MotoGP predictions - 2005.

That's a joke. The last time they tested together, the difference was huge. Matt is a great rider, make no mistake about it, but he couldn't make it in MotoGP, and apparently wasn't good enough then. Couple that with a vastly superior bike, and the differences when they test together (and they do on a regular basis) the Superbike times are 2 - 6% slower.

One of the reasons that John and Matt didn't get along is that John has rubbed Matt's face in his failure to do well in MotoGP on more than one occassion.

Facts are facts, you'll see on Friday, when both classes are practicing. I'm gong to be there, and I have Preium Paddock Blata WCM passes, which gets me into the paddock. If anyone would like to get into the paddock during the race, drop me a PM with your cell number, and I'll see if I can accomodate you. No promises though.

Art

 

The worst thing you can do is rub someones failure in their face. Remember what goes around comes around. If John doesn't improve soon, he might find himself out of motogp as well.

Now, about those pit passes.

Ron

 

Very good and insightful post there.

 

I'm sure that the SCM & Proton's times might not be as fast as the best WSB times, but those guys are usually off the pace by 2 to 5 seconds, and sometimes more.

The US Superbike series is generally quicker than the WSB, because of the tires.

Having said that I think that the first 16 bikes on the MotoGP grid are going to be a LOT quicker than the Superbike times.

This should be interesting.

Art

 

Now Hayden is fastest with a 1:24.228

 

If you go to roadracingworld.com, you'll see I hit it exactly right: first 15 motogp guys were faster than Matt. Almost all of them were faster than the next fastest superbike rider. Going down tomorrow, will post from the track.

Art

 

Hopkins is 6th on the grid, with a 1:23 lap time. Pole was in the 22s. I don't think that Matt got below 24 day, but I didn't stick around for his race. If you watch them, the superbikes just look a lot slower, they don't corner as well, and they don't accelerate as well. Take a look at the qualifying times on Roadracing World and you'll see the different. It was hotter than H@ll today there, fog in the am, gone by noon, very, very hot.

I wouldn't use KRjr as an example. He's at the end of his career, and he isn't going to get the most out of the bike, especially at Laguna (the riders feel that the track isn't safe, look for the US MotoGP to change, or further improvements at the track).

Art

 

Well, Art, long time since I've posted on here. Congrats on getting to go to the race. This is going to sound like I'm a news anchor, but can you tell us about the atmosphere at the track? It must be electric. All the riders are talking about it. Hopper has a great qualifying lap under him and the slow speed of the circuit should at least give him less of a disadvantage to the Hondas. If he is planning on performing any time in the near future, tomorrow is the day for it.

What a performance by Nicky! I expected good things of him and the MotoGP squad, but deep in the 1:22's?!?!? It looks as though he and Rossi will be in a serious battle for the win.

As for Rossi, I'm dissapointed by his criticism of the track, though he certainly showed everyone why he is a legend. I expect an outrageously low lap record tomorrow, be it from Nicky or Rossi.

In other news, I love Yamaha's new paint and Kenny Jr's new helmet for historic and aesthetic reasons.

I want everyone to make sure they enjoy watching the race tomorrow, no matter who is in front.

 

matt will not go to moto gp as he has it too good in the states...he gets to be a big fish in a small pond. he is not enough of a hammerhead to compete in moto gp. he has been on the fastest bikes and is making great money, again, no way he leaves to get on a second rate gp bike to look like a squid.

 

Pete:

ALL of the riders dislike the track. Rossi was the only one that was vocal about it or that the Press reported commenting about it, but make no mistake, the riders don't like the safety featurers of the track. Road America will have the GP next year if they don't fix a few things at Laguna. It's much better than when I ran there, but it's still not up to the current standard. Given the outrageous speeds of these bikes, that is a very important factor.

I'm going to spend today out of the pits, and the hospitality area, and get up to the corkscrew and see how they're getting through there. Should be interesting, to say the least.

If the Bridgestones race tires work well, I look for Hooper to do well, perhaps a podium finish. We'll know about 4pm today.

Art

 

hayden was awsome, but Rossi did what he had to do, and Hopkins put in a pretty good ride, got 6th, and he was realitively close. A good day was had by all.

Art

 

Great race by hayden. Sorry i missed you art.
Maybe next year they can figure out the traffic problems..............

 

If they have the race next year, I've got the solution: they were selling helicopter rides to the track. $200/round trip. I think I'll do that next year.

Art

 

Friday practice: Edwards, Rossi & Hopper for the 1st three. Anyone want to bet if Hopper gets on the front row this race?

Art

 

i'll take that bet.....................

 

Going to Monterey? If so, a good bottle of wine might be a fair wager. Let me know. We'd have to drink it of course, but so what?

Art

 

i might make it out there next year.
now that i know they have a helicoptor taxis......
the hotel was 5 miles away and took 2 hours to get too..............

 

Steve:

Rossi showed his dominance in the last 5 laps. Dropped the times by 2 seconds, and no one could answer. KR was able to take 2nd from Barros, but it's clear that the Suzukis in the wet are a much better deal than they are in the dry.

They need to hire Rossi and Burgess to complete the cycle. Maybe if they listened to them, they'd end up with a competitive bike, because they sure don't have one now.

Art