Real racing thread

[supa]

Yep, that's Monoco.

[supa]

Oh yeah, 2 GPs on tap for next year in the US. Jersey and Austin. Plan on attending one or both. Who's in?

[DoubleJ]

Yep, that's Monoco.

pah

what a let-down

well, i suppose we were due a damp squib sooner or later

[supa]

lol, was it the cars doing 360s in the beginning of the race or the ones flying 6ft in the air that bored you?

[supa]

[DoubleJ]

lol, was it the cars doing 360s in the beginning of the race or the ones flying 6ft in the air that bored you?

nah. that was fun. but that was the first 30 seconds of the race.

the bit i didn't like was the "OK, it's going to PISS down with rain! But 10 mins AFTER the race has finished" bit

[PlayToWin]

cb350. It is my first bike... .

Hey Boost - That looks like a nice bike. I bet it would be a lot of fun to race.

Since we're on the subject of vintage racing, here are a couple of mine. The BSA 500 single-cylinder handled great, but the motor had trouble finishing races.

I still have the '72 Yamaha 250 but my racing days seem to be over. They're not the best pics, but it's all I could find quickly.

[supa]

cb350. It is my first bike... pretty good size to learn on for the street and track. I have become friends with a large group of vintage bike racers/riders, and I really can't wait to settle back in Chicago so I can really dig in. There's a pretty healthy group of guys in the 175 or 200cc class that all run cb160's. The 160's are tiny motors, but it looks like a ton of fun running on the track with a full pack, and you really can work on technique at a comfortable speed.

Here's a pic of my cb350, which is sadly very far away from where I currently am living. I completely rebuilt it, and did almost all the work myself. I did a lot of the welding, but had a friend help out and guide me with that, and I had a shop do the powder coating on the frame and a few small bits. I rebuilt the motor, painted it, formed the seat myself out of sheet from an old computer case, etc etc...



Most recent pic I could find, but that's more or less how it sits today.

No idea how I missed this the first time around. Nice bike. Mad respect for working on the bike yourself, it's something that I think not enough people do and puts you in a league above the standard 'motorcycle enthusiast'. Looks like a bunch of fun too. Nice work. I came really close to buying a cb750 on the cheap about a month ago but didn't want to spend all summer screwing with it so bought the bandit instead to feed my instant gratification.

Speaking of summer and motorcycles, we gotta meet up before you split Cali. Get your bike sorted yet?

@Play, more pics of the yammie plz.

[PlayToWin]

@Play, more pics of the yammie plz.

Here's one from the track. I've haven't ridden it more than a dozen laps in three trips to the track! Never got it sorted for various reasons. It did feel good...very light-weight, but it had gearbox issues among others. It should be ready to go now, but I haven't tested it yet.



I'd like to restore it to original paint scheme, white with a red stripe down the center of the tank and tail-piece. Here's what it should look like. Note the massive front drum brake. It's the best drum brake ever made (all the vintage racers want one). After this model, disc brakes and water-cooling were used.

[PlayToWin]

Despite not having great luck with vintage bikes, I did quite a few races on my GSXR 750. Much excitement was had.

[jjbish]

Happy Schumi finally made a podium. About time.

And Kimmi gonna roll this I think

BTW. this place has died lately

[Pascal]

Bump.

Been a decent F1 season so far but not amazing, still some great races. Big news today - Hamilton to Mercades and Perez to McLaren. Happy for Perez but think Hamilton is making a mistake...

[supa]

Hamilton what??? Rhetorical cuz I'm gonna google it as soon as I post this but I agree, huge mistake. Haven't been able to keep up cuz I'm working 60 hour week right now.

Sucks but it's good monies.

[supa]

^Confirmed. Will be fun to see what Perez does with a McLaren.

[DoubleJ]

...Big news today - Hamilton to Mercades and Perez to McLaren....

zzzzzzzzz.....

keep up guys.

this has been going on since before the half-term break

also means that Herr Schumacher has no seat for 2013. Will likely move into a management role at Merc.

also means that Sauber will need a new driver for 2013

[Pascal]

Only confirmed today tho - I'd heard the rumours but really thought Hamilton would stay at McClaren. No way can Mercades car compete with Red Bull/Ferrari/McLaren imo, he's got to be in it for the money.

[DoubleJ]

...he's got to be in it for the money.

dunno 'bout that. Lewis wants more WDC titles. He wouldn't move for just $$$$s

sure, Macca wasn't prepared to pay him the $$$ that Merc are rumoured to be shelling out, but there're other factors:
* the chance to work w/ Ross Brawn - a multi-championship winner (7 with Schui, 1 with JB)
* new 2014 engine regs (Merc are a factory team, Macca a customer)
* the new Super Simulator that's rumoured to be in progress @ Brackley
* being bezzies w/ Nico

[chemist]

he's got to be in it for the money.

dunno 'bout that. Lewis wants more WDC titles. He wouldn't move for just $$$$s

sure, Macca wasn't prepared to pay him the $$$ that Merc are rumoured to be shelling out, but there're other factors:
* the chance to work w/ Ross Brawn - a multi-championship winner (7 with Schui, 1 with JB)
* new 2014 engine regs (Merc are a factory team, Macca a customer)
* the new Super Simulator that's rumoured to be in progress @ Brackley
* being bezzies w/ Nico

That's what I thought, and why I thought the rumours had no substance,
but obviously he or his management do care about the money and the bigger international publicity and money making opportunities that Mercedes group has to offer over the smaller but more competitive maclaren.

[DoubleJ]

...obviously he or his management do care about the money...

yes, of course. I'm sure XIX have a strategy to develop BrandHamilton than extends way beyond the end of his racing career.

But no way was the salary the only factor in LH's decision to move.

How it all pans out remains to be seen over the next few seasons, but I think it's pretty clear that he needed out of McLaren ASAP, as relationships with Uncle Ron had soured beyond reconciliation.

Also, with due respect to Pascal, i think it's way too early to say that Mercedes cannot compete with RBR/Ferrari.

Don't forget that only 6 or 7 years ago, RBR were a joke. A fizzy-drinks company that had no place in F1 at all.

So if they can go from laughing-stock to WC in 6 seasons, what do you think a colossal force like Mercedes could do with the weight of Petronas behind them? Especially as they will be way ahead of the curve when it comes to 2014, and they are one of only two teams that build their own engines.

There's also a parallel from not so long a go about a young Champion moving to a big-name constructor who were thought to be hopelessly uncompetitive and rebuilding the team around himself.

The team was Ferrari. The driver was Michael Schumacher. The result was 5 WDC titles.

[DoubleJ]

...so Hamilton to Ferrari 2013?...

Yea, and verily they shall call him semiNostradamus

[CoccoBill]

Don't forget that only 6 or 7 years ago, RBR were a joke. A fizzy-drinks company that had no place in F1 at all.

So if they can go from laughing-stock to WC in 6 seasons, what do you think a colossal force like Mercedes could do with the weight of Petronas behind them? Especially as they will be way ahead of the curve when it comes to 2014, and they are one of only two teams that build their own engines.

What made it possible for RBR? Adrian Newey.

[DoubleJ]

...Adrian Newey...

Ah, yes. Another interesting parallel that i'd forgotten about - thanks for reminding me.

Newey designed the championship winning cars for Hakkinen at McLaren, then got 'disgruntled' and made the "OMG! What is he doing? He's Crazy!" move to joke-team RBR, only to go on to win the Championships in 2010 and 2011.

so, yeah, don't write off the Mercs just yet based on only 3 seasons of data

[chemist]

There's also a parallel from not so long a go about a young Champion moving to a big-name constructor who were thought to be hopelessly uncompetitive and rebuilding the team around himself.

Yes but Hamilton is no Schumacher or Alonso.

Hamilton and Vettel can drive when they are provided with a good package including the car, support and strategy.

Schumacher and Alonso are able to do more than just drive,
they provide feedback of their requirements to the team (a bit more specifically than just 'I want a faster car') which helps to improve the package for them, and they are able to think strategically themselves on and off the track.

[DoubleJ]

hmmmm.....

so what - in your opinion - is Ross Brawns' motivation in replacing Schumacher with Hamilton, then?

If Brawn is talking about 2013 being an "evolutionary" phase for the team, why would he hire a driver who wasn't capable of fulfilling that role?

[supa]

hmmmm.....

so what - in your opinion - is Ross Brawns' motivation in replacing Schumacher with Hamilton, then?

Going out on a limb here but it could have to do with how Schumi keeps crashing his fucking cars.

[joker131]

drivers who retire never make a comeback worth talking about. shummacca could never complete, even if he was in the fastest car. hamilton needs a car that will test his ability, money talks but could it be he needs to test his ability

[DoubleJ]

Going out on a limb here but it could have to do with how Schumi keeps crashing his fucking cars.

LOLZ!!

Nah, the question was not so much about why replace him, but more about why replace him with someone who (according to some above) isn't going to play a significant part in developing the car?

[chemist]

hmmmm.....

so what - in your opinion - is Ross Brawns' motivation in replacing Schumacher with Hamilton, then?

If Brawn is talking about 2013 being an "evolutionary" phase for the team, why would he hire a driver who wasn't capable of fulfilling that role?

hmmmm...

Fair point, good question.

Ross Brawn is certainly a thinker.
He and Schumacher worked very well together at Ferrari.
He took over Honda and Jenson Button and won a championship in the first year of his own branded team (albeit with a car that had a technical edge over the others).

But faced with Michael not managing to return to his pre first retirement form deciding to stand down again and Alonso not being available, he had to pick someone from the rest of the pack.

I wouldn't have been surprised to see Button make the move.
I might be going out on a limb here Perhaps Ross walked into the Maclaren garage to offer Jenson a job, Hamilton's manager overheard and said we'll take that.

We will just have to wait and see how next season turns out.

One thought, perhaps Brawn decided to split the job in two,
have Hamilton do the driving, and keep Schumacher as a technical consultant to fulfill the rest of the role.

[DoubleJ]

Schumacher announced his retirement from racing today @ Suzuka.

There was not mention of what he plans to do after the season ends, saying his focus is on the remaining races - "There are six races to go - that's what comes next. Whatever comes afterwards, we'll see. There is no point and need to find any decisions right now."

Ross Brawn has already suggested a position is available for him within the motorsport group - "We would like him to stay involved with Mercedes. There is a lot of things he can contribute - perhaps on the racing car side but certainly on the road car side and I think that is something he would enjoy a great deal"

[DoubleJ]

@supa - are you going to CoTA this weekend?

looks like they done an awesome job on the circuit.

and we could have both titles decided on Sunday

[supa]

Almost bought tickets but decided against it due to finances and not being able to take the time off from work. Some very good friends are going but I'll be religated to the couch.

Really wish I was going though. Hopefully next year.

[DoubleJ]

meh...shame. well, enjoy the race anywayz.

any predictions for the weekend/season? RBR/Vettel have the upper hand, but i kinda feel that Alonso deserves WDC more - he's outdriven a car that was a second off the pace pre-season, and has been streets ahead of anyone else for smarts all year long...

[chemist]

Agreed Alonso deserves it more considering all factors across the year,
but it looks like it will all come down to luck and the weather in the final race.

Going back to Hamilton and Mercedes next year; It will be interesting to see how Rossberg compares to Hamilton compared with this years probably overall comparable performance with Schumacher.

[supa]

Excellent start to the new F1 season.

[d0zer]

BRUM BRUM VROOOOOOOOOOOOOM my goodness do those cars go fast. And holy cow they can turn too!

[supa]

...and not just to the left!

[supa]

Already mad drama.

[Pascal]

Vettel = bastard or caught up in the racing? Acted like a selfish prick regardless

[supa]

Vettel's always been a selfish prick which is why I've never been able to get behind him even though he's arguably the best driver in history. I see his reasoning for this one because he knew he was faster and maybe Webber should have let him by. Honestly I think Webber was overly pissed because he lost a race that was handed to him by his team but ended up having it taken by the better driver.

[Hoopy]

Vettel = bastard or caught up in the racing? Acted like a selfish prick regardless

Bit of both imo, I don't think team orders will be followed much at RB or Mercedes now which makes things more fun to watch.

It's funny in F1 because there's a mix of team and individual sport going on which creates weird situations sometimes.

[DoubleJ]

Vettel = bastard or caught up in the racing?

Princess Stampy-Foot has plenty of previous.

I just wish Webber would man-up a bit. I'm tired of his whining. Same-same "Little Jack" Horner.

I blame the heat - so many ridiculous errors up and down the grid.

Good to see that the Maccas have made some progress with the car; hopefully another big step over the next 3 weeks.

[chemist]

Not the first time he's acted like a prick.
Looks like he's getting away with it. In most jobs if you don't do what your boss says you don't get paid, or you get sacked. The team should do something about it.
Last time he did it he took both of the team cars out.
If Webber knew they were still racing he would have been driving differently.

[rong]

Hopefully management won't make such decisions in future. I don't wanna see guys coasting around the track. Lewis v Rosberg and Vettel v Webber would have been interesting battles.

[rong]

In fact, what would it say about a racing driver who would just accept 2nd place. That's not the kind of driver I'd be willing to pay millions for.

[DoubleJ]

Hopefully management won't make such decisions in future

meh. don't hold ur breath, really.

don't get me wrong, rong (see wot i did there?) - i want to see full-on racing as much as you do, but that's the delicious dichotomy of F1: it's a team sport where your bitterest rival is the guy across the garage from you.

The drivers are focussed on the WDC and the glory. However, the important contest is for the constructors' title, as this is the one that decides how big a slice of the pie each team gets for next season.

And it's that pie that pays everyones' wages, not just the drivers'.

There will always be team orders (legal or otherwise) in F1 as long as there are teams. End of.

[DoubleJ]

No way can Mercades car compete with Red Bull/Ferrari/McLaren imo

will u be revising this position any time soon?

[Pascal]

haha, probably very impressed by kimi today

[supa]

Yep, kimi kicking ass. Mercedes proving the driver does have sumpin to do with winning. Mclaren proving the same lol.

[DoubleJ]

very impressed by kimi today

wot race were you watching, boyo?

Good result for KR, but driving up the back of Perez wasn't smart

Standouts for me this weekend were Danny Ricciardo outdriving the car on Saturday and bringing it home for a solid race result, and Vettel's 5x Quali laps to nearly take LH for 3rd at the death.

[rong]

Kimi fucked up. He should have taken lh on the final lap but he took that turn badly and lost it.

[DoubleJ]

Kimi fucked up. He should have taken lh on the final lap but he took that turn badly and lost it.

shurely shome mishtake?

[Pascal]

perez needs to stop swerving all over the track, kimi made one mistake but still managed 2nd with a damaged car

[DoubleJ]

perez needs to stop swerving all over the track

for why? i believe it's called "defending"

KR didn't have a hope in hell of making that move stick

O yeh - favourite moment that never was - Webber's errant wheel taking out Vettel. I would've larfed.

[supa]

for why? i believe it's called "defending"

KR didn't have a hope in hell of making that move stick

O yeh - favourite moment that never was - Webber's errant wheel taking out Vettel. I would've larfed.

Defending usually doesn't entail taking out the nose of the other car. The move itself wasn't supposed to stick. It was about fucking up Perez' line for the next turn. Def Perez' fault I think the call was good. Shit happens when you race.

[DoubleJ]

No way can Mercades car compete with Red Bull/Ferrari/McLaren imo...

You still sticking with this?