Road Bike Racing - Nicky Hayden

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/interviews/nicky_hayden/hayden_specialized2.jpg

Good stuff. http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/2006/interviews/?id=nicky_hayden

Cheers.i like moto gp but valle is way cooler than lil nicky...
Voltman bit of a gooner eh...? i was born and raised in Highbury, managed to get to a game last season,cant believe they have moved,the new stadium looks sweet....Just thought i would say yo to another gooner, season is coming fast.! yes.

miguel duhamel was/is sponsored by giant, and the bostrom bros. use CTS.
http://www.velonews.com/diaries/rider/articles/7864.0.html
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/150/7872.jpg

paul tracy and most of the brazillian champcar and crapwagon drivers are also hardcore cyclists.

i remember seeing an interview with cristiano da matta where he was showing off his marco pantani socks:)

Nick's leading the first practice time at Brno. Rossi is 2/10ths back Pedrossa almost 4/10ths off the best time. Considering Nicky's had to develop the factory bike while Danny has been able to use what ever bit's he chooses to use Nicky's done an excellent job this year. His consistency and levelheadedness will win him this years crown. Next if Yami gets it right Rossi's gonna kill them all!

This spring, Bianchi and Ducati announced the joint development of a Ducati branded line of bicycles due out in late 2006. Troy Bayliss was on had for that.

Prior to this (2005), Loris Capirossi was presented a special issue Bianchi, painted red with Ducati labeling. I not quite clear whether Bianchi made a small quantity of these and sold them or if the Capirossi bike was a one-off custom.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/150/7872.jpg
Ok so is that jersey for sale some place?

That's awesome..

Minus the cannondale stuff.. I could wear that jersey on my bike rides..(both of 'em) Ducati and Trek.. ;)

That's awesome..

Minus the cannondale stuff.. I could wear that jersey on my bike rides..(both of 'em) Ducati and Trek.. ;)

Nice! There's a 748 in my very near future!

BTW Rossi put down a 1.57.8s to lead the second practice. He's over 2s quicker than this mornings first free practice. Nicky couldn't better his 1.59s from this morning and is in tenth.

This spring, Bianchi and Ducati announced the joint development of a Ducati branded line of bicycles due out in late 2006. Troy Bayliss was on had for that.

Prior to this (2005), Loris Capirossi was presented a special issue Bianchi, painted red with Ducati labeling. I not quite clear whether Bianchi made a small quantity of these and sold them or if the Capirossi bike was a one-off custom.

Oooh. Savory carbon goodness? I'd take a Ducati/Bianchi over a Ferrari/Colnago me thinks, although the in-house Renault looked sharp.

Cheers.i like moto gp but valle is way cooler than lil nicky...
Voltman bit of a gooner eh...? i was born and raised in Highbury, managed to get to a game last season,cant believe they have moved,the new stadium looks sweet....Just thought i would say yo to another gooner, season is coming fast.! yes.

Lucky. I can only dream of making my way to Ashburton Grove some day. I wish I could have been at Highbury for the last game of the season last year. I'm bummed that FSC isn't showing tomorrow's game, but at least I can ride and not worry about missing it.

Oooh. Savory carbon goodness? I'd take a Ducati/Bianchi over a Ferrari/Colnago me thinks,

Agreed. Unfortunately, I have a suspicion that the price will be similar and therefore more than I’m likely to spend on a bicycle. It’s fun to think about it though.

Regards,
Alan

Nice! There's a 748 in my very near future!

BTW Rossi put down a 1.57.8s to lead the second practice. He's over 2s quicker than this mornings first free practice. Nicky couldn't better his 1.59s from this morning and is in tenth.


Great Bike!! A little uncomfortable on longer rides.. but, You will really enjoy though!!! oh yeah, an open/vented clutch cover is a must on the ducs.

Great Bike!! A little uncomfortable on longer rides.. but, You will really enjoy though!!! oh yeah, an open/vented clutch cover is a must on the ducs.

I'm not too worried about the comfort, it's going to be a track bike primaraly. Yeah the noise that a Duc makes is just sooo sweet. From the clutch to the exhaust, it's just pure music. A lot of my buddies are saying 'Buy an R6, they are faster and less maintainence' and I just say 'I don't want a motorcycle I want a Ducati!'

Ok so is that jersey for sale some place?

it was last year. i don't know if they're still making it since EBoz doesn't ride for them anymore.

I'm not too worried about the comfort, it's going to be a track bike primaraly. Yeah the noise that a Duc makes is just sooo sweet. From the clutch to the exhaust, it's just pure music. A lot of my buddies are saying 'Buy an R6, they are faster and less maintainence' and I just say 'I don't want a motorcycle I want a Ducati!'



If your gonna get a track bike dude dont get a ducati, they cost so much to maintain and forget it if you lay one down. But if its what you want its what you wan, dont let me talk you out of it. Ive got a zrx 1100, done a few trackdays.

If your gonna get a track bike dude dont get a ducati, they cost so much to maintain and forget it if you lay one down.

what i learned when i was racing is that most people only think about that in a woulda-shoulda sense. that said, it would be a bummer to dump even an R6 with how much 600's cost these days.

NH is a BAMF no doubt - playing w/ the big eruopean boys. He is pretty funny if you ever hear him talk - he sounds like Ricky Bobby's kids - waaay southern drawl.

Moto GP racing is about the coolest racing ever aside from F1. Talk about crazy skill.

I recently sold the CBR929 which I bought new in '00 and am looking at the new 1000RR from Honda or maybe the R1 for next summer. Yes, track days on rice rockets are what it's all about.

Ducs look cool but as a whole they are quite 'spensive and much less reliable than Japanese bikes

what i learned when i was racing is that most people only think about that in a woulda-shoulda sense. that said, it would be a bummer to dump even an R6 with how much 600's cost these days.


Good points. I can just only see it as economical if you were a sponsored racer or were rolling in it. But Im looking at it from a brok 21 year olds perspective as well. If i was really into track days I would buy a 15oo dollar sv 650 and put a gsx-r 600 fork on it and race plastics and run that dog ragged.

NH is a BAMF no doubt - playing w/ the big eruopean boys. He is pretty funny if you ever hear him talk - he sounds like Ricky Bobby's kids - waaay southern drawl.

Moto GP racing is about the coolest racing ever aside from F1. Talk about crazy skill.

I recently sold the CBR929 which I bought new in '00 and am looking at the new 1000RR from Honda or maybe the R1 for next summer. Yes, track days on rice rockets are what it's all about.

Ducs look cool but as a whole they are quite 'spensive and much less reliable than Japanese bikes



Nicky never says anything bad about anyone else either, neither crew nor other riders. If he loses he says its because he just wasnt as fast as the other guys. A true sportsman.

Doghair and Roman, I completely understand the costs of racing, I raced Formula Fords and Formula Continentals for almost 20 years. An SV650 would be the "best" track day bike as it's a cheap buy in and reasonable to maintain and replace when I lay it down. I can get a low mileage 748 for about 2k less than an new R6 and like I said I don't want a motorcycle I want a Ducati. I will never 'race' this bike it will be for track days and the occasional ride in the country. I'm a pretty passionate guy when it comes to my machines and an R6 or an SV650 don't really turn my crank. I was pretty much ready to go the SV route then I stopped by Pro-Italia in Montrose and just about lost it. I realized that it's Duc or nothing (actually if I hit the lottery that MV Senna would look pretty nice in the garage!).

Doghair and Roman, I completely understand the costs of racing, I raced Formula Fords and Formula Continentals for almost 20 years. An SV650 would be the "best" track day bike as it's a cheap buy in and reasonable to maintain and replace when I lay it down. I can get a low mileage 748 for about 2k less than an new R6 and like I said I don't want a motorcycle I want a Ducati. I will never 'race' this bike it will be for track days and the occasional ride in the country. I'm a pretty passionate guy when it comes to my machines and an R6 or an SV650 don't really turn my crank. I was pretty much ready to go the SV route then I stopped by Pro-Italia in Montrose and just about lost it. I realized that it's Duc or nothing (actually if I hit the lottery that MV Senna would look pretty nice in the garage!).




Yeah, totally on the same page. If you want a duc and can afford a duc...****, I would buy a duc too. But like i said, Im 21 and broke... its a bit out of my league. Post pics when you get one though, thats a dead sexy bike.

I just read in the linked article that next year moto gp is going to be 800cc wow. that should be really interesting.I always thought 750 was the optimum cc for racing.

I just read in the linked article that next year moto gp is going to be 800cc wow. that should be really interesting.I always thought 750 was the optimum cc for racing.


Every manufacturer so far has pretty much stated it isnt gonna make a difference. They are all saying thet they can put out the same horsepower they are putting out now.

they should never have switched from two-strokes, anyway.
http://eeggss.hp.infoseek.co.jp/cnt/motegi/repsol.jpg

I really want to buy and RC51 and paint it up in the Repsol colors.

This mornings results from free practice 3 at Brno:

Capirossi
Malndri
Rossi
Pedrosa
Edwards
Hayden

Nicky is more than 5/10ths off the pace.

with over 200 HP, Tire wear is a huge factor now, thats was I was so impressed with Rossi a few years ago, with a few laps to go in the race, while everyone was dealing with used up tires, He would turn the fastest lap. Total Bad ass.

Smoothing out the power delievery is important as well, as it helps save some tire.

You can still be impressed by Rossi, on what can easily be considered an inferior bike he's on pole 5/10th clear of Hayden!

01 46 V.ROSSI YAMAHA 1'56"191
02 65 L.CAPIROSSI DUCATI 1'56"441 + 0'00"250
03 10 K.ROBERTS Jr KR 1'56"603 + 0'00"412
04 69 N.HAYDEN HONDA 1'56"694 + 0'00"503
05 56 S.NAKANO KAWASAKI 1'56"770 + 0'00"579
06 24 T.ELIAS HONDA 1'56"875 + 0'00"684
07 21 J.HOPKINS SUZUKI 1'56"913 + 0'00"722
08 5 C.EDWARDS YAMAHA 1'56"967 + 0'00"776
09 26 D.PEDROSA HONDA 1'57"139 + 0'00"948
10 17 R.DE PUNIET KAWASAKI 1'57"185 + 0'00"994


On another note file this under "Why F1 is better than CART/IRL" Ricardo Zonta beat the lap record at Laguna Seca in a Toyota F1 car on his first flying lap.

On another note file this under "Why F1 is better than CART/IRL" Ricardo Zonta beat the lap record at Laguna Seca in a Toyota F1 car on his first flying lap.[/QUOTE]


Ding!

By the way i liked the rc51 in the castrol gtx colors,re Colin Edwards era...sweet ride.

On another note file this under "Why F1 is better than CART/IRL" Ricardo Zonta beat the lap record at Laguna Seca in a Toyota F1 car on his first flying lap.


Ding!

By the way i liked the rc51 in the castrol gtx colors,re Colin Edwards era...sweet ride.[/QUOTE]

Yeah that looked awesome too. Have all you guys seen the movie Faster? If not you have to rent it. It's documentery about the transition year they ran the two stroke 500cc GP bikes and the four strokes. Really cool stuff, check it out.

Doghair and Roman, I completely understand the costs of racing, I raced Formula Fords and Formula Continentals for almost 20 years. An SV650 would be the "best" track day bike as it's a cheap buy in and reasonable to maintain and replace when I lay it down. I can get a low mileage 748 for about 2k less than an new R6 and like I said I don't want a motorcycle I want a Ducati. I will never 'race' this bike it will be for track days and the occasional ride in the country. I'm a pretty passionate guy when it comes to my machines and an R6 or an SV650 don't really turn my crank. I was pretty much ready to go the SV route then I stopped by Pro-Italia in Montrose and just about lost it. I realized that it's Duc or nothing (actually if I hit the lottery that MV Senna would look pretty nice in the garage!).


If you've got the ducati bug only one thing will fix it; buying a ducati!... some people don't understand it (why a more expensive, slightly less performance bike??) If you have to ask, there is no use in explaining.. once you ride a ducati w/ a dry clutch and aftermarket exhaust you won't want to be on anything else despite how fast the newest baddest 9000zxxerrgxt might be (not to put anybody down but, they have no soul)

Get the bike man, you won't regret it! I'm on my 900SS every chance I get and it's poetry in motion..

If you've got the ducati bug only one thing will fix it; buying a ducati!... some people don't understand it (why a more expensive, slightly less performance bike??) If you have to ask, there is no use in explaining.. once you ride a ducati w/ a dry clutch and aftermarket exhaust you won't want to be on anything else despite how fast the newest baddest 9000zxxerrgxt might be (not to put anybody down but, they have no soul)

Get the bike man, you won't regret it! I'm on my 900SS every chance I get and it's poetry in motion..

Even if an R6 is a better (on paper) bike than a 748 those numbers only relate to the bikes at their limits. I'm not nearly a good enough rider to exploit either bike so who cares about all out performance? Besides a new R6 is 9200 bucks, I can get a used 748 with 5k on the od for around $7k.

I felt bad for Nicky yesterday, he was really struggling to keep up the pace. I guess he was having issues all weekend trying to keep the rear end planted. He kind of illuded to the fact that he wasn't getting too much help from his team. I also thought Danny was a bit too aggressive in trying to get by Nicky. I understand that he was faster but you don't take out your teammate trying to get around him. I did love the way Rossi schooled him though, he kicked the wrong dog and got bit hard!

I also thought Danny was a bit too aggressive in trying to get by Nicky. I understand that he was faster but you don't take out your teammate trying to get around him. I did love the way Rossi schooled him though, he kicked the wrong dog and got bit hard!

Yuh, I thought it was a little close for comfort a couple of times there, especially for "teammates". The duel with Rossi was really exciting. Rossi's ability to ride like that an not burn up this tires is amazing.

As a Ducati fan, you must have enjoyed seeing Capirossi run away with it. He was very strong before the crash in Spain, good to see him back on form.

The season's far from over.

Regards,
Alan

P.S. Is there a MotoGP forum we should be posting on?

Yuh, I thought it was a little close for comfort a couple of times there, especially for "teammates". The duel with Rossi was really exciting. Rossi's ability to ride like that an not burn up this tires is amazing.

As a Ducati fan, you must have enjoyed seeing Capirossi run away with it. He was very strong before the crash in Spain, good to see him back on form.

The season's far from over.

Regards,
Alan

P.S. Is there a MotoGP forum we should be posting on?

Yeah we need a MotoGP subforum!!!

I was happy to see a Duc win but it was a pretty boring (for MotoGP) race untill Rossi and Pedrosa started to mix it up. Capirossi just checked out, it was like watching an AMA Superbike race. Capirossi tested the new 800cc bike today at Brno. No word on lap times.

On another note file this under "Why F1 is better than CART/IRL" Ricardo Zonta beat the lap record at Laguna Seca in a Toyota F1 car on his first flying lap.

that's not really a very good reason.

that's not really a very good reason.

Well here are several more:

Also ran F1 drivers run up front in CART/IRL
F1 runs on some of the greatest racing circuits on the planet
F1 has the fastest, best handling cars
F1 cars are technologically more sophisticated
Three of the biggest reasons, F1 has Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, and Ferrari.

I could go on but there really isn't anything that either CART or the IRL has over F1.

It's the same with WSB and AMA SB, WSB is better, the riders are better the competition is better, it's just better.

ChampCar has racing in California.

ChampCar has racing in California.


The rumor mill has it that it was no accident that Zonta was testing at Laguna Seca....there just may be F1 in Cali again. Now would you rather see a bunch of ugly ChampCars being piloted by guys who couldn't cut it in Europe or the fastest cars driven by the best drivers at Laguna or Long Beach?

It's no different than wanting to see Rossi et al instead of Miladin and Spies check out on lap 1 while the rest of the Pro-Am fields gets dropped.

The rumor mill has it that it was no accident that Zonta was testing at Laguna Seca....there just may be F1 in Cali again. Now would you rather see a bunch of ugly ChampCars being piloted by guys who couldn't cut it in Europe or the fastest cars driven by the best drivers at Laguna or Long Beach?

It's no different than wanting to see Rossi et al instead of Miladin and Spies check out on lap 1 while the rest of the Pro-Am fields gets dropped.

The backmarkers in F1 aren't exactly the cream of the crop, but I know what you mean. I do want to see Bourdais get his shot though and not move to NASCAR.

Yeah we need a MotoGP subforum!!!

I kinda agree, tho wouldn't it be a bit inactive after the season ends?

As one who grew up on KR Sr. and the smell of pre-mix, it saddened me to no end, the demise of REAL GP ;)

I need a tl1000 r ............. and just make her scream !

Well here are several more:

Also ran F1 drivers run up front in CART/IRL
some guy named jacques villneuve won the F1 world championship. let's not even discuss where he was the year before. and who is juan pablo montoya, anyway? there have been plenty of former F1 drivers who have come here and not been competitive.

F1 runs on some of the greatest racing circuits on the planet
agreed. but bernie ecclestone also has a monopoly on those circuits, saying that he won't go back if they let a series like champcar run. don't forget that before tony george ruined american open wheel, CART was feared by ecclestone.

F1 has the fastest, best handling cars
meh. not by much. F1 cars are driven by tehnology and leave much less to the driver than most people think. paddle shifting please. champcar is a driver's series. that you cannot deny, but let's wait and see what happens with the new chassis. smaller, lighter, more hp, and paddle shifting to boot:rolleyes: .

F1 cars are technologically more sophisticated
which is exactly why the backmarker teams are still the backmarker teams and will always be the back marker teams. it's not very exciting when the entire world knows that one of only three or four teams has a chance of winning the championship. and don't get me started on "team orders."
haha. the hilarious thing is that even with the millions upon MILLIONS that f1 teams spend to find speed, they aren't more than a couple of seconds faster than a spec champcar. awesome.

Three of the biggest reasons, F1 has Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, and Ferrari.
put those two drivers in equal equipment with the rest of the field and see what happens. take all of the foofy driver aids away and watch.

gosh, for someone who claims to have raced formula whatever, you don't seem to enjoy racing as much as you just like looking at cars.


I could go on but there really isn't anything that either CART or the IRL has over F1.
i agree the IRL is a trashcan series. but don't compare them with champcar. it only confirms that you know much less about racing than it already appears;)


It's the same with WSB and AMA SB, WSB is better, the riders are better the competition is better, it's just better.
the AMA changes from year to year. it's been widely known that suzuki has been using traction control for the last couple of years. it wasn't legal until about a month ago, so it's no surprise that everyone else is trying to catch up.
i'd be interested in hearing why else you think WSB is any better, though, given neil hodgson isn't very competive here after winning the world championship and racing in motogp.

The rumor mill has it that it was no accident that Zonta was testing at Laguna Seca....there just may be F1 in Cali again. Now would you rather see a bunch of ugly ChampCars being piloted by guys who couldn't cut it in Europe or the fastest cars driven by the best drivers at Laguna or Long Beach?

do you really think F1 will ever go back to long beach? that was pipe dream even BEFORE champcar bought the rights to the venue. anyone who wants to race there will have to go through champcar.

as far as laguna is concerned - it was too small for champcar, and it's too small for F1. then again, since there's no passing in F1, i guess they could take their follow-the-leader showcase there and have a ball.


if F1 runs a venue other than the crapyard, it'll be either elkhart lake or miller motorsports park in utah.

As one who grew up on KR Sr. and the smell of pre-mix, it saddened me to no end, the demise of REAL GP ;)

:beer:

As one who grew up on KR Sr. and the smell of pre-mix, it saddened me to no end, the demise of REAL GP ;)

I still have a piece of Duhamel's windscreen from when he highsided in the corkscrew while leading KR at Laguna way back when.

That would be Yvon, not his kid BTW.

KR was the best of his era, hands down. Two of my fondest memories are watching him wrestle the TZ 750 dirt tracker around the San Jose mile, and watching, from the top of our trailer at Daytona, him and Freddie Spencer go all smash mouth on 500cc GP bikes that were bored out to 600+.

That and following Eddie Lawson through the haybales at the chicane during 250 practice. Kinda long story.

You're dead on. There is NOTHING like the smell of Castrol R in the morning...

gosh, for someone who claims to have raced formula whatever, you don't seem to enjoy racing as much as you just like looking at cars.

No claims about it sport I raced Formula Fords and Formula Continentals from 1994-2004 and prior to that I ran a Mazda RX3 in Gt3 for 4 years. As for liking the looks of race cars call me guilty. CART is run like the SCCA but with a bigger budget. I've been a motor racing fan for probably longer than you've been alive I was at the "Beach" when it was F1 and during CARTS glory years. Since the split CART/IRL are both just pale comparisons of what they used to be.


As for Villeneuve winning the F1 WC, he was in by far the best car on the grid and he still nearly lost the championship to Schumacher. If Schumi had gone to BAR they would have been consistant race winners by now if not WC's. Jacques is a lazy premadonna and that's why he is now unemployed. Schumacher, Alonso, Kimi in equal cars to everyone on the grid would still be the quickest...they are just better.

Montoya dominates CART goes to F1 and is competitive but by no means a championship contender. Many guys who have been back markers in F1 have gone on to competitive careers in CART and the IRL. Those who have done well in these series haven't really impressed in F1. DaMatta is a prime example. He only out qualified Trulli on a couple of occasions.

Also let's set a couple of things straight. CART is no longer at Laguna because they couldn't sell enough tickets. Attendance had been droping steadily every year. CART can't get a TV contract. In order for you to see a CART race on TV CART has to buy the air time. Then they have to give part of the commercial revenue to the network it's televised on. On just about every broadcast CART loses money. Also CART has had to resort to gimmicks to 'enhance' the racing. The push to pass button, red/black tires and manditory pits stops make it more like NASCAR than racing.

As for F1 coming to Laguna, doubtful, I'm sure the Toyota test was just a way to give Tony a little F-U and let him know the cars could run someplace else. Also my comment on LB was just a question, F1 vs CART at the Beach, I'd rather see F1. This year the F1 cars have far fewer driver aids, aside from paddle shifters. Keep in mind that Zonta beat all out lap record at Laguna on his FIRST flying lap. He'd done a handfull of laps prior to that.

Look I used to be a huge CART fan, now it's really just big dollar club racing.

Even if an R6 is a better (on paper) bike than a 748 those numbers only relate to the bikes at their limits. I'm not nearly a good enough rider to exploit either bike so who cares about all out performance? Besides a new R6 is 9200 bucks, I can get a used 748 with 5k on the od for around $7k.

I felt bad for Nicky yesterday, he was really struggling to keep up the pace. I guess he was having issues all weekend trying to keep the rear end planted. He kind of illuded to the fact that he wasn't getting too much help from his team. I also thought Danny was a bit too aggressive in trying to get by Nicky. I understand that he was faster but you don't take out your teammate trying to get around him. I did love the way Rossi schooled him though, he kicked the wrong dog and got bit hard!

750 Ducatis are actually competitive in one or two CCS categories. Last time I raced my 750 F1 about 3 years ago, a couple of guys on 750 SSs were pretty competitive (I wasn't). In ultra-lightweight superbike, the 750's qualify and the Sv 650's are banned, so they are competitive, but they do have to compete against Aprilia and Yamaha 2 strokes, which are pretty fast.

750 Ducatis are actually competitive in one or two CCS categories. Last time I raced my 750 F1 about 3 years ago, a couple of guys on 750 SSs were pretty competitive (I wasn't). In ultra-lightweight superbike, the 750's qualify and the Sv 650's are banned, so they are competitive, but they do have to compete against Aprilia and Yamaha 2 strokes, which are pretty fast.

Where are you running your track days? How long have you been tracking your bike? I hate you btw;)

I'm not going to race, I'm just going out for track days to get my kicks. I'm not nearly good enough to mix it up on bike and I'm not big on hammering around on the street. I hoping to get out to the Keith Code school at Willow next spring, all of this will be contingent on my finding some full time employment of course:)

I really don't miss racing as much as I thought I would, after almost 20 years I guess I got it out of my system. What I do miss is going fast and challenging myself on a track to perfect my laps. Aside from getting a shifter kart (been there done that) the best bang for the buck would be a sport bike. Logically I should just get an SV650 and set it up for the track. I've also seen a couple descent F3's and GSXR600's with high (15kmiles) for under 4 grand. The SV is definitely the easiest of the bikes to ride, smooth power delivery and very light. Add a Penske or Ohlins rear shock and Gixer front end and the suspension is done.

The thing is I really just lust after Ducati's. Any advantage that an R6 or GSXR600 might have over a 748 I couldn't exploit anyway. We'll see, reason may take over and I'll end up with a SV or older 600 in line.

Have all you guys seen the movie Faster? If not you have to rent it. It's documentery about the transition year they ran the two stroke 500cc GP bikes and the four strokes. Really cool stuff, check it out.

Great Film! If your heart isn't racing by the end of the opening credits, you're probably dead.

Where are you running your track days? How long have you been tracking your bike? I hate you btw;)

I'm not going to race, I'm just going out for track days to get my kicks. I'm not nearly good enough to mix it up on bike and I'm not big on hammering around on the street. I hoping to get out to the Keith Code school at Willow next spring, all of this will be contingent on my finding some full time employment of course:)

I really don't miss racing as much as I thought I would, after almost 20 years I guess I got it out of my system. What I do miss is going fast and challenging myself on a track to perfect my laps. Aside from getting a shifter kart (been there done that) the best bang for the buck would be a sport bike. Logically I should just get an SV650 and set it up for the track. I've also seen a couple descent F3's and GSXR600's with high (15kmiles) for under 4 grand. The SV is definitely the easiest of the bikes to ride, smooth power delivery and very light. Add a Penske or Ohlins rear shock and Gixer front end and the suspension is done.

The thing is I really just lust after Ducati's. Any advantage that an R6 or GSXR600 might have over a 748 I couldn't exploit anyway. We'll see, reason may take over and I'll end up with a SV or older 600 in line.

I've raced a few times here in Florida at Homestead and Moroso. Both fun tracks. I've given up racing the 750 F1 because its a really rare bike (only about 50 for my year were imported) and little parts that you always break off when you crash, like brake levers, shift levers, etc, are impossible to find.

I'm thinking of getting a 125 (if I can lose weight) or 250 2 stroke. Most people I've talked to say that to go fast on big bikes, its best to start on small bikes, because you will really learn how to keep your corner speed up on small bikes.

You should try it. You obviously know about lines, braking, etc from racing cars, and if you stay away from the 600, 750 4 cylinder water-cooled classes (full of kids with watermelon sized cojones and walnut sized brains) and keep to the classes that are restricted to old guys with old bikes, the races are pretty safe and fun. Small fields and people that aren't crazy.

Haven't been to Kieth Code's school, but his books are the Bible on motorcycle racing, learned mountains about motorcycle racing and some of his techniques even cross over to bicycle racing.

No claims about it sport I raced Formula Fords and Formula Continentals from 1994-2004 and prior to that I ran a Mazda RX3 in Gt3 for 4 years.

well that there is quite the pedigree. unfortunately, i know people younger than me who have done more. check back later and see if i'm impressed yet.



I've been a motor racing fan for probably longer than you've been alive...

sweet, dude. that must make you what? 75? congrats. man, and i thought i was getting old. i'm glad i'm not that old yet. guess i'll stop complaining.
i'm thinking maybe you aren't as old as you think, though, grandpa. but hey, if calling it the "beach" makes you feel older and subsequently cooler or more knowledgeable, then that's great, too.


i'm not going to argue over your opinions on whatever drivers you think are the best. who cares? it doesn't matter, because in F1, you aren't watching a race. you're watching a manufacturer showcase.
as far as villeneuve's championship goes, a win is a win. but i guess it's ok to knitpick if you're talking about F1, because hey, it's F1. or formula if-ferrari-doesn't-like-the-rules-just-change-the-rules 1. typical euro garbage.
btw, i'm not convinced of kimi's or alonso's ability to develop a car yet. they both inherited contending cars. kimi has done squat with his, and let's see how alonso overcomes the mass damper setback. i'm betting he doesn't. gotta admit it's been fun watching him go backwards, though.

and you can set whatever you want straight about laguna as long as it makes you feel better. i didn't say that was the reason they weren't running there. that was your imagination. i was just stating a fact shown by two cars catapulting over the turn 4 and 8a barriers. one of which resulted in the death of a driver. the drivers don't like the track. it's not safe for top-tier open wheel cars. heck, most motorcycle racers don't like it there, and their corner speeds aren't even close to an open wheel car.
and before you question my knowledge of laguna seca, i've been around it more times than i can remember on a bicycle, a motorcycle, a skip barber school car, and my own car.

have any of the champcar drivers that have gone to F1 been put in truly championship contending equipment? the answer is no. and that is one of the sad facts about F1. if you aren't on one of the contending teams, you....will....not...contend.
ok, you might contend if you happen to be racing monaco or malaysia in a downpour after the leaders have crashed out. olivier panis, anyone?

the last time someone actually overcame their crap-ass backmarker car and even came close to winning in F1 was damon hill in his arrows when he had his hydraulic failure on the last lap and blocked villeneuve into the grass. hungary '97. look it up.

also, F1 cars still have plenty of driver aids. why do F1 fans(shills) always say that? what's the big deal? is it that embarrassing? it's all just part of the millions and millions of dollars they spend to be two seconds quicker than a champcar. you should be proud that there's no passing.



don't hold up the fast guys on your ducati. no one likes that.