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See how nice that was not to spoil the news for all those who were doing something else today.  If you have not seen the race, click the back button NOW.

How fitting and timely was this starting grid image to the left.  I have to say again, that this has been the greatest sporting series I have watched, surpassing the Red Wings first Stanley Cup in decades back in the mid-90’s.  My wife had a mini-triatholon today and honestly speaking, her race wasn’t really on my mind 100% of the time.  In fact, I said afterwards “how long are we hanging out here?”, not wanting to risk a DVR glitch.  I needed to be home by 1:30pm to catch the action

That’s right…I’m turning off the moto-sites on the internet as I just saw a topic “SPOILER - VALENCIA!!!”

Back in 2002, an hour before I was going to sit down to the 2002 WSBK final race(s) that would decide the championship between Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss, some ass-hat decided to be cute and post the winner in the title of a forum topic.  Since this has been one of the most anticipated races - check that - THE MOST anticipated race I have experienced, I am taking measures to not have it wrecked.

The tough part is that I’ll be out for most of tomorrow and will have to watch it later on the mighty DVR.  I am going to watch

Whether its here or other places, there is a lot of discussion about who will win the championship this year.  Much of it is emotional based on which rider you like…it goes like this:

Hayden fans - Rossi passed in a yellow and should have been docked points.  Hayden has been more consistent.  Pedrosa is a m-f’er.

Rossi fans - Rossi has the most wins.  Rossi has DNF’s and a 15th place.  Rossi is the best rider.

The funny thing is that all of the above are true. 

The reality is that the winner of the MotoGP Championship is the one with the most points.  Read that again:

The winner of the MotoGP Championship is the one with the most points.

I have to refer to

Here’s some dish that I found around the net.  One falls under the category of DUH.  The other falls under the category of “Are you f’ing kidding me?”:

From racerx.com

 
Punishments at HRC?
October 17, 2006Following Dani Pedrosa’s extremely controversial taking out of erstwhile points leader (and Repsol Honda teammate) Nicky Hayden at the Estoril MotoGP round, some in the European motorcycling press are calling for retribution within HRC. The nearly unanimous opinion is that Pedrosa’s move was ill-advised at best, and many fans have called for his head, but because the rookie had been given no team orders, this seems extremely unlikely. That doesn’t mean, however, that other people in the team won’t pay a price.

According to Italian website http://www.motograndprix.it/ HRC

I need a favor.

This year I am looking for 2-wheel related Christmas stocking stuffers that fall into the ‘must have’ category.  I have a problem - I’m cheap overall when it comes to the non-essentials.  Heh - with the internet at my disposal, I often shop whatever future purchase is in mind to death…then sometimes forget to actually buy it!  This (particular) time is different.  I say particular because I am seemingly a little vulnerable to spend some $$JACK$$ with my new track bike purchase.

Here’s the deal…  I am looking to commute as much as possible to & from work now that the AZ summer heat is gone.  For those of you that don’t know, I have an Aprilia Futura

Ok, where should AB do his first trackday?

1. November 4th at Firebird West, Phoenix, AZ: TrackTime AZ (My Personally Favorite)

• Nice 1.1 mile track, very tight and a good learning track. I am still learning this track

• Advantage: Close to AB’s home.

• Disadvantage: Not the Uber Hot 3+ Mile super track.

• Note: You can also ride on the AZTrackDay hosted events at the same track.

2. November 25th/26th at California Speedway, Ontario, CA: Hosted by Fastrack Riders (I have never been to one of there events)

• It is the AMA Track, got to go big the first time out

• Advantage: Uber Fast AMA Track, for some high speed fun.

• Keep reading >>

Ok, so Bob is about to go track day riding… lets see what he MAY need.

• I am assuming bob has a Ramp, Trailer, and the other basics of motorcycle ownership.

1. Leathers: Basic Joe Rocket leathers: $500 and Up

2. Race Boots: Alpinestars SMX-Plus: $210 and Up (Link to a Alpinestars discount site)

3. Race Helmet: Don’t want to crash your nice street lid: $180

4. Race Gloves: Alpinestars or Held are nice: $150 (and up)

5. Back Protector: We want bob to walk into work the next day: $75 (and up)

6. Tires: Figure one set every two track days: TBD + $30 for mounting.

7. Fuel: Circle K is my supplier

   Keep reading >>

It’s never too early to start planning your future spectation. While this years MotoGP championship isn’t over yet, next year’s is already planned. Considering what an exciting series we’ve witnessed this year, imagine 2007 with all new machinery (for those living under rocks, the displacement limit will go from 990cc to 800cc in a vain attempt to slow them down). Next season promises all the drama of this year and maybe more. With several saddle changes (Stoner to Ducati), a few additions (Ilmor) and a few retirements (Gibernau?, Checa?). Most of the usual suspects return with the same teams.  If Rossi wins the championship this year, it will be his 8th title (1-125, 1-250, 1-500 and 5-990). He will have won

My last track adventure was with a ‘99 R1 at just under 140 Hp.  It was not the easiest to ride on the track because it liked to wheelie and light up the rear tire if I didn’t ‘manage’ the throttle well.  With the purchase of an SV650, that should not be a problem at a claimed 75Hp. 

I am going with an SV650 for a couple of reasons:

• So dirt cheap that its almost disposable
• Parts availability in the used market is excellent
• Twin thump
• Rave reviews about the SV for short tracks that are not built for hp
• Lightwieght and easy to ride
• I have a novice partner (we went in halfsies)

I would have liked an RS250 and it was a coin toss really.  I

That didn’t take long at all.  The stars aligned and a buddy of mine sent me a note yesterday wanting to know if I had any interest in a track (only) bike…and it was an SV650.  It gets better.  The bike is in Florida and the guy is moving here to the Valley of the Sun.  Heh - its being delivered.  And while I’m not going to talk about pricing specifics, it was real cheap with lots of goodies.

Gotta go…shhhhhhhhhhhh.