Stoner to test Honda

For real this time?


 


http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2013/July/jul2213-stoner-to-test-factory-honda/


 
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;"Double world champion Casey Stoner will make a dramatic return to MotoGP action next month when he tests a factory Honda RC213V at the Twin Ring Motegi track in Japan, MCN can reveal.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;The outspoken but blindingly fast Australian, who retired from MotoGP immediately after the final race of 2012 in Valencia last November, will take part in a two-day test on August 6-7 at the Honda-owned track.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;An official announcement from HRC confirming the testing plan will be released tomorrow (Tuesday).
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;The test is one of four scheduled over the coming weeks that Stoner will fit in around his V8 Supercar commitments in Australia.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;Stoner’s speed and experience will be used to help HRC technical staff on development of the 2014 factory RC213V.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;And Honda insiders say he will also evaluate the performance potential of a new production 1000cc racer that the Japanese factory will make available next year.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;The forthcoming test session is certainly not just Stoner turning up for a quick play on a 260bhp 1000cc machine.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;His former crew chief Cristian Gabbarini, who is now a vital part of Repsol Honda as technical supervisor, is attending and Ohlins is understood to have prepped a set of 2012 spec forks to be shipped to Japan direct from last weekend's Laguna Seca MotoGP race in California.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;And the bike he will ride will be set-up identical to how he raced an RC213V to fifth place at Motegi last season.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;Stoner switched to four wheels after walking away from MotoGP last year, the 27-year-old becoming disillusioned with the direction of the sport.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;He also indicated he wanted to spend more time with his young family at home in Australia when he made the bombshell announcement about his retirement plans on the eve of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans almost 15 months ago.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;News of his surprise return to MotoGP action will trigger intense speculation about his future plans on two wheels.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;Ever since the 2007 and 2011 world champion walked away from MotoGP, there has been a constant stream of rumours that he will make wild card appearances in his home race at Phillip Island and Motegi in October.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;Speculation has also been rife that both Ducati and Honda have been talking to Stoner in recent weeks about trying to tempt him back into MotoGP full-time in the future.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;The testing plan will do little to douse the flames about the wild card appearances, which would come at a critical stage of the world championship, with Laguna Seca winner Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa potentially battling it out with reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo for the 2013 crown.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;HRC though has made it crystal clear that Stoner will not race as a wild card in his home round on October 20 or a week later in Honda’s home race in Japan.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;Both races don’t clash with his car racing exploits in Australia and many were hoping that Stoner would step out of retirement to attempt to win an incredible seventh successive race on home soil.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;Stoner won 38 races for Ducati and Repsol Honda and he also won seven races in the 250 and 125cc classes.
<p style="margin-left:10px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;He is regarded by many as one of the most naturally gifted riders in history and unrivalled for raw speed."

Swami Sez:


 


If true, this means that Stoner WILL ride for Honda as a wild card at Philip Island.


 


Krop, care to bet a beer? 

Maybe he should talk to Rossi about not being at the pointy end for a period of time.


 


Not easy to regain what you lose while the clock is ticking.

Geonerd

3568321374510800

Swami Sez:


 


If true, this means that Stoner WILL ride for Honda as a wild card at Philip Island.


 


Krop, care to bet a beer? 

Click to expand...

It means nothing as far as racing again is concerned, a friend of mine (Neal Hudson) won the 250 MX world championship in 81, he retired from WC racing in 85 but still tested for Yamaha up to the mid 90s.

No worries  - he will find out for himself that it takes much more effort from


him to just come close to his old times when he runs the supposed test if


there really is a test.

whammy

3568361374511743

No worries  - he will find out for himself that it takes much more effort from


him to just come close to his old times when he runs the supposed test if


there really is a test.

Click to expand...

Agreed, he will be nothing like bike fit.

Krop will never find this thread on his own


He has Marky glitter in his eyes today


Someone needs to take him the link


It will not upset him because journalists


are used to being led around

If Krop is a no show then can I have his beer?


 


I sure am thirsty and would make good use of it


 


 


edit - Geo I know you not gonna drink a Krop labeled beer


         and you don't want to keep it. Do not pour it out.


         Normally I would pass on it but I am thirsty and will


         manage to choke it down

MM will show Stoner isnt needed in MotoGP anymore....

MigsAngel

3568401374512745

MM will show Stoner isnt needed in MotoGP anymore....

Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking.


 


That Stoner streak at PI would come to an end

MigsAngel

3568401374512745

MM will show Stoner isnt needed in MotoGP anymore....

Click to expand...

Nah, Stoner would wipe the floor with that kid.  He is fast no doubt, but he still has things to learn.  IF we see a Stoner return to racing, he would be back in a short time.  He is still young and in good shape.  I bet he trains pretty much as he races those V8s allbeit not like a bike it still takes effort.  But regardless I hope Stoner returns cause we need a shot of excitement in GP.  What would really stir the pot is if Stoner went back to Ducati, and started beating everyone.  That would really be a story eh?

ROCKGOD01

3568431374513319

Nah, Stoner would wipe the floor with that kid.  He is fast no doubt, but he still has things to learn.  IF we see a Stoner return to racing, he would be back in a short time.  He is still young and in good shape.  I bet he trains pretty much as he races those V8s allbeit not like a bike it still takes effort.  But regardless I hope Stoner returns cause we need a shot of excitement in GP.  What would really stir the pot is if Stoner went back to Ducati, and started beating everyone.  That would really be a story eh?

Click to expand...

The test is for Honda. He has been contacted by Ducati but no test setup - right?

whammy

3568451374513542

The test is for Honda. He has been contacted by Ducati but no test setup - right?

Click to expand...

I don't doubt Ducati has made contact.  I just think that at this point because of Christian Gabarini and his old crew, it was an easy choice for him especially if it is just to test and for a one off ride.  That most likely wouldn't preclude him from testing for other teams in the future.  But if he is to ride a one off race it seems more likely IMO that he would go to where is most comfortable at this time which is Honda.  I personally would love to see him back at Ducati, I wished he never left that team.  But we all know how that turned out.  I also truely hope Ducati finally learned its lesson about how they need to really listen to their riders to make a better bike. 

Ducati never listens - never never never

whammy

3568381374512276

Krop will never find this thread on his own


He has Marky glitter in his eyes today


Someone needs to take him the link


It will not upset him because journalists


are used to being led around

Click to expand...

 


 


You, sir, are a weapons-grade ....-for-brains.

Geonerd

3568321374510800

Swami Sez:


 


If true, this means that Stoner WILL ride for Honda as a wild card at Philip Island.


 


Krop, care to bet a beer? 

Click to expand...

 


The only thing that Stoner will ride at PI is Doohan's NSR500. And Adriana.

Kropotkin

3568511374519460

 

The only thing that Stoner will ride at PI is Doohan's NSR500. And Adriana.

Click to expand...

LMFAO!!!

Kropotkin

3568511374519460

The only thing that Stoner will ride at PI is Doohan's NSR500. And Adriana.

Click to expand...

 


I'd prefer that combo over just an RCV213... if I were Stoner.

Stoner is not setting the V8 supercar series on fire. As a matter of fact he has scored ZERO points so far.


Will he come back ??? Dunno but he sure can't race four wheelers.


 


Fishing - maybe he hooked a few lunkers but they are not making any headlines

whammy

3568701374551755

Stoner is not setting the V8 supercar series on fire. As a matter of fact he has scored ZERO points so far.


Will he come back ??? Dunno but he sure can't race four wheelers.


 


Fishing - maybe he hooked a few lunkers but they are not making any headlines

Click to expand...

 


243 points so far... 


 


I don't think he ever meant to "[set] the V8 Supercars series on fire - he isn't racing in it. He races in the seven-race Dunlop Development Series where he is currently 24th out of 36.


 


Not bad for a rookie with zero four-wheel race miles under his belt at the beginning of the season.


 

World Moto GP Champion Casey Stoner finished well inside the top 10 in sixth.


What is only Stoner’s third Dunlop Series event the improvement on track was well-received and the V8 Supercars debutant said he was making the most of the Townsville street circuit. 

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Starting from a creditable 10th on the grid at Perth on Saturday

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TWO-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner’s transition to four wheels has been an early success, the V8 Supercars rookie finishing an impressive ninth from 30 drivers in his first ever Dunlop Series practice session in Adelaide.

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Yeah, he's .... at everything except impregnating Adriana and riding bikes, he may as well shoot himself with that bow as soon as he's begotten a son.