*Liam's Wild Ride*

[rzypvs]

Hey USARMworker.....the pic u posted spells it all out. Thx! I'm only just a bit embarassed now

 

[MotoLiam]

Pedrosa is HRC #1

So, how does Mr. Barros feel now that they are moving onto tracks that no one tested at this year? Does his decades of experience automatically move him up to pole or a front row? Also, if you're allowed to say, or pretend you know , is his Ducati still on par with Loris' and Casey's? Or are they past that shift in development where some of the factory goods will win or lose a race? Most everyone, except John Kocinski and Max Biaggi, knows that the latest factory pieces are not always the winning combo. Just ask Nicky Hayden or one Mr. Doug Chandler that. Can Alex win a few this year Liam? Hopefully, all the single guys on the crews are pushing hard to get the Rio round returned to the circuit. I know I sure miss it!

These are important concerns, and I'm happy to say that we'll be in better shape come Istanbul. The bikes are being upgraded again as soon as we break open the flight boxes and we'll have time to test things out before the race. I'm confident that Barros will find a good set-up. I think if everything clicks, Barros will be in the hunt for some wins, wet or dry. As for Factory priviledges, I'm sorry to say that in Jerez Pedrosa was running an evolution chassis of the RC212V, and only he was using it. It seems Nicky still has his hands full getting the standard RC212V working right, so Dani got the go ahead to run the latest spec equipment. Top photo is standard RC212, bottom photo is new style. This pic comes from Solo Moto, and it was on newstands here in Spain on Tuesday. And about Rio? I'd love to go. . . . heard too many stories about it.

 

[RaoulDuke]

Different shape to the main spars to help tune the chassis flex? Part of the reason none of the Honda's can get the front to turn is the chassis is too stiff??

 

[Alexey]

From my uneducated opinion, it looks like the top photo shows a conventional linkage setup, while the bottom one is of an RC211V/600RR style linkage, whatever the heck they called it.

 

[MotoLiam]

Agreed. Looks like the top photo shows the shock upper mount going to the rear frame crossmember, whereas the bottom photo shows the shock mounting to a boss on the swingarm itself, ala Unit Pro-Link style.

 

[mjrydsfast]

Question Liam, when you get time

Do you know of any reason specifically that the F.I.M./Dorna does not bring the 125 and 250's to the U.S.? Is it pressure from the A.M.A. to do a round there so they can feel popular too, like the class nerd on a mercy date with a cheerleader? Is it Gill Campbell's decision at Laguna itself? And how do the riders, Aoyama, Kallio, Loca, and Jorge feel about not coming? Do they like the break or would they prefert to hang in America?

After watching the videos for the '04-'06 series (I order them from Duke England and reprogram the DVD Player so they'll play)- seeing the tie in Qatar in '05, the many MANY close hundreths or even thousandths of a second finishes, it's just inconceivable that they don't bring it here. It's a tight two series already and Laguna's smallish track would make it that much tighter for sure.

Is there any chance to get those to groups here? Petition Gil Campbell/Laguna to bring them in? Pay the A.M.A. to stay home or do a co-headliner with another interesting event, such as the WNBA final, N.I.T. or a Kent State University track meet? What can we do Liam? You're the insider now.

 

[zx7biker]

XCELNT question.

Come on dude, you have the inside track on the info. kick down bro.

ZX...

 

[gixxerboy55]

Yes Liam we know your pulling the strings over there lol, but really i miss the 250s would be nice.

 

[jrace]

The answers are dead simple. Money (equipment and team travel costs, vendor interest, etc...), and a general lack of interest from the fans.

I was at every GP at Laguna in the 80's and 90's, and hardly ANY fans showed up to watch the 125's and 250's practice or race. It wasn't until the schedule came up for the 500's that people trickled in after enjoying mimosas and eggs benedict in Monterey.

For me, this was a good thing, as I could get up close to the action, chat with the racers and admire the bikes. But the writing was on the wall, even in '89.

I remember bumping into Jimmy Filice on the West side of the bridge in 80-something, right after he wild-carded himself into the 250 win. I stopped him, we chatted and he was genuinely surprised anyone even knew who he was. Somewhere in my cluttered closet, I have a program from that year signed by Jimmy. Above his signature it says "Thanks for cheering me on!"


-jim

 

[mjrydsfast]

The answers are dead simple. Money (equipment and team travel costs, vendor interest, etc...), and a general lack of interest from the fans.

I believe you are wrong on the first account, particularly given that they traveled to Rio and Argentina regularly for a while and still do Asia. That can't be cheap. I fully believe your second account that is correct. However, with even a simplistic marketing plan, it would be easy to draw the crowd for these support racers. In the day and age of information access and the combination of word of mouth, I firmly believe we as a group could not only make a 125/250 support class a success, but the racing would FAR outweigh anything the A.M.A. could ever provide. I'll go as far as to say Jorge Lorenzo would walk right over to the Bostroms and hit them both over the top of their heads with his sucker ("EWWW!!! Is that sticky stuff in my hair licensed by Paul Mitchell?! I don't do 'Tootsie Pop'gel!") and smack Spies with the wet end of the stick! "When you can beat five guys over the line by a few thousandth's each race, THEN you can call yourself a 'Super' Biker!"

I was at every GP at Laguna in the 80's and 90's, and hardly ANY fans showed up to watch the 125's and 250's practice or race. It wasn't until the schedule came up for the 500's that people trickled in after enjoying mimosas and eggs benedict in Monterey.

For me, this was a good thing, as I could get up close to the action, chat with the racers and admire the bikes. But the writing was on the wall, even in '89.

Remember when you COULD just 'trickle in' at the last minute? Not wait in line for an hour or more just to get in? Thank God for Jamba Juice!

I remember bumping into Jimmy Filice on the West side of the bridge in 80-something, right after he wild-carded himself into the 250 win. I stopped him, we chatted and he was genuinely surprised anyone even knew who he was. Somewhere in my cluttered closet, I have a program from that year signed by Jimmy. Above his signature it says "Thanks for cheering me on!"

I need to go back and get all of those old Flat Track programs out of my dad's place in Michigan. I have King Kenny's signature a few times in there, along side Rex Beauchamp, Corky Keener, Bart Markel and two brothers named Jay and Kenny Springsteen of Team Vista Sheen.

 

[jrace]

I believe you are wrong on the first account, particularly given that they traveled to Rio and Argentina regularly for a while and still do Asia.

Brazil, Argentina and Australasia still sell very popular small-displacement two-stroke "sportbikes". Does the U.S. sell ANY small displacement two-stroke sportbikes? Does the US even sell any true sub-600cc sportbikes at all?

That's why, and why it is a very simple (and frankly, quite sad) answer.

-jim

 

[gixxerboy55]

Yea sadly it's true most people in the US. are more interested in big bikes, and no simple marketing plan is going to change that.

 

[number_6]

I'm always embarased for America when we have out stupid edited down MotoGP round.

 

[SuperMike]

It's still better than neckcar

 

[jrace]

Yea sadly it's true most people in the US. are more interested in big bikes, and no simple marketing plan is going to change that.

This is one place where marketing will fail, but where legislation (GASP ) is needed.

If the US had tiered licensing plans like most other countries, teens would die less on 1k sportbikes, and we'd see some badass small bore bikes back on our shores.

-jim

 

[tricklidz]

Page 32 Road Racer X.
"From the Outhouse to the Penthouse!"
Quote from Liam Schubert, Pramac D'Antin technician.

Liam,
Way to go...quoted again.
Keep it comin'

 

[MotoLiam]

I can see it now, the title of Liams next post on his blog

From The Outhouse To The Penthouse, or What A Difference A Good Set Of Tires Can Make, D'Antin Ducati's Look Ahead To The 07 Season

Gotta thank RaoulDuke for that one! Not sure when I mentioned it to Chris J at RRX, but it must have slipped out at some point. Doh! Now, to make sure that we're ready for Istanbul (the only MotoGP track besides San Marino I haven't been to yet). Speaking of San Marino, I just found out MotoGP will be running the track in a "backwards" configuration compared to what SBK runs there. Not sure why this is, perhaps to make it slightly more interesting . . . . or to keep the laptimes from being directly compared this season.

As for Laguna not getting the 125/250 races, I have no direct evidence as to why this is so. I can ask if I get a chance, and I think it might be easier for me to check with the IRTA boys as opposed to Dorna, because Dorna tends to be a little bit more closed to me (and all outsiders, really). Surely, petioning Gil Cambell would be a good idea, and with the AMA now holding two rounds at Laguna Seca, 2008 might be the year where the USGP gets it's full complement of two-strokes. Who knows? Everyone, let's all work on this. . . .

 

[trialstech]

125/250 in USA GP round

...just thinking out loud re: 125/250 in USA...

Thinking about youth mx being so popular here. I guess the American preferences are different. We need more Steve Bonsey's etc...

Liam, good luck this season, keep up the good work and remember to smile...

p.s. was it windy at Jerez?

oh yeah, I got my "black sheep" tee-- very nice

JF

 

[machete]

got my black sheep tee, as well. keep up the awesome work dude.

i'm sure we'll catch a glimpse of you at laguna.

 

[mjrydsfast]

Barros Shirts?

Hi Liam,

I have my Barros/West/Honda/Pons shirt still from 2001 in Rio. Can I get a D'Antin one from you with Alex's image or name on it? I'd pay you for it of course. I am 6'7" tall, 201 pounds so a large or extra large is the best bet. I wear that black, white and red West one a lot and it's very unique to the U.S..

If I make it to Laguna this year, I'll have my "Earl's Racing" shirt on that Nicky's father sold to me and my father last year after I saw a photo of him wearing them in 1998. I called him and he actually had a few left and parted with them! I also have a retro- Rex Beauchamp shirt now as well.