Late-Braking MotoGP

IMS MotoGP Lap of Champions

August 5, 2008

This from the Motor Speedway:

MotoGP: Riders can take Lap of Champions at IMS to benefit charity.

Written by Indianapolis Motor Speedway       Thursday, 31 July 2008

Motorcycle enthusiasts can ride into history Saturday, Sept. 13 by taking a parade lap on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Lap of Champions, a charity event during the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP: –

Lap of Champions participants will ride around the IMs circuit during the historic first MotoGP race at IMs. Riders can participate in the Lap of Champions at a variety of levels, with proceeds for this Ride for Kids® event benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation:

$100: One pass for the Lap of Champions, perfect for riders who already have their race tickets.

$300: Participants will receive one pass for the Lap of Champions, one three day ticket to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP from Sept. 12-14 with reserved Paddock Penthouse seating and VIP parking, a commemorative T-shirt and hat, and one ticket for a drawing that includes fantastic prizes.

$425: Participants will receive one pass for the Lap of Champions, two three-day tickets to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP from Sept. 12-14 with reserved Paddock Penthouse seating and VIP parking, two commemorative T-shirts and hats, and one ticket for a drawing that also includes fantastic prizes.

Great motorcycle-oriented prizes will be awarded in the drawing, including an AGV GP Tech helmet, AGV Sport leathers, boots and gloves, a set of Dunlop tires and much more.

Additional drawing tickets are $200 each for participants at the $300 and $425 levels. Drawing ticket holders must be present to win. (When was the last time you saw that?)

The top fundraiser for this event will receive his or her choice of an Aerostich Roadcrafter or Darien riding suit.

This event is limited to 250 riders, so prompt registration is encouraged.

Register today online at www.rideforkids.org . For more information about the event or the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, call (800) 253-6530 or (828) 665-6891.

The Lap of Champions is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. (ET) Saturday, Sept. 13, rain or shine.

April Foolery: Indy MotoGP organizers blow all the cash on Nazi hookers

Tags: Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
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Rossi Puts Stoner in the Dirt at Laguna

July 21, 2008

Valentino Rossi gave a clinic on Sunday, out-riding Casey Stoner for his first ever win at Laguna Seca. Stoner, despite having the faster qualifying times, could never catch Rossi after a first lap pass and ended up a distant second. Points is points, but Rossi was clearly the more skilled rider in Monterey.

Rossi spanks Stoner at Laguna Seca

Photo courtesy of motogp.com

CBS did a pretty good job of broadcasting the race, although the announcers kept cutting to commercial with breathless comments like, “My heart is beating!” and “This is exciting!”. They caught Lorenzo’s high side crash pretty well, but had to spend too much time tracking the field while Stoner and Rossi ran away with the race. Also, you would think that with a race this brief, around 45 minutes, CBS could afford fewer commercial breaks during the race, and hope to make up for the revenue shortfall by building viewership for future races. I was also surprised by the utter lack of crowd shots; it was hard to tell if there was ANYONE actually there for the race.

With Lorenzo and Pedrosa healing from injuries (although with the summer break both are likely to be back at full speed in August), the 2008 season has become Stoner and Rossi. The folks at the Motor Speedway have now started cranking up their PR machine in hopes of attracting 150,000 fans for race weekend in September. Two of their flacks were also interviewed yesterday, expressing some surprise that a lot of attendees will be riding their bikes to Indianapolis, and wondering about things like parking. Hello!!!

Other than a nice article by Phil Wilson in the Indianapolis Star, there wasn’t a lot of coverage out there early on. MotoGP still suffers from a lack of awareness among American motorsports fans, a problem which the annual Indianapolis GP should help address.

Final Laguna Seca standings:

1 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Factory 44:04.311

2 Casey Stoner Ducati MotoGP 44:17.312

3 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki MotoGP 44:30.920

4 Andrea Dovizioso Honda Scot 44:39.212

5 Nicky Hayden Honda HRC 44:39.974

6 Randy De Puniet Honda LCR 44:41.979

7 Antonio Elias Ducati d Antin 44:45.940

8 Ben Spies Suzuki MotoGP 44:46.238

9 James Toseland Yamaha Tech3 44:47.330

10 Shinya Nakano Honda Gresini 44:48.702

11 Jamie Hacking Kawasaki Racing 44:50.569

12 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati d Antin 44:59.584

13 Alex De Angelis Honda Gresini 44:59.832

14 Colin Edwards Yamaha Tech3 45:06.691

15 Loris Capirossi Suzuki MotoGP 45:12.518

16 Marco Melandri Ducati MotoGP 45:15.273

17 Anthony West Kawasaki Racing 45:34.872

Latest MotoGP World Championship standings:

1 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 212

2 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team 187

3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team 171

4 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 114

5 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP 103

6 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha 100

7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 89

8 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team 84

9 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 72

10 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 70

11 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 61

12 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team 46

13 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 41

14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 40

15 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team 38

16 John HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team 32

17 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Team 32

18 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team 22

19 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 10

20 Jamie HACKING USA Kawasaki Racing Team 5

21 Tadayuki OKADA JPN Repsol Honda Team 2

Rossi ends Stoner’s MotoGP win streak

Tags: casey stoner, Grand Prix motorcycle racing, laguna seca, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, motogp, Motorsports, valentino rossi
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Suddenly Casey Stoner is The Man

June 30, 2008

Winner of two straight, all of a sudden Casey Stoner is back. Back in contention to repeat his 2007 championship. Heading to Germany on July 13, and Laguna Seca on July 20. It’s starting to get interesting.

Dani Pedrosa, who finished second at Assen, now leads the series. Valentino Rossi fell on lap 1 and still sits in 2nd place, followed by Stoner. Jorge Lorenzo and American Colin Edwards round out the top 5.

Edwards and Nicki Hayden finished 3rd and 4th, the strongest American showing of the year. They are undoubtedly looking forward to late July in California. If it’s not on fire by then. 😦

As Rossi showed this past week, anything can happen in MotoGP. The race at Laguna Seca on July 20 will be a the last race before a 4 week vacation. They come back in the Czech Republic on August 17, then to fabulous San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, for God’s sake, on August 31.

No wonder people don’t know about it. Where the heck is Riviera di Rimini?

Whatever. On September 14 it’s happening in Indianapolis in what promises to be the largest stop on the MotoGP tour. Riders from 32 states will make the trip to Circle City, supported by a cast of thousands. An AMA Flat Track race at the Fairgrounds, Kenny Chesney at the new stadium, X-Fest at Verizon Music Center. Broad Ripple, the Arts District, the circle, Fountain Square, 16th & Georgetown will be jumping. Exhibition riding competition at the War Memorial. Something for every taste and budget, as it were.

This just in:

NBC will offer live coverage of the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 14th at 3-4pm ET.

Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment will coordinate production of the race with NBC.

Assen Results

Pos.	Rider	Nation	Team	Total time
1	C. STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	42’12.337
2	D. PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	+ 11.310
3	C. EDWARDS	USA	Tech 3 Yamaha	+ 17.125
4	N. HAYDEN	USA	Repsol Honda Team	+ 20.477
5	A. DOVIZIOSO	ITA	JiR Team Scot MotoGP	+ 27.346
6	J. LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	+ 28.608

Pos.	CHAMPIONSHIP Rider	Nation	STANDINGS Team	Points
1	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	171
2	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	167
3	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	142
4	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	114
5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Tech 3 Yamaha	98

Tags: casey stoner, indianapolis gp, moto gp, motogp, motorcycle racing, red bull
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Race Weekend Event Schedule

June 27, 2008

September 2008 Calendar – Indianapolis

SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20

Official MotoGP Indianapolis GP Schedule at The Motor Speedway.

Friday, September 12

125cc Practice #1 8:45-9:45 a.m.

MotoGP Practice #1 10-11 a.m.

250cc Practice #1 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

125cc Qualifying #1 1:05-1:35 p.m.

MotoGP Practice #2 1:50-2:50 p.m.

250cc Qualifying #1 3:05-3:50 p.m.

MotoGP Practice #3 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Red Bull Riders Cup Practice 5:30-6 p.m.

Red Bull Riders Cup Qualifying #1 6:30-7 p.m.

Saturday, September 13

125cc Practice 2 9-9:45 a.m.

MotoGP Practice #4 10-11 a.m.

250cc Practice #2 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

125cc Qualifying :2 1:05-1:35 p.m.

MotoGP Qualifying 1:50-2:50 p.m.

250cc Qualifying #2 3:05-3:50 p.m.

Red Bull Riders Cup Qualifying #2 4-4:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 14 Race Day

125cc warm-up 8:40-9 a.m.

250cc warm-up 9:10-9:30 a.m.

MotoGP warm-up 9:40-10:05 a.m.

Red Bull Riders Cup Race 10:25 a.m.

125cc Race (23 laps) Noon

250cc Race (26 laps) 1:15 p.m.

Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP Race (28 laps) 3 p.m.

Official Event Schedule for AMA Flat Track Championship Series at the Indiana Fairgrounds Saturday, September 13

Practice & Qualifying 4:00 pm

Rider Autograph Session 5:30 pm

Opening Ceremonies 7:00 pm

Heat Races Begin 7:30 pm

National Finals Begins 9:30 pm

Tags: indianapolis gp, motogp, september 2008
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Since We’ve Been Gone: Rossi, Pedrosa and Stoner Win

June 23, 2008

Casey Stoner winning at Donington. Photo courtesy of motogp.com

Old news: Rossi won his third race in a row at Mugello in Italy. Pedrosa stopped the win streak at 3 by winning at Catalunya in Spain. Stoner on his Ducati broke through for his first win since Round 1 by winning the Great Britain GP at Donington, sharing the podium with the usual suspects, Rossi and Pedrosa.

MotoGP World Standings After Round 8

1 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 162

2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team 151

3 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 117

4 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 104

5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha 82

6 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP 68

7 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team 57

8 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 53

So far this season, here’s what we know.

Yamaha and Honda own 7 of the top 8 spots. The top riders include two Spaniards, two Italians, two Americans, a Briton and an Australian. More than half of the season remains, and it’s a four man race. The top four riders are the only ones to have won a race this season. Lorenzo is hanging in after crashing in practice at Catalunya. Colin Edwards hasn’t given Americans much to cheer about, and 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden hasn’t been seen on a podium yet.

In most sports, that would be it for the season. MotoGP, by being contested on two wheels and at, like, 12,000 rpms, has plenty of potential for drivers to drop out of races. As Mr. Berra remarked, it ain’t over until it’s over.

Stoner, the reigning world champion on his badass Ducati, has put himself in contention after a 6 race drought. Rossi, in the midst of another great season, leads in points; he and Pedrosa have been on the podium in every race this year, a pretty remarkable feat in itself.

On to Assen this week.

Tags: casey stoner, donington, indianapolis gp, motogp, motorcycle
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Rossi’s 2nd Straight Win Gives Him Overall Points Lead

May 20, 2008

These excerpts directly from the MotoGP website, a great write-up of Sunday’s race at Le Mans in France:

Valentino Rossi took a second consecutive race victory at the Alice Grand Prix de France, ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Colin Edwards. The Italian now holds a three point advantage at the top of the World Championship standings. Rossi’s runaway triumph at Le Mans tied Angel Nieto´s record of 90 World Championship wins.

While second row starter Rossi had broken away from the pack early, the battle for the podium was closely contested right up to the line. The Italian´s Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo once again took his share of the limelight, bursting through the field to take second place in spite of a catalogue of injuries. His latest rostrum means that he is now the highest rookie point scorer for an opening five races in history, overtaking hero Max Biaggi.

Completing the all-Yamaha podium, Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards took another rostrum finish not quite in line with his predictions of victory, but nonetheless a fantastic achievement for the newly consistent American.

Poleman Dani Pedrosa relinquished his lead of the World Championship with fourth place, having attempted to lead the race from the front. Some hard moves from both Lorenzo and Edwards at the end of the Le Mans battle left the Repsol Honda rider off the podium for the first time in 2008.

Rossi now leads the World Championship by three points from Lorenzo and Pedrosa, who are tied for second. Stoner is running a distant fourth, while Nicki Hayden, world champion in 2006, trails in the 7 hole with 37 points.

MotoGP Le Mans Results:

1. Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team)

2. Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha Team)

3. Colin Edwards (Tech 3 Yamaha)

4. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda)

5. Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki)

6. Andrea Dovizioso (JiR Team Scot MotoGP)

7. Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP)

8. Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda)

9. Randy De Puniet (LCR Honda MotoGP)

10. Shinya Nakano (San Carlo Honda Gresini)

World Standings After 5 Events

______Rider______Nation___Team________Points

1 Valentino ROSSI____ ITA___ Fiat Yamaha____ _97

2 Jorge LORENZO_____SPA___ Fiat Yamaha_____94

3 Dani PEDROSA_____ SPA___ RepsoI Hond____ 94

4 Casey STONER_____ AUS___ Ducati Marlboro_ 56

5 Colin EDWARDS____ USA___Tech 3 Yamaha__ 47

6 Loris CAPIROSSI____ ITA____Rizla Suzuki_____42

7 Nicky HAYDEN_____ USA___ Repsol Honda___ 37

8 Andrea DOVIZIOSO_ ITA____ JIR Team Scot___36

9 James TOSELAND___GBR___ Tech3 Yamaha___33

10 Shinya NAKANO___JPN___ San Carlo Honda__28

Tags: le mans, motogp, motorcycle, valentino rossi, Yamaha
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Miracle Ride – Another GREAT Indianapolis Motorcycle Event

May 13, 2008

On May 31st, the Miracle Ride Foundation brings its annual fund raising weekend for Riley Hospital for Children, and it is awesome. The activities start at 9 am on Saturday and run through Sunday afternoon. Indianapolis will host thousands of bikers in the 15th year of gathering pledges to support Riley, where no child is turned away based upon ability to pay.

Enjoy prizes for best bikes in a host of categories, plus a silent auction, games of chance, alcoholic beverages and more. It’s possible to go home on Sunday with a tattoo and have no idea how it got there. The website has everything you need to know. Weather should be beautiful, so please come join us for a good cause and a good time. Pre-registration ends on May 21st.

Tags: indianapolis, may 31, miracle ride, Riley
Posted in Moto | 1 Comment »

Mediterrano Cafe – Superb Food, Great Value

May 12, 2008

Here’s a tip you’ll thank me for. The best–by far, in my opinion–Greek Mediterranean food in Indianapolis. Mediterrano Cafe. It comes to you in a modest storefront in a modest strip mall in a modest area of Castleton, at the northeast corner of the circle, where Allisonville Rd meets I-465.

In short, one of the best lunch buffets in the city for $10 including your beverage

Dinner buffet is bigger and better, if you’re looking for bigger and better. For me, lunch is superb. Your breath will be a wreck for two days unless you take measures. Tipping neither necessary nor expected. At the good tables you can see your bike from your seat. Plenty of vegetarian choices, but the meats rule.

Blog Directory - Blogged

Tags: buffet, Greek, restaurant, wonderful
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Moto GP Chase Tightens Up in China

May 4, 2008

Jorge Lorenzo loses it during practice on Friday for the Moto GP stop in Shanghai. He pulled it together enough on Sunday to finish 4th. Photo by Shanghai Daily.

Seven time world champion Moto GP rider Valentino Rossi, riding a Yamaha, outlasted Honda’s Dani Pedrosa to win the Shanghai stop on the world tour Sunday. Pedrosa’s 2nd place finish left him in the lead for the 2008 title in a tight race. His 81 points lead Jorge Lorenzo, the winner at Portugal, by a mere 7 points, with Rossi in 3rd with 72 points. Casey Stoner, reigning Moto GP champion riding for Ducati, finished a distant third in Shanghai, and now hasn’t won since Qatar’s opening race of the season. He has 56 points and is still in it, but is not dominating the way he did just last year.

The chase for the 2008 title is now officially wide open, with four different riders having won four different races. Next stop on the tour is May 18th at the legendary Le Mans course in the Champagne country southwest of Paris.

Top Ten MotoGP World championship standings after the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday.

1. Dani Pedrosa_(Spain)_Honda_81_Won at Spain Race #2

2. Jorge Lorenzo_(Spain)_Yamaha_74_Won at Portugal Race #3

3. Valentino Rossi_(Italy)_Yamaha_72_Won at China Race #4

4. Casey Stoner_(Australia)_Ducati_56_Won at Quatar Race #1

5. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 33

6. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha 33

7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 31

8. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 29 (2006 World Champion)

9. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 26

10. John Hopkins (U.S.) Kawasaki 26

Tags: motogp, motorcycle, Shanghai, Yamaha
Posted in Racing News | 5 Comments »

American Colin Edwards Takes Pole in Shanghai

May 3, 2008

This is starting to be fun. Team Yamaha is geeked up, as their boy Colin Edwards had the fastest qualifying time in the Moto GP stop in Shanghai. And he looked damned good doing it.

Colin Edwards, courtesy of AFP.

They’re running the race Sunday morning. Watch this space for details. Har.

Tags: motogp, motorcycle, Shanghai, Yamaha
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