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KPaulCook · 12-09-2002, 08:44 AM

I would love to see 3 races in the USA, Laguna Seca, VIR, and perhaps the new Formula 1 circuit at Indy. One race per major area in the country. But Haydens comment on theU.S. tracks probably preclude the U.S. from ever becoming part of this great championship.

rsheidler · 12-09-2002, 09:23 AM

They have tentatively announced a US round for 2004, at Homstead Florida -- I don't think it is yet a done deal though, so I haven't booked travel reservations.

MotoGP is shaping up to be a great series, and as you predicted, WSB looks to be $hit -- for 2003 anyway. Right now, there is great diversity of bikes, with inline 4s (Yamaha and Kawasaki, and WCM on a prototype derived from a Yamaha R1), 3 cyl with pnumo valve actuation, V4s, V5s, possible future V6.

For American fans, we have Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards, Kenny Roberts, John Hopkins on full factory rides, with EBoz probably getting a few shots.

Sure looks like Rossi will not have the easy time of it he did for 2002 -- with Barros looking very strong on the Yamaha M1, Biaggi on a RCV, Capirossi has been tearing up Jerez in testing the new V4 Ducati (under the lap record), Colin has made huge strides in getting the Aprilia times down, Melandri has been astounding, considering that he is jumping from 250 2-strokes to 990 4strokes.

If we DON'T get a 2004 round, someone will have dropped the ball big time.

KPaulCook · 12-09-2002, 09:48 AM

Thanks. I hope it US fans support it when it comes. Perhaps movies like bikerboyz will help. Just kidding

intruderman · 12-09-2002, 09:59 AM

I can't wait to see Nicky and Colin dice it up. I'm really watching the progress of the "cube".

Buzglyd · 12-09-2002, 10:13 AM

Well Laguna is typically packed for WSB. It would be even more so for MotoGP.

I went to the CART race at Laguna Seca this year also and it was dead. Long timers couldn't believe how empty the place was.

rsheidler · 12-09-2002, 10:13 AM

I hope I am wrong, because Nicky is one of my favorite riders, but I think he will struggle his first year -- I think he could eventually be one of the greats, but my money is on that not happening in 2003. By his own admission, he is a bit slow at learning new tracks, and he will not have had a chance to learn many of them before the season. Also, he doesn't have the rain experience of most of the European and Japanese riders. Further, he is adjusting to new tires (I think he has only raced on Dunlops previously).

At Valencia last week, he was well off the pace, even compared to Melandri who was transitioning from 250 2-strokes. If a GP were held today, he would likely not make the top 15. He certainly will get much faster before the season starts, but my money says that he will not finish ahead of Colin in any race that Colin finishes in 2003, and that he will not finish on the podium.

Again, I hope I am wrong!

rsheidler · 12-09-2002, 10:21 AM

No question, they could really pack Laguna. Not so sure about Homestead -- I don't know the track or the area so can't really comment.

Laguna has character and tradition, not to mention, being in California, with its strong motorcycling and motorcycle racing tradition. Of course the fact that it is within a day's riding time from my home doesn't influence my opinion at all!

rsheidler · 12-09-2002, 10:26 AM

Oh yeah, I meant to add that the Cube has made incredible progress recently, knocking 3 kilos from the weight (I think they must have a couple more to go to get to the class limit). Colin's times in testing at Jerez are really impressive. I seriously believe that Aprilia have the possibility to challenge Honda and Yamaha next year. Of course, Capirossi's times on the new Ducati suggest that it is not only the Japanese they have to worry about.

12er · 12-09-2002, 10:33 AM

The latest news on the war between the AMA and FIM on motorcross states that FIM may pull out of America entirely, WSB and MotoGP included...

Buzglyd · 12-09-2002, 11:12 AM

It's only about 450 miles for me so I'm happy to spend my racing dollars there!

I went to the AMA race at the California Speedway and in my opinion the purpose built road courses like Laguna Seca are superior to speedway/infield track type places.

I'm afraid Superbike racing won't be strong this year until they shake out the formula. This seems to be an experimental year.

12-09-2002, 08:44 AM	#1
KPaulCook Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 2,756	MotoGP in the USA I would love to see 3 races in the USA, Laguna Seca, VIR, and perhaps the new Formula 1 circuit at Indy. One race per major area in the country. But Haydens comment on theU.S. tracks probably preclude the U.S. from ever becoming part of this great championship.

12-09-2002, 09:23 AM	#2
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Re: MotoGP in the USA They have tentatively announced a US round for 2004, at Homstead Florida -- I don't think it is yet a done deal though, so I haven't booked travel reservations. MotoGP is shaping up to be a great series, and as you predicted, WSB looks to be $hit -- for 2003 anyway. Right now, there is great diversity of bikes, with inline 4s (Yamaha and Kawasaki, and WCM on a prototype derived from a Yamaha R1), 3 cyl with pnumo valve actuation, V4s, V5s, possible future V6. For American fans, we have Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards, Kenny Roberts, John Hopkins on full factory rides, with EBoz probably getting a few shots. Sure looks like Rossi will not have the easy time of it he did for 2002 -- with Barros looking very strong on the Yamaha M1, Biaggi on a RCV, Capirossi has been tearing up Jerez in testing the new V4 Ducati (under the lap record), Colin has made huge strides in getting the Aprilia times down, Melandri has been astounding, considering that he is jumping from 250 2-strokes to 990 4strokes. If we DON'T get a 2004 round, someone will have dropped the ball big time.

12-09-2002, 09:48 AM	#3
KPaulCook Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 2,756	Re: MotoGP in the USA Thanks. I hope it US fans support it when it comes. Perhaps movies like bikerboyz will help. Just kidding

12-09-2002, 09:59 AM	#4
intruderman Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 242	Re: Hayden gets wet at HRC Winter Test I can't wait to see Nicky and Colin dice it up. I'm really watching the progress of the "cube".

12-09-2002, 10:13 AM	#5
Buzglyd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 10,137	Re: MotoGP in the USA Well Laguna is typically packed for WSB. It would be even more so for MotoGP. I went to the CART race at Laguna Seca this year also and it was dead. Long timers couldn't believe how empty the place was. __________________ Jay Leno: "President Obama released his tax returns. It turns out he made $900,000 less in 2011 than he did in 2010. You know what that means? Even Obama is doing worse under President Obama."

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12-09-2002, 10:21 AM	#7
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Re: MotoGP in the USA No question, they could really pack Laguna. Not so sure about Homestead -- I don't know the track or the area so can't really comment. Laguna has character and tradition, not to mention, being in California, with its strong motorcycling and motorcycle racing tradition. Of course the fact that it is within a day's riding time from my home doesn't influence my opinion at all!

12-09-2002, 10:26 AM	#8
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Cube Oh yeah, I meant to add that the Cube has made incredible progress recently, knocking 3 kilos from the weight (I think they must have a couple more to go to get to the class limit). Colin's times in testing at Jerez are really impressive. I seriously believe that Aprilia have the possibility to challenge Honda and Yamaha next year. Of course, Capirossi's times on the new Ducati suggest that it is not only the Japanese they have to worry about.

12-09-2002, 10:33 AM	#9
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	Re: MotoGP in the USA The latest news on the war between the AMA and FIM on motorcross states that FIM may pull out of America entirely, WSB and MotoGP included...

12-09-2002, 11:12 AM	#10
Buzglyd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 10,137	Re: MotoGP in the USA It's only about 450 miles for me so I'm happy to spend my racing dollars there! I went to the AMA race at the California Speedway and in my opinion the purpose built road courses like Laguna Seca are superior to speedway/infield track type places. I'm afraid Superbike racing won't be strong this year until they shake out the formula. This seems to be an experimental year. __________________ Jay Leno: "President Obama released his tax returns. It turns out he made $900,000 less in 2011 than he did in 2010. You know what that means? Even Obama is doing worse under President Obama."