Achtung, hier sind die Nachrichten, ja!

[arkline]

Ready, steady,go...

German Grand Prix at Sachsenring...This coming Sunday (07-16-06) on SpeedTV at 1:00PM Pacific zone time. Later for you folks strung out east of Seattle. The Sachsenring looks like someone's bowel's tied in a knot and I'm gonna be betting that the racing will be superb, one more time again with feeling. Ten left handers and only four rights...who will be passing whom, I wonder...

[Promethean]

Perhaps it should read...... "hier sind die Nachrichten" but I could be wrong. It's been a while. :embarassed:

[arkline]

I stand corrected...It has been a whole long while for me....

[Sir Limpsalot]

If Valentino is going to win this years championship he has to pretty much win 'em all from here on in.
I'm betting he does then..............
Si

[arkline]

Vale needs to "get on the stick" as my dad used to say. The Hayden/Pedrosa combat is a good focal point. I am soooo impressed by the "new" guys, but Pedrosa isn't conceding anything to anybody. Great stuff, this year. Absolutely.

[DJ Down Under]

Yamaha are looking at either Nicky or Casey to replace Colin as Rossi's team mate.

I think we'll see Rossi put pressure on Nicky and Danny by sitting on their tail and try and pressure them into a mistake and maybe crash.

I can't wait till Sunday.

DJ

[supermotoC]

They (Yamaha) are pressing Nicky pretty hard, as Honda thinks they have a new King in Pedrosa. I'd like to go to an "aftershow" party with Rossi & Hayden on the same team!
Pedrosa could be a real spoiler if he remains consistently in the top 3 for the rest of the series. Achtung!

[supermotoC]

from a high, White House source....



MotoGP to air on ABC network

In a landmark moment for the sport, MotoGP will be broadcast on network television across the United States this summer after an agreement was reached between ABC and MotoGP’s commercial rights-holders Dorna Sports.

The deal will see the 2006 Red Bull US Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca broadcast during an hour-long programme on July 30th at 1-2pm ET and 3-4pm PT. The show will include not only the coverage of one of the most thrilling races of the season, but exciting features, news and interviews of one of the most spectacular sporting events to take place on American soil.

The programme is an important step for MotoGP which continues to expand its network of broadcasts to worldwide audiences. Currently MotoGP reaches 207 countries, with 184 of those in live or same day delayed format. An average of 142 million spectators see the live/SDD broadcasts, with a total average audience per GP of 311 million viewers.

“We are happy to have the 2006 Red Bull US Grand Prix on ABC,” said Tag Garson, Sr. Director of Programming and Acquisitions. “It is an exciting event, which takes place at one of racing’s most renowned venues, and showcases some terrific action.”

Dorna Sports’ Managing Director, Manel Arroyo added, “It is great news for the sport to be broadcast across the United States on network television. Working alongside a prestigious network such as ABC will certainly help us achieve our objective of bringing MotoGP to the attention of a more mainstream audience.”

MotoGP is the world’s premier motorcycle championship, featuring the best racers on the planet riding multi-million dollar, prototype machines that can reach speeds in excess of 200mph. MotoGP takes its glamorous circus to all corners of the globe. The machines produce more than 240 horsepower and weigh in at just 325lb (148kg), demanding the ultimate in riding skill, which is personified by the likes of Valentino Rossi and American contenders Nicky Hayden, John Hopkins, Colin Edwards and Kenny Roberts Jr.

For the first time since 1994 MotoGP returned to the U.S. last year, with over 157,000 fans enjoying the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix throughout the weekend at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca circuit in California,

Helping to make the deal possible between the two parties was Van Wagner Sports Group, who will coordinate production matters with ABC and will work as Dorna's US TV ad-sales agent.

From MotoGP

[arkline]

Look for me, Donna and Alex in the Turn 4 stands. Allan too, I think. We'll be the ones who are having the best time....

[Dallara]

Yep, I'll be right there in Turn 4 with Ron and Family... There or in the Turn 4 Suites. Or maybe we'll be roaming the paddock or vendor areas.

But wherever we are the US MotoGP weekend I'll have to side with Ron and say we will most definitely be the ones having the best time!

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

Talked to the folks at GPT yesterday, Ron. Nick Harris will be with the GPT group again this year. He was a riot last year at the GPT cocktail party on Saturday night, and one hell of a nice guy. Great inside info, and insight, on all things MotoGP, and a lot of fun to sit and have a drink with. Going to be some other neat folks there, too.

I think you, Donna, and Alex will really enjoy this group.

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara - NAABSCD)

[DJ Down Under]

Danny..Kenny..and Nicky on the front row..:icon_eek:

Sete is back..and in 7th..Casey 8th..and Hopper in 9th.

Rossi 11th and Edwards 15th.

Rossi will not be happy with his grid possition...but if anyone can win from back there..Rossi can.

DJ

[arkline]

Well, this should be interesting. Pedrosa and Hayden with Roberts on the front row. Capirossi is back in the top five. Nakano and Melandri aren't giving anything away. Capirossi has got heart, 'eh? Gibernau qualifies better than Rossi and Rossi gets to work himself back up to the front again if he wants to win. The Sachsenring has some very tight technical stuff, an inner part of the loop that is very twisted and the outer loop that wraps around it. There is only one really long straight so it's hard to figure if Pedrosa and Hayden will be able to get away and continue to gain ground on the rest of the field. If the starting swarm isn't careful and controlled, we might see another bunch of drops. Being back in the pack seems a big disadvantage at the start given the land-rush starts we've seen lately.

I'm stoked, you betcha...

[DJ Down Under]

Poor old Colin.

DJ

1 Dani PEDROSA 1'21.815
2 Kenny ROBERTS JR 1'21.907
3 Nicky HAYDEN 1'22.083
4 Shinya NAKANO 1'22.273
5 Loris CAPIROSSI 1'22.329
6 Marco MELANDRI 1'22.420
7 Sete GIBERNAU 1'22.469
8 Casey STONER 1'22.577
9 John HOPKINS 1'22.701
10 Makoto TAMADA 1'22.866
11 Valentino ROSSI 1'22.868
12 Carlos CHECA 1'22.964
13 Randy DE PUNIET 1'22.974
14 Chris VERMEULEN 1'23.050
15 Colin EDWARDS 1'23.087
16 Toni ELIAS 1'23.660
17 Alex HOFMANN 1'24.115

[Dallara]

Being from Texas I've always been a Colin Edwards fan. Having met him, and knowing the dealer who got him started as a good friend, only increased my wanting to support him.

That said, however... I have to wonder how much longer Colin will be able to hang onto a ride in MotoGP. He's still winless, despite getting close and even leading races. Though he has an incredible streak of scoring points in 30 straight races (historically surpassed only by Mick Doohan who did it in 37 straight races) Colin is woefully inconsistent with regards to qualifying and actual finishing position. Some days he's in the top five while others he seems to struggle just to get that final, single point in the finishing order. Despite the friendship he and Rossi have I find it difficult to believe Yamaha will keep him on the frontline squad.

I actually would hate to see Nicky Hayden replace Colin at Yamaha, primarily because Nicky has seemed to really begin to shine as the team leader of the Repsol Honda squad. Leaving there to be second-fiddle to Rossi could do nothing but hurt his long term chances, IMHO.

Stoner would be interesting as No. 2 to Rossi at Yamaha, though. Still young and brash enough not to be intimidated by Rossi, yet apparently willing to learn at whatever pace is necessary. He might be the perfect teammate to the Doctor.

I'd love to see Vermulen or Hopkins on the Yamaha squad for much the same reasons, except that Hopper isn't exactly a youngster (by MotoGP standards, anyway) any more, and I doubt Yamaha would be willing to bet on him. Suzuki's "The Other Aussie" Chris would be great alongside Rossi, though.

But back to Colin... I fear we will be seeing Edwards back in World or US Superbike sooner than any of us want to.

Too bad. I always though he could be a winner... Sure, the Aprilia was impossible ot win on, but Colin's been with both Yamaha and Honda now, when both have had World Championship and race winning machines, and he can't seem to convert.

Damn.

Allan (Dallara - NAABSCD)


ps - I will still stand by my prediction that Colin Edwards wins at Laguna Seca, and that might save his job, though I honestly believe it may end up being his one and only MotoGP win...

[DJ Down Under]

Just got home from watching the race with Clarrie...wow!!!..I don't think I took a breath for the last ten laps...and when it was over it was so good to finally blink.

It's a goodie..:eusa_clap:

DJ

[DarthRider]

How is Clarrie?

[supermotoC]

If today's battle was a precursor to Laguna Seca - all you guys going to Monterey are in for a showdown!

[DarthRider]

What the eff happened?
Luddites w/o cable everywhere want to know!

[Dallara]

Rossi came from 10th on the grid to win after a hell of a fight with Melandri...

Pedrosa and Hayden fought like bastard siblings all during the race...

Tamada looked spectacular until Roberts, Jr. took 'em both out, and Roberts actually led for a tiny bit of the first lap.

The Suzuki's flew around in formation but were never a factor...

You couldn't find Gibernau on radar... But Capirossi did okay.

The only positions Colin Edwards gained were from attrition and he started 13th and finished 11th or 12th... No doubt preparing his resume in his head.

At the finish you could have thrown a blanket over Rossi in 1st, Melandri in 2nd, Hayden in 3rd, and Pedrosa in 4th.

Hayden still has the points lead, but now Rossi is in second only 26 points behind.

Friggin' unbelievable stuff to watch! Damn!

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara - NAABSCD)

[DarthRider]

Thanks Allan.
Man, you guys are going to have a freakin' BALL at Laguna Seca!
Make sure Ron doesn't wet his pants...

[arkline]

Never fear Dave, I've got my Depends to depend on. If I were going to have had a bout of incontinence, today would have been the day. I've been marveling at the racing all this season. Every race I think "It don't get no better'n this" and IT DOES!!

Rossi jumped from eleventh to fifth and joined some exclusive company all riding like the banshees were hot on their tails. The last ten laps, just as DJ said, were heart in throat palpitating like a fluttering bird. For the longest time it looked like Hayden and Pedrosa were gonna kill one another. Then Melandri sneaks by, then the Doctor. This all prefaced by Roberts, Jr. doing a bowling for Tamada act that had Tamada laying on top of Roberts' bike as they both scudded to the outside of the curve. Once Roberts' bike got into the gravel Tamada was thrown abruptly to the ground and ended up hurt and squirming in front of the corner workers and Roberts, who had run right over once he'd regained his feet. Kenny looked very abject for having caused another rider to fall off, especially one who was having a pretty damned fine ride up to that point.

The jostling for first was merciless. While Rossi lead, he was treated to several doses of his own medicine by several riders interning just behind. The Yamaha just doesn't have an edge in raw get-away power. The Hondas, on the other hand, kept up, close and personal. By about a half lap from the end, it could have fallen into any one of three rider's hands. The distance in time between first and fourth at the finish couldn't have been more than half a heart beat and mine had gone tachycardic. That Rossi won is a tribute to his very great talent. I think he's figured out the season may have gotten away from him. And none of the guys up at the front - Pedrosa, Hayden, Melandri, or Capirossi seems in awe of the Doctor. Or a possible victim of a gypsy curse.

On to Monterey, stunted trees and ice plant, cool offshore breezes and the bright and burning sun. On to Laguna Seca, a motorcyclist's BE IN and Circus all rolled into one giant dream time, where the only time is lap time.

[DarthRider]

Hoochie Mama!
Sounds like a hell of a race...and you're going to Laguna.
I gotta get cable...

[DJ Down Under]

How was that last lap..Rossi had to not leave the door open one inch..force them to go around..and then go wide and block..he had to do what he had to do.

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/motogp/2006/ger/motogp-2006-ger-tm-0227.jpg

Looks like Rossi and Marko are really good friends...:icon_redface:

DJ

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/motogp/2006/ger/motogp-2006-ger-tm-0219.jpg

[arkline]

DJ,

From what I can tell at this distance Rossi, Melandri, and Capirossi all seem to be pals. Must be that Italian thing.

If you don't have cable, check out your TVGuide. ABC is running the race next Sunday. Live and in person. I wonder if the Brits will do the commentating? There's this ex-racer that mumbles a lot...The SpeedTV folks, Brian Drebber and what's his name, Freddie Spender, um, Spencer do pretty well. The only one that mumbles is Greg White. If I wasn't going to be there, I'd pull up a beer and have a grand old time. Top drawer all the way.

[geechie]

That was indeed one hell of a race. I was so scared that Dani and Nicky were going to get together and both end up in the gravel. What a race!! At least KRJR had the grace to immediately run to the aid of Tamada. What an ugly crash that was. Laguna Seca should be a blast.

George

[socalrob]

That was a fantastik race. The front 5 riders were just running at 110 percent at least the last 15 laps. Did you see those l o n g - l o w wheelies coming out of the turns. Absolute at the limit riding. Awsome.

I was looking at stats on the Motogp site, & noticed that Rossi & Kenny Jr. are the only 2 current riders that have won a full motogp championship. The younger generation is coming on with a vengence. How long can Rossi stay on top? He's cut Haydens point margin almost in half in just 2 races. Laguna is going to be a big fight, if Rossi beats Nicky, I think its all over but the fat lady singing for Hayden. If Hayden wins, Rossi is sure under preassure for the rest of the season. I'm really looking forward to what Hayden will/can do in a must win situation.

[Optimus Prime]

Wow, what a race. :eusa_clap: I think I've officially been converted to a MotoGP fan.

The top 4 were just lights out the whole second half. It was anybody's race right up through the last corner. And how about Pedrossa trying to shove it up inside of Hayden there near the end, and Hayden giving him the proverbial middle finger and nearly running over his front end.

The wife is even getting into it, well as much as she will admit to. When The Doctor was charging through the top 5 she asked, "Isn't that the cute Italian with the broken wrist?... He's good." :020:

[arkline]

With seven more races to go, it looks like it is still up for grabs, I think. There are four riders above the 100 point mark, though Capirossi is relatively far behind with 118 points. Bad luck, bad decisions, bad day for these guys and the points can shuffle dramatically. Vale was really riding in tip-top form this last weekend and, had he run just the merest smidgin wide, he could have been second or third on the podium. It is that tight here in the latter portion of the season.

[Tipstall]

I sat and watched this race in a cafe in Paris about 2 blocks from the US Embassy and the Champs-Elysees. It was the only thing playing and the staff was big time into it. The Dr is so smooth. Nicky is doing what he needs to do to win the title.

Ken