MotoGP - Laguna Seca ***SPOILER*** | FerrariChat

MotoGP - Laguna Seca ***SPOILER***

Discussion in 'F1' started by kizdan, Jul 23, 2007.

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  1. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    What a terrible weekend for John Hopkins! First, he gets his qualifying lap spoiled (and goes ballistic while on the bike!), and then he runs into Nicky Hayden on the first corner and is out.

    Once again, Stoner rode a flawless race. This kid is awfully good. I hope the rumors are true that Nicky will join him at Ducati next year - it would be an interesting match up. I'd like to be able to see Nicky throw it into Honda's face by blowing their bikes away - absolutely deploreable the way they are treating him - he wins the WC, so how do they thank him? By designing the new bike for his team mate. What a joke!

    Speaking of Hayden, his little brother rode an impressive race as well. I think we will see him with a full time ride soon enough.

    Where was The Doctor ? The Doctor was out for this race. He didn't make much ground up like he usually does. Then again, Laguna Seca does not seem to be one of his favorite tracks.

    I was disappointed in my fellow Canadian - Miguel Duhamel for exiting the race very early because his "head was not into it". That was the first time I can recall a rider saying something like that.
     
  2. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    Now that Bridgstone is the only tire supplier in F1 they seem to have turned their attention and resources to MotoGP and it shows. The Doctor can only do so much (he was the front runner on Michelins). Sad to see Nicky's race spoiled so soon (don't know whose fault it was). Great race from Melandri! Really deserved that.
     
  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    I don't follow MotoGP, but when I flipped on the TV yesterday the channel was showing that behind-the-rider shot with the lean angles.

    Oh my god. 70 degree lean angles? Passing and real racing and balls-out running. Why haven't I heard about this stuff before?

    Gotta find the schedule, get it on the DVR.

    Now, I turn the thread back to the folks who actually know the sport. :)
     
  4. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    You should really watch it. It has everything that F1 lacks. Just rename the Ducatis into Ferraris! :)
    (the Yamahas are sponsored by Fiat by the way. How weird is that?)
     
  5. DeSoto

    DeSoto F1 Veteran

    Nov 26, 2003
    7,792
    I think he had another race the same day... I suppose that was the reason.

    Two different races in the same day, just like in the old times.
     
  6. tonyc

    tonyc Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2003
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    #6 tonyc, Jul 23, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I am pretty sure I heard that Ducati signed Malendri to ride for them next year along side Stoner.
    It looked like Rossi drove a strong race but just could not get on the podium :(

    Here is a pic of Rossi at the top of the corkscrew:
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    I have been saying that all along! Best racing on the planet! Biggest difference is that in MotoGP, it is 70% the rider and 30% the bike whereas it is the other way around in F1.

    Remaining schedule, which should all be televised on SpeedTV. There is Moto 250, Moto 125, and then MotoGP - all are good, but if you are going to choose one, make sure it is GP. Speed does televise the others;
    Aug. 18
    Sept. 1
    Sept. 15
    Sept. 22
    Oct. 13
    Oct. 20
    Nov. 3

    One name to follow: Valentino Rossi. I feel that this man is more talented a motorcycle rider than Schumey was an F1 driver - he's that good. He's not the best starter in the world, which is great for us fans. He often falls back to 10th position or so from the start, and you just sit back and watch - more often than not, he ends up winning the race! Incredible to watch!

    Also, go to Amazon.com, and buy the DVD called "Faster". You'll become a fan for life. Guaranteed.
     
  8. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    I heard the British Eurosport commentators talk about a bike movie or documentary. They said that in the movie the riders were interviewed inside a car. Same movie?
     
  9. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    Very nice pic!
     
  10. tonyc

    tonyc Formula 3

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    Hi Tillman, MotoGP has some of the "show" of F1 and is really exciting to watch. In the rain, they coming into the pits and jump on a different bike with rain tires. The bikes are purpose built, so no chance of finding one in a shop to buy. The big teams are Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki. The other teams purchase equipment from other constructors. As far as I know, no rules governing the bike design or parts hanging off of it. I think the limitations are engine size, total weight and the amount of fuel put in. I was told that the tires are special and can not be purchased in stores, they are supplied by Dunlop, Bridgestone and Michelin. This year Ducati has the strongest bike and just pulls away from everyone on the straights.
     
  11. tonyc

    tonyc Formula 3

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    #11 tonyc, Jul 23, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
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    Um, I also have a DVD called "The Doctor, The Tornado, and The Kentucky Kid", which is also fantastic. Haven't seen either in a little while, so I get the 2 confused. It was probably the one they were talking about though.
     
  13. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
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    Do you have those in high res? Would make a very nice desktop.
     
  14. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

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    John Hopkins was run into by Nicky on the first lap. Nicky came straight into him, and frankly shows that Nicky wasn't paying attention. it's interesting to note, that the only other rider on the track running the same lap times as Stoner was Hopper, too bad he was two laps down.

    If you were there you could hear the difference in the sound that the Ducks made, versus the balance of the field. It wasn't just the tires, the Ducks clearly had quite a bit more power. The only bikes that were even close were the Suzukis. Too bad that John is moving to Kawasaki next year (Suzuki declined to exercise their right of first refusal his demand for 5M Euros but Kawasaki paid it to him, guess he decided that he'd take the money over a competitive bike).

    I'd watch for Ben Spies next year, rumour is that he's going to take Hooper's place if they don't sign Caparossi (Yosh wanted to keep Ben another year, but if Japan wants him,that's what will happen). Ben just signed with out team, so we'll see where that leads.

    Art
     
  15. tonyc

    tonyc Formula 3

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    I would be glad to give them to you. I will zip the images tonight when I return home and post a link.
     
  16. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
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    Thanks - much appreciated!
     
  17. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    where does that leave hopper? he is probably one of THE fastest guys in moto gp but does not have the ride. i would say that if hopper was on honda power, he would leave nikki for dead at each instance and would be seriously in the points race behind stoner...he is that fast.

    art, as you point out, there is no package as strong as the duke...they have significantly more motor than anyone.

    i cannot figure out how spies could get a ride over hopper w/ exception that spies is the all american "marketing" boy. he is not as naturally fast as hopkins.

    pcb
     
  18. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
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    Hopper is very fast, I agree, and he deserves a competitive ride. I believe he has at least one WC in his future.

    One thing I like about MotoGP riders is that, for the most part, they seem to lack any arrogance (aside from Max Biaggi). Hopper seems like such a down to earth guy, humble and honest. I like to see riders with that attitude succeed.
     
  19. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

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    Read the post. Hopper left Suzuki because they wouldn't meet his price. Suzuki had the opportunity to sign him, they just had to match Kawaski's offer, and chose not to. Ben will do well.

    I think, and it's just my opinion, is that John left Suzuki because of the money, and the feeling that he can't beat the best, so he'd take the money rather than the championship. I know him, used to represent him, and I think that I may have something with that thought, but who knows what is going through his head.

    I think that once Michelin and Yamaha get their act together, it will be Rossi again, but given the superiority of the Bridgestones and the HP advantage of Ducati (estimated at 30HP over the competition), no one is going to beat Stoner. When Yamaha catches up, then watch for Rossi again.

    Art
     
  20. tonyc

    tonyc Formula 3

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  21. PowerSlide

    PowerSlide Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2004
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    sad to see the doc not winning..the michelins are not performing on this track..top 3 are all on bridgestone

    but i would like to see rossi on ducati same as like schumi driving ferrari :D
     
  22. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    Very nice - thank you!

    As I was scrolling through, the dilemma was which one to choose??? Then I came to the last one, a close-up of Rossi, but this was the only one that wasn't a large size. Do you, by any chance, have this one in a larger size, or was this one cropped out of one of the other pics? If yes, I will use the one where he is right in the middle of the cork screw.

    Many thanks!
     
  23. tonyc

    tonyc Formula 3

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