| Marco Simoncelli has extended his 250cc World Championship lead by winning Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. The Italian lost out to Alex Debon into turn one, but was back in front by the end of the first lap - where he ultimately remained at the chequered flag. Nevertheless, Mapfre Aspar Aprilia's Alvaro Bautista made his way steadily forwards and took second position just after the halfway stage of the 23 laps.
The Spaniard looked set to mount a serious victory attack as he closed to within 0.3secs of Simoncelli's Metis Gilera with three laps to go - but was held up by a backmarker, allowing Simoncelli the breathing room he needed to secure his fourth victory of the season and Dunlop's 200th. Simoncelli, who began the race 26 points clear of Mika Kallio, will start the final three rounds of the championship 32 points in front of new nearest rival Bautista, after Kallio finished a lonely fifth on his factory KTM. Race results - Motegi: 1. Simoncelli (Gilera) 2. Bautista (Aprilia) +0.348secs 3. Debon (Aprilia) +8.414secs 4. Simon (KTM) +9.151secs 5. Kallio (KTM) +17.041secs 6. Takahashi (Honda) +19.632secs 7. Espargaro (Aprilia) +19.892secs 8. Pasini (Aprilia) +20.442secs 9. Aoyama (KTM) +22.303secs 10. Locatelli (Gilera) +22.387secs | |||||||
Sunday 28 September 2008
Valentino Rossi wins 2008 MotoGP championship in Motegi
Valentino Rossi today took his 6th MotoGP title from first attempt - winning Japanese Grand Prix in front of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa. Rossi regained title after two fruitless seasons, demonstrating determination to bring title with victory. At the same time, Rossi brought Manufacturer and Team titles for Yamaha and the Fiat Yamaha Team. However, winning the race in Motegi was not so simple, as he had another great battle with Casey Stoner, which he managed to win 10 laps before the end of the race. Casey Stoner settled in second, while Dani Pedrosa managed to defend third place from charging Jorge Lorenzo.
After first 4 finishers separated by about 6 seconds, Nicky Hayden led group of 5 riders in reach of 5th position. Loris Capirossi ended Japanese Grand Prix in 6th place after three consecutive victories. Capirossi managed to keep Colin Edwards in 7th place, while Shinya Nakano ended race in 8th. Andrea Dovizioso was not as impressive as we used to see him in previous races, finishing 9th on Honda home track. John Hopkins brought Kawasaki to 10th place.
Valentino Rossi today took his 6th MotoGP title from first attempt - winning Japanese Grand Prix in front of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa. Rossi regained title after two fruitless seasons, demonstrating determination to bring title with victory. At the same time, Rossi brought Manufacturer and Team titles for Yamaha and the Fiat Yamaha Team. However, winning the race in Motegi was not so simple, as he had another great battle with Casey Stoner, which he managed to win 10 laps before the end of the race. Casey Stoner settled in second, while Dani Pedrosa managed to defend third place from charging Jorge Lorenzo.After first 4 finishers separated by about 6 seconds, Nicky Hayden led group of 5 riders in reach of 5th position. Loris Capirossi ended Japanese Grand Prix in 6th place after three consecutive victories. Capirossi managed to keep Colin Edwards in 7th place, while Shinya Nakano ended race in 8th. Andrea Dovizioso was not as impressive as we used to see him in previous races, finishing 9th on Honda home track. John Hopkins brought Kawasaki to 10th place.
MotoGP 2008 Motegi Results
9/28/2008
Valentino Rossi captured his sixth MotoGP crown in style, with the 29-year-old taking the win at Motegi. Rossi was joined on the Japanese GP podium by his closest rivals in the championship, Ducati's Casey Stoner and Honda's Dani Pedrosa.
All Rossi needed was a rostrum finish to claim the eighth Grand Prix championship in his 12-year career (six titles in premier class). But this is Valentino Rossi, who recently passed Giacomo Agostini for most career wins in Grand Prix history. Why stop at 69, when an even 70 sounds so much better.
In the opening laps the front runners included the top qualifiers like Rossi's Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Honda's Nicky Hayden, as well as Pedrosa and Stoner. Rossi turned the first lap in fifth but heated up along with his Bridgestone rubber, dispatching the riders one by one until he hunkered down behind Stoner - the man whose title he was about to seize.
"The lap times dropped off and when Valentino came past I couldn't keep up, " said Stoner going on to say of Rossi's successful campaign. "He's had an amazing season - he only made one mistake at Assen and the rest of the time he's been on the podium, winning races. He's a worthy champion - eight world titles show that - and I want to congratulate him for that."
Rossi cruised to the line aboard his Fiat Yamaha M1, delivering the Japanese marque a coveted home GP win along with the third world title Rossi aboard the M1.
"It's a great victory and a great achievement; I think it's at the same level as the first title in 2004 with Yamaha, maybe even better! This championship has been very long and hard and all of the team and all of Yamaha have worked very well, never giving up for one moment," said Rossi. "We have been able to put a great bike onto the track in all conditions and at all circuits, and this has allowed me to ride like this and to win so many races. I am very happy! The race was a great battle and I had to ride at 100%, like I have through all through the season! Pedrosa and Stoner today were very strong and it was fun to fight with them like this, I am happy that it was a good race for the fans. It was a fantastic feeling to take the title with a win, like I did in 2001 and 2004. I think this is the hardest I have ever had to work to w in a world championship and I have to say a huge thank you to Yamaha, my mechanics, the team and everyone involved for working this hard alongside me. Of course I also have to say a special thank you to Bridgestone, they have done a great job with the tires all season and the decision to be with them has been a big part of our success this season. We have lost for two years and I don't think I was the favorite this season, but we have shown that we are a great team and that we never give up. I am so happy that I have now won three titles with Yamaha because this is how many I won with my last team and I want Yamaha to have the same merit - I am a Yamaha rider and I feel different with Yamaha than with anyone else before - I hope we will have more together! Now I have to get used to being World Champion again!"
Pedrosa's third-place finish was hard fought, with fellow Spaniard Lorenzo hounding the Honda man during the final laps. The two riders actually touched on the final lap, with Pedrosa able to hold the advantage.
"My pit board told me Lorenzo was coming, I got 'plus zero', 'plus zero', 'plus zero'. I expected him to get faster because he was chasing me," said Pedrosa. "On the last lap he touched me but I was able to stay on the bike. My thanks to Honda and to Bridgestone and also congratulations to Valentino, he rode a great race."
Following Lorenzo was Hayden, the second-fastest of the Michelin riders at Motegi. Suzuki's Loris Capirossi took sixth, followed by former Rossi teammate Colin Edwards and Honda riders Shinya Nakano and Andrea Dovizioso. Kawasaki's John Hopkins rounded out the top 10.
The MotoGP paddock now ships off to Australia's Phillip Island circuit, where locals like Stoner and Chris Vermeulen with try and spoil Rossi's winning streak.
MotoGP Motegi Results
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 43'9.599
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro + 1.943
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda + 4.866
4. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team + 6.165
5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda + 24.593
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 25.685
7. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha + 25.918
8. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 26.003
9. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP + 26.219
10. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing + 37.131
11. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha + 37.574
12. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP + 38.020
13. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro + 39.768
14. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team + 45.846
15. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing + 55.748
16. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team + 59.320
17. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1'12.398
DNF Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 8 Lap
MotoGP Championship Points Standings
1. Valentino Rossi - 312
2. Casey Stoner - 220
3. Dani Pedrosa - 209
4. Jorge Lorenzo - 169
5. Andrea Dovizioso - 136
6. Colin Edwards - 118
7. Chris Vermeulen - 117
8. Nicky Hayden - 115
9. Loris Capirossi - 96
10. Shinya Nakano - 95
9/28/2008
Valentino Rossi captured his sixth MotoGP crown in style, with the 29-year-old taking the win at Motegi. Rossi was joined on the Japanese GP podium by his closest rivals in the championship, Ducati's Casey Stoner and Honda's Dani Pedrosa.
All Rossi needed was a rostrum finish to claim the eighth Grand Prix championship in his 12-year career (six titles in premier class). But this is Valentino Rossi, who recently passed Giacomo Agostini for most career wins in Grand Prix history. Why stop at 69, when an even 70 sounds so much better.
In the opening laps the front runners included the top qualifiers like Rossi's Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Honda's Nicky Hayden, as well as Pedrosa and Stoner. Rossi turned the first lap in fifth but heated up along with his Bridgestone rubber, dispatching the riders one by one until he hunkered down behind Stoner - the man whose title he was about to seize.
"The lap times dropped off and when Valentino came past I couldn't keep up, " said Stoner going on to say of Rossi's successful campaign. "He's had an amazing season - he only made one mistake at Assen and the rest of the time he's been on the podium, winning races. He's a worthy champion - eight world titles show that - and I want to congratulate him for that."
Rossi cruised to the line aboard his Fiat Yamaha M1, delivering the Japanese marque a coveted home GP win along with the third world title Rossi aboard the M1.
"It's a great victory and a great achievement; I think it's at the same level as the first title in 2004 with Yamaha, maybe even better! This championship has been very long and hard and all of the team and all of Yamaha have worked very well, never giving up for one moment," said Rossi. "We have been able to put a great bike onto the track in all conditions and at all circuits, and this has allowed me to ride like this and to win so many races. I am very happy! The race was a great battle and I had to ride at 100%, like I have through all through the season! Pedrosa and Stoner today were very strong and it was fun to fight with them like this, I am happy that it was a good race for the fans. It was a fantastic feeling to take the title with a win, like I did in 2001 and 2004. I think this is the hardest I have ever had to work to w in a world championship and I have to say a huge thank you to Yamaha, my mechanics, the team and everyone involved for working this hard alongside me. Of course I also have to say a special thank you to Bridgestone, they have done a great job with the tires all season and the decision to be with them has been a big part of our success this season. We have lost for two years and I don't think I was the favorite this season, but we have shown that we are a great team and that we never give up. I am so happy that I have now won three titles with Yamaha because this is how many I won with my last team and I want Yamaha to have the same merit - I am a Yamaha rider and I feel different with Yamaha than with anyone else before - I hope we will have more together! Now I have to get used to being World Champion again!"
Pedrosa's third-place finish was hard fought, with fellow Spaniard Lorenzo hounding the Honda man during the final laps. The two riders actually touched on the final lap, with Pedrosa able to hold the advantage.
"My pit board told me Lorenzo was coming, I got 'plus zero', 'plus zero', 'plus zero'. I expected him to get faster because he was chasing me," said Pedrosa. "On the last lap he touched me but I was able to stay on the bike. My thanks to Honda and to Bridgestone and also congratulations to Valentino, he rode a great race."
Following Lorenzo was Hayden, the second-fastest of the Michelin riders at Motegi. Suzuki's Loris Capirossi took sixth, followed by former Rossi teammate Colin Edwards and Honda riders Shinya Nakano and Andrea Dovizioso. Kawasaki's John Hopkins rounded out the top 10.
The MotoGP paddock now ships off to Australia's Phillip Island circuit, where locals like Stoner and Chris Vermeulen with try and spoil Rossi's winning streak.
MotoGP Motegi Results
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 43'9.599
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro + 1.943
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda + 4.866
4. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team + 6.165
5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda + 24.593
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 25.685
7. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha + 25.918
8. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 26.003
9. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP + 26.219
10. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing + 37.131
11. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha + 37.574
12. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP + 38.020
13. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro + 39.768
14. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team + 45.846
15. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing + 55.748
16. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team + 59.320
17. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1'12.398
DNF Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 8 Lap
MotoGP Championship Points Standings
1. Valentino Rossi - 312
2. Casey Stoner - 220
3. Dani Pedrosa - 209
4. Jorge Lorenzo - 169
5. Andrea Dovizioso - 136
6. Colin Edwards - 118
7. Chris Vermeulen - 117
8. Nicky Hayden - 115
9. Loris Capirossi - 96
10. Shinya Nakano - 95
Tuesday 23 September 2008
MotoGP » Kawasaki joins new tyre tactic.
Tuesday, 2nd September 2008
Kawasaki begins adapting its ZX-RR to suit the same Bridgestone tyres as Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner during Monday's Misano test.
Kawasaki began the process of adapting its ZX-RR to run the same specification Bridgestone front tyre as world championship leaders Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, during Monday's post-race test at Misano.
Rather than adapting tyres to the characteristics of the bike, the new tactic amongst the chasing Bridgestone teams seems to be to adapt the bike to proven race-winning rubber - a method used to great effect by world championship leader Valentino Rossi, when he first made the switch from Michelin to Bridgestone.
Kawasaki's move follows hot on the heels of a similar change by Suzuki and John Hopkins confirmed that Kawasaki is now the only team running a different specification front tyre to Rossi and Stoner.
"Our focus was mainly on the front-end of the machine, and we have refined our setting from this weekend by changing the way the chassis is set up," began Hopkins, who knocked 0.831secs from his best race lap and finished the test third out of the six riders present.
"We also started work on using a Bridgestone front tyre option that both Valentino [Rossi] and Casey [Stoner] use. This meant we had to alter the bike a lot, but we are now the only team using the old type of tyre, basically because we've not had any chance to test.
"This new specification tyre is definitely the future for us, but unfortunately it can't be in my allocation until we're completely happy with the way the machine handles with it."
As a result, Hopkins spent the last few hours refining the chassis setting of his machine using his current tyre options.
"I'm pleased with the results of today's test, but still have a lot of catching up to do with the upgraded bike," confessed John, who missed the opening day of the San Marino Grand Prix weekend due to a 'rib injury'.
"I'm really excited about Indianapolis, particularly as it's my home round, and we'll be looking to achieve strong results there," he concluded.
Hopkins and team-mate Anthony West finished at the back of the field, in 14th and 13th places respectively, during Sunday's Misano race.
West, who finished in front of Hopkins for the second race in a row, set the fifth fastest time at the test, but was just 0.222secs slower than his team-mate.
"We've basically spent the test time today trying to improve the feedback from the front-end of the bike. We also tried a different swing-arm, but this didn't really make any significant difference for us," said the Australian, who will be replaced by Marco Melandri in 2009.
"We have some more direction with how we can move forward with the front-end troubles and I felt a lot more confident going into the turns, which resulted in a quicker lap time than we managed in the race.
"We also evaluated a few different Bridgestone tyre options, and the conclusion is positive, but we still have more work to do. I'm looking forward to Indianapolis, particularly because it's an even field as no-one has previous track experience there, and we'll be looking to gain a strong finish," West concluded.
Kawasaki begins adapting its ZX-RR to suit the same Bridgestone tyres as Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner during Monday's Misano test.
Kawasaki began the process of adapting its ZX-RR to run the same specification Bridgestone front tyre as world championship leaders Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, during Monday's post-race test at Misano.
Rather than adapting tyres to the characteristics of the bike, the new tactic amongst the chasing Bridgestone teams seems to be to adapt the bike to proven race-winning rubber - a method used to great effect by world championship leader Valentino Rossi, when he first made the switch from Michelin to Bridgestone.
Kawasaki's move follows hot on the heels of a similar change by Suzuki and John Hopkins confirmed that Kawasaki is now the only team running a different specification front tyre to Rossi and Stoner.
"Our focus was mainly on the front-end of the machine, and we have refined our setting from this weekend by changing the way the chassis is set up," began Hopkins, who knocked 0.831secs from his best race lap and finished the test third out of the six riders present.
"We also started work on using a Bridgestone front tyre option that both Valentino [Rossi] and Casey [Stoner] use. This meant we had to alter the bike a lot, but we are now the only team using the old type of tyre, basically because we've not had any chance to test.
"This new specification tyre is definitely the future for us, but unfortunately it can't be in my allocation until we're completely happy with the way the machine handles with it."
As a result, Hopkins spent the last few hours refining the chassis setting of his machine using his current tyre options.
"I'm pleased with the results of today's test, but still have a lot of catching up to do with the upgraded bike," confessed John, who missed the opening day of the San Marino Grand Prix weekend due to a 'rib injury'.
"I'm really excited about Indianapolis, particularly as it's my home round, and we'll be looking to achieve strong results there," he concluded.
Hopkins and team-mate Anthony West finished at the back of the field, in 14th and 13th places respectively, during Sunday's Misano race.
West, who finished in front of Hopkins for the second race in a row, set the fifth fastest time at the test, but was just 0.222secs slower than his team-mate.
"We've basically spent the test time today trying to improve the feedback from the front-end of the bike. We also tried a different swing-arm, but this didn't really make any significant difference for us," said the Australian, who will be replaced by Marco Melandri in 2009.
"We have some more direction with how we can move forward with the front-end troubles and I felt a lot more confident going into the turns, which resulted in a quicker lap time than we managed in the race.
"We also evaluated a few different Bridgestone tyre options, and the conclusion is positive, but we still have more work to do. I'm looking forward to Indianapolis, particularly because it's an even field as no-one has previous track experience there, and we'll be looking to gain a strong finish," West concluded.
Monday 22 September 2008
MotoGP calls for new safety measures
MotoGP commercial rights-holder Dorna has called for a reduction in cornering speeds in the sport to prevent further injuries to riders, following a recent spate of high-speed crashes.
The organisation held a meeting with all the MotoGP riders at Brno on Saturday night to discuss potential regulation changes that could improve the level of safety in the sport.
The 2008 season has featured a string of injurious crashes, resulting in several leading riders being temporarily sidelined - with Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Loris Capirossi and John Hopkins all forced to sit out events following violent accidents in the first half of 2008.
Although the 800cc engine formula and fuel restrictions that were introduced last season have succeeded in reducing straightline speeds, cornering speeds have now become a more significant issue, with faster lap times being produced at most circuits despite the cut in power.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta therefore believes that cornering speeds must now be reduced in order to keep the bikes' performance within safe limits.
"In principal, in the last races we realised that the speed in the corners has been increased dramatically," said Ezpeleta. "In Laguna Seca the straightline speed was almost the same as last year, but the lap times were 1.5 seconds faster.
"It is important to realise that we are increasing the speed in the corners, that means that all the work we are doing with the Safety Commission regarding the safety of the circuit is every time more difficult.
"I received from the promotors that it is important to talk about that, exactly the same as what has happened with the reduction of the speeds on the straight with 990 to 800. This is the problem we have right now."
He added that the significance of the issue was such that it had been necessary to consult the entire MotoGP paddock rather than just the existing Safety Commission.
"I think this is very important," Ezpeleta said. "Yesterday we talked in the Grand Prix Safety Commission with some of the riders, but due to the importance of the matter, we decided to talk with all of the riders.
"We asked all them to come to the meeting, I introduced to them the problem, they agreed, they discussed it for one hour. They proposed some ideas to be presented to the Grand Prix Commission to try to solve it.
"We will present that to the GPC, which is made up of the FIM, MSMA and Dorna, then everybody will discuss it."
The Dorna boss said the issue had arisen partly because the owners of the MotoGP circuits were now having to spend significantly more on safety facilities to cope with the increased cornering speeds of the modern bikes.
"The promoters of the circuits have spent more than 80 million euro, and presently they are spending more than 1.7 million more than they were three years ago on safety," said Ezpeleta.
"This is something that cannot continue, and is it necessary to go more and more fast? No it isn't."
Ezpeleta also played down suggestions that Dorna had proposed the adoption of a single tyre rule during the meeting.
"They discussed things but we cannot tell what is the outcome," Ezpeleta told autosport.com when asked whether control tyres had been proposed.
"We have decided that what they proposed will go to the MSMA, not to the press.
"This meeting was to discuss rider safety. Single tyres could be one of the issues to discuss, but it was not the issue to discuss, which was safety."
The possibility of control tyres for MotoGP had been floated last autumn amid suggestions that Bridgestone's dominance of the 2007 season was affecting the quality of the racing, but was ultimately rejected in favour of tweaks to the tyre testing and allocation rules.
MotoGP 2008 Indianapolis Results 
9/14/2008
By Adam Waheed
Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi won his fourth consecutive MotoGP race this season at the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. Today's win at the Brickyard also marks his 69th career win in the premier class, which surpasses Giacomo Agostini's record of 68.
Rossi's win was in dramatic fashion. The Italian was leading the field when the race was red-flagged on Lap 20 of 28 due to deteriorating track conditions including heavy rain and wind which blew debris onto the track.
"I think that those are the worst conditions in which I have raced in my career," said Rossi after the race. "Together with the new track and the new surface, there was also a lot of water and at the end the bigger problem of the wind. It wasn't consistent and was very strong, so you never knew what was going to happen in the straight. I was in front and didn't want to put my hand up, because I was leading the race, but I was looking for the red flag on every lap and when it came I think it was a good decision. Good work was done on the track to prepare for the race because the rain was coming down strong."
There was some uncertainty whether or not the race was going to be restarted, but officials deemed it too dangerous thereby making it official.
Close to 100,000 fans packed into the Speedway to watch Sunday's race, and when the green flag dropped it was reigning World Champion and Marlboro Ducati rider Casey Stoner with the holeshot. Trailing him would be Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden, JiR Scot's Andrea Dovizioso and Rossi.
Stoner's time in the lead was cut short when Dovizioso drove around him on the first lap. The next lap Hayden made a pass for the lead. The American would continue to lead until Lap 13, when Rossi caught up to him and made a pass on the brakes going into Turn 1.
By mid-point of the race, the track was beginning to develop a dry line and riders struggled with grip as their tires began overheating. Then, it started raining again, at times rather hard.
"Its been a long time since I've led a race," said Hayden. "Once it dried out I was wearing the tires fast. Then it got wet again and there was like no tread--it was sketchy."
With the track conditions continuing to get worse, Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo caught up to Hayden and was looking for a passing opportunity, however, it just wasn't possible before the red-flag ended the race prematurely. Stoner would hold onto fourth place, followed by Dovizioso. Rizla Suzuki's Ben Spies was credited with a solid sixth-place finish.
Rossi's victory today gives him an 87-point lead in the Championship race over Casey Stoner, who in turn is 17 points ahead of Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa with only four races remaining.
MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix Race Results:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA), Fiat Yamaha, 20 laps
2. Nicky Hayden (USA), Repsol Honda, -5.972 seconds
3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA), Fiat Yamaha, -7.858
4. Casey Stoner (AUS), Marlboro Ducati, -28.162
5. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA), JiR Team Scot Honda, -28.824
6. Ben Spies (USA), Rizla Suzuki, -29.645
7. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA), Alice Team Ducati, -36.223
8. Dani Pedrosa (SPA), Repsol Honda, -37.258
9. Chris Vermeulen (AUS), Rizla Suzuki, -38.442
10. Alex De Angelis (RSM), San Carlo Gresini, -42.437
11. Anthony West (AUS), Kawasaki Racing, -47.179
12. Toni Elias (SPA), Alice Team Ducati, -55.962
13. Randy De Puniet (FRA), LCR Honda Team, -57.366
14. John Hopkins (USA), Kawasaki Racing , -58.353
15. Colin Edwards (USA), Tech 3 Yamaha, -60.613
16. Loris Capirossi (ITA), Rizla Suzuki, -65.620
17. Shinya Nakano (JPN), San Carlo Gresini, -65.854
18. James Toseland (GBR), Tech 3 Yamaha, -67.962
19. Marco Melandri, (ITA), Marlboro Ducati, -81.023
MotoGP World Championship Points:
1. Valentino Rossi - 287
2. Casey Stoner - 200
3. Dani Pedrosa - 193
4. Jorge Lorenzo - 156
5. Andrea Dovizioso - 129
6. Colin Edwards - 117
7. Chris Vermeulen - 109
8. Nicky Hayden - 104
9. Shinya Nakano - 87
10. Loris Capirossi - 86
9/14/2008
By Adam Waheed
Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi won his fourth consecutive MotoGP race this season at the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. Today's win at the Brickyard also marks his 69th career win in the premier class, which surpasses Giacomo Agostini's record of 68.
Rossi's win was in dramatic fashion. The Italian was leading the field when the race was red-flagged on Lap 20 of 28 due to deteriorating track conditions including heavy rain and wind which blew debris onto the track.
"I think that those are the worst conditions in which I have raced in my career," said Rossi after the race. "Together with the new track and the new surface, there was also a lot of water and at the end the bigger problem of the wind. It wasn't consistent and was very strong, so you never knew what was going to happen in the straight. I was in front and didn't want to put my hand up, because I was leading the race, but I was looking for the red flag on every lap and when it came I think it was a good decision. Good work was done on the track to prepare for the race because the rain was coming down strong."
There was some uncertainty whether or not the race was going to be restarted, but officials deemed it too dangerous thereby making it official.
Close to 100,000 fans packed into the Speedway to watch Sunday's race, and when the green flag dropped it was reigning World Champion and Marlboro Ducati rider Casey Stoner with the holeshot. Trailing him would be Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden, JiR Scot's Andrea Dovizioso and Rossi.
Stoner's time in the lead was cut short when Dovizioso drove around him on the first lap. The next lap Hayden made a pass for the lead. The American would continue to lead until Lap 13, when Rossi caught up to him and made a pass on the brakes going into Turn 1.
By mid-point of the race, the track was beginning to develop a dry line and riders struggled with grip as their tires began overheating. Then, it started raining again, at times rather hard.
"Its been a long time since I've led a race," said Hayden. "Once it dried out I was wearing the tires fast. Then it got wet again and there was like no tread--it was sketchy."
With the track conditions continuing to get worse, Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo caught up to Hayden and was looking for a passing opportunity, however, it just wasn't possible before the red-flag ended the race prematurely. Stoner would hold onto fourth place, followed by Dovizioso. Rizla Suzuki's Ben Spies was credited with a solid sixth-place finish.
Rossi's victory today gives him an 87-point lead in the Championship race over Casey Stoner, who in turn is 17 points ahead of Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa with only four races remaining.
MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix Race Results:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA), Fiat Yamaha, 20 laps
2. Nicky Hayden (USA), Repsol Honda, -5.972 seconds
3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA), Fiat Yamaha, -7.858
4. Casey Stoner (AUS), Marlboro Ducati, -28.162
5. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA), JiR Team Scot Honda, -28.824
6. Ben Spies (USA), Rizla Suzuki, -29.645
7. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA), Alice Team Ducati, -36.223
8. Dani Pedrosa (SPA), Repsol Honda, -37.258
9. Chris Vermeulen (AUS), Rizla Suzuki, -38.442
10. Alex De Angelis (RSM), San Carlo Gresini, -42.437
11. Anthony West (AUS), Kawasaki Racing, -47.179
12. Toni Elias (SPA), Alice Team Ducati, -55.962
13. Randy De Puniet (FRA), LCR Honda Team, -57.366
14. John Hopkins (USA), Kawasaki Racing , -58.353
15. Colin Edwards (USA), Tech 3 Yamaha, -60.613
16. Loris Capirossi (ITA), Rizla Suzuki, -65.620
17. Shinya Nakano (JPN), San Carlo Gresini, -65.854
18. James Toseland (GBR), Tech 3 Yamaha, -67.962
19. Marco Melandri, (ITA), Marlboro Ducati, -81.023
MotoGP World Championship Points:
1. Valentino Rossi - 287
2. Casey Stoner - 200
3. Dani Pedrosa - 193
4. Jorge Lorenzo - 156
5. Andrea Dovizioso - 129
6. Colin Edwards - 117
7. Chris Vermeulen - 109
8. Nicky Hayden - 104
9. Shinya Nakano - 87
10. Loris Capirossi - 86
A Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix was first organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) in 1949. The commercial rights are owned by Dorna Sports. Teams are represented by the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) and manufacturers by the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association (MSMA). Rules and changes to regulations are decided between the four entities, with Dorna casting a tie-breaking vote. In cases of technical modifications, the MSMA can unilaterally enact or veto changes by unanimous vote among its members.[1]
There have traditionally been several races at each event for various classes of motorcycles, based on engine size, and one class forsidecars. Classes for 50cc, 80cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, and 500cc solo machines have existed over time, and 350cc and 500cc sidecars. Up through the 1950s and most of the 1960s, four-stroke engines dominated all classes. In the 1960s, two-stroke engines began to take root in the smaller classes. By the 1970s, two-strokes completely eclipsed the four-strokes. In 1979, Honda made an attempt to return the four-stroke to the top class with the NR500, but this project failed, and in 1983, even Honda was winning with a two-stroke 500. The 50cc class was replaced by an 80cc class, then the class was dropped entirely in the 1990s, after being dominated primarily by Spanish and Italian makes. The 350cc class vanished in the 1980s. Sidecars were dropped from World Championship events in the 1990s (see superside), reducing the field to 125s, 250s, and 500s.
MotoGP, the premier class of GP motorcycle racing, has changed dramatically in recent years. From the mid-1970s until 2002 the top class of GP racing allowed 500cc with a maximum of 4 cylinders, regardless of whether the engine was a two-stroke or four-stroke. Consequently, all machines were two-strokes, due to the greater power output for a given engine capacity. Some two- and three-cylinder two-stroke 500s were seen, but though they had a minimum-weight advantage under the rules, typically attained higher corner speed and could qualify well, they lacked the power of the four-cylinder machines. In 2002, rule changes were introduced to facilitate the phasing out of the two strokes, probably influenced by what was then seen as a lack of relevance: the last mass-produced 500cc 2-stroke model had not been available to the public for some 15 years.[original research?] The rules permitted manufacturers to choose between running two-strokes engines (500cc or less) or four-strokes (990cc or less). Manufacturers were also permitted to employ their choice of engine configuration. Despite the significantly increased costs involved in running the new four-stroke machinery, given their extra 490cc capacity advantage, the four-strokes were soon able to dominate their two-stroke rivals. As a result, by 2003 no two-stroke machines remained in the MotoGP field. The 125cc and 250cc classes still consist exclusively of two-stroke machines. In 2007, the MotoGP class had its maximum engine displacement capacity reduced to 800cc for a minimum of 5 years.
The 2008 racing calendar consists of 18 rounds in 16 different countries (Spain which hosts 3 rounds, Qatar, Turkey, China, France, Italy, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, San Marino, Portugal, Japan, Australia and Malaysia). Exclusive to the MotoGP class, there is also a USA round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California for the 800cc class only. In 2008 a MotoGP event will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (all three classes will race), racing counterclockwise on the Formula One track with additional turns directly after the pit area bypassing the banking turn one of the oval track. Also because of the race being run counterclockwise on what is normally a clockwise track, the run off areas have seen significant modification.
The grid is composed of three columns (four for the 125cc and 250cc classes) and contains approximately 20 riders. Grid positions are decided in descending order of qualifying speed, the fastest on the 'pole' or first position. Races last approximately 45 minutes, each race a sprint from start to finish without pitting for fuel or tires.
Tire selection is critical, usually done by the individual rider based on bike 'feel' during practice, qualifying and the pre-race warm-up laps on the morning of the race, as well as the predicted weather. The typical compromise is between grip and longevity--the softer and 'grippier' the tire, the more quickly it wears out; the harder and less grippy, the more likely the tire is to last the entire race. Conserving rubber throughout a race is a specific talent winning riders acquire. Special 'Q' or qualifying tires of extreme softness and grip are typically used during grid-qualifying sessions, but they last typically no longer than one or two laps, though they may deliver higher qualifying speeds. In wet conditions, special tires ('wets') with full treads are used, but they suffer extreme wear if the track dries out.
New tire regulations introduced in 2007 limited the number of tires any rider could use over the practice and qualifying period, and the race itself, to a maximum of 31 tires (14 fronts and 17 rears) per rider . This introduced a problem of tire choice vs. weather (among other factors) that challenges riders and teams to optimize their performance on race day. This factor was greeted with varying degrees of enthusiasm by participants. For 2008 a 'spec' tire rule was being considered, where one brand would serve as a control tire for the whole grid. Bridgestonehad dominated in 2007 and Michelin riders Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Dani Pedrosa, and Colin Edwards all acknowledged shortcomings in Michelin's race tires relative to Bridgestone in 2007. Rossi, disappointed with and critical of the performance of his Michelin tires, switched to Bridgestones for 2008.
Instead of a 'spec' tire in which all riders use tires from one manufacturer, as is used in World Superbike, the MotoGP rules for 2008 have been amended to allow more tires per race weekend, 18 fronts and 22 rears for a total of 40 tires. The lower number of tires per weekend was considered a handicap to Michelin riders. The only MotoGP team using Dunlops in 2007, Yamaha Tech 3, will not be using them in 2008.
In 2005, a flag-to-flag rule for MotoGP was introduced. Previously, if a race started dry and rain fell, riders or officials could red-flag (stop) the race and either restart or resume on 'wet' tires. Now, if rain falls a white flag is shown, indicating that riders can pit to swap the motorcycle on which they started the race for an identical one, as long as the tires are different (that is, intermediates instead of wets, or slicks instead of wets)[1]. Besides different tires, the wet-weather bikes have steel brake rotors and different brake pads instead of the carbon discs and pads used on the 'dry' bikes. This is because the carbon brakes need to be very hot to function properly, and the water cools them too much. Hence the conventional steel brakes. The suspension is also 'softened' up somewhat for the wet weather.
When a rider crashes, track marshals wave a yellow flag, prohibiting passing in that area; one corner back, a stationary yellow flag is shown and passing in this area of the track is prohibited; if a fallen rider cannot be evacuated safely from the track, the race is red-flagged. Motorcycle crashes are usually one of two types: lowsides and the more dangerous highsides, though increased use of traction control has made highsides much less frequent.
According to one estimate, leasing a top-level motorcycle for a rider costs about 3 to 3.5 million dollars for a racing season.[2]
[edit]Chronology
- 1973: Deaths of Jarno Saarinen and Renzo Pasolini at the Italian round at Monza.
- 1982: The Yamaha OW61 YZR500 is the first V4 in the 500cc class.
- 1985: Michelin introduces radial tyres in GPs.
- 1987: Push starts are eliminated.
- 1988: Wayne Rainey wins the first 500cc race using carbon brakes, at the British GP.
- 1990: 500cc grid switches from 5 to 4 bikes per row.
- 1992: Honda introduces bike with big bang engine.
- 1993: Shinichi Itoh and fuel-injected NSR500 break the 200mph barrier at the German GP at Hockenheim.
- 1998: 500cc switch to unleaded fuel.
- 2002: 990cc 4-strokes allowed in premier class.
- 2003: Daijiro Kato dies, leading to Suzuka's removal from the calendar.
- 2004: MotoGP grid switches from 4 to 3 bikes per row.
- 2004: Makoto Tamada earns Bridgestone their first MotoGP victory at the Brazilian GP.
- 2005: MotoGP adopts flag-to-flag rule, meaning races continue if rain begins.
- 2007: MotoGP restricted to 800cc 4-strokes.
- 2008: Dunlop drops out of MotoGP.
[edit]Riders
- See also: List of Grand Prix motorcycle racers
Top riders travel the world to compete in the annual FIM World Championship series. The championship is perhaps most closely followed in Italy and Spain, home of many of the more successful riders early in the 21st century. But in recent years more riders from the USA have been competing. This resulted in the reintroduction in 2005 of the US Grand Prix (albeit just for the MotoGP class, not 125cc & 250cc), an event staged at Laguna Seca where the American Nicky Hayden took his maiden MotoGP victory. Another American, Colin Edwards, gained second place in that race. In 2006, Hayden repeated his winning performance at Laguna Seca, despite serious difficulties with the track that--though repaved in June 2006, and incorporating improved safety features--exhibited serious problems with surface deterioration under conditions of severely warm weather. Hayden went on to win the 2006 MotoGP championship, with the winner of the previous five titles, Valentino Rossi, second. The Laguna Seca track was resurfaced for the 2007 event, leading to concerns about tire choice on an entirely new racing surface.
The premier class in the early 21st-century seasons was dominated by Italian Valentino Rossi, winner of the 2001-2005 titles. In an effort to beat Valentino's amazing consecutive victories, other companies signed younger riders on newly-designed machines. Honda in particular took this approach, with their 2006 racing plans focused on winning with 'next-generation' teams, signing Toni Elías, Marco Melandri, Dani Pedrosa, and Nicky Hayden, all of whom were then under 25. Ducati successfully employed a similar strategy for the 2007 season when they signed 21-year-old Casey Stoner of Australia. After a string of victories and podiums the highly consistent Stoner earned Ducati and Bridgestone their first World Championship title at the Motegi round of the 2007 calendar.
The 2006 championship was the first in 14 years to be decided at the final race. Valentino Rossi started the race with a twelve-point lead. Hayden finished third with Rossi finishing 13th after crashing on lap five, giving Nicky Hayden his maiden MotoGP World Championship title.
[edit]Challenges for the designer
Like Formula One cars, grand prix motorcycles are generally made of lightweight and expensive materials such as titanium and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. They regularly feature technology not available to the general public, and part of their fan appeal derives from this sophisticated technology and the high degree of technical skill & knowledge demonstrated by the designers and manufacturers.
Examples of this technology include sophisticated electronics such as telemetry, engine management systems and traction control, carbon disk brakes, and advanced engine technology such as those seen on Honda's V5 RC211V and Aprilia's RS3 Cube. The latter employs the Cosworth-designed pneumatic valve actuation system, used in Formula One cars. In 2007 the Suzuki and Yamaha also used pneumatic valve actuation and Honda reported using that technology for its 2008 RC212V bikes based on its F1 experience. The latest addition to the MotoGP grids, the Ilmor/SRT X3 machine, seen at the Estoril (Portugal) and Valencia (Spain) events in 2006, reportedly uses a similar valve-actuation design, not surprising considering Ilmor Engineering's background in Formula One. Unfortunately, the high cost of participation and lack of sponsorship caused the withdrawal of the Ilmor in early 2007.
While MotoGP motorcycles are only raced at world championship level, the lighter and significantly less powerful 125cc and 250cc bikes are available at relatively reasonable cost. A basic production 125cc bike costs about the same as a small car. These bikes are raced in national championships around the world as well as in the world championship, though their two-stroke technology is irrelevant in context with production machines. These two smaller classes are considered excellent training for future MotoGP riders.
One of the main challenges that confronts a MotoGP motorcycle rider and designer is how to translate the machine's enormous power - over 240 bhp (179.0 kW), through a single tire-contact patch roughly the size of a human hand. For comparison, Formula 1 cars produce up to 750 bhp (559 kW) from their 2.4 litre engines, but have 10 times the tire-contact surface. Because of this difficulty, MotoGP is perhaps unique in modern motor sport in that teams will often deliberately detune their engines to allow their riders a chance to control them. In the two-stroke era, many of the 500cc machines were not making more than the 180 to 190 bhp (135 to 140 kW) although their maximum potential power output was higher. In recent times this has begun to change with the advent of traction control. Another new technology in use is lean angle sensing that modulates the power output based on lean angle. This works in conjunction with traction control to keep the rear wheel from breaking traction. Part of the rider compromise, significantly affected by ECU (Engine Control Unit) technology, is that explosive torque at lower RPM may cause the rear tire to spin unless modulated, causing riders to use higher RPM where torque changes are less severe. This consideration also affects gear selection for the individual circuit, which comprises an essential element in setup before and during practice and qualification.
Another significant issue in 2007 was the reduction in permissible fuel from 22 litres to 21 litres, causing engineers to introduce ECU control over maximum revolutions, where internal friction losses are highest, and leaning out the fuel-air mixture in sections of the track where maximum power is less necessary. Observers noted that the 800cc machines were not using proportionately less fuel than the 990s because with their lower power output the smaller machines were using full throttle more of the time for a given circuit.[citation needed]
[edit]Specifications
The following shows the key specifications issues for each class. It was also introduced for the 2005 year, that under rule 2.10.5: 'No fuel on the motorcycle may be more than fifteen °C (15 °C) below ambient temperature. The use of any device on the motorcycle to artificially decrease the temperature of the fuel below ambient temperature is forbidden. No motorcycle may include such a device.' This stops an artificial "boost" gained from increasing fuel density by cooling it.
[edit]125cc and 250cc classes
125cc machines are restricted to a single cylinder and a minimum weight of 80 kilograms and the 250cc machines to two cylinders and a minimum of 100 kilograms. From 2005 onwards, all riders in the 125cc class could not be older than 28 years or 25 years for new contracted riders participating for the first time and wild-cards. In 2008 discussions arose surrounding the replacement of the 2-stroke 250cc class with another category. Most likely is the introduction of 600cc 4-stroke machines which, could see production based engines in a prototype chassis [3].
[edit]MotoGP class
New specifications for each racing class are formed as the FIM sees fit. At the beginning of the new MotoGP era in 2002, 500cc two-stroke or 990cc four-stroke bikes were specified to race. The enormous power advantage of the larger displacement four-stroke engine over the two-stroke eliminated all two-strokes from competition; the following season no two-stroke bikes were racing. In 2007 the maximum engine capacity was reduced to 800cc without reducing the existing weight restrictions.
MotoGP-class motorcycles are not restricted to any specific engine configuration. However the number of cylinders employed in the engine determines the motorcycle's permitted minimum weight; more cylinders attracting more weight as a form of handicap. This is necessary because, for a given capacity, an engine with more cylinders is capable of producing more power. If comparable bore to stroke ratios are employed an engine with more cylinders will have a greater piston area and a shorter stroke. The increased piston area permits an increase in the total valve area, allowing more air and fuel to be drawn into the engine, and the shorter stroke permits higher revs at the same piston speed, allowing the engine to pump still more air and fuel with the potential to produce more power but with more fuel consumption too. In 2004 motorcycles were entered with three-, four-and five-cylinder configurations. A six-cylinder engine was proposed by Blata, but did not reach the MotoGP grids. Presently four cylinder engines appear to offer the best compromise between weight, power and fuel consumption as all competitors in the 2008 series use this solution in either vee or in-line configuration.
In 2002, the FIM become concerned at the advances in design and engineering that resulted in higher speeds around the race track. For purposes of increasing safety, regulation changes related to weight, amount of available fuel and engine capacity were introduced. The amended rules reduced engine capacity to 800cc from 990cc and restricted the amount of available fuel for race distance from 26 litres in year 2004 to 21 litres in year 2007 and onwards. In addition, the minimum weight of 4 cylinder bike used by all participating teams was increased by 3 kg.
Although the changes in specifications were intended to reduce both average and maximum speeds, their effect can be questioned. While the MotoGP speed record of 347.4 km/h (215.864 mph) for 990cc bikes is held by Loris Capirossi on a Ducati Desmosedici GP4 at IRTA Tests in Catalunya in 2004, the current speed record for a 800cc bike is held by Casey Stoner on a Ducati Desmosedici GP8 and set at Grand Prix of ShangHai China 2008 race at 347.0km/h ( 215.62 mph).[4]. Furthermore, in a video of the race, Stoner is actually seen to ride at the speed of 347 km/h (216 mph) [5], which, however, may not be considered as an official top speed record, as it is not set on a speed trap. While comparing top speeds, it is worth noting that the 800cc speed records are set with a bike in race trim and during the race, while the 990cc record is set on a test. In addition, when lap times for 990cc and 800cc bikes are compared, the 800cc bikes are typically faster around race tracks than the 990cc bikes.
By way of comparison, the current Formula One speed record of 369.9 km/h (229.8 mph) was set by Antônio Pizzonia of the BMW Williams F1 team, at Monza in 2004 -- however, top speed is only a small portion of the overall capabilities of any track vehicle and thus does not represent the difference between Formula One and MotoGP performance-wise in general. Using lap timings as a guide, MotoGP riders typically lap the Spanish Jerez circuit in 1 minute 40 seconds compared to 1 minute 22 seconds for Formula One.
[edit]Weights
| # of Cylinders | 2004 Min | 2007 Min | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Cylinder | 135 kg | 137 kg | 2 kg |
| 3 Cylinder | 135 kg | 140.5 kg | 5.5 kg |
| 4 Cylinder | 145 kg | 148 kg | 3 kg |
| 5 Cylinder | 145 kg | 155.5 kg | 10.5 kg |
| 6 Cylinder | 155 kg | 163 kg | 8 kg |
- In 2005, fuel tank capacity was reduced by 2 litres to 24 litres
- In 2006, fuel tank capacity was reduced by a further 2 litres to 22 litres
- From 2007 onwards and for a minimum period of five years, FIM has regulated in MotoGP class that two-stroke bikes will no longer be allowed, and engines will be limited to 800cc four-strokes. The maximum fuel capacity will be 21 litres.
[edit]Scoring
| Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Points | 25 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
[edit]Movies and video games
Movies about MotoGP include:
- Faster, a documentary film about MotoGP, was released in 2003 and is now available on DVD. The film features appearances by MotoGP's biggest stars, including Valentino Rossi. Narrated by Ewan McGregor and directed by Mark Neale.
- The Doctor, The Tornado and The Kentucky Kid, a documentary on the 2005 United States motorcycle Grand Prix, also directed by Mark Neale.
Computer and video games based upon MotoGP:
Xbox and PC
Xbox 360 and PC
- MotoGP (Namco)
- MotoGP 2 (Namco)
- MotoGP 3 (Namco)
- MotoGP 4 (Namco)
- MotoGP '07 (Capcom)
- MotoGP '08 (Capcom)[6]
- MotoGP (Namco)
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