Motorcycle Forums

PHILIP ISLAND VIDEO

If you want to see a review of the Ist race go to this link: It's from Italy LA7. http://www.la7.it/motociclismo/pvideo-stream?id=i389034  Last year they had videos of WSBK both legs the following day. If you don't have Eurosport at least you can see the video! Or if you have a motorised dish you could maybe pick the races up direct. Checa ran aaway with it but great fight between Melandri, Laverty and Haslam!

Until its put to a good date.

The riders like this story will never go away it will always rumble on and on.

LORIS TRAWLING FOR A JOB ...

Can't see our Loris at Phillip Island in 2012 either, daveyboy79. Unless it might be in February for WSBK as you say. See my later comments on WSBK etc  ... This entire subject is now getting beyond the pale. My distinct and singular understanding is that Valentino Rossi expressed an "opinion" casually in an interview that it might be, " better if PI was moved to a warmer time of the year." This was in the context of Practice being held in cool conditions in 2010. Race Day itself didn't appear to present ANY problems whatsoever - meaning conditions at ALL circuits are variable and riders and teams have to have the ability to cope with that reality. Again, my understanding is that there has been absolutely NO "official" edict being handed-down or expressed by either the Safety Commission or Rider's Safety Committee.
 

Matt Birt, I hate to criticise or take issue with you - but this is what I think. When you say a “host" of top riders - the very word host directly implies very many, a great number, an Army, a multitude et al. I do not believe this to be true at all. My opinion is that Carmelo Ezpeleta has been working a " charm offensive " on the motorcycle race media to rally them to his cause. One hand washes the other, right? I am being " nice " here as, quite frankly, my feeling is that Ezpeleta is being disingenuous by claiming he has the full and complete backing of the riders. This change in dates is being driven solely by him for reasons of expense-saving and profit-maximisation by Dorna and he will have a Middle-Eastern circuit in reserve, slavering at the chops and willing to pay heaps to get onto the Calendar should the GP Corporation of Australia give him cause to chop PI. They have a contract for October until 2016. Tell you what. Get a credible and independent spokesman to ASK Casey Stoner directly what he thinks of the matter. Should he concur with the so far mere " allegation " that Rossi backs Ezpeleta - and Stoner ALSO says he wants it moved for the same reasons - then I will shut-up and leave the issue to rest and let the chips fall where they may. Until that time - my firm opinion remains that this is a Dorna fit-up and mere Corporate posturing and propaganda. Since when did Ezpeleta and Dorna really give a rat’s about the riders? Same as it ever was ….
Following my recent rant that WSBK has just got ridiculously complex and expensive and moved too close to MotoGP in machine spec and expense - no less a luminary than Yamaha guru, Masao Furasawa has expressed his opinion that both Series should perhaps merge into a " super " Class with Dorna and InFront burying their differences - OR - as I said a few weeks back - WSBK should be MORE " production-based. Makes perfect sense to me as that ( being closer to Production spec ) was the original vision way back in 1986 and 1987 before we kicked-off at Donington in 1988. Cheers
 

My only opinion on it is its a damn good track...

And if there was away it could be run so weather wasn't an issue it would be great. Stoner himself said the weather is as bad there in March and I suppose there's no gurantee anytime of the year they'll get it perfect.

I shall find out in a few weeks while there!!!

If there was any justice all the races would be run in optimum condtions and there's much worse than Phillip Island like the rain fall in Qatar. They should maybe have a re-think on the whole season and make it easier and chaper for teams travelling too. Like cut America out completely!!! Only joking. Laguna Seca rocks.

Surely the weather just makes it interesting?

Le Mans has a worse track record for weather IMHO. It's not like PI is a washout every year. Worried about cold tyres? Wimps! Get Bridgestone to come up with a decent compound for PI, and put some heated grips on your bikes.