kelli52
Baby F1 Fan
Sebastian Vettel....2010 & 2011 F1 World Champion :)
Posts: 131
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Post by kelli52 on Nov 6, 2011 18:46:43 GMT
Feel really sorry for Ben. Come on Casey, you've dominated all season and won the title, give someone else a go!!
Feel sorry for the Ducatis too, Dovi seems to be taking most of the blame for squeezing Bautista into the others and looking back at the replays, it seems fair.
The tributes were fantastic and very fitting too, meant so much more than your average minute's silence as he certainly wasnt a quiet person. Hard not to be choked up by them all.
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Pete
F1 Fanatic
Petonyo
Posts: 215
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Post by Pete on Nov 6, 2011 21:09:47 GMT
All the tributes have been so brilliant, it is hard to believe he's gone and watching the tributes make it even more difficult to believe it.
Good race was so excited to see Ben win just for Casey to get it, couldn't believe his darn luck.
Really feel bad for Nicky though he was looking to have a good weekend now he's got a sore wrist, hope he gets his testing in on Tuesday and better luck for the Ducs next season.
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Post by Anna on Nov 14, 2011 17:22:48 GMT
Loris Capirossi appointed in advisory role to World Championship
Monday, 14 November 2011 Loris Capirossi has been appointed in an advisory role to assist with matters of safety in the MotoGP World Championship. After a 22-year Grand Prix career in which the Italian started 328 races, won three titles and finished on the podium 99 times, Dorna Sports is delighted to be able to call upon Capirossi’s extensive experience and knowledge as a former rider who has competed in the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP categories.
With an exciting new chapter in the history of the World Championship commencing with the introduction of the 1000cc capacity machines, the new CRT rules and the new Moto3 category for the 2012 season, Capirossi’s insight will provide a highly valuable input as MotoGP welcomes important and significant changes to the sport.
Calling upon his understanding of the needs and requirements of riders and his vast experience of a range of different machines, Capirossi will offer the World Championship advice on matters relating to safety, the new regulations, the competition in general and the homologation of new tracks.
In recognition of Capirossi’s outstanding contribution to the sport throughout his career, Dorna has also made the request to the FIM that his number 65 be retired from use in the MotoGP World Championship.
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Post by Anna on Nov 17, 2011 17:56:30 GMT
LCR Honda sign Bradl on two-year deal LCR Honda Bradl two-year MotoGP deal Thursday, 17 November 2011 The 2011 Moto2 World Champion has been signed up by Lucio Cecchinello’s team to ride in the premier class.
LCR Honda has officially confirmed the signing of 2011 Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl on a two-year contract.
The German rider tested with the MotoGP outfit at Valencia immediately after the final round of the 2011 season, and impressed Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello with his display on the RC212V.
Bradl will now make the step up to the premier class in 2012, riding a RC213V for the team, and Cecchinello said of the deal: “Next year will be very important for MotoGP. Starting from next April the Championship will be rich with new technical rules and participants.”
“Together with Honda we have considered several riders, and Stefan was one of our candidates. After the Test in Valencia we were very impressed by his potential and his determination. Stefan is young and fast and he just clinched the Moto2 World Title so we believe we can grow together within the Team in the next two years. He already knew the technical staff and today I am happy to give him our warmest welcome in the LCR Team!”
Bradl commented: “This is simply fantastic, like a dream come true! When I tested the RC212V in Valencia I realised that LCR Team is very professional and well organised so I am sure they will do their best to support me. Making my debut in the premier class aboard the RC213V is great and I cannot wait to get back on track.”
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Post by r1ch91 on Nov 21, 2011 15:10:48 GMT
Suzuki withdraws from MotoGP but leaves door open for 2014 return Friday, November 18th 2011, 09:17 GMT
Suzuki has confirmed that it is pulling out of MotoGP - but suggested its absence will be temporary and that a 2014 return is on the cards.
The future of Suzuki's MotoGP programme had been in doubt for months, with the reduction to a single works bike this season widely regarded as a precursor to a full withdrawal.
It did not join fellow works teams Honda, Ducati and Yamaha in publically testing a 1000cc bike for the 2012 rules, although there were suggestions that such a bike was under development and that the factory team would start the season with its old 800cc machine before switching to the new bike later in the year.
But today the company issued a statement blaming global economic circumstances for the decision to suspend its MotoGP programme for at least two seasons.
"Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012," said the statement.
"This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.
"Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class.
"Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts."
Suzuki's 2011 rider Alvaro Bautista has already signed for Gresini Honda for next year. The team had tested ex-Pramac Ducati rider Randy de Puniet at Valencia last week.
The most recent Suzuki win in MotoGP was Chris Vermeulen's triumph in the wet 2007 French Grand Prix, with Kenny Roberts Jr the last man to achieve championship success on a Suzuki in 2000.
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Post by Anna on Nov 21, 2011 17:03:25 GMT
Its sad to see Suzuki go I loved that team .
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Post by Anna on Dec 2, 2011 14:41:09 GMT
Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro to race Aspar's CRT MotoGP bikes
Saturday, November 26th 2011, 16:02 GMT
Aspar has signed Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro for its 2012 MotoGP line-up, when it will run Aprilia-powered CRT bikes.
Jorge 'Aspar' Martinez's ultra-successful lower-category team has used customer Ducatis for the first two years of its MotoGP programme, but is switching to the new lower-technology Claiming Rule Teams class for next season.
De Puniet has been in MotoGP since 2006, initially with the factory Kawasaki team, then LCR Honda, before a single season with Pramac Ducati this year. He tested for Suzuki this winter just before it withdrew its works team from MotoGP.
"I am delighted to return to the Aspar team, a team I raced with in 2005 in 250cc," said de Puniet. "I have very fond memories of that time. Together we will embark on a new challenge, CRT.
"CRT is the future of MotoGP and I think there will be a lot of work ahead, but very rewarding work. The goal for the next season will be to adapt as quickly as possible to the prototype, and gradually catch the frontrunners."
The 30-year-old Frenchman has already tested the CRT bike, and though he acknowledged that it was currently some way off the standard MotoGP machines, he is optimistic.
"Testing in Jerez was productive and I was able to get a lot of information about the bike," de Puniet said. "It's clear that we are still far from what the final motorcycle will be, but I'm very happy with how everything has happened.
"The test in Jerez gave me the opportunity to realise the enormous potential of the new concept of CRT,and I am proud to be one of the pioneering riders in this new category."
De Puniet's team-mate Espargaro will be returning to MotoGP after a year back in Moto2, having contested a season and a half with Pramac in 2009/10.
"Returning to MotoGP is a big motivation for me," said the 22-year-old Spaniard. "2010 was quite positive for me and I would have liked to stay another year. I think for my weight and my height I can adapt well to the category and the bike."
Aspar's 2011 MotoGP rider Hector Barbera has already signed for Pramac Ducati for 2012.
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Post by Anna on Jan 25, 2012 10:13:26 GMT
Mugello recognised as Best 2011 Grand Prix
24 January 2012
Mugello has been awarded IRTA’s Best Grand Prix Award of 2011, marking the fifth time the Italian MotoGP event has claimed the gong since 1976. On 3 July last year, nearly 85,000 fans gathered at the circuit to see then reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo claim his second victory of the season.
Although the weekend was broken up by rainstorms, riders in all three classes were able to make the most of a brand-new Mugello track surface. Team members and the media also enjoyed the upgraded paddock facilities, which had been brought up to MotoGP standards.
“I consider this award recognition of Italian excellence around the world,” says track CEO Paolo Poli. “This is proof that Italy is able to answer - with the strength of tradition and innovation - to global challenges defining this difficult historical period. The Italian Grand Prix will remain the most important event of our sporting calendar in years to come.”
IRTA President Herve Poncharal explains how the winning track is selected:
“The best Grand Prix is voted by the teams and the teams talk to the riders, mechanics and press officers. So it’s not only the track, it’s everything - how everybody feels about the Grand Prix and how everybody feels at home there. So I’m personally very happy that they’ve won it for the fifth time. I’m delighted to think we’re going to go back there quite soon and this is well-deserved.”
In 2011, MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports agreed a new five-year contract with race organisers, securing Mugello’s future on the calendar up to at least 2016. In 2012 it will host Round 9 of the season on 15 July – order discounted tickets now with official GPUpdate.net ticket partner SportStadium.com.
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Post by Anna on Jan 25, 2012 10:21:21 GMT
New Ducati GP12 completes Jerez shakedown
20 January 2012
Jerez was the venue this week as the Ducati MotoGP team performed the shakedown run of its 2012 bike, the GP12. Carlos Checa (pictured) and Franco Battaini were the two riders in action. Group testing begins later this month.
Overseen by Ducati Technical Director Filippo Preziosi, the three-day test ran from Tuesday as Checa and Battaini took turns on the bike before handing it over to race riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden in a fortnight’s time.
Weather conditions remained cold but dry to the relief of the Italian squad, which allowed it to complete the programme without any major upsets. Official pre-season testing will be underway at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit from Tuesday 31 January.
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Post by Anna on Jan 25, 2012 11:43:28 GMT
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Post by Anna on Jan 31, 2012 17:38:58 GMT
Lorenzo quickest as Stoner misses first day
31 January 2012
Jorge Lorenzo has led MotoGP’s opening day of pre-season testing. The Champion of 2010 toured Sepang with a best effort of 2:01.657, topping the timesheets from Dani Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow. However, reigning title holder Casey Stoner was relegated to the sidelines after injuring a muscle while warming up.
Stoner’s non-attendance came as an early drama. The Australian was preparing to ride in the form of warm-up exercises, only to strain a back muscle; he spent the rest of the day as a spectator and now hopes to be fit enough to ride again on Tuesday. In the meantime, test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi ran on Stoner's bike for four test laps.
"I was stretching this morning for a good 20 minutes, preparing to go out on-track for the first time, and then all of a sudden my back just locked up on me," Stoner explained. "I couldn't move or do anything. I had to call someone to come and help me move into a position that was less painful! I had some physio on it straight away, trying to get it better for this afternoon, but it wasn't feeling good. I had some more physio after lunch but it still wasn't easing up. I felt I could have gone out on the bike in the afternoon but we all agreed it would probably make it worse for tomorrow. I think tomorrow the track conditions will be better and, as long as my back improves overnight, we should get back on schedule with our testing programme."
The gathering in Malaysia marked a test return for the new 1,000cc bikes which will debut this year, with Lorenzo shaking down the Yamaha prototype to end the day contented and with 30 laps to his name. Due to Stoner’s injury, Dani Pedrosa was left with added work at Honda as he lapped 48 times and ended the session three and a half tenths of a second off his former team-mate’s leading pace. The Spaniard concentrated on chassis work and the new Bridgestone tyres.
Englishman Crutchlow rounded out the top three, with new Tech 3 team-mate Andrea Dovizioso – riding with a new plate attached to his collarbone - ending his day in sixth position; between them were the second factory Yamaha of Ben Spies and Valentino Rossi, who was the leading Ducati representative in fifth spot. Further back, 2011 250cc Champion Stefan Bradl was 11th for LCR Honda, just ahead of Karel Abraham.
“I’m very happy with today,” said fastest man Lorenzo. “For the first ride on the bike in some time, it’s been very positive. Yamaha has worked very hard over the winter for this M1.
"I can see very easily where I have to adapt my riding style for the bike and I can see a lot of potential. We have many areas where we can improve, so I’m looking forward to beginning again tomorrow. I’m also very happy that my finger is fine and doesn’t affect my riding at all!”
The field was completed by Jordi Torres and Ivan Silva on the new Avintia Racing bikes, the quickest of which was nine seconds off Lorenzo’s best lap.
Sepang testing continues on Wednesday morning
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Post by Anna on Feb 4, 2012 22:34:08 GMT
Stoner heads second day at Sepang
1 February 2012
A recovered Casey Stoner led the way as MotoGP testing continued in Malaysia on Wednesday. The reigning World Champion had been forced to sit out with an injured shoulder 24 hours earlier, although today the Honda rider topped the timesheets from Yamaha pairing Ben Spies and Jorge Lorenzo plus team-mate Dani Pedrosa.
On Tuesday, Stoner had been warming up for the session, only to strain a back muscle. This time around, the Australian managed a best effort of 2:00.895 to edge out Spies by just under two tenths of a second. In third, Lorenzo adjusted the geometry of his bike and shaved six tenths off his pace-setting lap of Tuesday.
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow enjoyed another positive outing with Tech 3, posting a quickest personal lap time of 2:01.565 to complete the top five. Further back, Cardion AB Motoracing rider Karel Abraham lapped the most times, with 66 tours to his name en route to a final placing of 12th.
Ducati ended the day seventh and tenth, with Valentino Rossi the final man to end proceedings within one second of Stoner’s leading pace. Nicky Hayden was pleased with an improved front end, although the American World Champion of 2006 again suffered with a lack of strength from his still wounded shoulder and passed his bike on to test rider Franco Battaini after just 16 laps.
"It was great to be able to ride today and everything went pretty well, although I would have liked to have done a few more laps," Stoner reported. "We spent most of the day on the new chassis, comparing it back-to-back with the one we had in Valencia, and we found a good direction and where we want to go.
"As usual, it would be great to take some elements from one chassis and some from the other, but at least we found the direction we are happy to follow. We used the hard front tyre this afternoon but found we had more chattering with it, so we have to work on that. There is still room for improvement. We didn't get a chance to use the new spec tyres that Bridgestone have brought here; we'll try them out tomorrow and go from there".
Stefan Bradl, 250cc title winner of 2011, ended the day 11th for LCR and within a tenth of Hayden. In 15th, Colin Edwards improved his personal best lap time of the morning by a full second in the afternoon as the Suter-BMW of Forward Racing continues to make progress. Less could not be said for debutants Avintia, who were forced to abandon running early due to engine gremlins.
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Post by Anna on Feb 4, 2012 22:34:24 GMT
Stoner breaks Rossi's 2009 track record
2 February 2012
Casey Stoner remained quickest as the chequered flag fell at Sepang on Thursday, bringing an end to MotoGP’s first pre-season test of the year. The World Champion, who had been injured and skipped the first day, ducked under the two-minute lap time barrier as the factory Honda and Yamaha riders filled the top four places.
As the new 1,000cc bikes continued their development patterns, Stoner beat Valentino Rossi’s 2009 lap record with his leading time of 1:59.607, half a second up on second-placed Jorge Lorenzo. Dani Pedrosa was within a tenth of his compatriot, with Ben Spies enduring the top four lockout for the pair of leading teams.
“It's been a good test in general,” Stoner reported in the paddock. “We only managed two out of the three days, unfortunately, but the weather has been really good to us and we've been able to do what we planned. The day I missed hasn't affected us too much and we've managed to complete our testing programme.
“I'm still not feeling great with my back but the bike is okay, so we've made progress in reducing the chatter a little more and trying a few different things - some small settings on the shock that we haven't tried before, amongst other points. So far it's been pretty positive. Now I'm looking forward to getting home to Switzerland to see Adriana and await the arrival of our baby!”
Promise continued for Ducati and Rossi, who shot up by two spots to fifth in the closing stages with 2:00.824, 1.2 seconds off the top pace. In the meantime, team-mate Nicky Hayden could only complete two laps in the afternoon as his weak shoulder continued to cause frustrations; the 2006 title winner ended the day tenth.
"We on the team are all happy with how this test has gone, especially today," said Rossi. "With a 2:00.8, we’re starting to get to a decent time. The two Hondas and the two Yamahas are still ahead of us, but we consider this test to be a starting point. The most positive things we’ve achieved are that the front now lets me ride a little more as I’m able, that the bike reacts well to changes and that we have very clear ideas on what’s still missing. In particular, if we manage to improve the bike’s behaviour on acceleration, we’ll be able to take a consistent step forward."
Tech 3 again demonstrated hopeful potential, with Coventry’s Cal Crutchlow seventh and just ahead of new team-mate Andrea Dovizioso. Further back, 2011 250cc Champion Stefan Bradl managed 11th position for LCR, ahead of Karel Abraham for what will be his second campaign with the Cardion AB Motoracing machine.
Rounding out the timesheets was Spain’s Iván Silva on a BQR-Blusens Avintia Racing bike, repaired after an engine failure yesterday. Colin Edwards was 15th on the Suter-BMW as he and Forward Racing attempt to rectify chatter problems.
MotoGP testing resumes at Sepang on Tuesday 28 February
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Pete
F1 Fanatic
Petonyo
Posts: 215
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Post by Pete on Feb 4, 2012 23:08:36 GMT
Stoner likes being fast you have to give it to him. Shame Nickys been injured hoping his shoulder gets better for the next test!
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