....don't let me hold you back. 

I'll simply remember it as one of the most amazing things I ever saw not caring about who 'touched' whom or when the pass actually occurred.

It's my opinion that that was the day Rossi got into Stoners head.

That was the greatest pass ever...dirt or not.    But...does a pass before a turn count if you're too hot to make the turn?  Who cares though...it's long over...and was still some GREAT racing.

I think Rossi was in Stoner's head, ala Biaggi or Sete, in 2008 after Laguna. Stoner crashed a couple times trying to stay ahead of Rossi later that year.

Last year Stoner just had health issues...which may have got into his head themselves. A lot of us were skeptical, but he came back super strong, so there we go. I think Phillip Island last year was the turning point for Stoner and his attitude. He dominated and rode the wheels off the Duc...with Rossi on his tail. Now I just think he is motivated by Rossi...not intimidated.

I also think he'll be stoopid fast this year. But...can he race with Rossi.  I don't think it's mental...just skill.

I hope the 6 engine rule doesn't make a difference in the championship.

Quote from: Triple J on January 25, 2010, 07:32:49 AM
I hope the 6 engine rule doesn't make a difference in the championship.

it will.  already has.

How has it already?

Quote from: Triple J on January 25, 2010, 07:53:47 AM
How has it already?

for one, http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81001

the GP bikes are now actually more constrained than WSBK engines.. i'm not saying they're less powerful etc, but they can be a lot less judicious with their tuning.

and of course, this 'cost cutting' move has cost everyone tons of money trying to develop an engine that will give the maximum and still last.

Quote from: gm2 on January 25, 2010, 08:00:24 AM
and of course, this 'cost cutting' move has cost everyone tons of money trying to develop an engine that will give the maximum and still last.

OTOH, it has served the purpose of bringing race technology to street engines.  They're talking about getting a lot of mileage out of an engine that revs to a billion RPM.  That'll be great for developing production bikes that do that same -- long life with high revs. 

Quote from: Spidey on January 25, 2010, 08:10:45 AM
OTOH, it has served the purpose of bringing race technology to street engines.  They're talking about getting a lot of mileage out of an engine that revs to a billion RPM.  That'll be great for developing production bikes that do that same -- long life with high revs. 

agreed.  the R1 in my future appreciates this.  =)

but that is not, and shouldn't be, the point of GP.

Ya, all that makes sense. I was talking more apparent things though...like one of the aliens having to start at the back of the grid during the second half of the season because they used more than 6 engines.

How are crashes handled? What if you have an engine destroyed, or seriously damaged in a crash. Does that count towards the 6?

Quote from: Triple J on January 25, 2010, 08:20:18 AM
Ya, all that makes sense. I was talking more apparent things though...like one of the aliens having to start at the back of the grid during the second half of the season because they used more than 6 engines.

How are crashes handled? What if you have an engine destroyed, or seriously damaged in a crash. Does that count towards the 6?

yup, it counts.

So Lorenzo will be a non-factor by Race 7? 

That rule sucks.

I think the rule could make things really interesting in terms of strategery.  I'm taking a wait-n-see approach.

That said, I really pissed that they've disincentivized wheelies and burnouts on the cool-down lap.  Assholes.      

Quote from: Spidey on January 25, 2010, 08:33:01 AM
I think the rule could make things really interesting in terms of strategery.  I'm taking a wait-n-see approach.

That said, I really pissed that they've disincentivized wheelies and burnouts on the cool-down lap.  Assholes.      

DEPENDS...if they get to the 3rd race on that engine and it makes the distance...they could pull the pin and see what happens!!!

unless the engineers are really concerned about being able to tear apart an engine that made it through 3 races.. which i bet they would be.