Round 6 - Moto GP 2012, Silverstone

[jhansen]

Well, looks like rain!

So, does this mean the Ducs will be competitive?

[gomick]

Hope it rains... Bored with Moto 2/GP processions!

[jhansen]

Wet first session, Rossi 1st.

Dry second session, Rossi 11th.

That about says it all.

[gomick]

So, let's pray for rain...

[chunder]

Doesnt botehr me really what the weather is like, if people are going this weekend I pray for them as the forecats is woeful, two years running!

I prefer a dry race, as that offers the best chance of seeing how they all stack up

[Knowlesy]

Rain, let's have the old master running up front.

[GORDON STREETER]

Brilliant ride by Scott Redding !!!!!

[chunder]

Good stuff from all the Brits for a change actually, Bradders rode well early on and Redding was on the pace all day, as was Danny Kent in 3, one of his betetr reides, what a arce that was btw.

But fair play to Cal, what a ride that was, made Rossi lok stupid and a few others and surely could have been podium level had he started up front and without the foot pain.

[gomick]

He was impressive, as was Hayden early on & Lorenzo when it mattered...

[chunder]

George is impressive all the time at the moment, the Duke seems to suffer with horrendous tyre degredation that neither rider can cope with, as does SPies right now for some reason.

Stoner had chatter from the inital stages aswell s to get a fighting second was a good result for him when his bike doesnt work with the new tyre

[cg7aa]

Originally Posted by chunder

...when his bike doesnt work with the new tyre

New tyre? Is there a new tyre construction?

On a different note, are there really just two Moriwaki's running in Moto2 now?

[chunder]

There is a new harder front tyre that Bridgestone have made everyone use, and basically the Honda cant use it that well, not as well as the Yamaha.

And it seems maybe the Ducati cant use it either!

Only one team uses Moriwaki yes, Gresini dropped it early on as it is a complete dog of a bike, but Gresini are the only team in GP that's any good, using SHowa suspension, compaed to Ohlins

[frostie]

Here's a couple of shots from the Moto2 and MotoGP races for anyone interested.....

[frostie]

Originally Posted by chunder

Only one team uses Moriwaki yes, Gresini dropped it early on as it is a complete dog of a bike, but Gresini are the only team in GP that's any good, using SHowa suspension, compaed to Ohlins

Yeah only the Qatar foundation bikes use the Moriwaki and I have to say that bike looks dreadful on track it looks like a very difficult bike to ride.

From talking to some Gresini team members and from have Bautista said the team spent a lot of time in testing making adjustments to the suspension and it really paid off. They also changed the geometry of the bike with more weight on the front than in the past. Saturday's pole was very well judged but Alvaro#s race performance was very impressive as well

[jhansen]

I'm hearing/reading that Bautista's older spec frame handles the chatter better.

[chunder]

I think the chatter is all just related to the new front tyre Bridgestone uses.

Come back Michelin all is forgiven, we dont need tyre companies dictating who wins races which is basically what ruined F1.

Go back to japan where you belong!!!!

[Schummy]

The only real great GP for Casey has been Portugal, and it is already too far in the past. He needs to do something or they (Honda) will be quietly steamrolled like in 2010 (by Lorenzo/Yamaha). You don't only have to be fast in a bike, you have to use alternative views/riding when the bike is not that perfect. Stoner is still in a reasonable course for a title, but he has not much time remaining. I go on wonder about his arm...

Pedrosa is still not out of the picture... at least to beat CS in Honda.

Rossi is lame in dry conditions. His Silverstone's lap times are pretty horrible. He is not being able to cope with not being a top contender. I am sorry for Ducati, as surprising as that phrase can sound.

Espargaro is a real threat to Marquez, who is passing a relative low period. Espargaro was a fierce rival in 125cc, with not much speed between them. They are completely different, Pol being much more aggresive. I don't see Luthi easily overcoming those two with just his regularity.

Vinales is the force in Moto3 and Cortese is the typical steady rival. The thing is Vinales, although very young and still unexperienced, has a cold head, so he is my favorite for the title, which is hardly surprising.

And finally, about sidecar racing I am not going to give an opinion, mostly because it doesn't exist anymore in FIM GPs

[gomick]

Can change pretty quickly, people where saying 2 races ago in F1 forum that Hamilton & McLaren where no good/left behind, then what happens in Canada?
Honda are good enough to work there issues out & Jorge's run of wins will end sooner or later - one would hope anyway

[cg7aa]

Originally Posted by chunder

There is a new harder front tyre that Bridgestone have made everyone use, and basically the Honda cant use it that well, not as well as the Yamaha.

Will we ever see the days of genuine tyre competition again? It had its problems but it also had its positives and in anycase, single tyre supplier hasn't proved to be a panacea either. What's the point of a top line series if it isn't open to all out competition? Apart from ACO sports car racing, I can't think of another top line series (forget the WRC!) where there isn't a single tyre manufacturer supplying and dictating things because there's no competition.

[Schummy]

Tyre competition is worse, it virtually switch off a whole part of the grid. Nowadays tyres play a too much important part in the performance level. Control tyres is a more or less level ground for everyone.

About new tyres favoring Yamaha, it's funny that people in Honda seemed happy with one maker when tyres favored them. Honda has to work with the tyres everyone has and end whinning (specially Casey "I will retire" Stoner).

[jhansen]

I agree, control tires are a necessary evil, but making changes mid season seems wrong.

[chunder]

The main issue here is that Honda have made about 20 chassis in recent years to cope with the Bridegestones!

Much like Lawson and Kanemoto did in 89 when Gardner and Doohan couldnt get teh NSR to work, HRC heoped Lawson by building new bits nearly every race to help him out!

HRC built countless chassis to help Pedrosa initially and then Stoner a little, Dani is their favoured one, always has been hence why they let him switch to Bridgestone mid season under Puigs virtual quit threat!

I dont have an issue with single tyres, as long as they are fair and proper, Pirelli have been a constant issue in WSB with por quality and Bridgestone are doing exactly the same as they did in F1 and favouring certain teams, for no real reason

[cg7aa]

Well, forgive me gentlemen but we'll have to agree to disagree in a civilised manner about this, I think competition improves the breed, the top echelons of any sport should embrace it, tyres, chassis, etc. Yes, in the case of tyres, some circuits and conditions will 'switch' off part of the grid but this same part of the grid will be favoured by another circuit and set of conditions.

I don't mind single tyre supplied series' but I would rather there was competition.