Don't know about you guys...

Yes but we're still in 2008!

I'll be in Brno! Anyone know how to get paddock/VIP passes cheaper?

It would probably take a lot of bad luck of injuries to take the exitement out until crossing the line in the last race.
A DNF by stoner now in the first rounds would be the worst that could happen for the championship.
That would enable Rossi to calm down and walk in the championship. Let's hope for a fight to the bitter end.
Injured juniors and them being more or less out of the fight will lead to a string of Rossi/Stoner finishes and in most of the rounds they will fight for 1st and 2nd.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rgvneil @ Jul 31 2008, 05:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yes but we're still in 2008!

Good point

I am looking forward to the second half of the season although I will not forget the first half. The points are close, super However there was only one good race IMO so its really bitter sweet for me. We need more close racing like Laguna and I am not going to hold my breath waiting for one. Many fans only remember the last race which I think Laguna has saved this season and sparked new interest from fans that have been jaded by runaway parade racing.

Here is to damn good racing and an injury free second half of the season.

OMG there's going to be a completely artificial sense of competition created by Ezy giving Vale Bridestones.

OMG! I can't wait.

The real champion is still evident. Ducati/Stoner are miles ahead of any other legally constructed team.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jul 31 2008, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>OMG there's going to be a completely artificial sense of competition created by Ezy giving Vale Bridestones.

OMG! I can't wait.

The real champion is still evident. Ducati/Stoner are miles ahead of any other legally constructed team.


Yes, a joint criminal investigation by Italian AND Japanese authoritites was recently turned over to Interpol. They are looking into how Fiat Yamaha used "extortionary" tactics to sign with Bridgestone.

Initially, it was a joint investigation between Italian and Japanese police forces, but they were arguing over jurisdiction so much that the investigation was turned over to Interpol to avoid any bureaucratic slowdown in the investigation.

Interpol asked the United States' Central Intelligence Agency for forensic help, but they refused.

Investigators are saying that if any wrong-doing is found, Rossi, Burgess, Furusawa, and even Jarvis could face jailtime and fines in the range of US$5-10M. As well, the FIM has stated that if any wrongdoing is found, all of points earned in 2008 by Rossi will be negated. This includes Fiat Yamaha's team points and Yamaha's constructor points that were earned by Rossi.

Finally, all groups involved; the FIM, MSMA, etc. are considering a lifetime ban on Rossi and Burgess for their illegal tactics.

The grid may have one less rider next year. Who can fill Vale's boots at Fiat Yamaha?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Parc Ferme @ Jul 31 2008, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yes, a joint criminal investigation by Italian AND Japanese authoritites was recently turned over to Interpol. They are looking into how Fiat Yamaha used "extortionary" tactics to sign with Bridgestone.

Initially, it was a joint investigation between Italian and Japanese police forces, but they were arguing over jurisdiction so much that the investigation was turned over to Interpol to avoid any bureaucratic slowdown in the investigation.

Interpol asked the United States' Central Intelligence Agency for forensic help, but they refused.

Investigators are saying that if any wrong-doing is found, Rossi, Burgess, Furusawa, and even Jarvis could face jailtime and fines in the range of US$5-10M. As well, the FIM has stated that if any wrongdoing is found, all of points earned in 2008 by Rossi will be negated. This includes Fiat Yamaha's team points and Yamaha's constructor points that were earned by Rossi.

Finally, all groups involved; the FIM, MSMA, etc. are considering a lifetime ban on Rossi and Burgess for their illegal tactics.

The grid may have one less rider next year. Who can fill Vale's boots at Fiat Yamaha?

And all this extrodinary news are documented where? I'm sure there must be hundreds of magazines and on line sites quoting FIM and MSMA wit this sensational news?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Jul 31 2008, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And all this extrodinary news are documented where? I'm sure there must be hundreds of magazines and on line sites quoting FIM and MSMA wit this sensational news?

If I read it correctly I think that Parc was having a play at Lex using sarcasm to exploit Lex's inside vision of the sport and politics behind it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Jul 31 2008, 07:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If I read it correctly I think that Parc was having a play at Lex using sarcasm to exploit Lex's inside vision of the sport and politics behind it.

Humm, Ironi and sarcasm, difficult stuff. But sure more likely than what was in the post

I'm excited to see how the Stoner/Rossi battle shapes up. HRC will throw what they can towards Pedrosa and Dovi leaving Hayden on the outs after reading of Hayden's participation in the upcoming XGames 14 SuperMoto.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jul 31 2008, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>OMG there's going to be a completely artificial sense of competition created by Ezy giving Vale Bridestones.

OMG! I can't wait.

The real champion is still evident. Ducati/Stoner are miles ahead of any other legally constructed team.

Rossi must be the only rider on the grid that wants the best bike/tyre package he can get. How nice of all the others to just take what they are given and not complain - especially after Ducati so kindly offered to share the secrets of their electronics!

I always say this after every race..........I CAN'T WAIT 'TIL THE NEXT RACE!

The rest of the season is going to be great alright, I just hope we don't see some bad accidents because everyone's trying so hard!

I would love to go to to Valencia, if it's not already fully booked!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ThePhorest @ Jul 31 2008, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>2008 indeed. Fixed. I gotta give up the sake.

The way Stoner is looking, I really can't see anything but a battle down to the wire.
Yeah I am hoping that the battle goes the distance with Stoner coming out on top. Just cause of all the wussie tire bitchin last year and the BS you hear about Stoner and the Ducati. I Love Vale but he should have signed with Ducati and maybe then after he won the title for Ducati Italy would have been so elated they would have taken a year or two off and then someone else could win the title.

I'm glad Vale is the only one putting the fun back in motogp... and for another 2yrs after that

What Vale did to Stoner at Laguna is something you do not see much anymore... but proved its still possible which is why i'm optimistic about the rest of the season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Jul 31 2008, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If I read it correctly I think that Parc was having a play at Lex using sarcasm to exploit Lex's inside vision of the sport and politics behind it.

What inside view of the sport is necessary

They announced publicly that Vale was going to be given Stones and that FIAT Yamaha would have a split paddock. Ezy followed the announcement (9 months later) by telling everyone that DORNA have no pact with the tire manufacturers and they can do whatever they want by threatening with a control tire.

The governing body has cheated on Vale's behalf openly to improve the spectacle. Hilariously, Burgess was recently quoted telling Ezy he needs to do a better job marketing the sport, and quit trying to change the rules.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rgvneil @ Jul 31 2008, 08:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yes but we're still in 2008!
to much cider today neil?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ThePhorest @ Jul 31 2008, 02:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I was just kicking it around in my head today. How is 2008 going to finish out? Are we gonna have another points battle that comes down to the wire in Valencia? Thats how I think it's going to go. Rossi and Stoner have thrown the gloves off and it is going to be ugly (in a good way) for the last few races.

I remember how on the edge of my seat I was watching 2006 unfold, wondering if it was going to be Rossi or Hayden taking the crown. I have a feeling it's going to be like that but on an even higher level! This season Rossi seems hungry and is pulling out his best stuff. Stoner has been flawless and now Rossi really will need to ride like the god people say he is in order to pull out the championship.
It's so much more exciting when there's a battle for the points! I'm going to be biting my nails every Sunday for a while to come.

I cannot WAIT for the next race, and that's something I haven't said about MotoGP in what feels like a long time. It's great to have that anticipation and suspense back.

Here's to the battle for the 2008 MotoGP Crown!!
I 'm looking forward to great races too.
The Yamaha will for sure be updated with new electronics,that Rossi already has had access to but they didn't race with it yet.He will most likely have other new parts to test also at the test in Brno and so will most other teams too.It could be big improvements for the Yamaha,but as a fan of Ducati i fear that they already did their big mid-season improvements in Catalunya.
I really hope i'm wrong though.

The Suzuki has to become twice as fast at least so they can be where they were in 2007 compared to the competition.If not ,it's almost embarrasing for such a big company that even say themselves more or less:
-we only have two bikes because we are not capable of building bikes that are good enough for it to be effective with three or four bikes.What would happen is we would have three or four bikes that are crap instead of two,and that is too expensive.

The evil empire will ofcourse bring upgrades as their Pedrobot is going to try the engine Hayden has.
Kawasaki hopefully has something good too.

I'd be surprised if Kawa gets anything done during this season but you never know...