Round 11: USGP Laguna Seca

[DooberRoni]

Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix
Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway
Monterey, California

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/USGPad.jpg http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/USGPschedule.jpg
TIME SCHEDULE IS PACIFIC (local) TIME

Here's a little history lesson for the troops! Check it out - Capirossi won in the 250 class 15 years ago!
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/USGPhistory.jpg
Graphic courtesy of: © wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_motorcycle_Grand_Prix)

Broadcast Schedule
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/CBSlogo.jpg
5:00pm Eastern
2:00pm Pacific

Ben Spies & Jamie Hacking doing double duty for our big American round 1. Will Rossi finally show up for Laguna? Will Stoner take off and hide? Will Nicky fail miserably again? Will Pedrosa be racing? Answers to these questions and more will be known very soon.

Catch the latest MotoGP headlines at DooberVille.com (http://www.dooberville.com/motogp.htm)

What's it going to be, boys and girls? Polish up your premonitions and toss you hat in the ring on how the weekend will go.

[Gary]

Guess who picked Edwards!

I was at all the '88-'94 races except '89, business dragged me away. Hopefully going to make it to another soon!

[ÜberDoober]

Dean Adams, you bastard! :p
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/getVote.jsp?pn=gp0715

I see he posted his poll after ours! (CEII is winning over there by a mile)

I still haven't heard word yet on Pedrosa. Probably won't know for a few more hours?

I think I might be having a party on Sunday for the races? Need to run it by the g/f first this evening. A lot (as in shitloads) of local people are going to this event: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=33253 They're expecting something like 500 so far and the place isn't that big. It would be fun though. :)

That's cool, Gary that you've been there for those events. It's almost like ancient history now. I guess most of what I remember from watching on TV is that sickening moment when Magee (?) ran into the back of Bubba Shobert.

[Gary]

Yeah, the Magee/Shobert incident was the year I missed, but I remember that too - exciting because GPs were never televised in those days!

'93 stood out because Rainey was injured the race before and it was a very somber event. '88 when Lawson caught TWO runaway leaders was special too!

I'd have a party but I don't know any racing fans here that don't think 'racing' means NASCAR...

Wow, looking at Jim Filice for the 88 250 race brings back memories - now THAT was an old fashioned ass kicking by a guy every European said didn't deserve the replacement ride.

[ÜberDoober]

It looks like Pedrosa is going to try to ride at Laguna. I guess we're going to get a chance to see what little PeePee is made of? I'd be surprised if he's a contender but you just never know.

[Gary]

I'll be surprised if he completes the first session - no insult to Dani and Lorenzo already proved I don't know what I'm talking about, but the braking forces at a track like Laguna combined with a cracked wrist and finger... He's a freaking hero just for trying it!

I'd be in too much pain to get on the plane!

[gonickygo]

I too picked Edwards, he's the only logical choice of the lot.

Actually, my bet is that Hacker is the only one of the remaining 3 in the top 10. Spies to get laid off by DePuniet, DeAngelis, or Elias @ turn 1. Hayden going to "back off" b/c of another new warning light... you know the one that says "tsk, tsk... we told pnengine wasn't ready. ha!" Of course, I'll still be hopeful.

[Gary]

I think Hayden may do ok here, hard to say. He won't win, no way in hell, but Laguna isn't hard on engines or fuel consumption. As I've made that statement he'll either win or finish last...

Nice to have a peaceful place to make a post, the non-stop arguments at SPEED are really getting on my nerves!

[gonickygo]

Nice to have a peaceful place to make a post, the non-stop arguments at SPEED are really getting on my nerves!

Yes, I see LJB is now into it with Damatta, Hornet, & Dosed... what happened to the kinder, gentler BBS he promised?


Sorry for the thread jack DooberKing, it will be the last, I promise... please don't subtract any reputation points.

:Angel_anim:

[ÜberDoober]

No problem. I check out things over there just for the entertainment. I think LBJ-OCD is off his meds or something? We haven't seen KK here for a few weeks and Darby and Damatta have both registered but have never posted. :( I sometimes wonder, since we usually seem to be mostly in agreement, if a little controversy would help liven things up here. Maybe I need to start saying stupid stuff? :)

I'm really looking forward to making the most of my MotoGP service this weekend. I plan to catch all the sessions, something I never get to do. Arizona is on the same time as California right now and it will be nice to not be up at the asscrack of dawn. I'm even cutting a bike ride short on Saturday to catch the morning session.

I should confess though, that I am still getting up at 5:00 to watch live Bormula 1 qualifying. :o After it's over I'm heading out on the Ninja to spread some hydrocarbons and thin out the Bridgestones but will cut it short in time to be home by 10:00. It'll be 100º by then anyway and it's not that much fun to be out.

Not that I don't think that Edwards will be the top Yank, but I'm going to go ahead and give Nicky a vote. Just because. :)

[Gary]

I sometimes wonder, since we usually seem to be mostly in agreement, if a little controversy would help liven things up here. Maybe I need to start saying stupid stuff?

That's stupid and you're an idiot. :ack2: (just trying to warm up!!) :p

Hayden has the potential but I don't think he has the equipment, especially in the tire department.

[ÜberDoober]

That's stupid and you're an idiot.

Am not. ;)

Okay, here we go...Nicky Hayden is Honda's Marco Melandri. :boxing_smiley:

[Gary]

ARE TOO!! added to make 10 characters

[ÜberDoober]

am not.

News is that our man Edwards, the life like guy, has signed with Tech 3 for next season. His confidence for the weekend has gotta be high.

http://www.dooberville.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500

[ÜberDoober]

What gives? :angry-004:

It's 15 minutes after 10:00 and it doesn't look like there's any video for FP1? I think I'm gonna cry. :(

Do they usually show FP2? If not, it will be serious and somebody better call me a Waaambulance.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/wahmbulance.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Not that first practice usually means much but once again, Stoner is showing 'em how it's done.

Lorenzo really looks like he is struggling to learn the track, Pedrosa is obviously affected by his injuries and Mr. Spies is looking surprisingly good. Hacker, not so much.

With 30 minutes left to go:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/FP1-30left.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

First Practice Results & notes

Up until Rossi's last lap, Stoner was almost a full second ahead of everyone. Yikes! :ack2: Valentino put in 33 laps followed by Nicky at 32. Pedrosa logged the fewest with 21, but that's understandable.

Surprises? Shinya Nakano in 3rd and Melandri in 5th. Looks good for Marco but this is just the first session and this weekend will make it or break it for his future with Ducati. He's riding for his life.

Spies and Hacking finished 1/10 apart. Despite Lorenzo running 31 laps, he's 2.04 seconds off Stoner's time and is in 13th. Dani P. is running in Ant West territory, 3.39 seconds back, but we'll cut him some slack and give him credit for even trying. What the hell is up with Toseland, though?

Can't wait for FP2 this afternoon but sure hope we get some video this time?

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/FP1-final.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

News reports are hitting the wire now. I didn't know that Ben Spies crashed but went back out on his backup bike. Cool!

Also didn't know that Stoner broke the (his) track record in the steenkin' first practice. More Cool, sort of?

Soup is reporting that Edmondson from the DMG and the Dorna dudes had a chat. Dollars to donuts Roger got laughed out of the room.

MMmmm! Donuts. The official food of DooberVille. :p

[Cornbread Red]

So? is it Ducati Dogs on the barbie at Diane's this Sunday?

I'm just in a ride/socialise/party mood. I'll brave the crowds at the Tilted Kilt for awhile, but if it get's too funky, I'll pass on the races there and see if the TT's open or something.

Chip

[ÜberDoober]

So? is it Ducati Dogs on the barbie at Diane's this Sunday?


Hold that thought. I'll decide by morning. If so, I suppose that means I'll have to hose out crib to be all respectible and stuff. Ugh! :)

[ÜberDoober]

Houston, we have video! :thumbup:

The audio is wonky though. ;) About 25 minutes left in FP2:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/fp2-half.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Red Flag.

20 minutes left to go and Ant West tucks the front and pitches it into the airfence. Oopsie! :ack2:

~added~

* Colin Edwards does not look like a happy man right now. He cracked a smile and mugged it up a bit for the camera but before that, he looked pissed.

* Anybody see Dani and his special glove get off the bike? Kid looks pretty hurt and I should probably feel more sorry for him than I do.

* Nicky has a good time in but still looks a little concerned. Focused may be more the word?

* Guintoli is having a good run. He's a pretty young looking boy too. I thought he was older.

* It looks like the red will continue for a bit. They're showing workers with blowers reinflating the airfences that stopped West.

* Capirossi isn't looking as strong as I thought he would be but he's still hurt too. Vermeulen is flying on the Suzuki today and looking good.

* They just showed Anthony West's face as he watched the replay of his crash. It was priceless.

* They showed a replay a bit ago of Stoner's bike wheelieing (sp) then landing with some serious headshake. He just gassed it up and rode out of it. This guy reminds me of the kid you see show up at the motocross track that rides way over his head faster than everybody but crashes and crashes and crashes. The difference is that Casey has learned to keep the thing on the ground. It might be the bike, but this Aussie can ride too.

* Looks like they're getting the air fencing almost back in position. It did a textbook job of how it supposed to work.

* I wish I could do screen caps of the MotoGP feed. Not even my handy little capture utility will grab 'em and it gets most everything.

Bikes are rolling out. Back with the finals soon. :)

[ÜberDoober]

GO NICKY!

The boy comes through with a flyer on Q tires! He may even have a 4th place bike at race pace?

Tech 3 Yamaha's aren't making their usual strong showing. Toseland is sucking, in fact, and what got into the Gresini Honda boys? For half a lap or so, Spies had Casey Stoner trying to get around and Ben looked solid. I thought after Stoner got by, Spies might pick up a tow for a bit but it didn't take long for the number 27 Ducati to pull away. Stoner's bike looks like one of the squirrleist ones out there.

It is interesting to see how the production comes together. At first, it was a mess, the sound was off and I thought for a minute, Speed was involved with the world feed? :) As they progressed, the sound sources and levels got sorted and you could see them dialing in switching to different cameras. They followed Stoner around for an entire lap and transitioned beautifully to each sequential camera and kept him in frame for every inch of the circuit. You could see how they were bringing the different graphics and on-bike telemetry elements into the picture and by the end, it looked like they were ready to put on a show. I never get to see these practices because they're usually on at 2:00am or some crazy time.

It looks like West never got it together on his backup bike. Tony Elias had a good run but Lorenzo and Pedrosa, if the first day is any indication, don't look like they'll be factors on Sunday? Melandri was better than his average.

I would assume that Rossi used a qualifier at some point in the last seven laps but did not improve his time from his 25th lap. Hacking, on the other hand, put in his best time on his last lap. I was hoping to see him higher up in the order but it's probably just the Kawasaki? ( :( from a Kawi owner)



http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/FP2-final.jpg

Can't wait for the sessions tomorrow. I really feel like I'm getting my money's worth from motogp.com this weekend.

:D

[ÜberDoober]

So? is it Ducati Dogs on the barbie at Diane's this Sunday?


Official decision: ÜberDoober Di will not be having an open house this weekend. :( My g/f wants to do it right and says there isn't enough time and I agreed. We are planning (she agreed) to have a MotoGP party on September 14 for the race from Indianapolis and will do it up right. Everone local will get an invite including the guys from http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/SWRlogo.gif

[ÜberDoober]

Got home from my 152 mile ride with 15 minutes to spare. It's 10:03 and there's no video up. Grumble, grumble!

[ÜberDoober]

I'm really bummed there's no video for this session. Wonder why?

Anyway, with just under 30 minutes remaining, here's the times:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/QP-30.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Stoner finds another 4/10ths from yesterday and what the hell got into Nakano? Dang!

Can Casey really keep this up? His luck has just got to run out sometime? :)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/QP-final.jpg

[Gary]

Yeah, I keep forgetting that practice isn't televised for the 'overseas' round (i.e. out of Europe), only QP.

This will be a Stoner runaway, barring disaster. I can't say I am surprised Pedrosa went home early, broken finger and wrist, plus sprains = OUCH!

[ÜberDoober]

YES! Video is up for qualifying! :) :) :)

I'm sure everybody (hey! where is everybody?) knows by now that Dani Pedrosa has withdrawn. With Stoner set to take the win tomorrow, this changes the championship situation, now doesn't it?

Wow! Looks like there's even commentary with the video. :D

[ÜberDoober]

Halfway and things are pretty much looking the same.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/Qualhalfway.jpg

[Gary]

Stoner is a machine - this one's over. Michelin really blew it this weekend. :mad:

[ÜberDoober]

Holy Cow, Batman! Stoner into the 1:20's. Whew! :ack2:

The Michelin qualifying tires seems to work somewhat decently but Nicky will probably go backwards from start. Spies ended up 3/10ths off Vermeulen's time and Hacking tossed it, but he beat West. :)

Tough luck for the Gresini gang and De Angelis looks like he may be hurt? Can't wait for the race tomorrow!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/Lagunagrid.jpg

[Gary]

Did you notice that the Michelin Qs were good for 2 laps? They worked, but still too hard.

On a number of boards I've been told it's ALWAYS hot at Laguna, but I lived in the area for years and really it's rarely hot there.

[ÜberDoober]

Morning warmup just underway. Once again, no video. Check back in 30 minutes for session results. (as if we don't already know)

With 14 minutes left, lap times are up there. Must be foggy or damp or something as Stoner just now broke into the 1:23's?

[ÜberDoober]

Two TV's on-WSBK on one and F1 on the other, live Indycar feed on one computer w/ timing on another. MotoGP morning warmup just wrapping up. Seriously crazy! :)

[ÜberDoober]

Results. Interesting! Hacker ahead of Spies.

F1 & WSBK ready for the green!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/LagunaWarmup.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

About a half an hour to go.

Check out Colin Edwards' special livery. It's awesome! (too bad he is struggling this weekend)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/EdwardsLivery.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

The live video feed is up for the pre-race show. Chaz Davies subbing on the mic.

Tom Cruise shown talking to Valentino Rossi. Surprised he isn't in the Ducati pits?

I'm going to watch the broadcast on the TV and the motogp.com hi-res subscription feed on the computer's 22" widescreen and live timing on the other computer. I've gotta say, the quality of the video feed is excellent.

[ÜberDoober]

Who's hat do you like better? Dovi's or Vermeulens?

I think Chris' looks doofy and Dovi looks cool, man. :)

[ÜberDoober]

They just said Alex De Angelis is riding with a broken thumb. I knew he was hurt in his off yesterday. 2 minutes to go. Get with it CBS!

[LittleAlguy]

Lorenzo :(

[LittleAlguy]

This is fantastic! *in Murray Walker voice*

[LittleAlguy]

There goes the duel. Stoner tips.

[ÜberDoober]

OMFG!

I need to go change my underwear. I need to compose myself before writing any more.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/LagunaFinal.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Post race interviews and Stoner slams Valentino hard for his rough passing. Oooo!

[ÜberDoober]

Post race reflections:

With barely a minute to catch my breath, I'll have to say that was one hell of a race and the results most unexpected. Who would have thought that after Stoner dominating every single session that Rossi would come out of the gate with something for him?

Rossi was clearly on a mission. His first pass on Stoner in the corkscrew should have ended the race for both of them but somehow, even after plowing his front wheel sideways then slamming the curbing, he hung on to it.

Casey answering back then Valentino not taking any crap off of anybody. Rossi was very aggressive and that's what made it so awesome. Then to have Casey topple the Ducati in the gravel, keep it running and not lose a position was brilliance or just plain luck.

Sore neck or not, Colin Edwards just got spanked today. They showed a graphic of top speeds with Hacking in third at like 260 and Edwards was third from the bottom at 251 so tires weren't his only problem today. Ben Spies finished a respectible 8th but people are saying he needed to podium to guarantee himself a ride next year. That's ridculous and an unrealistic expection, IMO.

Nicky came home in 5th and seemed pretty disappointed. I thought he was lucky to score that well considering the tire situation. BTW, I picked Nicky as the top Amerikun. :)

Who can say if Stoner hadn't made his mistake(s) that Valentino wouldn't have crossed the line in first. Casey was really riding on the edge and working hard and I figured he would get around Rossi or crash trying. Still, it was an incredible display of talent and excitement.

Good on the mole from down under for 3rd and to the cool cat with the hat, Dovizioso for 4th. Another tough break for Lorenzo, literally as I heard he broke his foot, with another exhibition of low earth orbit. Poor kid.

There's been a lot of guys hurt this year?

So is that for Marco Melandri? Rumor was this was the deciding race on replacing him with Gibernau and even though he showed promise in the earlier sessions, he finished in his usual position. So did Anthony West too! :)

I think for an event to be on national broadcast TV, that this was a good one. I was a little disappointed at the delay between the motogp.com feed and the live TV program but it was awesome during the commercials and for watching the post-race interviews. The live feed from Indycar.com has me spoiled a bit because it is usually within 5 seconds of the broadcast. MotoGP was a good 20-30 seconds behind so I ended up listening to Greg White and Kevin Schwantz slightly louder than the computer.

Still, what an unbelievable race. I think my adrenaline is finally starting to come back to normal. It would have been fun to go to the big local viewing party but I'm glad I had the motogp.com feed on one computer, live timing on the other and the show on the television.

Any of you local guys go to the Tilted Kilt? How was it?

[Hoofhearted]

What a race!! As an unabashed Rossi fan it was good to see him back at 100%. I was surprised that Stoner didn't dump it at some stage. He appeared to be on the ragged edge right from the start. Apart from that move in the corkscrew Rossi had him fair and square. I read where Stoner was whining about Rossi' moves but when I looked at the race again it was plain that Stoner could not stay with Rossi on the brakes. If that Ducati had a little less HP Stoner wold be battling with Melandri.

I don;t know when the Brno predictions thread will open but my bet is that, if Rossi makes another start like Laguna, Stoner will dump it early in the race. He's no Rossi and shame on him if he thinks that way.

[ÜberDoober]

Valentino was riding on a razor - very tight, very precise and Stoner was really hanging it out to get by.

The one exception, and for me the defining moment of the race, was when Rossi passed in the corkscrew. That was his real only banzai move and how he did not crash and take Stoner with him is beyond a mystery. Rossi reportedly said the gravel at Laguna was very grippy!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/RossiLaguna.jpg
Image Credit: Tim Huntington - © superbikeplanet.com (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2008/MGP/laguna/tim07/p02.htm)

Stoner is being a whiney little bitch about the whole thing which is pretty funny when you think about it. Vale's tenacity and desire "to do battle" for the championship is going to make the rest of the season veddy veddy interesting.

It's just a shame we have to wait a whole month for Brno. :(

[Hoofhearted]

I thought Aussies were tough guys. You know, its only a finger chop it off I gotta race! tough. Guess I was wrong. There are sensitive Aussies. What next? Daffodil Dundee?

[Gary]

I think Stoner's pissing and moaning was of the 'crap, my rival just beat me' variety. He'll get past it.

Unfortunately I don't think there will be a repeat at Brno, going up those hills the power on the Ducati will clear out (unless Yamaha have something to try, who knows?).

Rossi is definitely vindicated for his move to Bridgestone - he wouldn't have been in the race on Michelin's imo. What a great race, and about time - it's been a fairly dull year to that point!

One thing that has been clear this year - Lorenzo has a pretty good bounce to him! :ack2:

[ÜberDoober]

Daffodil Dundee?

:uplaugh: :uplaugh:

I tend to agree with Gary that pulling up the big hill at Brno is going to highlight the differences in power but there's a couple of long hard braking spots that might tend to favor Rossi?

It's a shame about Lorenzo. He's got busted up toes and is in a cast for 10 days but as noted, he sure can fly. :)

[Gary]

He'll be back for Brno (Lorenzo) I'm sure, and who knows? He might even make the end of the race!

They say it's easier to make a fast guy stop crashing than to make a slow guy fast, but they need to get it done with Lorenzo before he gets a serious, long-term injury. That or have him talk to Xaus to find out how you do that every session and walk away...