AMA Superbike

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ May 26 2006, 09:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> someone finally knockin him off his stump!

Oh well, part of the Aussie SBK war machine needs to be replaced.... let`s see, who have we got here? Ah, young Vermulen. I didn`t want him in MotoGP this early anyway, and now that he`s a Suzuki man there`s gonna be less paperwork. Then again, He`s too nice. We need a tough guy in the states to live up to Mladin. Corser can win the world championship on a Gixxer. AMA should be a peice of piss. Pack up, Troy. You`re going stateside. Don`t worry, Bayliss has got the world championship under control.
Now, about Vermulen. He did some pretty cool things on a SBK last year, so why dont we have a crack at BSB too? Vermulen, take that stupid Rizla bucket hat and get on a plane to the land of Crescent Suzukis.
While we`re playing musical chairs, Charpentier annoys me. Poor Kevin is definately in need of some help. Muggas, drop 400cc and beat that Frenchman outta his Ten Kate seat. Curtain needs a holiday anyway. Kev, go with Corser and bring us back a AMA FX cup for the trophy room. Now that only leaves AMA SS ungaurded. Gobert is never gonna get it, we need someone of a higher calibre. Let`s see, who have we got left? Ah, McCoy. Get off that dirtbike-looking thing, we got work to do.

Right that should cover all our bases. Now Mladin can retire and sleep easy. We own SBK racing!

If I may use a 'logical' argument here... Corser is the World SBK Champion. Mladin is faster than Corser as proved by his testing at Phillip Island. Spies is faster than Mladin as evident by his six straight wins over Mat. So, it could be concluded that Spies is the fastest SBK rider in the world. How does that stack up to you Aussie SBK dominance, Richo?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost @ May 27 2006, 03:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If I may use a 'logical' argument here... Corser is the World SBK Champion. Mladin is faster than Corser as proved by his testing at Phillip Island. Spies is faster than Mladin as evident by his six straight wins over Mat. So, it could be concluded that Spies is the fastest SBK rider in the world. How does that stack up to you Aussie SBK dominance, Richo?

Bayliss Bayliss Bayliss

Bostrom Bostrom Bostrom, nope that only worked for a two month period in 2001. Edwards Edwards Edwards, he's gone. Hayden Hayden Hayden, he's gone too. Spies Spies Spies, maybe?

You know, Ooost, You can`t really judge whos better by who can put down a fast lap. At that PI test, wasn`t Mladin using his AMA-spec Dunlops? He even said at one stage he used a GP tyre. Dunlop GP tyres are at the bottom I know, but GP rubber is GP rubber, and while its no Michelin, it`s still gotta be good, right? And Corser was on those crappy Pirelli control tyres. Don`t get me wrong, I think control tyres are a great idea, they help make for even closer racing in WSBK. But
Pirelli are just lazy. There`s no way their hoops are developing as fast as Michelin or Bridgestone, or even Dunlop. Simply because theyre only used as control tyres in SBK, theres no competition. No incentive to develop. I`m sure they do a lot of development, but it would pale in comparison to Michelin or Bridgestone. The Control tyre contract should have gone to Michelin, Bridgestone or Dunlop.
Anyway back to lap times. In the preaseason this year Nakano consistently put down a top 3 time on his Kawa. Now, 5 races into the championship, how many podiums has he scored? It`s a big round number. And that`s just one example.
Anyway, enough seroius talk and back to Patriotic foreigner bashing

What dod Bostrom do on the WSBK scene?

As for Edwards and Hayden, they were your saviours. well they both got lured into GPs, having to fight for podiums and wins with their SBK style while up against all these Italians and Spaniards who, thanks to their 250/125 GP riding style, take to the GP bikes like ducks to water in comparison. It`s a pity that the best SBK racers feel obliged to get into motoGP, and more often than not get humiliated by 125/250 riders because it`s their home turf

I'm only giving you sht about the PI winter lap times with Mladin and Corser. Although, I would LOVE to see a battle of the Aussie SBK Stars at a neutral track. Take Vermeulen (He still counts), Bayliss, Corser and Mladin to a completely neutral track that none of them had ever ridden before, put them all on equal machinery, bikes they have never ridden before, lets say an R1 in SBK trim, on equal tires, Michelins since none are currently on them and let 'em go. I think it would be a very, very interesting shootout.

I was watching that cribs thing on TMF (don't ask)...when it showed you around the Superbike World Champion and numerous other competition's house. I don't know if he was still the champion or not, but I forgot his name.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost @ May 30 2006, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm only giving you sht about the PI winter lap times with Mladin and Corser. Although, I would LOVE to see a battle of the Aussie SBK Stars at a neutral track. Take Vermeulen (He still counts), Bayliss, Corser and Mladin to a completely neutral track that none of them had ever ridden before, put them all on equal machinery, bikes they have never ridden before, lets say an R1 in SBK trim, on equal tires, Michelins since none are currently on them and let 'em go. I think it would be a very, very interesting shootout.

Until the first corner when Bayliss leaves em all for dead. God I`m starting to sound like a Valentinibopper. So this is what it`s like to back a winner...

Like I said, Ooost, the problem you yanks have is yer too proactive. Hayden, Edwards, both SBK Champs so they step up to the next level and go for the motoGP crown. Us Aussies on the other hand are like "We can win here, why should we move?" And that`s the way it should be. I really wish SBK and MotoGP were considered level playing feilds, then all the hot SBKers wouldn`t have to go to MotoGP to try and prove themselves, where as we all know its hard for them to do so against the 250 guys who are used to that style of riding. Hence when Edwards and Hayden can`t keep up, SBKers are seen as inferior.
Oh well, at least we know if there`s ever an all paddock puch-up oor hardcore homegrown heros would be able to beat the .... outta those skinny little runts who come up from 250s, right?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ May 31 2006, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I really wish SBK and MotoGP were considered level playing feilds, then all the hot SBKers wouldn`t have to go to MotoGP to try and prove themselves, where as we all know its hard for them to do so against the 250 guys who are used to that style of riding. Hence when Edwards and Hayden can`t keep up, SBKers are seen as inferior.
It's alright saying that but it's like footballers. You start at the lower clubs earning not as much money then you rise to the big clubs. If you don't do well there you will go back down the leagues.

Spies is having an amazing season and Hodgson's not doing too bad on the Ducati either.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ May 31 2006, 01:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So this is what it`s like to back a winner...
What's that like? I haven't had the pleasure since 2002.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>It's alright saying that but it's like footballers. You start at the lower clubs earning not as much money then you rise to the big clubs. If you don't do well there you will go back down the leagues.
What Richo is trying to say, I think, is that World Superbike and MotoGP are both top level championships. It's like saying a player who has come up through English Premier and won a championship has to switch to Spanish Premier to truly prove himself. That's the way I see it anyways.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost @ Jun 1 2006, 12:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What Richo is trying to say, I think, is that World Superbike and MotoGP are both top level championships. It's like saying a player who has come up through English Premier and won a championship has to switch to Spanish Premier to truly prove himself. That's the way I see it anyways.

That`s the way it is

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost @ Jun 1 2006, 12:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What's that like? I haven't had the pleasure since 2002.

You stirring me up again, boy? You know Bayliss is better than yer precious Edwards. Besides, it was the Texas Tornado`s Aussie blood that gave him those two championships.

What I`m trying to say Ooost, is that I can be a bigger Homer than you.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Jun 1 2006, 03:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That`s the way it is
You stirring me up again, boy? You know Bayliss is better than yer precious Edwards. Besides, it was the Texas Tornado`s Aussie blood that gave him those two championships.

What I`m trying to say Ooost, is that I can be a bigger Homer than you.
I was talking about Nicky but I did enjoy Colin's run. I didn't like Bayliss in his first WSB stint, I was a BB fan and I hated seeing the factory "teammate" beat him all the time. I didn't like Bayliss until 2004, now I think he's a great guy.

The AMA reiterated their ban on traction control in all classes yesterday after rumors of the rider aid grew rampant throught the series. Contributor to SuperbikePlanet and Suzuki pilot Mat Mladin spoke outright of TC's advantages but never openly admitted to using it. Many sources close to the series say it is widely believed that the three Suzuki factory Superbikes and the two Ducati factory Superbikes have been using some form of TC for at least all of 2006 and some rumors date back to 2005. Another source claims that a factory supported Superstock team is also heavily rumored to have been using TC all season (the only true factory supported team in Superstock is Graves Yamaha although depending on who you ask, some believe Erion Honda is still supported by AmHon). The AMA has been inspecting for forms of TC all season but it is assumed the dismantling of bikes will escalate this weekend at Road America.

Which I leave for tomorrow morning. If you receive the broadcast, be sure to tune in all weekend for spectacular racing at a spectacular race track. I'll try to post pics and stories when I come home Sunday.

Rumor has it two factory Superbikes will be impounded at some point this weekend at Road America to be taken to a private lab to investigate any evidence of TC. Ducati have admitted to possessing a traction control system for the 999 but claim to have never used it in any AMA practice, qualifying or race. Thanks to The 'Soup for the news.

Whoa, they`re serious about that stuff, ey? Private labs, secrets, impounding Ducatis, Mladin. But who breaks the rules like that? It`s just not good for competition. I`m thinking Ducati are being a bit sleazy. Theres just a lot of dirt on their hands right now. And the way the Yoshi Suzukis seem to just run away, I wouldn`t be surprised if they have traction control that actually works. Because if Ducati are using it it`s not helping them a great deal. Honestly though, breaking design rules like that, it`s just bad. I think the AMA should smack anyone who has TC with full penalties. Even if it is our man Mladin. (Besides, if he gets caught out, Spies does too)

Like I said, Ducati claim to have never used it in any AMA competition.www.superbikeplanet.com posted an article with a link to some home video shot at Barber Motorsports Park. You get a good listen to the bikes as they go by. There is clearly something going on inside the Suzuki that isn't apparent in any of the other bikes, Ducati included. Check out the video here.

Its a bit suss how its Mladin vs. Spies and no one else gets a look in, but Ducati have the incriminating evidence, dosen`t make them look too innocent

Mladin did the double and looked happier than I've ever seen him. I swear I'm a Suzuki good luck charm, Mladin and Yates win more stuff when I'm at races and it drives me crazy. Mladin and Spies' front wheels were impounded so the AMA could search for a front wheel sensor. Who knows what the results of that were. The Hondas looked good all weekend, the Kawasakis are improving and lord knows whats wrong with the Ducatis. Bostrom was 15th fastest Saturday morning with only a few minutes remaining and jumped to 8th. Hodgson finished race one 30 seconds behind and Bostrom a further nine seconds behind him. Ridiculous.

Eric Bostrom keeps closing the FX championship gap to teammate Jason DiSalvo, who keeps hinting at an all new 2007 R1 being the centerpiece to Yamaha's return to Superbike.

Yates won the Superstock race, bit of a yawner really.

Hacking ran away with the Supersport race and Rog Hayden managed fourth on a still broken right leg.

Latest rumor: Michael Jordan is looking to, yet again, increase his presence and get a winner in the Superbike class. There is a rumor that the team will move headquarters to be stationed either within Yoshimura Suzuki headquarters or in the immediate vicinity. Oh, and the rumored rider for the squad... Ben Spies.

Mladin wins a double... it get`s intresting, eh Ooost? Where are the points at between the two? I only care about Mladin and Spies right now.

See what happens to Ducati when they lose their TC, bud? They go even worse again. So much for Hodgson coming to the states to lift the title from Mladin 2 years (?) on and he can`t even get close to his teammate

And what`s that Michael Jordan business? You mean the basketball guy?