Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Catalunya Race Thread (Spoilers)
- Thread starter Mental Anarchist
- Start date
Wow ..... super interesting post
Try it without the spatty
Considering i've never read a post from you thats even remotely interesting i think thats a bit rich.
I thought Stoner rode amazing, the rest of the race was boring as ...., theres not much else to say really? Or did you want me talk about how Stoner is the second coming of christ? Get over yourself you sad, pathetic prick.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
The problem is, he is holding back, not to let a few people pass, but to control the race.When they threw the white flags, he said the only way for him to know what kind of condition the track was in, was to slow up, see how much time was being taken out of his lead, then adjust his pace to what the competition was doing.Looking at analysis, Casey is going hot for the first 1/3 of the race and just controlling from that point. There is more performance to come if someone ups their game.He could have won by a much larger margin had he chose. I dont find it boring, its prototype racing and this happens a lot in prototype racing. If you want toe to toe action, you need to check out yesterdays DSB race at Elkhart Lake. 7 bikes, sometimes 4 wide, sideways into corners,4 and 5 wide on the front straight and zero idea who is going to win. It was fun to watch, but the machines are not awe inspiring.If GP can create that kind of racing WITHOUT neutering technology, great. If not, im fine with accepting GP racing for what it is, a contest between pointy headed engineers to see who can create the better mousetrap.Next years tech regs are a move towards neutering technology and im not really happy about it. If performance drops off significantly, i will lose interest. There are plenty of series that offer pack racing, GP would be just another to me. I would still watch, but probably wouldnt go, kind of like AMA. I still watch, but dropping 600 bucks five times a year for a race weekend has not happened since DMG took over.
I know he's holding back, but he should hold back more!
I appreciate the fact that this is prototype racing but for me the spectacle has been lacking of late (past 3 or so years), i started watching in 2003 when last lap overtakes were common place, its essentially what got me(and many others) into moto-gp in the first place, there are more overtakes in F1 now which is saying something! Its clear that the powers that be dont really have a clue how to make the series more entertaining, bringing in 1000's seems pretty daft to me, they brought in all these rules and regs to keeps costs low then bring in a new formulae which will cost manufacturers loads, when all they needed to was increase fuel load by 1 litre! I'm losing interest at the moment, i watched the first 5 or 6 laps yesterday, fast fwd till the last 3 laps and nothing had changed....sad times
I agree. It makes me laugh when I hear Rossi say "we were only 7sec from the winner". Stoner could have won the race by 10sec to Lorenzo if he wanted to but he has learnt from past seasons and pulled it back to win by a comfortable and risk free margin. I think we will see Stoner win many races this year by 3 seconds.
I also agree with your comments about prototypes and it being about pure performance. I like this. I also think that people are reminiscing about the old days with little fact as a basis. I have been watching for a while and I have reviewed many races from the previous era's to refresh the alcohol and drug induced lapse in memory and for every race that had a good battle I can show 2 races that were spread out snore fests. This is the way prototype racing has always been and always will be. I remember races with Agostini when you couldn't even tell if there were other people in the race because there was no one to be seen. Doohan used to clear off into the distance just about every race. We are in an era where there are 4-6 riders of immense talent and there is no room to sit back and play with opponents as was possible in the 990 era when the talent and equipment levels were separated by vast expanses and a talent rider on a top bike could toy with the average riders on lessor bikes and tyres with the confidence that come the last few laps they could pull away with ease.
I know he's holding back, but he should hold back more!
I appreciate the fact that this is prototype racing but for me the spectacle has been lacking of late (past 3 or so years), i started watching in 2003 when last lap overtakes were common place, its essentially what got me(and many others) into moto-gp in the first place, there are more overtakes in F1 now which is saying something! Its clear that the powers that be dont really have a clue how to make the series more entertaining, bringing in 1000's seems pretty daft to me, they brought in all these rules and regs to keeps costs low then bring in a new formulae which will cost manufacturers loads, when all they needed to was increase fuel load by 1 litre! I'm losing interest at the moment, i watched the first 5 or 6 laps yesterday, fast fwd till the last 3 laps and nothing had changed....sad times
See you started watching when MotoGP was largely scripted. In the 990 era tyres played an enormous role or should I say the difference in tyres played an enormous role. It is easy to sit back and wait if you know that your tyres are vastly superior than your opponents and at the end when theirs are stuffed yours are still good and you can pass and gap easily in the space of one lap. The problem is once you know or admit that it is scripted it is more boring than what many suggest racing is today. I like that the control tyre removes one avenue of scripting, I just wish the tyres didn't last the whole race with out dropping off performance.
Great to see Casey sliding the bike in the curves, very exciting to watch and undoubtly deserved the win. congrats.
Good result for Rossi, i think their heading in the right directon with the duc now. Good to see him battle with dovi.
Great result for Crutchlow and spies. also nice to see capi fighting again.
Was marco sulking or did the big H rob some power off him. Very strange imo.
Good result for Rossi, i think their heading in the right directon with the duc now. Good to see him battle with dovi.
Great result for Crutchlow and spies. also nice to see capi fighting again.
Was marco sulking or did the big H rob some power off him. Very strange imo.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
And that is exactly what Rossi used to do with Biaggi and Gravelplow. He liked ....... with their heads, giving them false hopes about winning then bam, with 3 laps to go, pass them and win by 2-3 seconds.That was much more devastating than just running of and leaving everyone in a cloud of dust. Stoner is going about it a little different, he builds a 2-3 second lead, then toys with them for the rest of the race. Stoner could give us false finish's if he wanted, he just doesnt want to risk something going wrong when he decides to clear out.
That may well be true but there were a good 6 or 7 riders on the overnight tyres so they all had the percieved advantage. Too many people hark on about how Rossi had them etc etc but Dani, Sete and a few others also had them. Its a shame Casey wasnt given them in his first year otherwise we may have seen some of the magic we are seeing now.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
I wondered same.
I doubt Honda wanted to slow him, they need as many Hondas between Stoner and Lorenzo as possible Simo was looking the most likely for that role. But I doubt they really even talked to him about that.
In the end I just think that Marco can pull off occasional blinder laps but not maintain it, but as well as that given that Marco had had 2 5ths and 2 DNF's so far he must have had the thought of just plain finishing in the back of his head.
We have to remember that along with the recent events Simo has been getting a lot of hype from the italian press and fans, which when you look at his results to date were not really that justified. Indeed all that hype may have even caused some of the overzealous riding even??
But also ....... who would be the last guy he would want to knock down, both personally and for dorna not to get the ultimate .....? Rossi and I do think he got to the point of thinking about taking Rossi but given that both Rossi and Dovi were pretty close ....... it may have been too risky.
To be honest I do hope we see a sensible Simo, because I do believe then we will see a truly race fast Simo ......... but I do think all the events of the last few weeks must have made him wary at least.
Also ...... from what I hear the crowd were giving him ...., and they are pretty Rossi enthused ....... so had he caused anything ...... we may have seen a riot.
It was sure a hard weekend for Simo, but there's many more races and we can hope he picks it up from here.
Good to see the two top riders showing him some respect on the weekend as well. Lorenzo was trying to quell the crowd for him and the end of race handshake from Stoner said a lot to me ......... Stoner has had his fair share of .... crowds
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Rossi was an above average rider on superior bikes. Thats a damn good combination. The biggest difference today was the infusion of above average riders in the last 5 years. Rossi was still getting wins and titles, but at about 50% of what he was getting in the previous 5 years.
I wondered same.
I doubt Honda wanted to slow him, they need as many Hondas between Stoner and Lorenzo as possible Simo was looking the most likely for that role. But I doubt they really even talked to him about that.
In the end I just think that Marco can pull off occasional blinder laps but not maintain it, but as well as that given that Marco had had 2 5ths and 2 DNF's so far he must have had the thought of just plain finishing in the back of his head.
But also ....... who would be the last guy he would want to knock down, both personally and for dorna not to get the ultimate .....? Rossi and I do think he got to the point of thinking about taking Rossi but given that both Rossi and Dovi were pretty close ....... it may have been too risky.
To be honest I do hope we see a sensible Simo, because I do believe then we will see a truly race fast Simo ......... but I do hope all the events of the last few weeks must have made him wary at least.
Also ...... from what I hear the crowd were giving him ...., and they are pretty Rossi enthused ....... so had he caused anything ...... we may have seen a riot.
It was sure a hard weekend for Simo, but there's many more races and we can hope he picks it up from here.
Good to see the two top riders showing him some respect on the weekend as well. Lorenzo was trying to quell the crowd for him and the end of race handshake from Stoner said a lot to me ......... Stoner has had his fair share of .... crowds
so I guess he had some empathy for Simo
I have to give it to you Barry, i read that and didnt want to choke you! Nice 1!
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Unlikely IMO given his performance over qualifying and practise and his pole.
Never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Charlie Cox who wrote an article in the sports section of today's Times basically saying that all the recent flak he has received perhaps made him unusually hesitant. With all eyes on him in the race itself was as a result uncharacteristically tentative off the line and into the first corner - by which time he'd been engulfed by half the field. Race Direction throwing its new found weight around again in the 125 race could have exacerbated his apprehension.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
oh well I'm glad ........ imagine how poorly i would feel if you felt ill of me
truly kiddo ........ you need a reality check
I can guarantee you also you would not make it far enough to "choke me" should you ever have the opportunity
oh well I'm glad ........ imagine how poorly i would feel if you felt ill of me
truly kiddo ........ you need a reality checkwere you somewhat "indulged" as a child
I can guarantee you also you would not make it far enough to "choke me" should you ever have the opportunity
Now now Barry, this is a forum, not the school playground, no need for threats! I was saying it tongue in cheek, i was genuinly surprised to read a post by you that wasnt blowing smoke up your no1 riders arse.
Arrabiata, i think you could be right, he def seemed comparitively muted at the weekend, maybe it was the mention of negotiations with Honda that forced him to keep it tidy on and off track...he knows he's on one of the best machines and perhaps the thought of riding a Ducati scred the .... out of him!
Yes, stoner winning easily is proof that the sport is authentic, as I also said in 2007.
I think the current formula and the current technology developed at least partly to suit it, and particularly the current tyres, do have an effect on racing as you say, with both the fuel economy aspect contributing to the "one-line" nature of racing, and the relative perfromance of the bikes in a given race establoshed early and thereafter changing little. The best thing they could do for racing would be to get pirelli as a tyre supplier; I believe this rather than kers etc has been the major change in F1 in this regard.
I also would rather watch authentic dominance than confected close racing, but believe there would have been more racing at catalunya if dani was fit and simoncelli unhindered. Once it started raining, or threatening to do so, none of the front runners had much incentive to take risks.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
oh dear ..... did I threaten you ......
Oh ..... I see now .... you want me to let you choke me unhindered
You are a funny manipulative little tacker ....
oh dear ..... did I threaten you ......where?
Oh ..... I see now .... you want me to let you choke me unhindered
You are a funny manipulative little tacker ....
Har har....moving on....
I suppose you could call it prototype racing in that there's no requirement of production parts, but with the regulations on fuel, capacity, body work, etc., it's a very, very far cry from figuring out what sort of machine will produce the fastest lap times. I know some people have a technology fetish, but I'm sure that if GP was to disappear tomorrow, all the the top riders would migrate to SBK and the fans would still be there, if not more so.
There were fairly solid eras of close racing in the not-too-distant past: '88-'93, '98-'06. Even during the Doohan years I don't think the average podium gaps are what they are now. The vast majority are decided within the first 5 laps. The way the forums light up when there's a close race (Laguna'08, Catalunya '09) is an illustration of how rare an occurrence it is.
24L of fuel wouldn't be a guarantee that the racing would be more interesting, but it seems like an easy, inexpensive variable to experiment with.
