Round 7: Miller Motorsports Park

[DooberRoni]

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/SBKmillerPost.png
© images & logos property of their respective owners - graphic composition © DooberVille.com

:D ANNOUNCEMENT !!! :D
For the first time ever, DooberVille is hosting a live chat during SPEEDtv's broadcast of the World Superbike round from Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Please join us in trying out this spiffy new feature. Nothing to download and no sign up needed. This is the same chat software that SPEED uses on their website. Click the banner below to visit the chat page for more info or to set an email reminder. If it works out, we will expand our live chat feature to cover more events. Please join us!

http://www.dooberville.com/images/forum/ChatBanner2.png (http://www.dooberville.com/chat1.htm)

[ÜberDoober]

Damn, I wish SPEED was showing this live but I guess it is close to live as we are going to get.

Living in Arizona, I know several locals that are making the trek to Utah this year including our own silent Doober, Darby on a Ducati. Sounds like a great time and if I still had my Gold Wing, I'd probably be riding up too. Unfortunately, it looks like there is a weekend chance for some weather?

So, what do we know? I think we know the world is expecting Spies to kick everyone's ass and I hope he doesn't disappoint.

Speaking of Speeze,
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/YAMspies1.png

We also know Jamie Hacking is getting a ride on a backmarker Kawasaki and Jake Zemke will be on the Stiggy Honda again. Corser will also be back on the BMW after taking the last round off to recover from his boo boo's.

One of the coolest things, I think, is that the DMG is not going to be there. Cool because by comparison, they won't have to show what a rinky dink show they're running and cool for the alternative plans for the support class. With a big (reasonably speaking) purse and bragging rights, top hotshoes are heading to Mormonville looking for a trophy. It should be fun. Will we get to see it at all?

While the races are on SPEED, swing by our live chat thing this week. I'm doing a little cross promotion and hope we have a decent turnout. The entire Doober crew (me) spent a whole day getting everything setup and updated so come and help make our new chat thing successful. If it is fun and popular, we might do it for more events.

So, let's hear from you guys. Any thoughts about the doin's in Miller?

[ÜberDoober]

Here's the scoop on the USBA Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge

TOOELE VALLEY, UTAH (April 2, 2009) — Miller Motorsports Park and the Utah SportBike Association (USBA) announced today that the Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge will serve as a support event to the HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship and FIM World Supersport Championship over the weekend of May 29-31, 2009.

The Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge will be comprised of two USBA classes, GTO and GTU, each of which will have a separate 30-minute race. The USBA is planning to offer a significant purse for both races, details of which will be announced in the near future.

All riders competing in these races must be AMA license-holding, Expert-level riders. The entry fee will be $200 per race. Entrants can register and obtain USBA rules and regulation at www.UtahSBA.com (http://www.utahsba.com/). Each race will be limited to 40 entries.

“We are very pleased to be able to add the Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge to our HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship weekend,” said Miller Motorsports Park Director of Racing Mitch Wright. “We host the USBA Masters of the Mountains championship here each year, and those races attract the best riders from throughout the western United States and Canada. The USBA runs a tight ship and the races are always very competitive. We think our fans will enjoy this addition to our program, and might be surprised at some of the racers and teams they will find on the entry list.”

“It is an honor for the USBA to serve as a support event for the World Superbike weekend at Miller Motorsports Park,” said Lance Lee, President of the USBA. “This is an unbelievable opportunity for our teams and racers to showcase their talent in front of some of the best teams, riders and fans in the world, and we are really looking forward to it. We appreciate the management and staff at Miller Motorsports Park for allowing us to be part of the best motorcycle racing weekend of the year in North America.”

The GTO race is open to motorcycles of unlimited displacement and origin, with forced induction (e.g., turbo- or super-charging) allowed only for bikes under 750cc displacement. (this could be interesting)

The GTU race is open to bikes that are (a) up to 430cc, two or more cylinder, two-stroke, unlimited origin; (b) up to 550cc, two or more cylinder, two-stroke, if the frame is from a motorcycle manufactured for street use in North America; (c) up to 550cc, single-cylinder, two-stroke, unlimited origin; (d) up to 675cc, three-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled; and (e) up to 640cc, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled; (f) up to 850cc, two-cylinder, four-stroke, four or more valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled; (g) up to 900cc, three or more cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled; (h) unlimited displacement, air-cooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke, two or three valves per cylinder; or (i) unlimited displacement, single-cylinder, four-stroke, unlimited origin. Forced induction (e.g., turbo- or super-charging) is not allowed in GTU.

Huh? Wow.

[ÜberDoober]

I was looking through the first round of pictures from Miller from Superbikeplanet and saw this gizmo:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/vacuummate1.jpg

I said to myself, that totally kicks ass on good ol' mercury sticks and since mine are old and in not the best shape, that digital thing would be the way to to.

NOT

I did some googling. It is really cool but it is freakin' seven hundred bucks! Crikes!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/vaccummate2.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Well, well, well. Mad Max on the Aprilia is gettin' all shouty. Maybe Colin Edwards knows something we don't? :winky: Top 12 within a second. Nice showing by Jamie Hacking too.

FIM Superbike World Championship
Miller Motorsports Park
Provisional Qualifying Results

1. Max Biaggi (Apr RSV4 Factory), 1:49.820
2. Ben Spies (Yam YZF-R1), 1:49.901
3. Carlos Checa (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:50.144
4. Jakub Smrz (Duc 1098RS), 1:50.282
5. Michel Fabrizio (Duc 1098F09), 1:50.457
6. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:50.466
7. Shane Byrne (Duc 1098RS), 1:50.512
8. Yukio Kagayama (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:50.556, crash
9. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:50.701
10. Jonathan Rea (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:50.740
11. Noriyuki Haga (Duc 1098F09), 1:50.755
12. Karl Muggeridge (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:50.757
13. Troy Corser (BMW S1000 RR), 1:51.002
14. Gregorio Lavilla (Duc 1098RS), 1:51.046
15. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:51.072
16. Ruben Xaus (BMW S1000 RR), 1:51.216
17. Shinya Nakano (Apr RSV4 Factory), 1:51.228
18. Tom Sykes (Yam YZF-R1), 1:51.387
19. Leon Haslam (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:51.389
20. Luca Scassa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:51.430, crash
21. David Salom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:51.577
22. Lorenzo Lanzi (Duc 1098RS), 1:51.596
23. Tommy Hill (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:51.821
24. Fonsi Nieto (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:52.037
25. Erwan Nigon (Yam YZF-R1), 1:52.932

[ÜberDoober]

Ok, so who is right? RRworld has a whole story on Spies staying in SBK with Yamaha, http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=36729 but on a photo caption just out on Soup, it says that Spies is rumored to be signing with Suzuki for MotoGP next year?

My guess? Suzuki may have an open seat next year as I can't see Vermeulen keeping it but I also think Tech-3 will have at least one open seat next year too?

Why would Ben go from a winning team in SBK where he stands a good chance of taking a title to a mid-pack Suzuki team that doesn't stand a chance? It would either be because they found a LOT of money or because he really likes a challenge? Why do a Toseland and go from hero to zero?

Opinions?

[ÜberDoober]

Congrats to Spies on setting the new record of 8 Superpoles!

It started raining at the end of the session. Jamie Hacking finished 8th. Maybe Kawasaki's problem is their riders?

[KingKenny]

Toseland.... remember his first race at Qatar? What the hell happened?

Edwards is getting comments from higher ups at Yamaha that he only puts out when his contract is coming due.... gee they finally noticed?

Scott Russell's advice to Spies - "Stay with Yamaha". Could a MotoGP ride with Yamaha be in the works? I tink so....

Go Jamie. Wouldn't be surprised to see him finish Top 6 if ... (a) he keeps his cool and doesn't crash and (b) see "a" and (c) doesn't strive to get a corner named after himself at Miller like Barber! I will even stretch my tongue out a mile for a miller and say a podium finish is realistic for Mr. Hacking. He played his qual cards perfectly and is racing smarter than ever. He knows how to dial the Kawi and it looks like he has. He's got the race craft. The series needs another American showing well except the Bozo claims he's a brit officially. Ok so the series needs a brit that can podium regular even if he is an American citizen.

[KingKenny]

Congrats to Spies on setting the new record of 8 Superpoles!

It started raining at the end of the session. Jamie Hacking finished 8th. Maybe Kawasaki's problem is their riders?
Kawi - riders - YES !!! Thank-you for agreeing. Been sayin it for yrs.

I am a huge Polen fan. The accomplishment speaks volumes concerning Spies qualifications. Potentially the next "Rossi". Yes I am serious! :cheers2:

[Auslander]

A bit bummed this hotel..and most all of them, don't get Speed. IF I can get the feed from JustinTV I might be on for the chat. If not I may just go play with gravity for a bit!

[ÜberDoober]

Don't you dare go jumping out of airplanes, boy! :willy_nilly:

[ÜberDoober]

Superbike morning warmup times. What's up with Zemke? Hacking is impressing and adding further cred to what was AMA Superbike. I want to Ben to win and think he will but I don't think Fabrizio is going to let him cruise.

1. Ben SPIES (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:49.468
2. Michel FABRIZIO (Ducati 1098 F09), 1:49.474
3. Carlos CHECA (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:49.727
4. Jamie HACKING (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:50.174
5. Jakub SMRZ (Ducati 1098R), 1:50.196
6. Max BIAGGI (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), 1:50.207
7. Jonathan REA (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:50.295
8. Ryuichi KIYONARI (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:50.339
9. Leon HASLAM (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:50.473
10. Gregorio LAVILLA (Ducati 1098R), 1:50.640
11. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:50.826
12. Shinya NAKANO (Aprilia RSV4 Factory), 1:50.855
13. Tom SYKES (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:50.923
14. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:50.951
15. Shane BYRNE (Ducati 1098R), 1:51.033
16. Broc PARKES (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:51.073
17. Lorenzo LANZI (Ducati 1098R), 1:51.320
18. David SALOM (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:51.724
19. Noriyuki HAGA (Ducati 1098F09), 1:51.737
20. Troy CORSER (BMW S1000 RR), 1:51.819
21. Ruben XAUS (BMW S1000 RR), 1:52.049
22. Luca SCASSA (Kawasaki ZX-10R), 1:52.081
23. Fonsi NIETO (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:52.138
24. Erwan NIGON (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:52.250
25. Jake ZEMKE (Honda CBR1000RR), 1:52.770

[KingKenny]

Caption Picture

http://web2.twitpic.com/img/10561429-892784ecb947c0b239453d44c71258e4.4a22d80c-scaled.jpg

http://web2.twitpic.com/img/10561429-6d0957c6175ac7af13bac7acc73c7eb8.4a22da8b-

http://web2.twitpic.com/img/10561429-892784ecb947c0b239453d44c71258e4.4a22d80c-scaled.jpg

Hacking: Finally .... a Kawasaki SBK beat a Suzuki !!! Hah.... :cheers2:

[ÜberDoober]

Linky no workie.

[ÜberDoober]

Ok, after getting up at 3:00am and taking just an hour nap today, I am a little cranky but here goes.

The broadcast of the two World Superbikes races on SPEEDtv was absolute and complete rubbish. Ralph Shaheen completely ruined it for me.

Why, when the big show comes to town, don't they just leave it to the professionals? Shaheen and Greg White are club racing material. Leigh Diffey and Scott Russell would have been sort of okay but SPEED, Shaheen is out of his league, big time.

As far as the races? Not quite the knock down dragout we've come to expect as of late. Good for Spies, that was great, but the races were downright next to yawners. Miller has received the highest praise from the racing community but unless they are showing the majestic snowy mountains, the place is doesn't look good on tv.

So, our first big live chat, that we invited people from many different forums to attend, was a complete and utter flop. Lesson learned and we're likely to not try it again. Setting it up, learning about the technology and making some graphics for it was fun but disappointing in the end that nobody from anywhere came. Oh well

So, Ben is only something like 57 points behind Haga now. Think there is still a chance he may take the title in his rookie year?

[Gary]

So, Ben is only something like 57 points behind Haga now. Think there is still a chance he may take the title in his rookie year?

Definitely a chance, but it is a long season and anything can happen. This weekend definitely helped Spies!

I forgot about the live chat, but I have been on live chats with another group and it slowly disappeared. I would be more likely to be in a MotoGP chat than a SBK one but God only knows how comprehensible I am after just crawling out of bed!