A-STYLE GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN ***FREE PRACTICE***

"It is a great honour to take my place in the Ducati Marlboro Team for the Turkish GP," says Ito. "I know it won't be an easy weekend but I'm looking forward to racing alongside all the full-time MotoGP riders and I will do my best. I have good experience of the Desmosedici, having done many tests with the bike."

Ito, a former 500 GP racer, now has two roles in his riding career -Japanese Superbike racer and Bridgestone tyre tester. This year he has completed numerous tyre tests with the Bridgestone MotoGP Test Team on a Desmosedici GP5 and last weekend he secured the Japanese Superbike title, riding a Bridgestone-equipped Honda. Ito also won the 1998 Japanese Superbike crown and the 1990 Japanese 500 championship. From 1993 to 1996 he was a full-time 500 GP rider, securing six podium finishes (including second-place finishes at the 1994 Czech GP and 1995 European GP). His best championship result was fifth overall in 1995. He also finished fourth in the first-ever MotoGP race at Suzuka in 2002.

Okay Okay... Ito has all of this experience. He is not a slow rider at all. Why the hell is he like 3 to 4 seconds behind. I mean even Little Ginger Kid Roberts is faster than he is. Is he mad that he is not the test rider for Ducati? I don't know, what gives?

Hell if he is going to be that slow.. Call up Mamola on the Desmo Two seater. He laps within three seconds of the faster guys. Call up Schwantz... I would like to see Mamola and Schwantz go at it in a race one more time.. Come on Ito you are starting to look like a joke.

ChazD with an infected arm can out pace you...

I'm waiting till QP ... there is something wierd going on with Casey .... he only seemed to pop out a few laps sub 1:48 and the other riders are running low 1:48's consistently .... maybe Stoner will have trouble here?

i think maybe he is feeling the pressure of the championship + everyone including the riders said the ducati and bridgestone would be hard combo to beat this weekend maybe putting more pressure? I dont know just throwing it out there

Casey is not feeling anything!!!...The world championship is safely with Casey & Ducati!!!...all of you doubters watch Mr. Stoner do his thing in the QP and the race!!!...I can’t understand how Rossi can win the world championship??? He has to win every race from now on and even then Stoner has to have at least one dnf for him to win it!!! So let’s have a look at the points Rossi is -74 there are 100 points left max. Now Stoner has to only get 27 points in 4 races to win it!!!

Now judging by Stoners record all year its highly likely that he will get more then 6.75 points or 9th position every race, Stoner has never come 9th in any race this year!!!

Go Casey Kick there arses!!!

Sorry Stoner is +76 It's even better!!!...lol

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BarryMachine @ Sep 22 2007, 06:43 AM) [snapback]92191[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
... there is something wierd going on with Casey ....


I have a theory...anyone else notice it looked like his bird was crying at the end of the last race...can't have been out of joy - stoner didn't win. Crying like we've been having a big fight and casey just ignored me. He's have woman troubles!!

It will be shocking if Rossi can win the WC this year. Nevertheless we still want him and Dani up there to make the competition more interesting.
So go for the pole Dani!

Go Nicky for pole

Wow Michelin have turned the tables in FP3. The only fast riders they have went 1-2-3. An above average showing for them in practice.

Nicky is 3rd fastest

But what is up with his sector 3 times? Abysmal to say the least. 1st in sector 1, 4th in sector 2, 11th in sector 3!, 3rd in sector 4.

If he can squeeze a few tenths out of sector 3 it seems like he could score a podium.

Pedrosa really does seem to be the quickest out there. He's lookin the business for tomorrow!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pirkkalan GP @ Sep 22 2007, 02:59 PM) [snapback]92208[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I have a theory...anyone else notice it looked like his bird was crying at the end of the last race...can't have been out of joy - stoner didn't win. Crying like we've been having a big fight and casey just ignored me. He's have woman troubles!!


awww pirky i've missed you, tryna create controversy again? hahaha

was that casey's mum?

maybe... the one with the fan?

Randy putting in a Quick one very early in QP.... a 1.46.600

This new JPN yoshi guy for rizla is making hopkins and CV look like test riders. whats the deal! maybe just shows how good the Suzuki this year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(K.J. @ Sep 22 2007, 08:08 AM) [snapback]92215[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
awww pirky i've missed you, tryna create controversy again? hahaha


Didn't realise I've been away?
Fans eh?!

1.pedders 2.rossi 3. hayden

9th for Stoner

Capirex out qualifies Casey! Must be the first time this season?!

what happened to Stoner 9th??

Stoner didn't seem to have anything that session. He was running mid/back of the bunch the whole time.
Dunno what's going on with CV?? Seems like Dani's way ahead of the game. Vale did a good qualifier but he wasn't running any decent lap times either?
Very strange qualifying.

Sweet, sets up a great race. Stoner is probably the best starter out there. I hope all these guys make it through the first turn tomorrow and we have a battle. I want to see how Stoner deals with all the traffic.

Pedrosa should take this comfortably. He ran a bunch of back to back high 1'47's, I would assume that is on worn rubber. No one else displayed anywhere near that pace during the session. The Q tyres have lifted Hayden near the front, but he won't win unless someone explodes. Look for Rossi to pass Pedrosa within the first lap and slow it down, hes knows he cant let him get away.

Looking forward to tomorrow. A beer and an afternoon race!!