute to him by getting some '58' stickers made.

Was there ever an official report/reason?

There were lots of comments at the time, the follow up to where you reckon he fell off is unusual most say freaky but easily explained and could happen.

Here's one take which explains to me what happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ35A_H3AwA

RIP Ciccio.

Thanks for that Kwasaki.

I still can't get it in my head that he touched enough white line to tip it and even harder to accept that he was killed by a white line - Colin Edwards - Rossi.

Hmmm.

[Kwasaki]

The white line was the start of the incident, as said by many when a bike lays down on it's side normally the rider and bike will slide off track, as we see so many times.

As seen he didn't let go as he went off left, Ciccio somehow made the bike sit up enough for tyre grip which sat the bike up with opposite steer which sent him straight back across the track into the path of Collin and Val.

There was nothing they could do, Colin hit the bike and Ciccio and then it looked to me the front tyre of Val took his helmet off.

A horrid and rare accident by all accounts but fate played it's role.

Although this vid shows the crash, I like to just remember Ciccio not for how he died but how he lived.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DtT2pY3EUI&feature=related

My youngest son is a big fella too, 23 now here he is at 8yr.

He has a GSXR750 now and is plugging for Cal in this years MotoGP and Leon Camier in SBK because of Suzuki but he is leading Suzuki rider with 12 points.

His also looking forward to next years TT when he will be riding mad Sunday, wish I could be with him that day.

[soihok]

This the first time I have looked at a playback of the crash since the day. I have not wanted to see really, just showed my wife and now she's not talking to me.

Time to let it go.

Marco remains in our hearts.

[Kwasaki]

This the first time I have looked at a playback of the crash since the day. I have not wanted to see really, just showed my wife and now she's not talking to me.

Time to let it go.

Marco remains in our hearts.

For sure that's why my comment :-

Although this vid shows the crash, I like to just remember Ciccio not for how he died but how he lived.

Same for Kato.

[Lickey]

I looked closley at the vid as the vid poster [YT] suggested, his rear tyre did not touch the white line, but it was spinning up, leaving a darkie, perhaps the traction control was off or malfunctiong?

At the time, live raceday on tv, my 1st thoughts were Marco is a big strong fella and managed to hold off a slide with his knee, which brought him into CE & VR path, there are no darkies following his angle across the track,so perhaps he was well aware of what was happening and had shut the throttle,

Anybody remember this one at Assen 1983, Wayne Gardner & Franco Uncini,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzwCzjqFiuM

Franco survived,, Rest in Peace Marco..

[Kwasaki]

I looked closley at the vid as the vid poster [YT] suggested, his rear tyre did not touch the white line, but it was spinning up, leaving a darkie, perhaps the traction control was off or malfunctiong?

Anybody remember this one at Assen 1983, Wayne Gardner & Franco Uncini,

Franco survived,, Rest in Peace Marco..

Yeah !! there's so many but they all were doing the sport that they loved.

The guys I met at the TT, Simon Beck died '1999, I rode around the track with him in '1997.

Joey Dunlop died '2000, shook his hand and had a chat in '1997

David Jefferies died '2003, when I was there with my bike '2000 he set my bike up for me for mad Sunday.

Most of the riders killed in the TT are English or from the UK.

Still roll on SBK 22nd April Assen.

29th April round 2 MotoGP Jerez.

[soihok]

Yes.

Will we see that ZX10R on the top of the podium this weekend ?

Could be a BMW, Aprilia, Ducati, Yamaha........ (not writing off Honda either) up there too.

[soihok]

Erm...forget the about a Yamaha getting a podium

[Bluetongue]

Erm...forget the about a Yamaha getting a podium

OK. Like you all I have nothing but admiration for anyone that can race like these guys having only nibbled at the edges myself. For Marco his second season in MotoGP I think he really wanted to be challenging for victories. Without going into all his starts and finishes it seemed to me that he was prepared to push a little harder at the start sacrificing perhaps a crash for that chance to be up there. There were a few instances of early crashes. You know how it is the first few laps are a bit frenetic and then everyone settles into the rythym of the race. However if you are in 5th or 7th you then have little chance of a podium let alone winning. Especially on a track like Sepang. A couple of top guys out, he wanted it, bad. RIP

[Kwasaki]

Assen, 20-21-22 April 2012

Superbike - Results Qualifying 1st Session

No.-- Rider -- Nationality -- Team -- Bike -- Time -- (Speed) - Avg -- Max

1. 50 -- GUINTOLI -- FRA -- Ducati -- 1098R -- 1'37.600 -- 167 -- 275

2. 66 -- SYKES -- GBR -- Kawasaki -- ZX-10R -- 1'37.630 -- 167 -- 293

3. 2 -- CAMIER -- GBR -- Suzuki -- GSX-R1000 -- 1'38.468 -- 166 -- 273

4. 7 -- CHECA -- ESP -- Ducati -- 1098R -- 1'38.665 -- 165 -- 274

5. 65 -- REA -- GBR -- Honda -- CBR1000RR -- 1'38.873 -- 165 -- 275

Interesting 18 kph tyre eater.

[NormanW]

and some vids here if you didnt already know http://www.worldsbk.com/en/videos/youtube.html

[Lickey]

Tom 'tyre eater' Sykes is at the front again, 3rd time lucky perhaps, i really hope so, we need a brit to do the buisness again, and the weather forecast for Assen looks in Toms favour,

http://www.myweather...en-Circuit.aspx

Norman, ive tried the WSBK videos but they wont lite up, i go direct ti Youtube, enter Assen wsbk 2012 and get loads of practice and interviews,

this one is of Tom getting his pole award,,

Its going to be a very good race today, hopefully 109 will show both, but only advertise the 1st, starting at 4.30 pm till 6pm, then F1,

Joan Lascorz is still in a bad way, perhaps 2 months before he can talk?

[NormanW]

Tom 'tyre eater' Sykes is at the front again, 3rd time lucky perhaps, i really hope so, we need a brit to do the buisness again, and the weather forecast for Assen looks in Toms favour,

http://www.myweather...en-Circuit.aspx

Norman, ive tried the WSBK videos but they wont lite up, i go direct ti Youtube, enter Assen wsbk 2012 and get loads of practice and interviews,

this one is of Tom getting his pole award,,

Its going to be a very good race today, hopefully 109 will show both, but only advertise the 1st, starting at 4.30 pm till 6pm, then F1,

Joan Lascorz is still in a bad way, perhaps 2 months before he can talk?

arh right thanks for that.

109?

[Lickey]

109 True Visions channel, ESPN shew the 1st race, 108 TV the 2nd race, [via my dreambox ]

Got a Brit on the podium in the end, well done Johnny Rea, Whats Tom got to do? 1st a coolant prob then a wrong tyre choice, Perhaps Monza? a speed track, TS was fastest at Assen,

[Kwasaki]

109 True Visions channel, ESPN shew the 1st race, 108 TV the 2nd race, [via my dreambox ]

Got a Brit on the podium in the end, well done Johnny Rea, Whats Tom got to do? 1st a coolant prob then a wrong tyre choice, Perhaps Monza? a speed track, TS was fastest at Assen,

Well it just shows being the fastest don't cut it if you ain't got a tyre that will hack the distance.

Kwasaki maybe should lose a bit of top end speed and get some traction control tuning done.

[Bluetongue]

Went to crack my last tinnie and when I got back the warm up lap was starting in brilliant sunshine and chubby checa was starting with full wets. Couldn't believe it. Lost the championship lead to Mad Max too.

The Brits threw it away so often in Race 1 I'm not sure the wet weather specialist tags should apply about 3 of them could have won it. Still at least you got Johnny up for Race 2, sorry for Tom, a hose clip in Race 1 and a hard tyre in Race 2. Rea chose the hard tyre and won probably showing the Honda to be a bit more tractable less power and all

[Lickey]

^{Moto Gp and Redposa is fastest in QP2, And Rossi is second, so is the Rossi "rudder" helping him in the wet? lets hope so, Rossi has worked hard to develop the Duke and as yet hasnt had a payback,,}

^{Nortons TT entry, i was a bit sad to read this, it will have a Aprilla rsv4 engine, spondon frame, brembro brakes, and a Norton name on the tank, hardly a Norton as us older fellas know it, check it on Youtube,}