Quote from: GregP on December 31, 2008, 10:23:56 AM
Did Hopkins ever win in the 250 class?  I really don't understand what all the hoopla is about this guy. 

Nope.  He pretty much went straight to GP.  I think the hoopla is because he was made out to be the next coming of Schwantz in Faster.  I was a Hopper fan for a while because of it.  Then I got over it.  Completely over it. 

I still like his wheelies though.   

started in the premiere class.  when it was 500, but premiere class all the same

kawi pays (paid) him about $5mil/year

re hoopla, he is really fast.  he just never had the racecraft.

Quote from: gm2 on December 31, 2008, 10:43:03 AM
re hoopla, he is really fast.  he just never had the racecraft.

Is he?  I mean, I know he's faster than almost anyone else on the planet, but I don't see him throwing down in qualifying.  That's where you'd expect to see the fast guys who can't race showin' up.  Stoner is really fast, but needs some work on his racecraft (he's still pretty damn good though).  Hopper not so much.  I buy that he hasn't had a bike with which to compete, but that Zuke was a good bike his last year on it.  And he'd been developing it for a while, so he shoulda been comfy.  Even then, he could barely podium.  Yeah, he's fast.  But not close to Stoner/Rossi/douchebag/Lorenzo fast. 

Did I already mention his standups?  Whose got a good youtube clip for us, eh?   

Here's one from when he rode for Suzuki.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX63C6o9CYM


I'm still holding out for the official announcement from Kawi.  The media can speculate all they want, but that is just what it is: Speculation. 

Quote from: Spidey on December 31, 2008, 10:57:47 AM
Is he?  I mean, I know he's faster than almost anyone else on the planet, but I don't see him throwing down in qualifying.  That's where you'd expect to see the fast guys who can't race showin' up. 

he was getting there in '07.  and i should have said testing/qualifying fast, not just 'fast'.  he's not aggressive fast in races, as we all know.

he's a highly emotional rider and i think maybe not a setup genius.  so he's got to have the right setup AND be in the right confidence vortex; big obvious chip on his shoulder from not winning in 6 years.  he was turning in some quick laps on the suzi and started out strong on the kawi.. but almost none of that was in races

Quote from: Spidey on December 31, 2008, 10:57:47 AM
Yeah, he's fast.  But not close to Stoner/Rossi/douchebag/Lorenzo fast.

hopper did race a 250 class... just not the one you're thinking of.

he won the north american aprilia challenge, a spec series run on aprlia rs250s.

i seem to remember that ben spies came in 2nd that season, but i could be wrong.

Quote from: derby on December 31, 2008, 04:34:33 PM
hopper did race a 250 class... just not the one you're thinking of.

he won the north american aprilia challenge, a spec series run on aprlia rs250s.

i seem to remember that ben spies came in 2nd that season, but i could be wrong.

I don't think he raced the entire season.   Just a coupla races.  Right?  (I should know better than to try to out-geek derby on racing minutia).  I saw Faster too, derb.     Edit:  Crap, google says you're right. 

Happy New Year BTW.   

Quote from: derby on December 31, 2008, 04:34:33 PM
hopper did race a 250 class... just not the one you're thinking of.

he won the north american aprilia challenge, a spec series run on aprlia rs250s.

i seem to remember that ben spies came in 2nd that season, but i could be wrong.

you...

wrong?

no way

Hopper has been in MotoGP since 2002 and has one pole and two fastest laps to his name.  Vermulen has been there for three (IIRC) and has 3 poles and 1 fastest lap on the same kit and a win to boot. 

How "fast" can Hopper be when put into that context of not being race fast but fast otherwise? 

Maybe I can secure a seat in the bigs with that pitch.

Me: I'm really fast.  I won't win too many poles or run fastest laps and I won't even come close to winning a race but I'm fast.
Factory: Just sign on the dotted line son.  $5mil is in the mail.



Sorry, I'm a relative noob when it comes to racing and race history but I don't get it.

Back on topic:  I don't think Kawasaki was gonna win any races anyway so why spend the $$$.  It's all about sales in the showroom and the bike was never on the box so what's the point.  Develop the bike in superbike and call it a day.

Quote from: derby on December 31, 2008, 04:34:33 PM
hopper did race a 250 class... just not the one you're thinking of.

you mean just not the one he was talking about 

Quote from: GregP on January 01, 2009, 08:30:28 AM
Hopper has been in MotoGP since 2002 and has one pole and two fastest laps to his name.  Vermulen has been there for three (IIRC) and has 3 poles and 1 fastest lap on the same kit and a win to boot. 

How "fast" can Hopper be when put into that context of not being race fast but fast otherwise? 

Maybe I can secure a seat in the bigs with that pitch.

Me: I'm really fast.  I won't win too many poles or run fastest laps and I won't even come close to winning a race but I'm fast.
Factory: Just sign on the dotted line son.  $5mil is in the mail.



Sorry, I'm a relative noob when it comes to racing and race history but I don't get it.

Back on topic:  I don't think Kawasaki was gonna win any races anyway so why spend the $$$.  It's all about sales in the showroom and the bike was never on the box so what's the point.  Develop the bike in superbike and call it a day.

if you're consistently top ~6 (or 7 or 8... derbypedia leave me alone), as he was on the zuke, you're both fast and a good sponsor investment.  of course it's about winning to the racers but on some other books being in the top 'group' still pencils.

and he's american, etc etc

Quote from: gm2 on January 01, 2009, 10:35:29 AM
if you're consistently top ~6 (or 7 or 8... derbypedia leave me alone), as he was on the zuke, you're both fast and a good sponsor investment.  of course it's about winning to the racers but on some other books being in the top 'group' still pencils.

and he's american, etc etc

And he gives good wheelie.   

Seriously, what are he & Marco gonna do?  Sit out a year?  Bump some WSBK rider and go there for a year?  I checked out his website and saw a post by him.  It was the usual 'I can't tell you anything," but written in Hopper-speak (which is like when a retarded person with a 2nd grade education and a gaping head wound tries to write prose).  He said to wait for the official Kawi announcement.

whu?

WORDS FROM HOPKINS
Hey guys.  As you all know, everything is up in the air and people want answers. Everything from here is now in my managers hands. I have read nearly all articles posted and find it absolutely crazy how people are stating that I have announced this / or said that. when in fact I have avoided ALL phone-calls from the media until time permits. There will be an official press release held very soon, where we can confirm or deny all rumors.   I will let you all now as soon as I get the go ahead. I just wanted to say thank you for all your support through this year and now. will keep you posted......            Hopper



self edit*   I can do no better 

I totaly respect what even the slowest guy in the paddock is capable of on a motorcycle.  Hell, I'm impressed with what guys in the fast group at a track day can do.

However, it's all relative right.  He was 4th in points last year which is unreal in human terms but these guys are paid to win and put the bike on the podium.

2nd place is just the first looser! 

The little girl that writes for RRW has better writing skills than Hopper as well.