Any Moto GP Fans?

Me (hand raised). Daytona was the shit. Superbikes at 200 mph+. AMA has just turned into "the suck". I pay no attention to it anymore. My old racing buddy, Jeff Tigert, had the Pikes Peek record in 2015. Don't know if it still exists. I would show up to the races in a pick up truck. He'd show up in a semi with his picture on the side. That's when I realized that racing is 1/2 money and 1/2 ability. Yet I digress...

 

I still keep up with Daytona because I have several friends racing there. It's kinda nuts to look back within 10 years ago to all the guys (kids back then) who we worked with and supported on track and see them with Professional racing licenses, and some of them winning; not just races, but championships. Brandon Paasch being the most successful. He's won a British Super Bike Championship, Daytona 200 twice... to name some pinnacles. And he's only 21 or 22. He's just getting started. Yet, it's hard to believe how difficult it is for these super talented guys to secure big sponsors and teams. They work their asses off training and making sure they have a ride next year --- unless they come from big money and can support themselves like Johnny Rock Page used to do. Kayla Yaakov is another one. At 15, her dad should be Father of the Decade for all the work and funding he does to support her racing. I've never seen that man take it easy. But you know what they say... How do you make a million dollars racing? Start with 3 million and you'll be lucky to have a million in the end.

It is always great to see friends racing Daytona and other big races. Even if they're not a top 5 contender and doing their best to stay mid pack. The atmosphere is still amazing.

 

I've enjoyed watching Kayla Yaakov rise through the ranks. I hope to see her move out of MotoAmerica and into something a little more prestigious and challenging.

 

My thoughts exactly!!!

 

SOON

 

Glad to see MotoGP back this weekend. I really didn't follow along with winter testing as well as I should have...too much going on.

MotoAmerica is making progress. Sometimes it's hard to see, but they are. DMG really screwed the series over (mostly Rodger Edmondson). Daytona had to change. The tire manufacturers couldn't make tires last for the Superbikes, it really was too dangerous. As for this year's 200, the end was a head scratcher in some ways but they did follow the rulebook, stupid as some of the rules are. Lappers getting their lap(s) back would be much easier for scoring but leaves lots of possibility for someone on the lead lap to be completely screwed.

 

For as long as I can remember, pitstops were involved in the 200. What reason is there that a manufacturer can't make a proper tire? The production based endurance series' don't seem to have a problem.

Now, running the baggers with superbike tires...now that's dangerous, but I'm here for it.

 

OK the 2023 MotoGP Sportman's League has begun. (MOTOGPSL)
Rules-
Highest score at the end of the season wins.
There are 2 categories: race and sprint race. These must be clearly posted on this thread.
3 points-1st place. 2 points-2nd place. 1 point-3rd place. No points granted after 3rd place.
If you want to do manufacturers go ahead but I'm not keeping track of that.
All bets i.e. riders names 1-2-3 must be posted here before the actual race time to count. So check your clocks!
MotoGP riders must finish in order placed to be awarded points. If your #1 finishes 3rd, no points, and so on.
All bets must be by the individual. No posting for others. If your suffering a ban that's your loss.
Game is for bragging rights only. Personal bets are solely between individual players and are not condoned by the OP or TW.
No Squabbling. No Filching. No Name Calling. No Finger Pointing. No Oop's. No Guarantees. (Unless Warranted)
Any semblance to any other game show is by mere coincidence only. You can't sue me. I don't work here.
Gentleman, have fun and start your engines! And may the best man win!
(rules may be amended at anytime for any reason but we'll try to keep it fair) No squabbling!

 

Other endurance series aren't running the high banks at nearly 190 mph. The heat and loading was what caused Ben Spies' rear tire to explode at terminal velocity. By the time he quit sliding, almost 1/3 of his ass was ground off. At that point, the other riders said: Nope! There were other riders that had big chunks come out of their tires. The failures were unpredictable. IIRC, that year the teams had to pit at something like 16 laps. If they didn't, they would be disqualified.

Today's Superbikes are making even more power than then and AFAIK, tire technology (even GP tires) still can't take the heat generated on one side of the tires.

Running baggers with Superbike tires is even worse when some dope mounts several sets backwards. I saw a picture somewhere of what Jeremy McWilliams' front looked like at the end of race 2. Dude was lucky the tire didn't pop, I've never seen a tire that shagged!

 

Pol Eparargo had a nasty highside in P2. Broken jaw, back and lung injuries.

 

Wow, MM93 P1 Q2. Didn't see that coming.

 

He's got balls. With 5 mins left in Q1 he takes his helmet off and sits down. That's a Gobert move right there! FU competition!

 

Sprint race up next. Here we go....

 

Sprint Predictions
Martin
Bezzechi
M.Marquez

 

Damn, that was exciting!

Vinales/Espargaro gonna have a 'chat' after

 

Bastianini out with fractured scapula. That's 2 riders out, possibly for the season, before the 1st MotoGP race.

 

Ouch!

That's the only potential problem I see for Sprint races, injuries due to aggressive racing.

 

I get why they made the Saturday Sprint races, since most show up just for Sunday races. But I wonder how sustainable it is for the riders long term. Shorter races equals more risk taken.

 

As mentioned above,

Bastianini declared unfit with right shoulder fracture
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2023...red-unfit-with-right-shoulder-fracture/450601

 

The season will definitely be about self preservation.

I gotta say though, that was the most exciting racing I’ve seen in years. The boys were cuttin it up!