Monaco GP

[Dippy]

Time to scrap the circuit I say. Whilst I accept that there is something unique and endearing about the circuit, as a race it stinks, as today proved.

If you can't overtake in a race, what's the point?

At least in previous years there were crashes and breakdowns to keep Monaco interesting. Today it was just one long dull parade lap after another.

[Carps]

There was not one single overtaking manouvure throughout the whole race. All position changes were down to pit stop strategies.

And like you say, the softening of a couple of the corners has removed the usual 'F1 breakers yard' that appears at St Devote - though Ralf nearly got caught out [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

The situation at Monaco has been worstened by the new qualifying procedures. It is quite ridiculous the the fastest race lap is quicker than the pole time. I was surprised that one of the smaller teams didn't run light and get itself totally out of place on the grid, in search of tv coverage.

Biggest disappointment though was Jens. He looked so promising on Thurs. Could have given JV a good thrashing (again [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] )

How many F1 fans do we have here ?

[runrowsam]

Well I'm a fan it must be said! Missed the race today, but I heard it was bluddy awful. I definately do NOT approve of these new qualifying rules, as it really does mean that anyone can get on the front row if they wanna screw up their race. You're right though, if I'd been sat in a Mindardi this weekend (no disrespect), I'd have run on a jerry can if needs be! Get up there and piss off some of those high flying monkeys! All I can say is thank God there's finally someone who can do something about Ferrari. It was just pathetic last season. What makes it worse is the way the stewards so BLATANTLY let Schumacher win races by never penalising him, but penalising his contenders etc. for silly infringements. I'll never understand how he got away with all of those swerving manoevres coming out of pit lanes and such like.

Rock on
Sam [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Cobstar]

Guys you should have been watching the World Superbikes on the other side. Two cracking races yesterday as Hodgson didn't get it all his own way this time. Plus a British 1-2-3 in the second race!

[TurkS4]

Guys you should have been watching the World Superbikes on the other side. Two cracking races yesterday as Hodgson didn't get it all his own way this time. Plus a British 1-2-3 in the second race!

Or you could start watching Cart racing in the US. This is what F1 used to be...constant overtaking and always a lot of cracking duals going on. Never know who is going to win...Great racing!!!

I used to enjoy F1, but over the last few years I find myself just watching the start of each race then switching over to watch something else and occasionally switching back to see if anything has happened. (more often than not nothing has!!). It is just too boring now. I would suggest scrapping it altogether if they cannot make it more interesting.

Just my tuppence worth...

[JohnW]

Cobstar,
tell me more !!

I too prefer the bikes to the parade of F1.
Missed it yesterday though - too busy test driving a Nogaro RS4 [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
So, who won ?
And how did Frankie Chili do ?

Cheers,
John.

[Cobstar]

Race:
1. Neil Hodgson (Ducati)
2. Frankie Chili (Ducati)
3. James Toseland (Ducati)

Race Two:
1. James Toseland (Ducati)
2. Neil Hodgson (Ducati)
3. Chris Walker (Ducati)

Frankie Chile was leading in the first race but then had a problem with his bike - he was getting covered in petrol and so let Neil H past so as not to cause Neil any problems. What a gentleman. Such a shame as Chili was going well and was riding the bends etc so much more smoothly and effectively than Neil.

In the second race there was obviously something wrong with Chile's bike as he was dropping back through the field. Toseland was fantastic in the second race and deserved his first WSB win - think Neil got the tyre choice and set up wrong for the 2nd race.

Tell us more about your test drive. Mmm - very taken by the Noggy Blue RS4 having seen kcsun's one recently. Out of my league, I'm afraid - but I love my RS Blue RS2 and wouldn't swap her really!

[wazza]

So, now we are pissed off that Ferrai win all the F1 races, we prefer instead to watch Ducati overwhelm the field in SBK? [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[runrowsam]

That's different! Ducatti are really the best out there, but it depends on the circuit. The Dukes are much better off when it comes to coming out of slow corners, as the big V-twins have lots of low down torque, but then the four cylinder bikes give them real hassle through mid-speed bends and down straights. I think the new 1000cc ruling is a great idea, as it really levels out the playing field.

I too love Chili, he really is a true character. I remember watching him win at Brands a couple of years ago, and he threw everything but his boxers and the bike into the crowd. Good man. DId that at Monza last year as well! He's doing really well considering he's still on last year's bike - these 999's really have come a long way.

Rock on
Sam [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[JohnW]

Not p!ssed off at Ferrari, just don't find the F1 as exciting as it used to be maybe 10 years ago.

The WSB is much closer. Okay, with the exception of Hodgson this year you see far more lead changes, and loads of close racing. When hodgson gets away the coverage focuses on the action.
In F1 they just seem to stick with the leaders, and you don't see the action further down the field.
All IMHO of course [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
Agreed WSB has changed a bit since Edwards etc have decided to leave. Even Hodgson said he enjoyed it last year when it was closer racing.

As for Frankie, he really does seem to suffer from bad luck sometimes.
I did a track 2-dayer in Southern France, and he was one of the instructors. Lovely bloke. He made time to chat to those who wanted to, had pictures taken on peoples bikes, and came to the bar after the evening meal and had a right good laugh with us all.
He even raffled a complete set of riding gear (you may have seen the leathers being sold for charity a while back by the person that won them).
Although he has had a go at GPs he prefers WSB as it is more 'fun' (he said GPs are too much like work ! [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img])

Sorry, I'm rambling again [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

RS4 test drive was great. I had around an hours play on mainly A/B roads, and got to give this one a good run-out.
Much more spirited than my last test drive.
Comparing the RS4 as a passenger to an RS2 as a passenger it feels 'less heavy'. What I mean is, it doesn't wallow to the same extent, and doesn't dip/dive quite so much. It also has more punch when you hit it [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

If you want details about the car I can mail you direct if you like (my observations from looking it over) or give them a call.

Cheers,
John.

[jeffw]

The reality is the F1 has never been a 'racing formula',....well not since the late '60s when aerodynamic aids where first introduced, and it is never going to have the same amount of lead changes or dices that something like the Formula Ford Festival at Brands does. It's an engineering formula .......

WSB has been effected by the GPs going to 4-Stroke Prototypes and this year has got to be the most boring season I've ever seen. I've been going to WSB races since '88 on a regular basis including trips to Assen and Spain as well as Brands & Donnington but I wouldn't be going this year. MotoGP on the other hand has been excellent this year so far and the bikes are awesome !!!!!!!!!