Hacking riding USGP

Beating West and maybe a ducati or two would be impressive but isn't out of the question. I'd imagine any other places he's make would be by attrition. I expect Spies to better him, and I think Spies can be 5-10th ish.

I could be wrong here, but you do know this is his first time on a motogp bike in a race
TOP TEN!

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kngadrok @ Jul 16 2008, 06:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I could be wrong here, but you do know this is his first time on a motogp bike
TOP TEN!

He tested it in Japan, but thats it.

I see Hacking as DNFing if he pushes for a top ten result. No matter how much track knowledge he has the Killasaki is a piece of ..... bike. How much seat time has he had on the GP bike? I can't recall any or maybe there was a test somewhere I think they will detune his bike a bit and pump up the TC. Like I said before IMHO he is just grid filler. DOn't get me wrong though I would love to see him on the podium

Roger Lee Hayden was 10th in last years' Laguna race.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jul 16 2008, 11:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He tested it in Japan, but thats it.


I'll give him 11th

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VTtwinner @ Jul 16 2008, 11:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Roger Lee Hayden was 10th in last years' Laguna race.

but RLH isnt 37


The highly experienced AMA Superbike rider broke the lap record during two days of testing at Autopolis this week, aboard the Ninja ZX-RR machine he will race at Laguna. As a result, he heads for the USGP determined to match, or even exceed, the performance of his Kawasaki teammate, Roger Lee Hayden, who brought the Ninja ZX-RR home in an impressive tenth place in last year's race.

Jamie Hacking
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #12
"I'm really excited about riding Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR in the USGP at Laguna Seca. We've just completed two days of testing with the bike in Japan, and I felt pretty comfortable straight away. It's an amazing machine. I can't believe how sophisticated the electronics package is on the bike; already it feels like you can open the gas impossibly early out of the turns, but the data shows that it's actually possible to open the throttle even earlier. To do this requires some confidence in the electronics, and that confidence will only come with more track time on the bike. Roger Lee set the benchmark at this race last year with an outstanding tenth place finish, so that's certainly given me something to aim for. Laguna is one of my best tracks, but I'm under no illusions how hard it's going to be. I'll be up against some of the best riders in the world on a bike on which I've only had limited testing time. If I come away from the weekend with a top ten finish, then I'll be happy."

Michael Bartholemy
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"Given his results in this year's AMA Superbike championship, Jamie was the obvious choice for Kawasaki when the factory started looking for a temporary replacement for John Hopkins. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do on our bike at Laguna Seca, especially after he broke the lap record at Kawasaki's Autopolis circuit in Japan during two days of testing on the Ninja ZX-RR this week. One big advantage that Jamie has is that he knows the track extremely well, and I think that will count in his favour, as it will allow him to focus completely on the bike during the race weekend. Roger Lee set a hard target last year by finishing as the first American across the line in tenth place, but I'm sure that Jamie is heading to the USGP determined to do even better! I'm sure that he will do a good job for us at Laguna."

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kngadrok @ Jul 16 2008, 11:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'><strike>I'll give him 11th</strike>

I forgot, I was done predicting....I suck at it.
Who knows

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ingjr @ Jul 16 2008, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yea, top 10 may be pushing it, but he did break the lap record at the Kawasaki Test Track in his recent first ride there. Plus home track. I don't know, maybe wishful thinking. Can always hope can't I? BTW, I've always been a Kaw fan and believe they maybe behind a bit but they will catch up.
It's not that outlandish. I think Hacking isn't as far off of Mladin as people say (Spies is advancing to another planet). He set the track record in his first test on the ZX-RR and yes, it's only a test track but Olivier Jacque is the test rider. For as much .... as we give him, he's likely one of the fastest testers out there. And he's circulated that track thousands of times. And Hacking beat him in one test. Couple that with the fact that half the field is nursing injuries, a few riders have never seen this place before and West, Guintoli, Elias and Melandri will all be there. I'm strangely optimistic about Hacking's chances.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ingjr @ Jul 16 2008, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yea, top 10 may be pushing it, but he did break the lap record at the Kawasaki Test Track in his recent first ride there.

Who or what else has ridden at that track?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jul 16 2008, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's not that outlandish. I think Hacking isn't as far off of Mladin as people say (Spies is advancing to another planet). He set the track record in his first test on the ZX-RR and yes, it's only a test track but Olivier Jacque is the test rider. For as much .... as we give him, he's likely one of the fastest testers out there. And he's circulated that track thousands of times. And Hacking beat him in one test. Couple that with the fact that half the field is nursing injuries, a few riders have never seen this place before and West, Guintoli, Elias and Melandri will all be there. I'm strangely optimistic about Hacking's chances.

I may be coming around on this one

I'm having nightmares already, seeing four Americans piling into T1, all wanting to win really really bad. Deja vu.....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VTtwinner @ Jul 16 2008, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm having nightmares already, seeing four Americans piling into T1, all wanting to win really really bad. Deja vu.....

I think that you meant T2 the Andretti Hairpin. Stop thinking these things. Maybe Stoner will make the apex this time...

you're right T2, that was downright ugly last year, must have wore out my rewind button on that one.

Spies and Hacking know this circuit, should we be suprised if they got a top 10 finish. NO

Should we be surprised if they are at the back where they belong

In other good news, maybe you internationals will get a glimpse of Hacker's wife on TV. Wow.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jul 16 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>In other good news, maybe you internationals will get a glimpse of Hacker's wife on TV. Wow.

any pics?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jul 16 2008, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>In other good news, maybe you internationals will get a glimpse of Hacker's wife on TV. Wow.

Yeah she's one of his 2 fans.
I'm wondering why did Kawi decide to put in a wildcard at Laguna when they didn't seem to care about one in Germany?
Monster Energy must be pissed at them. Here they put their sponsorship dollars on a MotoGp team that races mostly in Europe where there product wasn't until recently even sold.
Roger Lee Hayden went down and they never replaced him for at least 2 races so far on the Superbike.
Putting Hacking on the bike makes sense because he is a good rider but at 37 years old we all know it's a one shot deal. At least last year with RLH it was understood that it was maybe a tryout for the future.
I'm wondering if the only reason they are running a 2nd bike is because Monster pushed them.
Or maybe it's because Kawi values the American market more than any other.
We discussed this in another thread but it appears more and more to me that Kawi just puts bikes (bike) on the grid to gain (minimal) exposure.