2021 MotoGP

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

From memory, I believe the Honda works team in the early 90's altered the spark plug's firing to create individual bursts of power, so the rear tire could achieve better traction....this was during the 500 cc 2-stroke FIM GP bike period....can anyone verify this or add to this conversation?? Presumably, this was an early attempt at traction control??

I’m not sure I would call the Big Bang motors of the early 90’s traction control even though they did make the bikes more rideable. For me traction control is something that “cuts in” to aid traction rather than a full time altering of the firing order.

If you look at on the fly electronic changes in MotoGP now like anti wheelie which, from what I understand, changes the ECU and the Holeshot device which lowers the rear suspension then these for me are better examples of traction control.

[Brianvm85]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

If Marc can recover in time for the season, he will go back to dominating.

Let's see about MM93. I think this past season was a humbling experience and wake up call for FQ20. He hopefully will learn from the experience and do better with full factory support (there's a reason VR46 tried so hard yet mostly failed to keep his team together when he switched to Petronas for 21). I'm looking forward to seeing JM43 and how he adapts to factory life. Guy has balls of steel and amazing talent.

[mdf]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

I attended the 1991 and 1993 FIM 500 cc two-stroke Grand Prix bikes at Laguna Seca (now known as Mazda Raceway)

WeatherTech Raceway the last couple of years.

Originally Posted by racerbruce

guys in front of us were saying that it was so tragic to see Rainey not racing at his home country track....this was 1991 and the world wide web was just getting started....we did not know that Rainey had a massive shunt at the last GP in Italy

Did you see the doc The Unrideables? About those 2-stroke monsters. Somebody recently asked Rossi a hypothetical about going back to the 2-strokes.

Originally Posted by racerbruce

you could look up the hills from the race track and you could see Rainey's house overlooking Laguna Seca Raceway.

Cool. I never knew Rainey had a house there. I wish MotoAmerica got more coverage.

[mdf]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Don’t know about anyone else but it will always be Laguna Seca for me.

Yes. And Sears Point. An electronic sign on the freeway leading up to the racetrack still says Sears Point.

With Covid both MotoGp and WSBK were cancelled in the States this year sadly. I believe you get both WSBK and MotoGP at Phillip Island for next year.

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by mdf

I believe you get both WSBK and MotoGP at Phillip Island for next year.

Well supposedly yes, BUT, there are rumblings now of the F1 being at least postponed so who knows what will happen.

[mdf]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Well supposedly yes, BUT, there are rumblings now of the F1 being at least postponed so who knows what will happen.

Well think positively. They were able to complete a decent calendar last year. I'm looking forward to seeing Davies with Go Eleven and also to see how Rea continues. I am so looking forward to more racing.

By the way, have you been to Laguna Seca since the new fencing? The track has IndyCar now, and a whole lot of new fencing. The view from the spectator area around the Corkscrew is more obscured by fencing now for example. It's really a shame. LS had some of the best spectator vantage points.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by HFW003

First off, it’s HFW

I don’t own a race bike mate, I own a high performance Superbike though, a Ducati Panagile V4S

It's Panigale – couldn't resist, sorry. Good taste in bikes; my first was a Ducati, but so far back it bears absolutely no relation to today's units.

Originally Posted by HFW003

I generally use only two fingers for braking, index and middle and that is plenty.

Same for the Fontana four leading shoe front brakes on a custom street/track bike I had built for me in the 60s. Happily, I didn't learn that the hard way. What a revelation those brakes were at the time.

[HFW003]

The next Moto GP WC

[FMLYSDN]

Having followed many of the mentioned series here for many many years, I will say that I dislike the current bikes and their 'winglets'. I totally get the advancement in technology, however I am much prefer the look of the bikes without them. I think from a style perspective, the early iterations of the Ducati Desmosedici from 2002 - 2003 were just pure sex. Such a elegant and beautiful form. I've always wanted to own a Desmosedici RR when they came out but the prices were out of reach. I have recently come across some examples that were priced within my reach but it would likely be more of an investment now. I couldn't bring myself to ride it knowing that the parts alone for it cost an arm and a leg.