2010 Indianapolis MotoGP

[Rocketier]

I haven't seen anyone talk about it yet, so I'll start a thread. Is anyone going? I'll be there tomorrow for the initial practices and possibly Saturday too. Weather is expected to be extremely nice the entire weekend, up to 90 degrees by Raceday. When do you think BMW will put a team together for this circuit?

[Mach Schnell]

In 2012 MotoGP engine rules will go back to 1000 cc displacement. The rules for cylinders and bore diameters would allow the basic S1000RR platform to be used if BMW wanted to do the development to field a true 350 hp/liter machine.

The rumor mill says that Marco Melandri will probably sign with BMW's FIM Superbike campaign for 2011. The rumor mill then speculates further that Melandri would be poised to join a BMW MotoGP team for 2012.

It seems like a stretch. BMW has had some podiums in the 2010 Superbike campaign, but no victories yet. It seems like success in WSBK would be an important step in evolving toward a premiere class MotoGP effort.

At the same time, most folks would agree that BMW has deep pockets and that they could be quite good at doing the one off type of engines that are necessary for success in MotoGP.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

As for attending, the weather does look mighty good. I went in 2008 and we had the hurricane to contend with. Between the oppressive heat and humidity when it wasn't raining, and the literal hurricane which cut the race short and blew over many bikes in the parking lots, it took my taste for it away. I watch every race and qualifying session, and about half the free practice sessions every year, but I watch them live via streaming video from the Dorna web site (http://www.motogp.com). Great camera work, decent commentary and banter, and all the comforts of home.

[SHIVA]

It was fun being there last year...

Here's a link to my coverage and a pic or two:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12022#p80916

[Rocketier]

I went to the practice session today and boy was it nice. 85 degrees, no clouds, beautiful bikes and women. There were a few low-side slide off's, which was a little surprising with the conditions, but I guess they were just pushing the limits.

Visited almost all the vendor tents. The atmosphere was a little different in the BMW tent this year vs. last. There were four S1000RR on display, a GS, HP2, and a K1300S. However, the crowd was a bit light. It was the first day of the weekend and most people were working, so I'm sure the crowd will pick back up tomorrow. There merchandise was quite sparse. I was really hoping to score some threads, but there really wasn't anything appealing.

Mach - completely understand. The weather turned most people off of this event. However, last year and this it was and is definitely better. It's always exciting to be at an event in the flesh, but the comfy couch and a cold brew are hard to beat too. As you will see in the pics, the ground is bone-dry. We've had the lowest amount of rain EVER, since recording began. I believe we have gotten .39 inches the entire month of August.

Shiva - It was fun last year. It great to meet and converse as well. Hopefully we'll see you back here again.

Here are a couple of pics of some interesting bikes and one, tricked out RR.

[Mach Schnell]

I watched FP1 for most of the 125cc class, all of the premiere class, and part of moto2. I'm an oddball in that I am not a fan of moto2. Its way too crowded, and the guys who are winning are the logical guys, i.e. guys who made it to the premiere class because they were really really good, but didn't get to stay because they weren't really really great.

Hayden's off was the scariest for me today. That bone chip in his left hand from the low side slide at BRNO will take time to heal. He has protectors on it, but after the low slide today he came up rubbing and inspecting his left wrist and forearm. They said that his leathers were torn up in the slide, but that he hadn't actually done any further damage.

It was nice to see Aoyama out there after his back injury. He is apparently focused on learning the track, rather than trying to be competitive.

Rossi spent quite a bit of the session as the slowest Yamaha out there, but at the end he pulled off a hot lap and rose to 5th fastest for the session.

Ducati must be happy with Stoner and Hayden as 1 and 3. Stoner had an incredible save. It looked to me like he should have been down, but he forced the bike back up and willed it into stability. Stoner is the Master and Commander of Ducati, and he will be sorely missed.

The big news of the Day was the announcement that Spies would join the Yamaha factory team for 2011. This has long been rumored, and Spies has said that the rumors were true, but now it is official and announced. Lorenzo still hasn't signed. I guess he's waiting to see what shakes out at Repsol. Dovizioso supposedly has a guarantee for a factory ride, but it could mean a factory bike for a satellite team. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Of course FP1 is meaningless, and so is FP2 (unless someone is injured in a crash, or a bike explodes).

Spies had a low side slide late in the session, near turn 6, and they said that it was in a part of the track where there were "bumps." Can you imagine pushing a bike to its limits on pavement with "bumps?"

It looked like a great day for racing. I'm sure it will be very nice tomorrow and Sunday too. Anyone one who goes is assured of a very good time, and certainly it is true that there is something special about "being there."

Enjoy!!!

[Rocketier]

What a ride by Pedrosa today. Too bad Hayden's puck came loose. He was real dissappointed. How about Spies' success so far in his first year? Although he'll still be with Yamaha next year, I wonder how he'll do with a new team?

I read some information in a free brochure I got from Ducati Island this weekend and it talked about the new rules for 2012. I'ver read some posts about BMW's possible venture in MotoGP. They have had such great success with the S1000RR worldwide, can they not afford to enter a team?

[Bernardo]

... it talked about the new rules for 2012. I'ver read some posts about BMW's possible venture in MotoGP.

I've heard the same here, apparently the new rules will let the S1000RRR race in the Moto GP circus, IMO great notice!

[Mach Schnell]

Sad part of the day at Indy was in the 125cc developmental league (MD250H) Peter Lenz, a 13 year old, was killed when he got off and was smacked by a 12 year old following. This activity is not formally part of MotoGP, (it is not the 125 cc class of MotoGP) but is similar in some ways to the old Red Bull Rookies league that we used to see from time to time. This particular program is for 12 to 18 year olds, and although deaths aren't common, stuff happens in split seconds when you're racing. Very sad. It appears to have had an impact on Colin Edwards who had befriended the youth and his Dad. As some may know, Edwards DNF'd because of perceived tire issues after coming into the pit and changing tires mid way through the race (very unusual decision when there hasn't been a changeover from wet to dry or vise versa).

Shame about Nicky's knee puck. Stoner lost a knee puck twice in earlier sessions. Nicky said he'd caught a drain cover by a curb. To me it is unbelievable that they are expected to race on a track with as many pavement issues as Indy. Three kinds of pavement. Horrible bumps at turn 6. Greasy from embedded rubber of the ages. Rossi was off 4 times this weekend, and that's never happened before. Rossi blamed his fourth today on lack of physical conditioning since coming back from his compound fracture of tibia and fibula.

Its nice to see friendly interaction between Pedrosa and Lorenzo. Very different from Lorenzo's rookie year. Alberto PUig wasn't so visible today. No beating for Dani tonight. Hope they can all celebrate.

The Moto2 race was horrible to my taste. 1 second between 1st and 24th on the qualifying grid. Pile ups in the first lap requiring a restart. Race reduced to 17 laps. Legions of crashers. And in the end, Tony Elias (a guy who didn't get his contract renewed in the premiere class last year) wins again. He's running away with it. Still, lots of folks will like Moto2.... trading paint and crashing is kind of like fighting in hockey. Takes away from the fine points, but hard to ignore.

Spies had an incredible weekend. Getting the pole yesterday, and then coming in second today. Toseland never got a podium in Premiere Class when he came over after his WSBK Championship season. Some speculation is that Spies is already getting factory support and that Rossi and Burgess are already getting diminished factory support. When you stop and realize that Spies was the first Yamaha, beating both factory bikes which were at 3rd and 4th, it has to be recognized as an incredible accomplishment. Spies is a smart guy, and maybe he figured out how to remember where the bumps, and the drain covers and the curbs, and the crappy pavement, and the maximum greasiness were better than others were able to do.

Meanwhile, Pedrosa gets his third win of the season .... first time he's had three wins in a season. And Lorenzo falls out of the top two for the first time this year, although he was still on the podium.

Next weekend the race is in San Marino.

[Eka]

There is something mystic in front of Ducaties. Stoner lost front maybe from crack in asphalt or at least in TV there did look like to be a lot of cracks. Kallio's front tyre jumped few times in curve before he lost it and two other drivers in front of him went very smooth same speed. Could there be very sharp bumbs and other two avoided those before him. Looks like Ducati will lost front easily.

[Rocketier]

Indianapolis has always been chastised about the surface(s). They are trying to cater to three different (and possible a fourth now) types of racing circuits and just cannot do it. The main surfaces were re-grooved a couple years ago after a complete dissaster with the NASCAR event. The tracks seems to work well with the INDY Cars, which is its' main event. I don't know what the answer is, but there should be the same surface type all around.

I've been on the track several times running a half-marathon race and did not notice any cracking on the surface or metal covers. Although I'm sure they are out there because the water has to go somewhere. The climate in this part of the United States ranges from 96F in the summer to -10F in the winter. Ice is very tough on our roads out hear.

There is also some concern about the amount of people that came to see the race. There were a lot of empty seats in the stands. This is not good. I believe they estimate between 70,000 to 100,000 people.

[mattb]

Hi to all those who live in or who know Indianapolis. I'm seriously considering making the pilgrimage for the 2011 MotoGP and will take my 11 yr old daughter - she seems realy keen?? Can anyone give me some advice on best place to sit or get tickets for? Obviously like to be close to the action but also need somewhere were an 11 yr old can see all the action too? Thanks,

[Rocketier]

Hey Mattb, glad to see more forum members attend this event. Is this your first time to a GP event? Since there are only two in our country, it is somewhat rare to have the chance to see these guys. Take a look at the attach map of the course.

If you want to get close to the action, I would try to be somewhere around Turn 8,9, or 11. If you want a great view of multiple turns and a large part of the Speedway itself, try the SW Vista or Sections H or J. I sat in the SW Vista two years ago and it is pretty good. Quite a few slide-off's happen in T2. However, sitting up high in Section H is nice because you can see T10 - 16 and off down the straight-away.

I believe you could easily find tickets last year and there were several good seats left on the Practice Friday as my wife and I were solicited several times walking into the facility. If you want to guarrantee a specific seat, then buy them earlier. Let me know where you end up and I might be able to tell you where to find some decent parking too.

If all goes according to plan, I'll be there again on Friday's Practice and possibly the Race on Sunday too. Good Luck and welcome to INDY!

[mattb]

Thanks Rocketier, great info. I'll do a bit of ticket research coupled with your info and might well give you a PM when I'm sorted.
I've seen bikes at Le Mans a long time ago but that was before I rode one myself so there was probably zero appreciation of what they were doing. I know I'll be amazed at the speed they're going but it's the noise I think I'm most excited about