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*Liam's Wild Ride*

hey! you guys had a chance to hear theRaveups doing "waht do you want?"? i did the total double take, it was townsend all the way. anyway super feedback fuzz distortion goodness! they're on google - theraveups - all one word
 
Hey Liam
No problem, always willing to help out a good guy. Having a lot of fun on my Monster. Got my fuel injection dialed in to my new exhaust system and it runs like a dream. Puts out 118 HP at the wheel! Opened up my airbox and wow it roars now!

Hope you enjoyed your Milky Way Midnight. I love those candy bars, so good. Got to eat them slow and truly enjoy them. If you need a fix PM me and I will gladly hook you up. It is the least I could do for all your great pictures and inspirational words.

Stay Strong and keep the Faith.
 
so...what do you do in the off season, liam? testing work and stuff?
 
com3 said:
so...what do you do in the off season, liam? testing work and stuff?
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Well, I guess that depends. A lot is in the air right now, especially because next year promises new machinery and new challenges for the teams to be competitive. From what I've gathered in the paddock, a lot of the factory teams have re-signed their current crews, because that's one less thing to be concerned about when you're trying to get a new machine to the top of the box, week in and week out. A lot also depends on where riders are going, and if the team feels the crew will mesh well with them. It seems perfectly normal, that if you had, say, and Italian rider coming into your team, you might want your crew to be predominantly Italian, if only to make it easier to get along with the rider and give him more a sense of "home" and a sense of stability. I also know some riders want to keep their crews with them (ala Rossi, keeping JB and his boys when he made the switch to Yamaha in '04). While this is very unusual in the GP community, it has shown natural benefits, and I think Marco Melandri is considering something similar should he choose to move to Marlboro Ducati. What does this mean? It means that Corse would have to "downsize" their current staff of race mechanics to make space for the incoming new guys, something that would definitely put some stress on the boys who haven't re-signed yet.

Speaking of re-signing, I haven't. Yet. My team's decisions are dependant on the rider selection for next season, and everyone is playing a waiting game. I've been exploring what limited options I have, but honestly, I really enjoy working with some of the people I've been with this year, and I can't think of anything better than staying with them another year and learning that much more. It should go without saying that I learn something significant at every race, and moreso, I learn about racing every week I spend with these guys. You cannot believe how much we all talk about racing, and history, and successful strategies, when we're travelling on planes, driving in cars, wherever and whenever. Some of our dinner conversations have been amazing, and I wish I recorded some of them. It's more than just with the team. I enjoy being around everyone in the paddock, and I know it shows. In Brno, I came back to the hotel one afternoon after taking a walk through the city, and lo and behold, there was Jeremy Burgess just sitting outside by himself at the hotel cafe, having a beer. We joined up and talked racing for more than an hour, one on one, and for me, it was a chance to explore the mind of someone who has been actively racing since the late seventies. Someone who has seen more and done more than I'm likely to, and with his frank, open, and honest discourse, it proved to be an eye-opening talk. In fact, it was talking with JB that made me realize how much more complex and beautiful this racing world can be. Most of all, I really got an understanding of JB's racing philosophy, and that was truly special. Until you know, you really can't know. I really wish I could share more, but most of what I've learned is all in confidence, and will never be spoken of again. Anyway, it's fun to be here, to share my life and experiences with my team and with my friends in the paddock.

You have no idea how many people in GP are mountain bike fanatics, and we're constantly swapping videos (avi's) of the New World Disorder series. Or that several high placed guys are really into old-school Harley's, bobbers, and choppers. This kind of stuff goes beyond teams, because everyone who's interested in it talks - when we're walking to our garages, when we're taking a break at the end of the day, whenever. It's really neat. It makes for a really neat circus. Oh, anyone have a .AVI file of Faster 2 (Faster and Faster?) I'd like a copy, and we can FTP it. . . .

Speaking of really neat, I never really spoke about how I managed to be there for the debut of the 800's. On Sunday night after the Motegi race, my team packed up and because we had checked out of our hotel early that morning (6-something!) all our gear was already loaded up in the rental vans. The team was relocating from the town of Mito to a hotel in Narita, next to the airport. It seemed like almost all of the Europeans (all teams) did not like Japan (or Asia), and after three weeks from home, they all wanted to get back as soon as possible! I wanted to stay in Japan, so I paid for a flight change and started scrambling for a place to crash. Huge thanks to crazy Dave, from Marlboro Ducati, for letting me crash with him on Sunday night. I kissed my team goodbye in a black parking lot and made my way back into the paddock to meet up with the factory Ducati guys. You cannot know what I treat it was to have dinner with the team that night because they had just won the race and we had a beautiful meal prepared at the circuit. Livio Suppo gave a heart-warming speech and everyone's spirits were high. I want that feeling. I want to win races. We cleaned up a bit afterwards, prepared for Monday's test, and then all drove back to their hotel, at breakneck speed in the Alfa Romeos that are provided for them at almost all of the GP rounds, courtesy of the sponsorship deal that see's Alfa and Ducati linked. We shared a couple beers, joked about girls, bikes, and F1 (gasp!), in the hotel bar, and then promptly crashed out. I almost didn't make the ride the next morning, because I was soo wiped out. But I made it. The Factory guys really took care of me that Monday, allowing me full access to study their new 800, and I also was able to get some good looks at the rest of the bikes. Not enough to learn much, but hearing them was such a treat! They really are out of this world, and when you hear them at Laguna Seca next year, you're definitely going to know that something special is out on the track. As if the current bikes aren't special, haha. The new 800's are going to shock a lot of people, because they're so well made and race ready. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of them racing at the Valencia round, something Chris Jonnum echoes in his Road Racerhead article. I think if you're out of the points for the championship, running the bikes early will only give you that much more data for next season, something that is critical before the winter break, when testing is banned. You really can't get the kind of information you want except in race conditions, so for this reason I think we'll be seeing the factory Ducati's and factory Yamaha's gathering more data through their satellite teams, who will be running virtually identical set-up's and tires. What does this mean? It means that the factories will be able to make changes that much more quickly, based on the data from four bikes, instead of two, and if they're all the same, the data is irrefutable. What's very interesting is the idea that several of the Honda's will be wearin Bridgestone tires next year. I'm not sure what to make of this, because I had thought that Michelin had a lock on the Honda's and didn't want rival Bridgestone to gather data on what the Honda's ran like. Anway, with the new tire regulations in place for next year, it's going to be a tricky and complicated process to get the bikes "just-right", and unfortunately (in my mind), there are going to be compromises and choices made that will be based on tire availability, and whatever else is left :(

So? Where does that leave me? Ideally, I would be testing in the off-season, through the end of November. I could then get some work done in the workshop, preparing our racing supplies for next year and our garage/box materials. If I stay with this team. And . . . . if we are allowed to test. I don't know all the ramifications of the tire contract in place with Dunlop this season, but presumably there is a clause that won't allow us to test with another brand until this year is up, and as we're switching to Bridgestones next season, along with the Ducati GP7 800, we're kind of in a hard place. If we don't test, we will be at a disadvantage at the beginning of next season, but hopefully the Factory engineers can help point us in the right direction. It all depends. If I'm unable to test, I might change countries. I might hole up somewhere and practice my language lessons. I honestly don't know. In one month I have no idea what I'll be doing, and it's possible I'll be hunting for another last-minute GP position, somewhere. It is a type of stress that most jobs don't come with, and oddly enough, most of the paddock people I've talked to have a rather funny take on it -

"You like suspense, don't you?"

Angel, congratulations on getting that many ponies down on the ground, and I look forward to checking it out the next time I'm back in the states. I doubt I'll be able to afford coming back this winter break, but if I do, we'll get together for a beer and a chat. Or maybe I'll see you in Holland! The future is a just that. . . . . so ride while you can!

Who knows where I'm going next? See you guys in Portugal next week, where we're going to see the Ilmor (and the return of McCoy!!!!), and whether or not Nicky can hold off the Doctor.

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This bike is so sweet. The front end looks so much like the ducati desmocedici rr. Or, does the the duc look so much like this honda?

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Funny thing about that NR - there's no "pocket" to tuck your helmet into once you get up to some serious speed and want to hide behind the screen. And as for looking similar, I think form follows function for these two machines, namely that in the general design they're both set up to cut through the wind. The Ducati has spent a lot of time in the wind-tunnel, and even with the smaller 800cc engine next year, the basic front fairing will likely remain unchanged because it's already so efficient at slicing through the atmosphere.

Looks like I'm in for a late night because I'll be up before dawn to try and catch a bus to the airport for my morning flight to Madrid. Once there, I'll meet up with another member of my team from Valencia and we'll be joined by the rest of the regular wrecking crew. The semi's should be loaded up, and I think we have two or three vans to take us all to Lisbon, Portugal, later in the day. I'm told we're beginning the drive after lunchtime, so it's likely we'll arrive late at night. That's a shame because I was hoping to see a lot of the scenery and countryside, but if we travel by night, that's impossible. To be perfectly honest, while I am a little excited about the Championship coming down to the wire, I am more excited to be seeing McCoy back on track. I've admired his style for years and even if today's bikes are radically different than the 500's he rode, I have my fingers crossed that he does well and rides to his full potential. Now that would be a sight! Here's the rundown on how to find Lisbon.

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Made it to Estoril, and the paddock is abuzz with this weekendºs possibilities. So many people are giong this way and that, and itºs fun to see whoºs cheering for who. I donºt really have a preferance - just want to see all the racers go at it and ride to their full potential! When you take a look at all the numbers, itºs possible that there can be any one of five riders who could take it all in the end. I canºt wait! Portugal is what I remembered from my January trip to Lisbon. Be back later!
 
Some people were asking about the funny grey rotors on the new honda. I work for a co. that makes racing brakes. the new brakes on the honda are ceramic matrix composite, reinforced with graphite fibers. You can get ceramic rotors for your street bike, sport rider did a test on them last year on the r1, they are said to have very good feel. They work good in the rain and work good cold. Carbon rotors are not so great they are hydroscopic means they soak up water. That makes the airlines very unhappy. They are also very soft and wear out fast. They also have to bake them in a oven for over a month. Ceramic rotors are not hydroscopic and very hard they use diamond cutting tools to machine them. By the way the co. i work for makes brakes for nascar not bikes. I did a search and got all this info. online
 
gixxerboy55 said:
Some people were asking about the funny grey rotors on the new honda. I work for a co. that makes racing brakes. the new brakes on the honda are ceramic matrix composite, reinforced with graphite fibers. You can get ceramic rotors for your street bike, sport rider did a test on them last year on the r1, they are said to have very good feel. They work good in the rain and work good cold. Carbon rotors are not so great they are hydroscopic means they soak up water. That makes the airlines very unhappy. They are also very soft and wear out fast. They also have to bake them in a oven for over a month. Ceramic rotors are not hydroscopic and very hard they use diamond cutting tools to machine them. By the way the co. i work for makes brakes for nascar not bikes. I did a search and got all this info. online
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Is this a script from a Holiday Inn commercial? :laughing
 
Valencia

Hey Liam,
Pete here... Bertos friend. Not sure if that gets me the firing squad, but none the less he said to drop you a line about going to Valencia. (Just kidding Boots).

Anyway, my girl and I will be heading to Valencia, after a stint in England, for the motoGP. Can't wait!!! I will shoot you an email with the details, but it would be cool to meet up with another Barfer. I figure you will be busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest, but if the path cross, game on.

Email to follow.

Good luck in Lisbon.

Pete
peted1969@yahoo.com
AFM#61
 
i took a train from barcelona to lisbon last year. it was the worst train ride on earth. it was 14 hours in a standard car (no beds) and every time the train hit the brakes, the smell filled up the train. to top it off, a fairly large woman with a lot of luggage and a young child took up way too much space in my car.
anyway, enjoy whats left of the season. it looks like you had a blast.
;)
 
jrace said:
Liam,

If you happen to see Dani today, please give him our best. :sniper

-jim
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Now, now, Jim, you can't hurt him until the end of the next race...we still need him. :devil
 
Great stuff, thanks Liam.

Congrats on your BARFie :thumbup


(if you don't know what I'm talking about you will soon)
 
VTRweasel said:
Great stuff, thanks Liam.

Congrats on your BARFie :thumbup


(if you don't know what I'm talking about you will soon)
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Dang, beat me to it (work's gettin' in the way) Congrats Liam:thumbup
 
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