2011 MotoGP Sepang 2 Test (Feb 22-24)

[Drunken Monkey]

By the way, I did read up on DTC and it is a pretty cool idea:

Basically it's two independent transmissions (one for the odd-number gears, one for the even numbered gears) and each with it's own clutch.

e.g. When you switch from 1st to 2nd gear, the transmission first engages 2nd and then swaps from driving through 1st into 2nd via the two clutches. This way there's no interruption of power delivery during the 'switch'

Well, it is "testing" and not "racing" so Honda may be "testing" the waters while they're in this gray area.

[gm2]

the consensus across the board is that they would not do something illegal.  DCT is illegal, even in testing.  

keep in mind that this whole thing started in the italian press...

and "We are not talking about a DCT, but I can't tell you how it works... because I don't know!"  sounds exactly like "because i'm not an engineer!"

[Triple J]

and "We are not talking about a DCT, but I can't tell you how it works... because I don't know!"  sounds exactly like "because i'm not an engineer!"

I'm sure he knows how it works in a general sense, at least in how it relates to the rules...he just isn't willing to share that information. I was joking (partially) earlier. 

[duccarlos]

New technology = not illegal yet.

[derby]

New technology = not illegal yet.

hehehe... i was curious how much wiggle room the rules left in their wording so i went looking for the regulation in question.

the 2011 rules aren't on the fim site, but the 2010 rules say:

2.4 Transmission

2.4.1 A maximum of six gear ratios is permitted.

2.4.2 Twin clutch transmission systems (DSG) are not permitted.

2.4.3 Continuously Variable Transmission systems (CVT) are not
permitted.

2.4.4 Automatic transmission systems are not permitted. Manual
transmissions with gearshifts assisted by quick-shifter systems
are permitted.

so... as long as it doesn't have two clutches, they're probably in the clear. 

[gm2]

unleash the marketing guys on honda, quick!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89643
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89655

[Drunken Monkey]

Hmmm. Makes me wonder what Honda's built then... If it's too complicated to explain / understand then odds are it's in a gray area given the vagueness of the rules (what constitutes an automatic transmission?)

My money is on some kind of electronically controlled clutch (given the reports that that Honda seems to have cured their "hopping rear wheel on downshifts" issues) or they have figured out some way to build a 'dual clutch like' device into a single clutch basket

[Speeddog]

unleash the marketing guys on honda, quick!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89643
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89655

That's all well and good, saying "We don't have a race-pace problem" and "We will work like dogs to fix the problems".

But it's the 4 Hondas at the pointy end that is the *real* problem.
If they can qualify something like that, it'd be a front row with 3 of Stoner, Pedro, Simo and Dovi.
Given Pedro's rocket starts, Stoner's ability to hammer fast laps from the get-go, Dovi's good race pace and Simo's tenacity on holding position...Dovi and Simo can delay attackers long enough for Stoner and Pedro to run away and hide.

Or hell, maybe they'll all just ride off as a pack. 

[Buckethead]

Or hell, maybe they'll all just ride off as a pack. 

Until Stoner, with a clear 2 second lead, pushes too hard and loses the front going into a corner.

[Jester]

Until Stoner, with a clear 2 second lead, pushes too hard and loses the front going into a corner.

I would say this is much less likely to happen on the more stable Honda.

[Drunken Monkey]

I'm still not going to call it for the Hondas.

From that tweet I linked to earlier:

The average times from longest runs -only 4 riders below 2:02
Stoner (2:01.286 /15 laps)
Spies (2:01.472 /5)
Pedrobot (2:01.683 /10)
Rossi (2:01.739 /6)

Best lap time isn't as valid as best series of laps strung together.

[derby]

Best lap time isn't as valid as best series of laps strung together.

[Speeddog]

I'm still not going to call it for the Hondas.

From that tweet I linked to earlier:

The average times from longest runs -only 4 riders below 2:02
Stoner (2:01.286 /15 laps)
Spies (2:01.472 /5)
Pedrobot (2:01.683 /10)
Rossi (2:01.739 /6)

Best lap time isn't as valid as best series of laps strung together.

But....
If those 4 guys cross the line at the same time, then string together only 5 laps at those lap times...

Stoner would have ~ a 139 ft lead on Ben, 296 ft on Pedro, and 338 feet on Rossi.
Those are 'average' seperation distances over a lap, so a bit hard to visualize.

Put another way, Stoner would have a 3.72 sec lead over Spies after 20 laps.

[Rameses]

Well then it's a good thing races happen on a track and not on a calculator.

[Speeddog]

Well then it's a good thing races happen on a track and not on a calculator.

Well played, sir!