RACE STUFF THREAD

[Pinocchio]

MotoGP is now officially a victim of the Eurozone crisis with Espoleto envisioning spec ECUs and rev limiters to "keep the grid as compact as possible" for privateer and CRT teams desperately trying to keep pace with the three remaining factory teams.  Got to keep that entertainment value high:
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/wrooom+2012+Ezpeleta+on+motogp+future

[Cher]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97091

Yeah, baby   

[CajunR]

 

[LYD]

oh yeah!!!!   

[Cher]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97130

 

[LYD]

we all hope so!

[CajunR]

I received this via email yesterday:

Circuit of The Americas Select Seating waitlist is now available!
Circuit of The Americas Start-Finish Line

To reserve your spot on the official Circuit of The Americas Select Seating waitlist for:

    * Luxury Suites
    * Premium Grandstand Seating

Please do so now by submitting a $100 per account deposit. Your priority will be set by the date and time you make your confirmed deposit.

The Circuit of The Americas Select Seating waitlist enrolling period will begin today and end on Monday, February 13th.

We will begin the process of contacting deposit-holders on March 1.

http://circuitoftheamericas.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=42033ee992adfbf528d5855f5&id=9e698848ac&e=6bf80775a0
http://circuitoftheamericas.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=42033ee992adfbf528d5855f5&id=0c0a47efcd&e=6bf80775a0

[fastwin]

I like seeing this. Having a KTM or two on the grid improves racing.

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=47133

[webspoke]

Sepang tests underway, Rossi is pleased with the new bike, 5th and only .75 out of the top compared to 1.5 last year.  Stoner hurt himself stretching, Nicky is still hurting from bone breaks, and Lorenza is fastest because his finger is shorter and lighter!   
http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jan/120131b.htm

[Cher]

Brief Disclaimer:  I'm a nutty fan for all the Ducati Racing programs - MotoGP, WSBK and the AMA stuff     That being said, I'm not sure 3/4 of a second off the pace for Ducati is encouraging in Sepang. Towards the end of last season that's pretty much where Nicky could qualify.  Racing for 6th and 7th can't be that satisfying for anyone involved with the GP Corse program.  Granted, it is "pre-season" so hopefully they're sandbagging'  

[muskrat]

+1 on what Cher said

[Cher]

I thought the new Panigale would be the weapon of choice for Ducati in this year's WSBK but Althea are still running the 1198.  http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/5-news/10033-title-winners-althea-racing-present-2012-team.html   Can they bring the new bike in mid-season?

What am I missing (besides a few marbles)  

[calscrazy]

cher i know they have rules on which bikes can be used by sales. ducati may not have enough sales of the 1199 yet to qualify it or they havnt actually delivered enough units yet. WSBK prob didn't get the bike in time either to go over it with a fine tooth comb to determine weight difference allotments, etc.

[webspoke]

WSBK is also getting some rules changes in 2013, which ducati may feel favor the 1199 package more.  I think it is a change to more super stock / production like bikes. 

[Mhanis]

I read an article that said they will run it in Supersport this year as that class is pretty close to stock. They will put it into Superbike next year to give them time for testing as Superbike is significantly different.