This sounds promising (for everyone!).



I had the chance to chat with Cal Crutchlow for a quick minute at the Long Beach Montorcycle Show and this is how it went:

Me: With everything that... happened... at the last few races of the season, I can't help but think the tires are-

Cal: Oh, mate, they make the beast with two backsing suck. (I'm not lying: this is, verbatim, what he said).

Me: So Rossi and Schwantz aren't just blowing smoke? The tires changed from 2010?

Cal: Not just last year... From the first race of 2011 to the last, mate, I promise you: different tire.

Me: Wow, I'm surprised they would do that considering the safety ramifications. Anything to do with "Japanese Business"? (I worked in Tokyo as a designer for Honda for 2 years... Japanese Business is... well, unique)

Cal: Absolutely what I feel about it. They are cutting costs... they won't do anything unless it makes them money or lowers their cost and I'm telling you it's dangerous as shit out there on those tires.

Me: I know that business first hand and that was my first reaction, as a GP "outsider" and a fan.

Cal: Yup. I just hope it changes.



This isn't "on the record" so if you don't like what I wrote, just dismiss it as bullshit. It was a casual conversation and I was surprised how quick he was to talk about it (and what I'd consider in a very honest manner). I'm a huge Super Sic fan, so trust me... Cal's words stuck with me and I'll never forget them. Sepang was the culmination of what so many people "saw coming" with the nature of the 2011 Bridgestones.

It's unfortunate and beyond words how I feel about Sepang 2011, and I'm glad that (just like anything for rider safety) Capirossi isn't afraid to make waves if it's for the greater good.

Finally (but still too late).

Ciao, Sic.

So any chance there could be some legal ramifications in their effect and possible cause of sic‘s accident and death. 

Quote from: Raux on January 08, 2012, 02:13:37 AM
So any chance there could be some legal ramifications in their effect and possible cause of sic‘s accident and death. 

be a helluva burden of proof case...

Yeah, no way.

At the end of the day these lunatics still get on a motorcycle and race each other at 200 mph.

Thank you for the reality check 

Maybe if they were in Italy (remember Senna and the 10+ year investigation into his death that dragged Williams through the courts).

Single tire supplier setups can work but this is a case where it doesn't IMO. When a tire degrades over race distance in a consistent manner, people can adjust and riders who are better at riding on worn tires can make it work better. I'd prefer that over a super consistent tire that doesn't wear but is dangerous for the first 2/3 laps.

THat is true. And it still may happen. as more information pours out about last year's tires, maybe the Italians will bring Bridgestone and Dorna to the table for Sic's death. Never underestimate the Italians' need for revenge.

Quote from: Raux on January 09, 2012, 09:31:57 PM
  Never underestimate the Italians' need for revenge.

ESPECIALLY when death is on the line...

sorry...got to channeling Vizzinni there for a second..

Quote from: Raux on January 09, 2012, 09:31:57 PM
THat is true. And it still may happen. as more information pours out about last year's tires, maybe the Italians will bring Bridgestone and Dorna to the table for Sic's death. Never underestimate the Italians' need for revenge.

that'll never happen.

maybe they should call this guy up?


http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2012/01/check-out-this-beam-framed-ducati-special/

Preziosi: "90 percent of the bike is new"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Preziosi%20press%20conference%20wrooom%202012


...so, in answer to the title of this thread: everything.

what they are describing makes it sound as if Burgess configured the bike with Ducati's motor....but I guess we shall see.....makes me wonder how much of JB's input is in the end product?

I was thinking, if Ducati would take a GP11, put on some Michelin, Pirelli or anything other than the hard Bridgestones, go to any track from last year and put up some killer times, that it would be a great coup for the company.

Quote from: Raux on January 11, 2012, 11:48:13 AM
I was thinking, if Ducati would take a GP11, put on some Michelin, Pirelli or anything other than the hard Bridgestones, go to any track from last year and put up some killer times, that it would be a great coup for the company.

wouldn't work.  you can't underestimate the degree to which the GP bikes are designed around the tires.

Quote from: gm2 on January 12, 2012, 11:19:11 AM
wouldn't work.  you can't underestimate the degree to which the GP bikes are designed around the tires.

but i think the point here is that the GP11 can't work with the Bridgestones. so try another set