Current GP championship stuff...

[Super Dave]

Since nothing is happening here...

You know, I am really finding the current 125GP and the RBRC stuff pretty interesting now that the Europeans have finally decided to invite us to the game.  It's a long way to go to do it, and the kids showing up there are doing well. 

What sucks is that we won't get to see them grow up here like others like Rainey, Schwantz, Polen, Hayden, Edwards, Lawson, Mamola, etc.  But, I'm very happy for them to have those opportunities.

Anyone...

[weggieman]

Though we don't have the 125 riders to watch grow up there is no lack of talent stateside to hold our interest. No they are not riding 125 gp bikes but are riding growth classes that will lead them to our supersport, superbike classes in the future and hopefully to World SB and MotoGP.

Of course that depends on the DMG group that now seems to be throwing our pro series down the drain with spec rules (tire and fuel) for a 600 superbike class. As Edmondson said "the daytona 200 will be a superbike class next year. Only he didn't say what size superbike.

Sorry to hijack the thread.....back to our regularly scheduled program.....

[Super Dave]

LOL!  That's ok Gordy. 

I kept saying that it was going to be a 600 class for the 200 again...600 superbike.   


Really, it might be good that we have this all going on since it's so expensive to get a leg up.  With Supersport rides costing $60k to $100k+, if Red Bull wants to come in and finance some dreams for some young guys, I think it's kind of neat. 

In the end, there may be different opportunities for some riders outside and away from those contractural obligations, but it's something that is at least "new". 

Does make USGPRU attractive to some young kids.

[cardzilla]

I still say a 250 is the bare minimum to separate skill.  I've just seen too many people (usually circus midgets) ride a 125 fast only to come back to the pack when HP gets involved.  I closely follow 250 and MotoGP, but I find 125 unwatchable.  I seriously feel that 125's and 250's will be going away in the near future anyway.  With the whole world worried about the Earth it seems 2 strokes are doomed.  Sure, we may have race only bikes because they're not held to the same rules, but without a streetable product how many mfrs are going to stay onboard?  Honda and Yamaha are already gone... I think Honda not fielding a factory team is a clear indication the classes are doomed.  Maybe they'll end up 400cc and 600cc street based 4 strokes.  I will say that it is nice that kids have a structured way to move up though.

[Super Dave]

You know, I don't know what's gonna happen either.  So many issues right?

I mean, it was probably twelve years ago when there was talk of eliminating the 250cc GP engine in favor of a 600 production engine, but that didn't happen. 

I don't see where a 450 single is a good idea yet, personally, unless it is supported with a lot of contingency, which I don't think really happened in dirt track, nor do I feel that it will go very far in this new RR thing.

And in that, Kevin Murray built his own 125 GP bike for about $7500.  I mean, wow! 

[Ducati23]

This idea may have some merit. I'd think it might be smart for MotoGP go to a GP, GP2 & GP3 format of four strokes with 800cc fours, 400cc twins and 200cc singles. This would allow the factories to build machines that allow for shared development of the engines within each company. Maybe that would help companies build smaller race bikes to sell? They could cut their 800 in half and have a good starting point for the 400 etc. Who knows what will happen?

I agree with David, the dirt oriented 450 thing is probably not the solution. Those things are high maintenance in dirt trim, now hold them wide open for long periods of time and load them up heavier than they get on dirt situations with grippy rr tires. Sounds like a good formula for failures.  I'm not against it. but maybe a machine designed for the purpose might be a better way to do it. 

I wonder how fast a purpose built ultra light 400cc twin cylinder GP bike would be? It'd probably sound cool.  CP

[weggieman]

200cc four stroke singles? Sorry but event he young kids need to race something bigger and faster than your average pit bike.