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another side of motorsport

October 25, 2011
by Andy
0 comments

Marco Simoncelli; in your words

As a rider, Marco Simoncelli divided opinion, ours included, however as a personality, and more importantly, as a person, he was universally loved by all.

We couldn’t find the words to express our feelings this week, and so we decided to use yours.

This is our Twitter feed of your thoughts and feelings from that tragic day, which we will continue to host on our site as a remembrance of a special character.

Thanks.

********

@motociclista08 My thoughts and prayers are with Simoncelli’s family and the San Carlo Gresini Honda team

@ibikerapp Brilliant photo of #58 RT @leanangles: Thats brilliant Jules. Perfect capture RT @popmonk3y: ciao :( twitpic.com/74kew0

@carlfogarty Devastated to hear that marco simoncelli has died..the guy was a breath of fresh air in moto gp.. Can’t believe it

@help_me_plzzz RIP Marco you was a goodman and a funny guy you r going two be miss big time __………….._ rip58

@RPM_TV 
Our thoughts go out to the family of Marco Simoncelli who passed away in a horrific crash this evening in the Malaysian MotoGP.

@shellrosso 
As a mark of respect I have changed my avatar, #RIPMarcoSimoncelli

@Fireblade_929 The world has lost a hell of a character RIP #MS58

@mattrobertsbbc Devastated. RIP Marco Simoncelli #58

@popmonk3y 
ciao :( twitpic.com/74kew0

@iainstringer 
#RIP58
6 minutes ago

@JHopper21 
God Speed #58 Simoncelli …. Your fighting spirit will live on forever !!!

@Callie_blade
 RIP Marco, you will be missed xxx thought are with your family, friends and all the riders

@kaz463
 R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, so sad

@wheresmywombat 
Thoughts are with Simoncelli’s family & MotoGP Community. :( RIP #Supersic – U always brought a smile to my face n will be missed forever

@Stevieonit
 @texastornado5 thoughts with u Colin at this time

@tortuga46 Con una tristezza infinita nel cuore. Ciao MARCO. Riposa in Pace.

@inthegravel
 Pleased to see we’ve got Marco Simoncelli trending on twitter – We love you Marco! #RIP58

@BBbareli I’m so saddened by the loss of Marco Simoncelli :( thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones You will be missed! :(

@Zeel001
 RIP supersic #58

@YamahaMotoGP
 Rest In Peace Sic….our thoughts are with your family and team..a tragedy…

@KataHyde 
RIP Marco Simoncelli. 2 great guys have been taken too soon this week in motorsport :(

@H_Kovalainen 
I can’t believe motogp star Simoncelli has died

@IrishKimiFan19 Motorsport,big highs but huge lows #sickfeeling

@jakehumphreyf1 
Thoughts and prayers with Marco Simoncelli this morning after his Moto GP accident. We’ve had enough motorsport heartache in the past week

@yodiwijaya
 All pray is for you :(

@PlasteringMatt RIP Marco #58

@Cl1ve46 RIP Marco Simoncelli #58 We will miss you dearly!!

@BradleySmith38 
Speechless to the news of Marco #58. Such a sad moment….. R.I.P

@motociclista08 RIP Marco Simoncelli. You are a true legend. The whole motorcycle world will remember you forever. You live in our hearts. #Simoncelli

@maxi_jones So so sad, rip marco xxx

@m8qlaff 
Oh Marco so talented so sad. RIP

@MikeMc_Laren No.1
 
My thoughts are with Marco Simoncelli`s family and friends… Pray for them. Also for Dan`s family. #MarcoSimoncelli&DanWheldon

@findthethrottle 
Another sad day – terrible news about Marco, feeling truly saddened. All thoughts with family, team and friends

@abbeybxx It’s more real having someone say it. RIP a LEGEND with amazing hair…..xxxx

@StevenB7777 Terrible 7 days for motorsport: Wheldon and now Simoncelli, both top notch guys. RIP DW and MS…

@mmphotosuk Ah man, the death of Marco Simoncelli is such sad news. I’m totally devastated :( twitpic.com/74kbjt

@Anchi46 my thoughts are with Marco’s family,friends & team..i’m so sorry

@Stevieonit
 Rip #58 another talented rider taken too soon thoughts with his family & team

@Jammy4nicegals 
Marco R.I.P great rider #58

@sallyalexander Such devastating news.. Thoughts are with Marco’s family, friends and team xx RIP #58

@67Shakey  RIP #58, Marco Simoncelli, legend…

@yodiwijaya 
We all Missing Marco #RIP:MarcoSimoncelli. :’(

@hayleyizzy #RIPMarco #58 A rider showing so much promise. We will miss yr big hair! Our thoughts are with yr family & team at #grescini #honda

@DamoCudlin Terrible news. Marco’s gone. Sad day for motor racing and all the lives he touched along the way. Won’t forget you mate.

@vaughany46 RIP Marco Simoncelli. #58 Another sad sad day for Motorsport. Shocked and gutted.

@GetGeared #58 RIP Simoncelli. You will be missed by the millions who respected you. Thoughts with friends and family

@MotoGPJules
 Devastating news that Marco has left us. RIP Super Sic

@duncanbishop84 
C’e vediamo Marco. A truly dark day for racing. RIP

@racingellison 
Oh my God!!!! This is terrible!!…. My thoughts are with all of Marcos family and friends… RIP#58 : ( so sad

@vinjwoods RIP Marco ………. great racer and brought interest back to sport! Never be forgotten

@Gi_Varotti
 Cannot believe it. My thoughts are with Marco’s family & friends. #RIPMarcoSimoncelli. Such a young & beautiful life taken away #motogp #fb

@makeanincision
 Another amazing character and racer gone to soon…so sad for everyone who liked and loved Marco Simoncelli #58 you will be missed x

@nazeerballim 
Today I’m shattered, my tears cannot express the way I feel inside. Rest In Peace Marco Simoncelli. I will never forget you #58

@TroyBaylisstic R.I.P Marco.

@almothefish 
I’m devastated , ;-( #58 This was not suppose to happen macro #58

@iainstringer 
RIP Marco Simoncelli. True legend!!!!!!!

@hettrick44 RIP #58 awsome rider and lovely guy. Gone but never forgotten

@TwitGP Once again we’re reminded, in the most awful way possible, that the on-the-edge thrill we love about motorsport

@RaceFairy RIP Sideshow, thoughts with friends, family, #motogp paddock & all race fans

@calcrutchlow 
RIP Marco Simoncelli ! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today _ #58

@LaurenKVickers 
RIP Marco Simoncelli. You were an amazing talent. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family,

@BoxerRach_99 rach 
RIP Marco Simoncelli.. U gave us great racing and entertainment. Gone too soon #58

@JackCromwell 
Descanse en paz, Marco Simoncelli. Gracias por todo, SuperSic.

@Dayyaan Marco Simoncelli. A legend. Let’s remember him always.

@birtymotogp 
I am sorry to report that Marco Simoncelli succumbed to his injuries suffered in today’s MotoGP race

@Reddingpower No no no no _____ marco NO I do t want to believe it !!!!! R.I.P ____ much love to you

@ilthepra 
Honestly..i’m done with this shit. Can’t say a word..just GRAZIE MARCO. Thanks for everything u gave to us..

@Anchi46 Ana Rosa
 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE MARCO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :””””””””””””””””’

@vrcardoso90 
RIP Supersic… :( #MotoGP

@IrishKimiFan19
RIP Marco Simoncelli,depressed and gutted #MotoGP

@abbeybxx
The person who brought energy, enthusiasm, happiness, HAIR and everything to the sport has gone….RIP </3

@TwitGP At 16.56 local time, Marco Simoncelli passed away as a result of his injuries. We will dearly miss a great character and racer

@ianwheeler
My thoughts are with Marco’s family, friends, team and also his extended family in the MotoGP paddock. Simply awful

@MotoRaceFeed 
We have lost Marco… I am sorry… I am crying… #RIPmarcoSimoncelli

@ianwheeler 
Heartbreaking news. It has been officially announced the Marco Simoncelli has succumbed to his injuries and has passed away in Malaysia.

 

October 17, 2011
by Andy
0 comments

Racing: What’s it worth?

I’m having a strange relationship with motorsport this week/month/year.

This one comes a little more from the heart, and a little less from the head, so excuse me if it’s a bit all over the place. Perhaps it’s just bad timing, bad fortune, or fate, but recent events have made me question what it is that drives us to follow and compete in motorsport, and ultimately, is it worth it?

It could also be my impending 30th birthday next week, but the less said about that, the better.

Let’s go back to the start of the year (well earlier in the year at least).  My first confusing moment of the year came whilst watching TT3D at the cinema. This film really is fantastic, and I think shows the TT in its truest light, with all of the ups and downs that comes with it.

However, six months later there is one thing from TT3D that sticks with me, and it’s not Ian Hutchinson’s fantastic series of wins. It’s not even the Guy Martin or Conor Cummins horror crashes, and their frankly startling survival and recovery.

The thing that sticks with me the most are the scenes with Bridget Dobbs, widow of 2010 TT racer Paul Dobbs, who unfortunately lost his life on the island. The conflicting feelings that come knowing that motorsport, something that I love, can do such terrible things to us, I find difficult to reconcile. The amazing forgiveness and understanding shown by Bridget is frankly humbling.

At the same time it brought flooding back all the thoughts and feelings surrounding the loss of Shoya Tomizawa, and the feeling of helplessness watching such a terrible incident unfold in real-time.

Fast-forward to August, and we have a very dark weekend. In just a few days we lose Adrian McFarland, Wayne Hamilton and Ben Gautrey. I won’t claim to have followed any of their careers in great detail, other than enough to recognise their names and have an idea of their racing, but to lose three of our community in such a short period of time was a blow to many, myself included.

Another few weeks and it’s “Fastest” at the cinema. On the whole, a light-hearted analysis of MotoGP and it’s story. However even here we are reminded constantly of what we risk and what we can lose. Shoya. Kato.

Then, just this week, I watched “Senna”.

As a kid, growing up I was a massive Senna fan. I expected to watch this DVD with warm feelings of nostalgia of a lost era of Formula 1 where the action was fast, close and exciting. What I actually got was a reminder of what an incredible racer and individual Ayrton Senna was, and what a tragic loss I felt the day that he died, and again the day that I watched the DVD.

The juxtaposition of the joy that he brought to millions through his racing, and the pain that was caused to the same millions of people when he was lost.

And finally, this weekend, we have a horror crash in the US, and we lose another star in the form of Dan Wheldon.

”We always tell ourselves that motorsport has become so safe, that no man has to die anymore. Unfortunately that is wishful thinking,” – Michael Schumacher, this week.

And what of the close calls:

  • Michael Rutter slid dangerously across the track at Cadwell
  • Jorge, Loris and Cal have lost the ends of their fingers
  • Broken collar bones for Dani Pedrosa and Colin Edwards
  • Bautista’s broken leg at Qatar
  • Felipe Massa’s head injury
  • Carmelo Morales over the finish line for Moto2 in 2010
  • Sergio Perez in Monaco

This isn’t chronological or in order of severity or anything; it’s just as they come into my head. And the scary thing is that I do not have to think very hard because there seem to be so many.

So, that’s what’s been going around in my head this year, and I have to ask myself at the end of it “is it actually worth it?”

Honestly. No.

But I won’t stop watching and I won’t stop taking part, and I honestly can’t explain why that is, or what is so compelling that we forego all logical thought in the quest to be the fastest.  To be the best.  To win.

And so instead of trying to understand, I’ll leave you with the closing quote from “Senna”.

Q: “Who is, or has been, the driver that you get the most satisfaction of racing against, past or present?”

A: “I would have to go back to 78 and 79 and 1980. I was go-kart driving, I came to Europe, for the first time, to compete outside Brazil, as team mate for Fullerton.

His name was Fullerton; he was very experienced, and I enjoyed very much driving with him, because he was fast, he was consistent, he was, for me, a very complete driver, and it was pure driving, pure racing.

There wasn’t any politics then, right? And there wasn’t any money involved either.

It was real racing and I have that as a very good memory.”

August 30, 2011
by Andy
32 Comments

Ducati in Crisis or Business as Usual?

So, there’s a lot of talk going on at the moment as to why the Ducati is currently underperforming with VR46 at the twist-grip.  This is our take on the situation.

Is the Ducati worse?  And has the Honda got better?

This is the first thing that needs to be fundamentally understood.  We can start by looking at the relative performances of our two main protagonists in this story, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner.

The charts below compare the finishing positions of the two riders during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.  

Most loved man in motorcycling.

Most hated man in motorcycling.

These are our main points to note:

  1. Casey’s “average” performance has not changed very much from Ducati to Honda (one or two places), the biggest change is in consistency.
  2. Valentino’s “average” performance has significantly dropped, whereas his consistency is still OK.

 So, clearly Casey could enjoy some success, albeit with some reliability issues on the Ducati, whereas Rossi doesn’t appear to be able to extract the performance that is needed from the Ducati to win races, or even place on the podium.

 The Valentino-apologisers, at this point usually say something along the lines of “Yeah, but the 2011 Ducati is shit innit?”.  Well, we are lucky here because we have some good benchmark data, as Nicky Hayden has been on the Desmo for a few years now, so let’s look at that.

Most humble man in motorcycling.

Clearly, for Nicky, 2009 was a learning year, but the 2010 and 2011 performance has been fairly consistent, and you have to say that the average placing for Nicky on a Ducati is between 4th and 8th place.  This ties up with Valentino’s performances; about the same as Nicky’s, but a place or two higher.

 Nicky’s no slouch as an ex-motogp champion, so really that’s probably to be expected.

 The number two most heard statement at the moment, usually employed by the Stoner-haters, “Yeah, but my Granny could win on that Honda this year, it’s easy innit”.

 Well, we are lucky here too, because we have some more benchmark data in the performance of Stoner team-mate, Andrea Dovizioso.

Most under-rated man in motorcycling.

 And, looking at his performance over the last three years, you gotta say that the Honda looks to be performing about the same as usual.

 What’s the moral of the story here?

The bike is only as good as it’s best finish.  If Lorenzo and Rossi had been on Repsol Hondas last year, they’d probably have been the team to beat.

 OK, let’s assume that the Ducati performance is about the same as it has always been, how did Casey extract the performance?

There are two key criticisms aimed at the Desmo, the first of which is the lack of front-end feeling.  We’ll deal with this one in a minute.

 The second is the relative simplicity of the electronics package available in comparison to both the Honda and the Yamaha. 

 Electronic Wizardy

The electronics on a modern MotoGP bike measure more than you can imagine, with the ultimate aim of putting as much power through the driving tyre as is possible without inducing an unstable level of sliding, or bringing up the front wheel.

 And if your electronics are less-sophisticated, there are only really two options:

  1. Set them “aggressively”, and when it highsides you into orbit, take the opportunity during the descent to order yourself a nice shiny titanium collarbone.
  2. Set them “conservatively”, and live with the fact that the Honda and Yamaha will take a few metres out of you on every corner exit.

 Herein, we believe lies the secret of Stoner’s success.  Rossi is a brakes man.  Casey is a throttle man.  It’s fairly known and accepted that Casey Stoner runs significantly less traction control than most of the paddock on his bike.  His “stand it up and fire it at the horizon” corner exit style meant that the less sophisticated electronics on his Desmosedici GP bike were less of a disadvantage than to others, allowing him to do what he does best: twist the throttle.

 And as for the front-end feel…

As we said above, Rossi is a brakes man.  His ability to find that extra few metres before braking is what makes him such a last lap battler, and is the reason for the years of exciting finishes we have seen.  Rossi’s braking has made him the star he is today.

 Now, if you take away the front-end feel that Rossi has with his bike?  Well, that’s like giving Superman kryptonite-lined pants.  You’ve taken away his special power.  He becomes Clarke Kent, and fades into the crowd.

 A lot has been written about the stiffness of the Ducati, with it’s carbon-fibre front-end, however, not very much has been written about the damping.  Carbon fibre has damping properties typically in the region of at least twice that of aluminium, maybe up to ten or twelve times.  To my simple engineer’s brain: more damping = less feeling.  Perhaps this is the initial reason for making the chassis so stiff, and the subsequent attempts to soften the chassis.  However, if it truly is a damping issue, changing stiffness is no substitute for getting the damping, and hence the feeling right.

 And the Rossi/Burgess miracle fix….?

“Rossi and Burgess need time to develop the bike”.  If I hear this again, I swear I will explode, in an angry haze of righteousness and internal organs.

 Let’s get this straight:

  1. The engineers at the factory develop the bike.
  2. Burgess sets it up.
  3. Rossi rides it and gives feedback.
  4. Burgess gets his team to twiddle the knobs.
  5. Their feedback is given to the factory, but the engineers at the factory interpret that feedback into the changes that are needed.

 Last time I adjusted the pre-load on my front forks, (they bottomed-out at the Llandow circuit bus-stop corner) I never thought “way to go, good bike development there”.

 Saying these things is a massive discredit to the factory engineers at both Ducati and Yamaha.  Furusawa’s change in engine concept also coincided with Rossi’s switch to Yamaha, and was by far the biggest development in that particular bike, in that first Rossi year.

 The bottom-line is that the Ducati will work for Rossi, if Ducati builds a Yamaha or Honda. 

 If they won’t, then Ducati needs Stoner and Rossi needs anything but a Ducati.

August 12, 2011
by Andy
3 Comments

“We must do something about this maniac”

I was reading my local rag a few weeks back, and was apoplectic with indifference at the letter below, written by Name Supplied of Rippleside, Portishead. What bothers me about it isn’t such the content, whilst it is full of crap, but more the complete and utter lack of effort to back up Name Supplied’s opinions with anything resembling facts.

You see, I’m a big fan of credentials – and that Name Supplied was given a quarter-page with this arrogant hyperbole is frankly nonsense.  So, piece-by-piece, I’ve deconstructed Name’s letter, and hopefully if they ever read this they’ll be greatly offended.

“We must do something about this maniac”

I was delighted to read Paul Cheary’s letter in the comments this week regarding the ‘120mph bike’ as I was beginning to think I was the only responsibly minded resident of this area of Portishead.

Yes, that’s right.  Portishead, a town of around 22,000 people, with an average property value of £200,000, and an average age of 40, apparently full of idiots.  So much so that poor old Name Supplied began to think that they were the only shining light in this sick and reckless land of irresponsible thrill seekers.  Never fear, Paul Cheary is here: now there are two of them.  Hallelujah.

I wholeheartedly endorse his comments, and am saddened at the continuing criminally insane abuse of the law that this individual is allowed to get away with.

Yeah, I know the guy you are talking about, he has a ZX6R and rides like a bit of a knob.

We are deluged with signs on the local roads dictating that we “Think Bike” – how on Earth is anyone supposed to ‘think’ that a madman on a grossly overpowered and lethal weapon will be sharing the same bit of road as other more responsible and mature drivers?

‘Grossly Overpowered’.  I guess you are referring to the fact that a motorcycle has a high power-to-weight ratio.  It’s actual power output is probably along the lines of your Diesel Vauxhall Vectra (stereotype intended), which is also, I might add, capable of exceeding the speed limit of both Avon Way, and even the heady heights of the Motorway.  On reflection of your comments I believe we should all replace our bikes with Honda C90s and cars with Gee Whizzes.

‘Lethal Weapon’.  I hadn’t considered that a moving vehicle could actually be DANGEROUS.  Quick, call the Daily Mail (stereotype intended), get these things banned NOW.  They’re mostly built by foreigners as well you know?  The Axis powers are alive and well and infiltrating our streets.

Also, believe it or not, but some people on motorcycles are also “responsible and mature” (I’m making no claims about myself here), and some drivers are neither.  One thing’s for certain, said motorcyclist wasn’t texting/smoking/eating a big mac whilst in control of his vehicle.  Regarding “Think Bike” – personally, I just assume that everyone in a car is texting/smoking/eating a big mac and therefore intent on killing me.  And “deluged” is a ridiculous word to use.

I am not a biker; but have sufficient interest and knowledge to know that a machine of this type, revving flat out through five of his available quota of gears, is most certainly travelling at well over twice the speed limit, probably more like the three times as your correspondent believes.  All this is on Avon Way, and quite correctly happens on most weekdays at about six o’clock – and also the mornings, the maniac can be heard along Wyndham way riding in the same manner.

You are not a biker – probably didn’t need to clarify that for us, but then, we are all irresponsibly minded, so thanks.  Clearly you didn’t have sufficient interest or knowledge to know that a machine of this type, revving flat out through five of his available quota of (six) gears, is most certainly travelling at around 150Mph.  It would do around 80Mph in first. Try not to drop your Garden Gnome in shock (stereotype intended).

Also, most certainly, it was not flat out in the 5th of it’s available quota of 6 gears.  And here’s why… you see, I’ve been flat out in fifth on one of these bikes.  It was on Hangar Straight at Silverstone GP circuit.  Which is wide.  And straight.  And still uncomfortably fast.  Any notion that anybody is doing this on a 1,400m long public road, with multiple junctions, curves, and crests, through a residential area, is frankly nonsense.  My back of an envelope calc reckons it would take around 400m to stop from “flat out in fifth”, and whilst I don’t have a massive amount of faith in my back of an envelope calc, I am both a Chartered engineer and a thrill-seeking-irresponsibly-minded-yob, and therefore at least have some credentials to have an opinion on this.

Also to be of note are the four-wheeled miscreants who regularly use the same road, as well as Rippleside, to exercise their Evo’s and Subaru’s, as well as the odd Honda – also criminally insane on what is a narrow residential road with blind crests and blind bends.

NOTE: Call the Daily Mail back.  It’s not just motorcycles, but all Axis power vehicles are dangerous and should be sent back to where they come from.  Also, I thought “criminally insane” was only trotted out in Hollywood as a legal defence for the bad guy in Batman.  It’s been used twice here already.  Are you a Hollywood lawyer, Name Supplied?

All these people know who they are, and obviously live locally – let’s have a campaign by the police and speed volunteers to really do something in the public interest – preferably before someone gets killed.

But do they really know who they are?  After all, they are criminally insane?  And they obviously live locally, because you couldn’t use your Motorcycle/Car/Fascist-wagon to travel to one location, from another, entirely different location.

Oh, and change the road signs to “Think, Bike!”.

Oh, and change the letters page to “Think, Write”.

July 25, 2011
by Andy
3 Comments

MotoGP Mid-Season Review

So, we are just about half-way through the racing season and it seemed a good time to make a quick review of what we’ve seen so far.  So here it is; our mid-season reflections.

125cc

This is the last year of the 125cc races.  For those not in the know, next year we will see them replaced with the new Moto3 class – 250cc, single cylinder four strokes.  We won’t judge until we see the results, after all, Moto2 has brought us some great races.  However, there’s a part of me that really doesn’t want to see the 125’s go – the racing is great, and the bike racing world won’t be the same without the sound of two-strokes on full-throttle.

So, as for the racing, early signs were that Nico Terol might just run away with it this year, but thankfully one or two riders are keeping him honest.  I feel gutted for Johann Zarco, just what does the guy have to do to take a win?  Firstly, at Catalunya he mugs Terol at the line, only to be given a 20 second penalty for an unsafe manoeuvre and being demoted to sixth place.  Not until he’d taken his lap of honour and parked his bike in the number one spot of course.  His move was hard, but the punishment was harsh in my opinion.  It was firm, but Terol had the option to throttle off, and chose to take the line off of the track surface.  To me it was an aggressive block-pass, but was just the right side of OK.  Fast-forward a few races and we have the German GP, a great race with a stunning finish that saw Zarco and Hector Faubel in a photo-finish.  The clocks couldn’t tell them apart, and neither could the photo analysis, but there’s no joint places in racing, and Faubel got the nod due to having the fastest lap time of them during the race.

New boy, Maverick Vinales has made a great show with a couple of wins on his Paris Hilton endorsed Aprilia, however he showed his rookie status at the Hilton photo shoot.

Mav and Sergio meet the boss.

OK, so he’s getting an eyeful, 7/10 for that one, but he’s being a little blatant about it, whilst casually standing around with his hand in his pocket.  Not so cool, Mav.  His team-mate shows his senior years by both playing it cooler, and taking the opportunity to get himself a handful of Hilton.  Good work Sergio. Lot’s of people have made negative comments about the Hilton publicity stunt, but personally I don’t care.  More viewers = good.  Paris Hilton on a motorcycle in tight clothes = good.  My only disappointment has been her lack of attendances so far this year.  Fingers crossed for the second half of the season.

Finally for the UKcontingent, Danny Kent is giving a fine show.  Running 10th in the riders chanmpionship whilst I write this, and he’s only gonna get better.  Keep it up.

Moto2

I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I’m finding the Moto2 a little dull this year.  So much so, that I sit here now and don’t really know what to write about it.

A young German by the name of Bradl is showing his class so far, with some great rides, and some great maturity in picking his fights.  This has led to him having a fairly commanding lead at the mid-way point, but I’m not sure I’d be relaxing yet if I was him.  Marquez showed us his talent last year with his championship win in the 125cc class, and undoubtedly he is on his way to the top.  If he’d managed to bring it home at the start of the season things would surely be closer than they are, but his recent form shows he’s on the move, and hasn’t given up yet.

He also has not been universally making friends.  Scott Redding “gave him a tap” in free practice after the Spaniard was cruising on the racing line, resulting in Scott having to take evasive action.  Marquez responded by giving him the finger, earning himself a fine in the process too.  Some have defended Marc, and claimed that hitting another rider is more dangerous.  I couldn’t disagree more.  Those defending Marquez should take their armchair and sit in the outside lane of the motorway, and tell me it’s not dangerous, because that’s the speed differential we’re talking about here.  Oh, and don’t forget to take all of the brake lights off of the vehicles. Redding shouldn’t have retaliated how he did, but I can understand his frustration.

Scott just needs to take his raw speed and find some results, and he must be considered a regular contender for the podium.  Bradley Smith has also been making waves, with some awesome performances and a good run of form until an unfortunate retirement when coming through the field in Germany.  He’s running 5th in the riders standings, and if he can hold Luthi and Iannone at bay, then I reckon he’s got every chance of finishing the season in the top five.

MotoGP

So, enough has already been written about Rossi and Ducati, so I won’t dwell on it.  It’s pretty clear that as a pairing they are sitting around the periphery of the top six and I can’t see them improving upon it this season.  I was subjected to much scoffing and abuse before the start of the season when I suggested to some of my friends that I didn’t think Rossi would win another GP race, let-alone championship.  Well, for next year we will need to see how the new bike is, and Ducati may again get the jump on the competition, however I just can’t see it.  I hope I’m wrong because I’d love to see VR fighting at the front again – watch this space.

Casey is living up to Ben Spies pre-season prediction.  When the American was asked what he feared most for this season he replied, “Stoner on a Honda”.  He’s taken a string of wins and top results, plus one retirement (“crashgate”) – however so far his ambition seems to be within the grasp of his talent, and he rightfully is holding the top spot.

He’s not running away with it though. JL99 has been showing his championship pedigree by grabbing every point he can and keeping the title chase alive.  I love watching these two guys race each other.  Stoner’s raw speed and fearless use of the throttle, matched against Lorenzo’ smooth fast style makes for some breathtaking racing, none more so than at Laguna Seca this weekend.  The move where Stoner took Lorenzo was stunning, and for the rest of my life I will not understand how he managed to get that Honda stopped, turned and out again on the racing line, avoiding the gravel trap of turn one.  I texted that exact statement to Rich straight after the race and he replied “Witch Doctor Magic”.  A little xenophobic maybe, but he might have a point.

Simoncelli has divided opinion so far this season, with a string of moves that has led to public scrutiny and many visits to race direction.  Enough has been written about this already, I’d rather speak about something else.  I’m honestly sick of hearing how MS58 is on the verge of greatness.  OK, so the guy set’s a fast lap, but when he tries to convert that into race pace he crashes.  That tells me he’s running at 110% when the other guys are running at 95%.  And that’s not greatness, that’s the stupidity of youth.  I may yet be proven wrong, but to me, today, he is a long way off greatness.

He’s in his second season on an HRC bike, and despite some strong showings, he’s currently behind Aoyama in the riders standings.  I know, I didn’t believe it either.

Dovi on the other hand is just getting on with it.  Bringing the bike home and scoring a lot of points, he’s not going to win a championship, but he’d make a great second rider to CS27 or D.Ped.  Unfortunately he’ll probably find himself outside of the HRC family, and I think that’s a shame because he’s worked hard and achieved more than expected.

And what about Karel Abraham?  He’s had a lot of crap to deal with regarding his place in MotoGP.  For those that don’t know, his Dad owns Eastern Europe.  Or, something like that, and as such has put his lad on the MotoGP grid.  I think he’s done a cracking job, and shown his rear wheel to the factory Ducatis on more than one occasion.

The final comments have to go back to everybody’s favourite Italian, Mr 46.  He hasn’t performed as many expected so far this year, but he’s clearly trying, and those that are jumping off of the Good Ship Valentino (or should that be bandwagon?), well, I hope he wins at least another race, just to silence his new found critics (I don’t mind the old ones, just the hypocrites).  What this has shown us though, is what life will be like once VR moves on.  And from where I’m sitting, life looks fine.

July 24, 2011
by Rich
0 comments

Birthday Track Day

My birthday is 23rd July – so when I noticed that Llandow Circuit in South Wales was running a bike track day on that date it seemed like the obvious choice for a bit of birthday bike action.

So Andy and myself loaded up the trailer and jammed the car full with all the stuff that we are rapidly accumulating – spare tyres, tools, generator, tyre warmers (sorry Suzi!), and of course an essential performance enhancing Red Bull or two and headed West (even further west that is).

Llandow is a great little circuit, only a mile or so long but don’t let that put you off – this makes it a real workout as there is not much time between the corners so you are constantly having to get ready for what’s coming next. You’ll also find that the Paddock has a really friendly and welcoming atmosphere and the marshalls and staff are pretty easy going but still very professional. Added to all of this, at only £80 for a track day it’s great value and has quickly become one of our favourites.

The day went fairly well really and after an early start and a McDs breakfast we arrived at Llandow and got set up. Unfortunately, we had a bit of a detour on the way there which included a few bumps and saw us arrive at the circuit with my bike practicing it’s cornering lean whilst still on the trailer. After salvaging my bike from the trailer and getting set up we headed off to the briefing room for another classic China John (Chief Marshall and all-round character) performance/safety briefing.

Lining up at the lights for the first session my head was filled with thoughts of all the people who have gone down in history for being born and dying on the same day – I felt that this was a bit morbid though so managed to push this out of my mind! The first session went by with little issue really, I ended up stuck behind an R1 for most of it so not much opportunity to get on with it. The second session was going much better until I ‘got on with it’ a little too much and ran on exiting the bus stop corner straight onto the soaking wet grass on the infield – this resulted in an instantaneous and not very elegant trip to the ground but fortunately little damage as it was on grass and given the damage my bike sustained last time out, a bit more gaffer tape is not exactly out of place!

The remaining sessions went pretty well, I managed to lose a crash bung from my bike and as a result get black flagged three times before I was sure it was me – Andy lost a couple of seat bolts from his bike as they mysteriously kept coming out and also managed to finish off his rear tyre. The penultimate session was the best for both of us as it all seemed to come together really well and in the end we decided to call it a day there whilst the bikes and us were still in once piece.

Silverstone next Tuesday (2nd August) with Focused Events – should be awesome!

Photos from Llandow by Matt Miller on flickr

July 3, 2011
by Andy
4 Comments

I like Casey Stoner. This is why you should too.

So, CS27 get’s a lot of crap.  A hell of a lot of crap.  And for the life of me I can’t quite work out why.  Well, I think I have worked out why, but to be honest if my answer is right, and I think it probably is, then it’s quite disappointing.

I think it’s because he can beat Valentino Rossi.  Whilst I love to watch Rossi race, I think the Rossi-love-bus-nutters that seem to follow the guy around just don’t know quite know where to draw the line.  VR46 is unquestionably the most successful Grand Prix motorcycle rider of all time, and this should not be underestimated as an achievement, however it should also not be blown out of proportion.  I personally believe he is still probably the best racer on the MotoGP grid, however (pause for effect) I don’t think he’s the fastest.  A quick Google shows that there are certainly those within the paddock of both present and past that agree.

One name that frequently comes up as the rawest natural talent in the sport is Casey Stoner – this is why he’s important, and this is why we bring you: 5 reasons you should give Casey a chance.

  1. He’s an Aussie.  He can come across as a little miserable, but that’s just how they are isn’t it?!  Mark Weber is occasionally miserable, and everyone loves him.  Mick Doohan sometimes too.
  2. Wikipedia gave me this little fact, and if it’s true (isn’t everything on Wikipedia true?) then I can’t imagine any real motorsport fan who can’t love him a little for it.  “One feat he achieved that illustrates his passion and “need” for racing was at age twelve. Over one weekend he raced in 5 different categories in all 7 rounds of each capacity. A weekend consisting of 35 different races… Not only did he compete in all these categories and different engine capacities, the young Casey Stoner went on to win 32 out of the 35 races. There were five Australian titles to be won that weekend, Stoner won all 5.”
  3. He can win a MotoGP race on a Ducati; not many people can say that.
  4. Despite many internet rumours to the contrary, those in the know reckon he runs very little electronics compared to other riders, and that makes him a master of the throttle.  Anyone who watched the Phillip Island GP of 2010 I’m sure would have to agree.
  5. He says what he thinks.  Sometimes that means upsetting the press.  Sometimes that means upsetting the public.  Sometimes that means upsetting Valentino Rossi.

So basically, whether you want to like him or not, we need him because without him MotoGP would be a much more boring place.  And who knows, maybe one day when Vale decides to hang up his gloves, perhaps he’ll have an army of followers too.

June 23, 2011
by Andy
1 Comment

Suzi Perry is Wrong!

I’m not sure who read this, but a few weeks back Suzi Perry was guest editor of  MCN.  As part of this she wrote an editor’s letter as part of her ‘crusade to save motorcycling’.

Now, at the time I took this with a pinch of salt, and then upon re-reading it I became mildly frustrated, and upon reading the heaps of praise afforded the article through the letters section of the next issue, I became rather vocal.

Now let me start by saying that I like Suzi Perry.  She’s done a lot for our sport and is apparently universally liked by all.  Also she’s hot.  But she’s wrong about motorcycling.

Her editor’s letter reads as a collection of cliché’s stumbling from one to the next with emotive tales of ‘the open road’, ‘being at one with nature’ and ‘discovering the joy of a throbbing member between your legs’.  OK, I’m paraphrasing a little (a lot?), but you get the idea.  The letter also reads with a heavy dose of personal perspective, and therefore whilst her intention to save motorcycling from itself might be good intentioned, it is not necessarily what the majority of motorcyclists want.

I’ll give you an example.  She brings to her argument the idea that trackdays were once the home of novices, eager to get the taste of life on two wheels away from the open road, and that today it is a sea of tyre warmers and bespoke machinery, an intimidating environment for any newcomer you might say?  Well, I disagree.  At a trackday, the novice group is exactly that.  Full of novices.  As far as I’ve seen, novices are always welcome, comfortable and happy mingling with the tyre warmer shod hooligans, who are usually the guys patching up the Novice’s bike after a bit off an ‘off’.  As for the hooligans themselves – why not use tyre warmers?

Now, most of us mere mortals can get a maximum of 5 or 6 trackdays in a year.  With 15 minute sessions, I reckon that’s at least 10% of the total track time spent waiting for tyres to warm.  Let’s add another factor to this; the useful life of a tyre can be seriously limited by the number of heat cycles that it is taken through.  If I can come in from track and keep that tyre hot, thereby extending it’s life, and perhaps getting another day from the tyres over the course of the season then that’s well worth the effort for sure.

My opinion (and it may not be truth) is that there is one thing that fundamentally ties all motorcyclists together, and that is the joy of being on a bike.  And for a large percentage of us, I believe that joy comes with the sensory excitement of going quickly and cornering.

This is shown by the bikes that we buy.  If you take out the scooters and commuters, then sports bikes make up a majority of the bikes that we choose to buy, own and ride.  That’s not because we think we’re Valentino Rossi (not all of us), or because the marketing man tells us so.  It’s because as a nation we love motorsport.  We have a strong tradition of speed, performance and a love of great engineering.

Please don’t save motorcycling, I like it just the way it is!