Hello my fellow MotoGP fanatics!

First off, Id like to say hello. Just found the forum and looks a place where there are a lot of Motogp fans whom I can relate. We are far and few. I've been deep in motorcycle GPs and motorcycle racing in general since 1980. No internet or live coverage back then. Growing up in Canada, American and British magazines were my only source of info if the race wasn't shown on tv. You would have to buy at least 4 or 5 of them a month just because the coverage in the magazines were barely a page long. There's a lot more coverage nowadays, though 125 and 250 coverage is still lacking in North America.

Secondly, I'm proud to admit..I'm a Rossi lover and I say bless all the band wagon Rossi fans. There's absolutely nothing wrong with what they're doing. Maybe not all of them will stay after Rossi goes but chances are that some of them will stay with Motogp. Isnt it a good thing when one person can single-handedly expose our sport to people who normally wouldn't give it a second look?? Remember when tobacco companies were the biggest companies sponsoring GPs? MotoGP needs all the help it can get. Fans help our industry as a whole from better paid racers and more racing coverage to hi tech motorcycles and gear. Mind you I have A LOT of respect for the heroes of the past (Schwantz was my fave) but none of them come close to the same legendary status as Rossi. 125 250 500 AND Motogp world champion.
I'm fortunate to be able to socialize with some of the some of the riders during the Shanghai rounds when riders like Barros, Tamada, Nakano and Capirossi tell me that Rossi is special, then you know that's the truth, especially when they've had a few too many beers! Rossi's always thanking the support from his fans and acknowledging our existence.
There's another bandwagon out there..the "shame on all the new fans because of Rossi" bandwagon. Relax people! It's as if they are trespassing on our sport or something. Welcome them!!

I'm actually a big fan of Casey too. I had the honour of meeting him in 06 at the Shanghai round. He was walking by himself in the back of the paddock and it seem like nobody knew who he was but I did and I had a chat with him. I've been following his GP career since 125s and knew he was fast. After seeing him in his first year of Motogp, I knew he would be successful once he put it all together. Stoner is definitely cool!

Motorcycles in general have been a HUGE part of my life especially Grand Prix racing. Thanks for such a cool forum!

fastflip

Thanks for the welcome!

I was born in the Philippines, grew up in Canada so Im a Canadian citizen and now Im in China. Too bad there are no Filipino riders to cheer for. I cheer for the Americans cuz they are Canada's neighbours, Aussies and Japanese cuz they're Philipines neighbours but my favorite riders is European. Im always happy when somebody wins!

somedamnwriter, vtinoimik:
Hoy! Cumusta pare. Ng tarbaho ko sa Shanghai and I was born in Las Pinas. Ang tagalog ko mahina. I can uderstand what you guys are writing if I speak it out loud to myself. Excuse my poor reading and writing.

Thanks for the welcome guy and gals

Marijke: Hola! The Philippine language (tagalog) actually uses many spanish words so you might recognize some of the the words.

Dazz: Looking at some of the pics you posted and I think I recognize you. I think we already had a few beers at that Bar where all the bike guys hang out..on the Bubu Lou or something on 2nd floor?? One of the topis were: Jap schoolgirl uniforms?! Youll remember if that was you..if not..never mind!! I was pissed anyways!! Only been there that 1 time.
Im acutally based in Kunshan right at the edge of Shanghai about 20 minutes away from the track but the beer bus sounds like fun!!