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Post by charleselan on Aug 11, 2019 20:53:11 GMT
I don't understand either. Does a long lap require slowing near where a rider had taken a shortcut?
Most American sanctioning organizations will penalize an errant rider or driver with a "drive through" of pit lane at reduced speed. More serious infractions require stopping for a set amount of time before being released to rejoin the circuit. Scott's criticism of a dangerous rule was perfectly sound. In early Hollywood westerns, cowboy hats were sometimes clownishly large, just one way actual history was distorted by film studio writers and costume designers who'd ridden only on carousels as children.
William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy The famous Hoot Gibson
Carl, The long lap is a band of track outside track limits on a designated corner which a rider has to navigate should they be penalised, which obviously costs them time and places. Scott's argument that the one at Thruxton was dangerously sighted, actually anywhere at Thruxton would be as it is such a fast track, and basically coming back onto track after taking the long lap loop would have been hazardous. Those old western cowboy hats were absurd in the extreme, almost as bad was the "Big hair" of the 1970's. JC |
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Post by charleselan on Aug 17, 2019 12:45:27 GMT
This weekend (17th/18th August) sees the British Superbike Championship move on to the Lincolnshire venue of Cadwell Park. From the fast sweeping section to a tight wooded part and a wonderfully named mountain section, featuring the notorious jump that has the riders getting airborne in spectacular fashion.
Fridays Free Practice sessions one & two saw mixed weather conditions, something that are forecast for the whole weekend; a shame as caldwell in the dry is a stunning place to watch racing at its best.
Some disturbing news appeared mid week regarding Danny Kent who has been found guilty of carrying a knife at an incident earlier in the year. He has been handed a suspended prison sentence as a result and following this has lost his ride with the team running the MV Augusta at the sponsors request. Whatever promote him to be carrying something reported to be a kitchen knife is beyond belief, however he claimed he had it in his possession as part of his work in opening boxes. A somewhat lame reason, but if a crown court had believed it otherwise then he would be serving a custodial sentence without question.
Danny strikes me as a very disturbed young man in many ways, who in a few short years has gone from being a Moto3 World Champion with the possibility at the time of a Pramac Ducati MotoGP contract, to this current scenario.
The MV Augusta will be ridden this weekend by Gino Rea, a deserving case if ever there was one. Also the likeable Billy McConnell will be subbing for the injured Luke Mossey at OMG Suzuki.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 18, 2019 8:50:23 GMT
yes JC I read with disbelief the news of Danny Kent, why on earth would one carry such a weapon? I am not sure where he lives but am at a total loss with this young man, he is as to say the least a bit 'mucked' up, I guess going from star 4 years ago to a rider no one is touching must be very difficult to deal with, and I do worry for his future, Danny Webb was another young 125cc rider who I thought had a good future but has faded into near obscurity and whose name crops up at the TT but, another one who was a good rider, especially in the wet but swamped by poor results, Danny Kent's future is a concern and I do hope he gets another ride soon and re-establishes his self and proves to himself that he is a capable rider.
The good news is another rider whom I though fate was not kind to: Gino, another excellent rider especially in the wet, someone who could be a champion and was never as favoured as he deserved and I see from practice he has gotten the MV up to 15th in practice, not bad, and says a great deal of Gino's skills, I do hope he gets the support he deserves, and starts moving up the grid,
really looking forward to today's races, regretting not booking a hotel and getting tickets for the race, but Eurosport's excellent coverage and the nail-biting test match may well compensate, although given the fragility of the English batters and the excellence of the Aussie bowlers I am not confidant
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Post by charleselan on Aug 18, 2019 12:13:10 GMT
The qualifying yesterday was really good and thankfully dry with Josh Brooks in top form, and a real surprise to see Bradley Ray get back to something like the form of last season, at long last. Scott did very well in my opinion on this very difficult circuit, he gained much praise from the Eurosport team for his performance. James Whitham mentioned that he was quite surprised as to how ell he had done as Cadwell Park is very difficult to learn, and even more so due to Free practice being largely wet.
Chris, BSB will be my priority today over anything even though I watched a lot of the 2nd Ashes Test Match yesterday. It was a great afternoon of cricket, and what a difference this young new fast bowler Jofra Archer has made to the dynamics. He was bowling very quickly indeed and with fire, a long time since England had a fast bowler like that. I do not like seeing a batsman felled like Smith was yesterday, even if he was an Aussie, but that may just be the defining moment the England team needed.
It makes one shudder to think that players in past decades used to face bowlers like this without any form of head protection and it came back to me when that very tough cookie Brian Close actually took all those blows to his body against some seriously quick bowlers in one series, brave man indeed.
With regard to Danny Kent the whole situation defies belief. The place where this incident took place was none other than the Gloucestershire market town of Tetbury, a least likely place for such a crime as i know it very well as it was only a few miles from where I spent the majority of my life. Also highly prized by some as it has two of the Queens siblings living nearby.
The way i see things it would be a sound idea for young Danny to seek some counselling, sooner rather than later. If he has any wish to get a career in motorcycle racing back on track the first thing he needs to do is release a proper statement of contrition and also do some serious community service. Other British motor sports competitors have come back from criminal convictions, top motocrosser from the 1960's Brian Goss being one. Goss spent time in prison for being involved in stolen motorcycles, but came back and regenerated his career.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 20, 2019 4:52:14 GMT
very unimpressed with young Mr Irwin, despite his abject apologies - although I have yet to see how he took Scott out - it was clear he did by their subsequent reactions. What is equally clear is that Scott needs to practice his starts, that was very poor in the 2nd race and I am thinking that his competitors are sensing this isn't Scott's strong point. but back at Oulton next time out and I think the last two races have put the season into more perspective.
There is a picture of the original hard man Brian Close when he faced up to that quartet of incredible bowlers, with my favourite bowler -whispering death Holding- and all the bruises he had on his body, he was both brave and typical Yorkshire in his steadfastness - have tickets for Friday at Headingly so am praying for a dry day
Danny Kent, words do fail me, I hope he takes your words on board John and seeks counselling/ therapy and does come back with a ride, although I would see him more on a 600 to rebuild his career and go from there, I think someone like Fenatti is an example of someone who mucks up but comes back and wins, it would be good if Danny did
but, Gino! what as brilliant first race, that boy can sure ride
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Post by charleselan on Aug 20, 2019 15:24:45 GMT
Young Mr Irwin's move was pretty stupid and began so far back he might have been starting it in the South Riding. He was very apologetic, however Scott was positively incensed and I was worried he was going to hit him, although I should imagine the language was pretty blue at the time. From what I have observed this season Andrew appears to be too keen to make an impression and has pulled some very questionable stunts, this was his second hard contact with Scott. At Silverstone he barged into him and unseated Scott during one race. His move on Peter Hickman at Thruxton was in my opinion unacceptable especially considering the high speed nature of the curve in which he smashed into Pete.
Mr Hickman was pretty laid back about it afterwards, but Andrew should have been given a warning as a result, far too aggressive for his own good at times.
I agree Chris, Scott's starts are becoming a problem, and I don'y know what the issue is. James Whitham mentioned that he thought Scott's initial start(s) were fine but he appeared to get bogged down and bumped around into the first corner. James put this down to him not knowing the circuit, basically saying that it was one thing to learn how to go fast on your own at a new track, but something else again to understand braking points etc when in a pack of riders during a race situation.
You are also not the first to think that Danny Kent would be well advised to do a season on a 600 to rebuild his career, others have expressed a similar view. If Fenatti can get himself sorted out then Danny needs to do the same, and believe me it will be an uphill battle for him now.
I was absolutely impressed with Gino Rea on the MV Augusta, that race one performance was outstanding. Whit' again mentioned that the MV is a very good handling bike with an excellent chassis, but the conversion from WSBK electronics to the more simplified standard BSB package is not an easy one, so more to come from the machine hopefully.
Josh Brookes looks massively good at the moment, but Scott is now returning to circuits that he has already seen which will help. I think he has the outright pace over Josh but the Aussie has the experience of both the circuits and winning the BSB title previously, it will be close. Plus Danny Buchan could also be a factor as he looks really quick and steady.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 20, 2019 20:48:05 GMT
I totally agree John, I too think Scott the quicker and better rider, and as we both say he is now back at circuits he has some knowledge of, so I expect him to return to winning ways soon. I believe there was a bit of a problem in practice with Scott following Brookes and Brookes not liking it one bit, the start of things to come?
Danny Buchan, Tommy Bridewell, Brad Ray, and Phil Hickman are all in there I think, young Irwin needs a talking to, primarily by Honda and failing that by the stewards, I am pleased Scott didn't thump him he is almost twice Irwins size and that could have developed unpleasantly,
Yes I do wonder if Danny has blown it now, personally I think he should run his own team in either BSB 600's or WSB 600's which is a fierce series and may not be to Danny's liking but take charge of his own destiny
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Post by charleselan on Aug 24, 2019 17:53:12 GMT
For those who have not seen the two BSB races from the very picturesque Cadwell Park last weekend I am posting some great quality YouTube links below.
Cadwell Park is a superb circuit and very obviously traditional in nature which makes for excellent viewing even if motorcycles are not you number one motor sport interest.
Some news came my way a few days ago that suggested that Ducati were no longer interested in signing Alvaro Bautista for its factory WSBK team in 2020 as he appears to be well on the way to signing a more lucrative deal with Honda. Runours persist that the Japanese company will be introducing a new super bike for 2020 and this also acts as an incentive for Bautista to sign for Honda.
Further to this Ducati have stated that they are now well advanced in signing Scott Redding to ride the factory Panagalé R V4 in WSBK for 2020. Great news for Scott of course but not so for BSB fans, hopefully Scott will be back sometime in the future racing in the British series.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 25, 2019 6:24:07 GMT
yes John, in a way I kinda wondered if this is what is likely to happen and can't get away from the feeling that Scott would love to get back onto the international scene and prove his doubters wrong, although I am thinking will Petrucci end up in WSB in 2021 and gosh wouldn't this be an irony of huge proportions if Scott ended up back in MotoGP -highly unlikely I grant you but hugely amusing and then in 2023 return to BSB where he spends the next 10 years winning numerous championships - highly probable -
Bautista is interesting, he is very quick bu there has always been something about his desire that I have questioned, the Honda dollars may be incentive enough and as Honda are starting to come good in BSB [when he doesn't crash the bloody thing into Scott] and whilst one man is dominating in MGP their bike is not user friendly and the technical rules in WSB may increase Honda's interest now, as, hopefully it is on the up again. I mean will Valle go there in 2021? personally I doubt it - he is more likely to focus on his teams, however, if he does will Yamaha invest into him, - It would be great if teams did invest [BMW/ Ducati etc ] as it would give it the profile it could do with and not be dominated by Spanish and Italian riders
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Post by chrisb on Aug 28, 2019 18:50:48 GMT
prophetic words methinks as Aruba have just announced Scott is riding in WSB next year as Alvaro is splitting [presumably to Honda] - good luck Scott, just got to won this year's championship first- my only other thought is that there are only about 13 rounds, that is just not enough for Scott methinks, so what else will he be doing?
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Post by charleselan on Sept 9, 2019 17:47:50 GMT
prophetic words methinks as Aruba have just announced Scott is riding in WSB next year as Alvaro is splitting [presumably to Honda] - good luck Scott, just got to won this year's championship first- my only other thought is that there are only about 13 rounds, that is just not enough for Scott methinks, so what else will he be doing? Yes Chris, factory Aruba Ducati in WSBK for Scott in 2020 and back on the world stage, he desperately wants a World Championship. I think he will be a handful for Johnny Rae next year, even more than Bautista as he doesn't fall off so much  . The thing is who will be riding for Birdy next year in BSB, wonder if Shakey is planning a come back? Maybe Brad Ray now he has his MoJo back. |
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Post by chrisb on Sept 10, 2019 4:51:43 GMT
I do hope Scott wins the championship this year although Josh was looking good until his accident, I am going to go to Donington [must remember to get the tickets] and totally agree feel that Scott is a lot tougher and more talented that Bautista so it will be interesting, the rumours are that Alex Lowes will be on the No2 Kwaka although the Turkish guy must be in with a shout and Leon returning to BSB, possibly on a Ducati? or more likely back on the Kwaka,
who gets Scott's ride? young MacKenzie? either of them? it is so good to see Brad back out there but suspect he will stay with Suzi, shame about Gino and it would be great if he got a decent ride next year as for Danny Kent, maybe he should take up another sport?
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Post by charleselan on Sept 10, 2019 13:51:35 GMT
I actually think that Josh may well win the BSB Championship Chris, as he is riding very well this year except for that stupid mistake on Sunday at Oulton Park. I was really pleased for Tommy Bridewell however as he really deserved that win.
With regard to WSBK I thought that Leon Haslam was on a two year deal with Kawasaki, however I feel he would be better off coming back to BSB as he like Scott doesn't like the electronics etc.
It was interesting to see both Shane Byrne and James Whitham saying that Johnny Rae was a notch above the others in WSBK but that Scott was going to be well able to take him on. Both were effusive in their praise for what he has done in BSB, not only in learning all the circuits so quickly but also his attitude. He has made a lot of friends in BSB.
The incident with Christian Iddon and Andy Irwin was frightening and could have been truly terrible, no fault of either. The exhaust on Iddon's bike punching a whole through Irwins fairing; I am amazed it didn't take the lads leg off.
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Post by chrisb on Sept 10, 2019 20:21:39 GMT
I would like to see Scott win it, I do think he has done so well and proved to his doubters his brilliance, Josh may well do it, when things are 'right' for him he is super quick, yea Tommy's win was very popular and it was good to see especially after he gave himself such a hard time after race 2,
Leon seems to be struggling a bit in WSB and it may just be in his best interests to return to UK, after all the Kawasaki UK has been a disaster this year, so maybe he can redress that imbalance, wonder how Scott will readjust to these electronics,
yes one of the great things about BSB is that brilliant commentator team, Mat is great, and Shakey is a real star, who does pale a bit by comparison to James, who is the fan's dream co-commentator - and as you say very warm in their regard to Scott, I am not so sure Scott is that popular with some of his competitors, especially as he is now going off, and I do wonder what the relationship between Scott and Josh is like now, especially after Cadwell.
that was so scary [Iddon and Irwin] and so fortunate that a serious accident didn't happen, but Andrew was a walking disaster this and the last weekend, although his accident with Christian was not his fault
welcome back John, you really are a pleasure and a joy to know, hope all is well with you and a thank you
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Post by charleselan on Sept 11, 2019 12:16:37 GMT
I would like to see Scott win it, I do think he has done so well and proved to his doubters his brilliance, Josh may well do it, when things are 'right' for him he is super quick, yea Tommy's win was very popular and it was good to see especially after he gave himself such a hard time after race 2, Leon seems to be struggling a bit in WSB and it may just be in his best interests to return to UK, after all the Kawasaki UK has been a disaster this year, so maybe he can redress that imbalance, wonder how Scott will readjust to these electronics, yes one of the great things about BSB is that brilliant commentator team, Mat is great, and Shakey is a real star, who does pale a bit by comparison to James, who is the fan's dream co-commentator - and as you say very warm in their regard to Scott, I am not so sure Scott is that popular with some of his competitors, especially as he is now going off, and I do wonder what the relationship between Scott and Josh is like now, especially after Cadwell. that was so scary [Iddon and Irwin] and so fortunate that a serious accident didn't happen, but Andrew was a walking disaster this and the last weekend, although his accident with Christian was not his fault welcome back John, you really are a pleasure and a joy to know, hope all is well with you and a thank you Many thanks Chris, it goes both ways you know, it is such a pleasure and privilege commenting with you and all of the guys here. Yes the BSB Eurosport team are quite simply perfect from the delivery to the sheer camaraderie between all of them. Also really impressed with young Rachel Stringer who has come on amazingly well and for me the best female motor sport presenter by a long way. Do you know if she is Ray Stringer's daughter? I think Assen will be the big one for Scott as he knows his way around there, he could just demolish everyone there and set himself up well for Brands, but nothing is a given in motor sport. I watched the ITV4 highlights of the WSBK last evening, I have real difficulty getting into that series. The commentary is poor and there is just no dynamism to the series for me. Hopefully it will be better with Scott there next year, but it will be a real challenge for me to be honest. |
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