2020 - oh for the vision

[chrisb]

the season has started chaps, and there is a lot of moving going on and best wishes to all that are doing so and whilst we seem a bit diminished in numbers and best wishes to those whose contributions are missed, we are not I suggest diminished in the spirit of RRT-

2020, Motor Sport, which series are grabbing my attention? which is grabbing yours, so to speak, 

MotoGP - a fraught season beckons, already the 'silly' season has started for 2021, for crying out loud! no Lorenzo, or so we think, team Marquez against an enthused Maverick, thoughts are that Maverick will lead Yamaha out of the doldrums into his first championship, with Zarco blitzing the Ducati's 

F1- lots of words, people redeployed, new drivers, no Hulk, rumours abound of how good or poor a car [do they still call them cars?] is or should be, will Ferrari finally recapture the crown or will they be defeated possibly by themselves? yet again, thoughts are that no, Charles will achieve his first WDC this year and Max will be his main competitor, with Daniel finally winning a GP for Regie
F2 and 3, no idea, would love for them to be stand alone championships again but that is unlikely to happen, as they may prove more interesting 
Indycars, oh thank you utub for showing us glimpses of what is starting to look like a real championship again, I am going for Herta, son of Bryan and for us to at last see Marco drive properly and my favourite Jack Harvey getting the recognition he deserves
WSB- I suspect this to be the series of the year, a real challenge to the might of Rea by the rejuvenated Scott and the learning to ride Chaz, with Honda finally getting their act together and Yamaha really mixing it, but I am going for Scott this year, already quick in testing he has the confidence not to be out-psyched by Jonathon, surely one of the true greats 
BSB- a fabulous series - but less so than last year, will the Ducati's dominate again, I suspect so, but also wonder if they are too busy with each other they don't notice just how well MacKenzie brothers are doing and their infighting allows Yamaha to steal it away 
Formula E- missed the 1st race, I still can't quite get that enthused but there are some very good drivers amongst them - I like JE Vergne and Sam Bird and wonder if they are destined this year

Formula W- does the W stand for what? Nascar, BTCC -do I care? do they? who does?

WEC- well the future sounds positive, and that hasn't been the case for some time - so am looking forward to this 
WRC- cars sound good, the driving exciting as ever, Evans off to a flyer, no Kris Meeke, or so it seems, but looking forward to this 
DTM and Japanese series, don't know but looks exciting 

well, looking at the above I would suggest there is a lot more to be positive about than negative, but here is hoping for a great year, with no tragedies and handbags at dawn but some good old racing 





 

[charleselan]

A bit like the Western Front on RRT for some time now, never been this low on input since its inception but well done to those who keep inspiring like you Chris.

I have been watching quite a bit on the Monte Carlo Rally on YouTube, from the testing days to the actual event. The footage available has been outstanding and way better than the utter rubbish broadcast on the highlights terrestrial TV stations. I cannot believe that it has now been reduced to an offshoot of Channel 5 in the UK, not even on the main Channel of this backwater station. Not certain if many of these clips on YT are professional channels or just talented amateurs but they are very good and we even get to see other competitors other than the top six, I had begun to think that was all that ran in the WRC over the past two or three seasons.

I have to say that the speed of these current WRC cars on the Monte was somewhat worrying when on dry tarmac, and then when the roads turned to ice they were virtually underivable. Never remember the likes of Hannu; Bjorn; Stig; Ari etc struggling like that in the Group B cars back in the 80's. However it looks like shaping up into a good season even if there are only 2.5 factory teams now in the series.

WSBK looks like it could be destined for a good season, obvious where my allegiance will be, but the boy looks good and hopefully he can topple Rea finally. BSB will continue to be excellent, just a great series and so well presented on TV of course by the Eurosport team.

Who knows what will happen in F1 but can't see Hamilton being stopped especially seeing as we are told Ferrari are not looking good with their new vehicle, or maybe they are doing what MB did last year and bluffing.........doubt it somehow.

In MotoGP, sorry but can't see Maverick as the Yamaha Messiah, way too fragile in my opinion. We just need young Fabio to have a strong second season and finally get that first win, the rest will follow. I would love to see Zarco get to grips with the Ducati, he appears to have a lot of factory support which could be a good sign for the future.

Also interesting to see Ant West digging deep into the MotoGP manure pile, doubt he is wrong about a lot of things and also revealing that it now comes to light that some teams/riders in the past were to all intent cheating when in Moto2 which includes Marquez. I always wondered how his bike seems so much faster on the straight when they should all have had spec Honda engines, of course it was all put down to his massive talent..........

I look forward to young Mr Herta continue to develop in Indycar, the boy has serious talent. I also can't wait to see the races from the likes of Road America etc, real circuits.

With any luck the new regs for LMP or whatever it will now be labelled will bring about good things especially as there will be alignment with IMSA as well.

[Carl]

With eyes and fingers crossed, I hope the most competitive series enjoy center stage, regardless of corporate investment, and for David Croft and Leigh Diffey to announce a new focus on synchronized swimming.

[René]

Activities have indeed been a bit low on the RRT forum lately but I know that is only a matter of coincidences of people moving (even emigrating!) and others being just very busy. But as Chris said the racing season has begun!

For me it's mainly four wheels and especially Formula One that I am most excited about. My heart is, as always, with the red team from Maranello and like every year I am full of confidence they can finally win another title!  It will be very interesting to see how the dynamics within the team will develop, in other words how Seb will hold himself against Charles.

The big favourite is of course Lewis / Mercedes. Can't see Bottas beating Hamilton if Lewis doesn't break a leg!

The challenge will come from either Ferrari or Red Bull or maybe both (ideally) and in Red Bull's case it must come from Max. Albon is not ready for a title challenge yet.

Also curious to see if McLaren can close the gap to the big three a bit and that also goes for Renault.

Yes, a lot to look forward to!


I am also very excited about the new Indycar season and especially how Rinus Veekay will do. The Dutchman could be a real sensation! And what about Alexander Rossi? Is this his year? He's certainly ready for the title as he showed last season but the Penske team will always be a strong contender.

This season is going to be a classic I feel and I am considering a more prominent place for Indycar on the RRT forum.


MotoGP will surely be close racing again but can anyone seriously challenge Marc Márquez?

[charleselan]

Yes! Life gets in the way of a lot of things.

Anyway we hear that Jorge Lorenzo has recently signed a deal to be Yamaha's test rider in Europe, not really a surprise as many thought that is where it was headed. Apparently they haven't even ruled out wild card rides in the future, as long as he is fit and well that would be just brilliant. 

Also Fabio Quartararo has been signed as a factory rider for 2021/22 alongside Maverick, with Rossi's future uncertain but the promise of a factory bike should he continue. Well that could be interesting especially if Jorge suddenly regains his speed and desire, what are they going to do with him, maybe two factory Yamaha teams .

With regard to WRC highlights on terrestrial UK TV it appears that it has yet again been shifted and now is being aired on ITV4 where most of that broadcasters motor sport is shown.

Chris, you mention Formula E & W above, I just cannot get into either. I have tried E quite a bit but it is a waste of time for me, shame as they have some excellent drivers competing, now if those guys were driving F5000 cars we might start talking. As for Formula W I have not seen any races, not remotely interested sorry.

[Carl]

When I began to follow motorsports, Formula One was the unchallenged summit of greatness. It's not now, and its greatness has steadily receded since the degradations of the runt ecclestone led to corporate interests being better served than fans.  

With Formula One engaged in a winner-take-all game of thrones, a self-defeating worship of aerodynamics and, for those compelled to watch Sky TV, the peculiar idiocy of David Croft, the best motorsport has to offer is elsewhere.

Indycar may have spec chassis, by which it concedes innovation of design, but has also had better racing for years.  Josef Newgarden, Alexander Rossi, Colton Herta, Patricio O'Ward, Felix Rosenqvist, Rinus VeeKay and, if Meyer Shank Racing provides a good car, Jack Harvey, are the exciting young drivers in with a chance to win.  Add the established veterans and it's anyone's guess who will be champion. 

[chrisb]

as early as 6 years old I was following F1, I can't say I understood it very well, but I knew about Stirling and but for parental indifference it would have been a career I would love to have followed, so yes Carl, it was always F1, always, until the turn of this century and then the apathy seethed in for reasons you mention, and then interest rose again, and when you see these cars they are just so evocative and powerful, I still love looking at them, [pre-2010 that is] and can only marvel at the skills and bravery that drove the drivers to race these things of beauty, then, as you say the demented dwarf made it exclusive and unwelcoming

so to 2020 - forgive my ignorance but are McLaren using Mercedes engines this year? I see Williams has signed another Brit as a reserve driver, I've no idea who he is or how good he is but is this the year Ferrari come good? I have Charles down as favourite but I have a sneeking feeling the Honda will be very good this year, what I do like is the influx of new talent and that makes it interesting, shame about the TV presentation

Indycars, looking good and more Rene would be good, it may be a 'spec' series but even when it was at a great height in the 80's and early 90 with a few exceptions was mainly either Lola or Reynard [remember him?] but more importantly today's cars are sounding great on brilliant circuits with real racing and some really good drivers,

MotoGP- yes Rene, Marc can be beaten, watched Lorenzo test the Yamaha, pretty impressive, me thinks will there be 6 Yamaha's on the tracks in 2021? I do think Maverick despite JC's accurate observation will be champion this year

[robmarsh]

Hello everyone. It's good to be back on the forum and reading all the comments etc. The standard hasn't dropped but it has moved even further away from what passes as debate on the MS forums. Our move is finally completed, renting a bungalow in Crayke North Yorkshire and very happy to be in this part of the world. My wife and I love England and should have moved over here years ago but things happen when they happen. We are looking forward to the odd sortie into Europe later in the year. Charles the bungalow we are renting overlooks a field where their are two alpeccas. They are lovely animals. Anyway I am now operating off my laptop instead of my tablet and have got back into a routine so hope to make up for my lack of contribution over the last three months. They were more stressful than I imagined they would.

[chrisb]

Hi Rob, welcome back and more importantly welcome to the UK, looking forward to your comments my friend, we are not far from each other [about an hour and a bit] so hopefully you are settling in, and not too soggy from he recent weather, and I can believe the stress and strain moving over here presents, good to have you back 

[robmarsh]

Feb 26, 2020 9:31:10 GMT chrisb said:

Hi Rob, welcome back and more importantly welcome to the UK, looking forward to your comments my friend, we are not far from each other [about an hour and a bit] so hopefully you are settling in, and not too soggy from he recent weather, and I can believe the stress and strain moving over here presents, good to have you back 

Hi Chris

That's great we can meet up sometime in the not too distant future.  Where abouts are you?

[chrisb]

Rob, I'm about 5 miles south of Durham city

[robmarsh]

Feb 28, 2020 19:47:52 GMT chrisb said:

Rob, I'm about 5 miles south of Durham city

Oh excellent.  I will chat to my wife and we will make a plan to come up that way.

[chrisb]

brilliant, hope you are settling in well

[charleselan]

Feb 25, 2020 18:13:09 GMT robmarsh said:

Hello everyone. It's good to be back on the forum and reading all the comments etc. The standard hasn't dropped but it has moved even further away from what passes as debate on the MS forums. Our move is finally completed, renting a bungalow in Crayke North Yorkshire and very happy to be in this part of the world. My wife and I love England and should have moved over here years ago but things happen when they happen. We are looking forward to the odd sortie into Europe later in the year. Charles the bungalow we are renting overlooks a field where their are two alpeccas. They are lovely animals. Anyway I am now operating off my laptop instead of my tablet and have got back into a routine so hope to make up for my lack of contribution over the last three months. They were more stressful than I imagined they would.

Good to hear that you are settling in well Rob. I moved to another country so know full well all that entails but it must have been minimal in comparison with you moving such a distance but at least you share a common language to ease things along a bit.

Not sure how experienced those owners of the alpacas are but it isn't ideal having just two as they are herd animals and need companionship at all times. I have heard tragic tales where people have had but two alpacas and one dies leaving the other as a solitary animal who soon also dies due to loneliness. I have always refused to sell solitary alpacas and in fact pairs unless the owner has more themselves, a minimum of three is the prerequisite. They are wonderful creatures however and a delight to own.