Questions for Wilco Zeelenberg
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Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
800s are for midgets.
Jum did ya get any good shwag?
Hey Curvey, do u know what "bender" means in British?
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
on a side note...Jum you da man.. thanks bro
You talking about this?
11342:Curvey Bender.JPG]
11343:Ben signing.JPG]
Yeah, he thought that was an odd nickname. But I told him, yeah, my friend is so fast we call him the Curve Bender.
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Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Hi Jumkie,
Guess what what was in my inbox this morning????
Here are Wilco's answers:
Hoi Jantina en Danny,
Het heeft even geduurd maar hier toch de antwoorden voor Jumkie!
Vragen van Jumkie:
1. Its been debated here, but many including their own riders have asked for more power, yet the bike seems to do well enough in lap times. So I'd like to know, just how crucial is this an element of acceleration vs trap top speed in the overall performance of the bike, relative to his competitors?
Well it depends a lot on the track lay out, many tracks in our Championship are relative short with many slow corners.
Our bike is developed to have a very smooth power delivery so the riders can control the acceleration in combination with all our electronics (traction control, anti spin, anti wheelie)
This means Yamaha is not surging for best top speed or the most power as possible, we try to develop a bike which is the best over 18 races.
This means on some fast tracks our competitors are better…..during these races the riders are complaining a lot J and that’s when you read it in the newspapers!!
2. What does he consider to be the greatest strength of the factory bike?
Front end tire feeling and smooth power delivery J
3. What process is in place for him to determine wether Bridgestone development is going toward or away from his rider's development cues
This is an important issue, the Bridgestone tires need a very precise temperature rate, if you are not in line with this best performing rate you have a big problem.
This is more related to the engine power delivery and chassis stiffness and that’s quite good on the M1.
The riders commends are important for Bridgestone but finally they decide to bring tires that are not specified for just 1 rider!
4. Since Burgess was able to make some assessments from afar regarding the Ducati (before he worked on the bike) what does he consider to be the possible problems historically experienced by Ducati riders?
There is no Chassis on the Duc so he needs to learn how this bike is behaving without this “chassis”, his first priority is to create front end tire feeling for the rider!
He is able to solve this on a normal chassis, it will take some time but I think that he will be able to find a solution for the Duc as well L
5. Its been said that the up until this year, the M1 is a development creation of Rossi, just how much responsibility/credit should the #1 rider of a team fairly be given for the bike's development vs the engineering department? Can he give us a ball park percentage breakdown for example 70% rider 30% engineering department or closer to 30% rider 70% engineers.
That’s a very difficult question, I cannot rate this question to percentage, but Valentino, Jeremy and don’t forget Furasawa-san have done a great job together!
These 3 man were able to listen to each other and make a plan! After each evaluation they were able to improve the bike and put the finger on the weak spot.
When Valentino came in 2004 also Furusawa started his career as head off Yamaha Factory Racing and in my eyes they were both not able to do what they did without each other! So is 50% by 50 % a good answer?
All the best!
Wilco Zeelenberg
Guess what what was in my inbox this morning????
Here are Wilco's answers:
Hoi Jantina en Danny,
Het heeft even geduurd maar hier toch de antwoorden voor Jumkie!
Vragen van Jumkie:
1. Its been debated here, but many including their own riders have asked for more power, yet the bike seems to do well enough in lap times. So I'd like to know, just how crucial is this an element of acceleration vs trap top speed in the overall performance of the bike, relative to his competitors?
Well it depends a lot on the track lay out, many tracks in our Championship are relative short with many slow corners.
Our bike is developed to have a very smooth power delivery so the riders can control the acceleration in combination with all our electronics (traction control, anti spin, anti wheelie)
This means Yamaha is not surging for best top speed or the most power as possible, we try to develop a bike which is the best over 18 races.
This means on some fast tracks our competitors are better…..during these races the riders are complaining a lot J and that’s when you read it in the newspapers!!
2. What does he consider to be the greatest strength of the factory bike?
Front end tire feeling and smooth power delivery J
3. What process is in place for him to determine wether Bridgestone development is going toward or away from his rider's development cues
This is an important issue, the Bridgestone tires need a very precise temperature rate, if you are not in line with this best performing rate you have a big problem.
This is more related to the engine power delivery and chassis stiffness and that’s quite good on the M1.
The riders commends are important for Bridgestone but finally they decide to bring tires that are not specified for just 1 rider!
4. Since Burgess was able to make some assessments from afar regarding the Ducati (before he worked on the bike) what does he consider to be the possible problems historically experienced by Ducati riders?
There is no Chassis on the Duc so he needs to learn how this bike is behaving without this “chassis”, his first priority is to create front end tire feeling for the rider!
He is able to solve this on a normal chassis, it will take some time but I think that he will be able to find a solution for the Duc as well L
5. Its been said that the up until this year, the M1 is a development creation of Rossi, just how much responsibility/credit should the #1 rider of a team fairly be given for the bike's development vs the engineering department? Can he give us a ball park percentage breakdown for example 70% rider 30% engineering department or closer to 30% rider 70% engineers.
That’s a very difficult question, I cannot rate this question to percentage, but Valentino, Jeremy and don’t forget Furasawa-san have done a great job together!
These 3 man were able to listen to each other and make a plan! After each evaluation they were able to improve the bike and put the finger on the weak spot.
When Valentino came in 2004 also Furusawa started his career as head off Yamaha Factory Racing and in my eyes they were both not able to do what they did without each other! So is 50% by 50 % a good answer?
All the best!
Wilco Zeelenberg
Great work. From the responses outlined above I think it will be very lucky if Ducati are able to find a solution by February and then by Qatar. The answers reflect how essential front end feel is when pushing hard - no great suprise - but also highlight that both JB and Rossi are moving into unexplored territory when dealing with a bike without a chasis. Also makes you wonder what is in store when Stoner's response to questions about the Honda power was for him to repeatedly say "smooth" with a massive smile.
Interesting year ahead. I hope the Ducati can be competitive but these responses lend weight to the view that it won't be a quick fix.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
Nice work JanDan and thanks to Jum for formulating the questions.
The interesting bit is when he recalls that Furusawa and Rossi-JB began work on the M1 together (something one tends to forget). That gives the idea of how big the change is for Yamaha now, with all the "fathers" of the present M1 gone (although Furusawa will presumably remain available as consultant).
In general the answers are what you would expect from a knowledgeable and reasonable man who knows things from the inside.
The interesting bit is when he recalls that Furusawa and Rossi-JB began work on the M1 together (something one tends to forget). That gives the idea of how big the change is for Yamaha now, with all the "fathers" of the present M1 gone (although Furusawa will presumably remain available as consultant).
In general the answers are what you would expect from a knowledgeable and reasonable man who knows things from the inside.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Jan, I’m very impressed. Mr. Zeelenburg has climbed several notches on my respect latter, as if that was possible, since he was already near the top. His responses are what I would expect from a Dutchman, forthcoming. Excellent work.
A few comments:
I’ve asserted many times that top speed is overrated by the casual spectator, and reading his comments affirms that better handling bikes around the entire track wins over top speed. Yet how many times have we read people point to the top speed to make some conclusion? I like how he says the riders will complain at times in which we later read it in the news; translations: excuse making. Hahaha, great.
He pretty much echoed what Spies said about the bike, that is not just one thing, but it does everything good enough. On average its better, and this makes for a great handling bike around various tracks. I think Rossi also mentioned this dynamic, that it doesn’t do one thing super great, but rather it does everything on average very good.
I think he pretty much nailed the “what’s wrong with the Ducati” enigma, and that is, its lack of a conventional chassis. I think he’s right, one Burgess and Rossi understand how it responds toward and away from their needs, then the changes will be made rapidly toward improving the bike.
The tire takeaway for me is that Bridestone’s development cues are very secretive and elusive but intent. I find it interesting that he says Bridgestone tires have a critical operating condition; “very precise temperature rate” and if not met, it becomes a big problem. I think this speaks to Stoner’s problems this year. Its clear that whatever Bridgestone was offering Stoner before has now become dramatically changed (detrimentally). The tire brand development was specifically driven toward its riders, but the rubber they have brought to the table since the spec tire debacle have now become covert. Wilco and Spies both said they must trust its not developed for one specific rider but neither offered an actual process in which to check if development is going toward or away from their cues. Interesting.
As to the development of the M1. I suppose this goes toward debunking the idea that Rossi single-handedly threw the M1 on his shoulders and made it into Lorenzo’s winning bike. I think this speaks very highly of the team dynamic, that all of them had a synergistic impact on the Yamaha, not just one man.
Great answers, and its much appreciated Jan. Please send our most heartfelt thanks to Mr. Zeelenburg. We will be rooting for his success.
A few comments:
I’ve asserted many times that top speed is overrated by the casual spectator, and reading his comments affirms that better handling bikes around the entire track wins over top speed. Yet how many times have we read people point to the top speed to make some conclusion? I like how he says the riders will complain at times in which we later read it in the news; translations: excuse making. Hahaha, great.
He pretty much echoed what Spies said about the bike, that is not just one thing, but it does everything good enough. On average its better, and this makes for a great handling bike around various tracks. I think Rossi also mentioned this dynamic, that it doesn’t do one thing super great, but rather it does everything on average very good.
I think he pretty much nailed the “what’s wrong with the Ducati” enigma, and that is, its lack of a conventional chassis. I think he’s right, one Burgess and Rossi understand how it responds toward and away from their needs, then the changes will be made rapidly toward improving the bike.
The tire takeaway for me is that Bridestone’s development cues are very secretive and elusive but intent. I find it interesting that he says Bridgestone tires have a critical operating condition; “very precise temperature rate” and if not met, it becomes a big problem. I think this speaks to Stoner’s problems this year. Its clear that whatever Bridgestone was offering Stoner before has now become dramatically changed (detrimentally). The tire brand development was specifically driven toward its riders, but the rubber they have brought to the table since the spec tire debacle have now become covert. Wilco and Spies both said they must trust its not developed for one specific rider but neither offered an actual process in which to check if development is going toward or away from their cues. Interesting.
As to the development of the M1. I suppose this goes toward debunking the idea that Rossi single-handedly threw the M1 on his shoulders and made it into Lorenzo’s winning bike. I think this speaks very highly of the team dynamic, that all of them had a synergistic impact on the Yamaha, not just one man.
Great answers, and its much appreciated Jan. Please send our most heartfelt thanks to Mr. Zeelenburg. We will be rooting for his success.
I agree with Jumkie, Zeelenburg deserves respect for his effort. Thanks also to Jan and Jumkie for their part. The answers were pretty unsurprising and diplomatic just as expected but still cool
Agree...........good thread
Good questions Jumkie, and debrief analysis
(Now who were all those peeps/ boppers that equated top speed with a winning bike?? Too many to list here!
)
Thanks for effort Jan and thanks to Wilco in absentia.
The x factor is definately the "tunability" of the Ducati without a total redesign. Burgess has a lot riding on his off-season testing and adjusting. Perhaps he was too optomistic about his chances of taming the Ducati,s front end problems. The next 4 months will reveal all.
Good questions Jumkie, and debrief analysis
Thanks for effort Jan and thanks to Wilco in absentia.
The x factor is definately the "tunability" of the Ducati without a total redesign. Burgess has a lot riding on his off-season testing and adjusting. Perhaps he was too optomistic about his chances of taming the Ducati,s front end problems. The next 4 months will reveal all.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Ok, well I had some time this afternoon so…, the MC show was three days, and it rained all three. This being California, rain is like Kryptonite to drivers and riders here; so Friday was a slow day. But that was good for me because Spies and Nicky were scheduled to sign autographs and mingle with the crowd only Friday. On Saturday and Sunday we had other “stars” which turned out to be C & D list actors who happen to ride. But hey, at least the Santa Girls were there...
11354:Santagirls.JPG]
I'd like to see these chicks wrap their legs around this, among other things.
11345:Caliboss.JPG]
I was working a booth for the trackday organization I work with (which btw, if you’re ever in SoCal and want to do a track day, hit me up. Our member Noodles is coming next month, so another milestone, it should be fun to ride with a fellow PS member). So I was suppose to be handing out brochures and meeting potential clients and such when I hear over the PA system that Nicky is now signing autographs. So boom, I’m gone. I get there and it seems everybody who showed up on Friday is there to meet Nicky. Damn, this line is too long I’m thinking. So I’m like trying to get his attention pretending I’m somebody important, pointing to my “exhibitor’s” badge. Just then some chick taps me on the shoulder behind me. I turn around and this chick says, hey, good to see you, I didn’t know you guys were gonna have a booth at the show. I don’t recognize her from Adam, but I say, yeah, we’re here, go visit our booth. Turns out she’s gone to a few trackdays with our organization, but its hard to keep track of peeps you meet. So I keep talking with her and I realize this chick is in line and it’s close to the front. Hey, so you want me to take a pic for you with Nicky, seeing that she was by her self. Bam, now I’m like 5 people away.
Nicky signs her ...., I take the pic, and now its my turn. I cue up my phone and open up JohnnyKnockdown’s text. Hi Nicky, good to see you here in the West. Yo, sorry its raining, I really don’t have anything for you to sign, but just wanted to wish you good luck and show you a text of my friend who wishes he could be here, but is a big fan of yours.
Its hard trying to document and not looking like an ...... I had the girl I was talking to take this pic while he read my phone. I told here to make sure she got me in the pic holding up the phone to Nicky. (women...)
11349:NH at fone.JPG]
I show him the text and he starts rolling! Chuckling like I just gave him laughing gas. So how bout it Nicky, I feel the same way man, I don’t want you to become Rossi’s personal test rider man.
11346:JK text2.PNG]
Nicky: (paraphrasing, cue up Kentucky accent) Ah man, I hear you, nah man, I got something for them. You don’t need to worry about that. Its not gonna be easy for anybody, but Ducati’s got their own test riders, I ain’t one of them.
Me: I know, but c’mon man, you know Rossi’s got a lot of clout, us American boys gotta fight for everything in GP.
Nicky: (the diplomat) Yeah man, but everybody has to work, and I’m gonna be working overtime.” Don’t you worry about that. I feel pretty good.
Me: I know you’re a hard worker, but I’m worried you’re gonna get lost in the shuffle while everybody is focused on Rossi.
Nicky: (the optimist) Nah nah, its tuff but I’m not gonna get lost.
Me: Ok, man, I hope not. So what kinds of changes you think are coming down the pipe for the bike?
Nicky: Well having Rossi around is gonna be good for that. I think we’re gonna have some positive changes for everybody, but I just gotta concentrate on my thing.
Me: What about that front end man?
Nicky: (sighs) Yeah man, that has to get worked on, but I think they’re gonna fix that.
Me: Yeah, I saw you were killing it for a couple of laps at Valencia.
---all the while Nicky is looking a bit past me while I’m asking him questions because behind me they were having the fashion show. Nicky stops, stands up, and starts taking a couple of pics with his phone of a couple of hotties on the stage. The girl behind him starts busting up, like, look at this guy, stops to talk to the fans so he can get a pic of the ........ (I think she was jealous)---
11353:NH takes pic.JPG]
11352:NH stage pic.JPG]
Me: (Laughing) Did you get some good pics?
Nicky (Laughing) Yeah, yeah.
Me: That’s one thing you can count on about Cali, we got talent, eh?
Nicky: (Chuckling) Oh yeah!
Me: Nicky, one more question, sorry man, but I actually got a lot. Colin Edwards said that Uccio is Rossi’s little ...... What do you think of him now that he’s gonna be buzzing around your garage?
Nicky: “Colin said that?” Hahaha, Hahahahaha, Hahahahaha, Hahahaha, Hahahaha, Hahaha, ahahaha!
Me: “hahaha, hahaha, Hahaha.” “Well?”
Nicky: “Do you want one of these posters signed?”
11351:NH signs.JPG]
11350:NH me.JPG]
So I'd like to thank JohnnyK for providing the catalyst to break the ice. So as a reward to him, I took pics of this bike that totally reminded me of him.
11347:MJ bike.JPG]
11348:MJ bike2.JPG]
11354:Santagirls.JPG]
I'd like to see these chicks wrap their legs around this, among other things.
11345:Caliboss.JPG]
I was working a booth for the trackday organization I work with (which btw, if you’re ever in SoCal and want to do a track day, hit me up. Our member Noodles is coming next month, so another milestone, it should be fun to ride with a fellow PS member). So I was suppose to be handing out brochures and meeting potential clients and such when I hear over the PA system that Nicky is now signing autographs. So boom, I’m gone. I get there and it seems everybody who showed up on Friday is there to meet Nicky. Damn, this line is too long I’m thinking. So I’m like trying to get his attention pretending I’m somebody important, pointing to my “exhibitor’s” badge. Just then some chick taps me on the shoulder behind me. I turn around and this chick says, hey, good to see you, I didn’t know you guys were gonna have a booth at the show. I don’t recognize her from Adam, but I say, yeah, we’re here, go visit our booth. Turns out she’s gone to a few trackdays with our organization, but its hard to keep track of peeps you meet. So I keep talking with her and I realize this chick is in line and it’s close to the front. Hey, so you want me to take a pic for you with Nicky, seeing that she was by her self. Bam, now I’m like 5 people away.
Nicky signs her ...., I take the pic, and now its my turn. I cue up my phone and open up JohnnyKnockdown’s text. Hi Nicky, good to see you here in the West. Yo, sorry its raining, I really don’t have anything for you to sign, but just wanted to wish you good luck and show you a text of my friend who wishes he could be here, but is a big fan of yours.
Its hard trying to document and not looking like an ...... I had the girl I was talking to take this pic while he read my phone. I told here to make sure she got me in the pic holding up the phone to Nicky. (women...)
11349:NH at fone.JPG]
I show him the text and he starts rolling! Chuckling like I just gave him laughing gas. So how bout it Nicky, I feel the same way man, I don’t want you to become Rossi’s personal test rider man.
11346:JK text2.PNG]
Nicky: (paraphrasing, cue up Kentucky accent) Ah man, I hear you, nah man, I got something for them. You don’t need to worry about that. Its not gonna be easy for anybody, but Ducati’s got their own test riders, I ain’t one of them.
Me: I know, but c’mon man, you know Rossi’s got a lot of clout, us American boys gotta fight for everything in GP.
Nicky: (the diplomat) Yeah man, but everybody has to work, and I’m gonna be working overtime.” Don’t you worry about that. I feel pretty good.
Me: I know you’re a hard worker, but I’m worried you’re gonna get lost in the shuffle while everybody is focused on Rossi.
Nicky: (the optimist) Nah nah, its tuff but I’m not gonna get lost.
Me: Ok, man, I hope not. So what kinds of changes you think are coming down the pipe for the bike?
Nicky: Well having Rossi around is gonna be good for that. I think we’re gonna have some positive changes for everybody, but I just gotta concentrate on my thing.
Me: What about that front end man?
Nicky: (sighs) Yeah man, that has to get worked on, but I think they’re gonna fix that.
Me: Yeah, I saw you were killing it for a couple of laps at Valencia.
---all the while Nicky is looking a bit past me while I’m asking him questions because behind me they were having the fashion show. Nicky stops, stands up, and starts taking a couple of pics with his phone of a couple of hotties on the stage. The girl behind him starts busting up, like, look at this guy, stops to talk to the fans so he can get a pic of the ........ (I think she was jealous)---
11353:NH takes pic.JPG]
11352:NH stage pic.JPG]
Me: (Laughing) Did you get some good pics?
Nicky (Laughing) Yeah, yeah.
Me: That’s one thing you can count on about Cali, we got talent, eh?
Nicky: (Chuckling) Oh yeah!
Me: Nicky, one more question, sorry man, but I actually got a lot. Colin Edwards said that Uccio is Rossi’s little ...... What do you think of him now that he’s gonna be buzzing around your garage?
Nicky: “Colin said that?” Hahaha, Hahahahaha, Hahahahaha, Hahahaha, Hahahaha, Hahaha, ahahaha!
Me: “hahaha, hahaha, Hahaha.” “Well?”
Nicky: “Do you want one of these posters signed?”
11351:NH signs.JPG]
11350:NH me.JPG]
So I'd like to thank JohnnyK for providing the catalyst to break the ice. So as a reward to him, I took pics of this bike that totally reminded me of him.
11347:MJ bike.JPG]
11348:MJ bike2.JPG]
Attachments
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Here are a few other interesting pics from the show. I didn't know where to dump them, so I guess here is as good as any.
I think it needs a bit more chrome?
11355:Chrome.JPG]
I follow SX/MX, so this was a treat.
11356
es Nat.JPG]
I think this tire might be a bit to narrow? But cool exhaust though...
11357:Fat tire.JPG]
This made me think of Drill.
11358:Guard trike.JPG]
Flat track anyone? Perhaps the only good thing HD is good for.
11359:HD flat.JPG]
Really, 2 Noz canisters?
11360:Noz2.JPG]
I like what they did with this old street fighter. Nice upgrades.
11361:Old fighter.JPG]
When men where men. .... that I'm putting a full floater on this .......
11362:Older fighter.JPG]
This one made me think of Curvey Bender.
11363urple.JPG]
11364urple2.JPG]
Oh wait, actually this made me think of Curvey too.
11369:Tech3.JPG]
Poor Suzuki, they lack success so much on the world stage that they bring this to the party still. (Spies last AMA title bike)
11365:Spies ama.JPG]
I don't know what this is trying to be, but I bet you won't slip off that seat.
11367:Strange2.JPG]
11366:Strange.JPG]
This was one of my favs.
11368:Sweet Duc.JPG]
I think it needs a bit more chrome?
11355:Chrome.JPG]
I follow SX/MX, so this was a treat.
11356
es Nat.JPG]I think this tire might be a bit to narrow? But cool exhaust though...
11357:Fat tire.JPG]
This made me think of Drill.
11358:Guard trike.JPG]
Flat track anyone? Perhaps the only good thing HD is good for.
11359:HD flat.JPG]
Really, 2 Noz canisters?
11360:Noz2.JPG]
I like what they did with this old street fighter. Nice upgrades.
11361:Old fighter.JPG]
When men where men. .... that I'm putting a full floater on this .......
11362:Older fighter.JPG]
This one made me think of Curvey Bender.
11363
urple.JPG]11364
urple2.JPG]Oh wait, actually this made me think of Curvey too.
11369:Tech3.JPG]
Poor Suzuki, they lack success so much on the world stage that they bring this to the party still. (Spies last AMA title bike)
11365:Spies ama.JPG]
I don't know what this is trying to be, but I bet you won't slip off that seat.
11367:Strange2.JPG]
11366:Strange.JPG]
This was one of my favs.
11368:Sweet Duc.JPG]
