Search the Community

Just wanted to share some pics I've taken over the years. Almost exclusively US tracks but maybe I'll throw in some paddock stuff here and there. As I go through my stuff I'll post a few every so often. To start here are some pics from 2011 MotoGP @ Laguna Seca. Valentino Rossi chasing down Marco Simoncelli into Turn 4. The late Nicky Hayden chilling along the pit wall.

Contracts have been signed for 2016, but could they still be changed at this late date ? it seems there is an option in the contracts for Jorge and Yamaha to part company even now. In a TV interview Yamaha MotoGP boss said "very disappointed in Jorge Lorenzo" http://www.marca.com/en/2015/11/04/en/more_sports/1446667166.html It would be brilliant if they did ask him to hop it, clear off !

I see Marquez taking another championship followed by Vinales. Rossi third, and either Lorenzo or Pedrosa fourth. It's hard to count out Crutchlow and Dovizioso either. I wouldn't be surprised to see Folger as the top rookie and see him getting a podium...

..as in beer. MotoGP.com has started advertising the end of the season as free with registration. Not sure if you get to watch previous races or not, but if you want to see the last couple of races, something to look into.

A two-pronged post: 1. Who's going to the race at Circuit of the Americas this year? I bought my tickets months ago. 2. I figure the bike is going with me no matter whether I ride it from DFW or trailer it - which means while I'm "down there" I might as well hit the Three Sisters since it's been a few years. Thinking of riding Monday and coming home Tuesday. Anybody going and want to meet up, and/or if you will have a bike, make a longer weekend of it?

Scanning the testing times for the Valencia tests I didn't see Hayden's name. Anyone know if he tested today? I know he's getting the RC213V-RS (or the RC213V Touring edition, as it should be known) and I'd like to see if anything's improving on his end.

"The Doctor attempts to regain some Mojo"

http://www.revzilla.com/hub-nicky-hayden-interview-video

Marc Marquez: MotoGP champion signs new Honda deal Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has signed a new two-year contract to remain with Honda. In his debut season last year, the 21-year-old Spaniard won the title on his Repsol Honda bike. He currently tops the standings by 28 points, ahead of team-mate Dani Pedrosa, having won all four races from pole position this term. "I'm glad to remain with this special group of people for another two seasons," said Marquez. "I had always dreamt about being part of the Repsol Honda Team and, thanks to Honda, the dream came true a year-and-a-half ago. "Everything happened very quickly last season and I would have never imagined that I could achieve what we did." Honda executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto added: "We are very satisfied to have reached an agreement to keep Marc in the team for a further two seasons." http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/motogp/27408323

So where will the collective be hanging for the Austin MotoGP? (I'm sure to lap the perimeter a few times) Since they've yanked the Laguna Seca leg (it's return very unlikely) and missing last year's LS edition with a 3Day tix in hand (don't ask), we're going to have to wrangle our way over for a look see! (will have to get to work on my "FREE #34" Tee) In an unrelated note: I recently posted the entire 1988 Laguna Seca "Grand Prix" to YouTube that I had transferred from VHS to DVD.(Lawson,Rainey,Gardner,Schwantz,MacKensie,) It got pulled after two days with a copyright infringement from (Duke Ent.?) I even listed all the Inc.'s I saw on the cover work. Thought I was doing them a favor airing some old school Vids. forget it... Cheers!

In mid-July my pal Tony and I left Victoria and headed to California for the MotoGP. I'd installed a set of peg lowering brackets from BLS and swapped O² sensor connectors. Neither mod lasted the trip. The Coho ferry schedule requires a 4:00 am start on the 1st day - the toughest part of the trip for a night owl like me. That's one problem with living on an island. In the dark I discovered that both low beams were dead. The only VFR trouble all trip. We took a side trip over Beartooth Pass again this year, one of my favourite roads. I prefer a south-to-north pass but time pressures allowed only one run. The wx was fantastic and there weren't too many cruisers clogging up road. We transited Yellowstone NP only because it was the shortest route. One should really budget for a longer visit. In Nevada, between Wendover and Ely, we were caught in a massive thundershower. For ~5 miles the rain was heavy to monsoon-like but unlike Tony, I have an Aerostich so no worries. The Toiyabe Cafe in Austin, Nv is a good place for breakfast. Sonora Pass, Hwy 108, is my favourite way to cross the Sierra Nevadas. Hwy 49 from Jamestown to Bear Valley then J16 to Snelling are a sweet pair. Better yet is Hwy 25 between Hollister and King City - tight bends and great pavement. At Jamestown I swapped the O² sensor back to stock and 86'd the foot peg brackets. I'll post an ad for them. We lucked into mid-70°'s crossing California's central valley but the mercury rose and it was upper-90°'s at Paso Robles. Forty minutes later at Cambria it had dropped 40° thanks to the marine layer. A good Italian can be had at Lombardi's. The next day's ride up Hwy 1 was under heavy skies, and foggy in spots, but with little traffic. For breakfast at Big Sur I recommend Ripplewood Resort. Plenty more mist/fog each morning at Laguna Seca. Saturday only warmed to the mid-60°'s while on raceday it was a more pleasant 75° (according to my VFR). Not the most exciting race but I love standing trackside at T5 and watch them charge into charge into the corner only a few feet away. In Monterey, First Awakenings is our usual breakfast stop. For pizza it is Gianni's. Going home we rode the coast in mist/fog all the way to Crescent City. Cutting inland to Leggett I had a bit of fun hounding three guys on DL1000s. It's the first time in ages that I had a chance to ride with fast guys. My pal Tony is a bit conservative, speed-wise. After that it was a slog on I-5 through Ore & Wash to home. On the last night Tony noticed a dinged rear wheel on his ZRX1200 - bummer. At least it held air and there was no sign of a crack so we made it home ok.

One of my favourite roads is US212 on the Wyoming-Montana border. At 10,947 feet it is above the tree line and has views that take your breath away. Well that and the elevation. Pick the wrong weekend and you'll be passing an endless parade of slow, poorly navigated cruisers. Oh, and the occasional nut behind the wheel of truck. for instance: Or check the video: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/72441-beartooth-pass-video/