Can Spies Hang?

[KipBook]

I was board and wondering what you all thought of Spies filling in as a MotoGP rider... Think he can hang?

[TRK]

Top 10 by Laguna on a "slow" bike

[Mforza]

Not a chance. He is good but GP is a different game.

[Jon]

I've known Ben ever since he followed me during the first session of practice for the 00 or 01' Grand Championships at Mid Ohio and then proceeded to blow past me on the last lap and I never saw him again. As has been his rise to the top of the AMA Superbike championship series. I predict that he will hold in reserve due to the competitiveness of the Suzuki MotoGP bike and then show if he indeed gets a ride in MotoGP his true potential. He was raised to be a racer has always been a racer and has shown true grit in his determination against Mladin and the best in the AMA I don't predict anything else from him.

[Hotrod]

Define "Hang".

If you mean a top 3 finish on a bike and track that he is less than experienced on, then... Doubt it.

If you by "not hang" mean runs a full race and finishes dead last by a huge margin... again, doubt it.

My guess is he will have a blast and finish in the bottom third of the grid, or run a couple of mid pack laps and bring it in.
That fits my definition of "hang"... So Yes, Ben will Hang! 8)

[KipBook]

Placing in the top 10, let alone top 3 is more than "hanging"!!! Yes, what I meant is more along the idea that "can he finish higher than dead last if he can even qualify?" Although Jon has a valid point, its better to play it safe and reserved and still have a shot at a "ride" next season in the GP than wad the hell out of it your first time out and show all the teams that were eying your skills that you can't handle a GP bike. We'll see.

[bluedevil]

How could you go ride a GP bike then come back to AMA..? Its like driving a Ferrari then heading home in your Chevy... (well manybe not so dramatic...)

Im seeing him somewhere between 11-15th........

[glenngsxr]

People have this misconception that an 800cc motogp bike is incredibly hard to ride and that he does not have a chance. If you watch the way he rides his gixxer 1000, i would say he will have no problem doing well. I am saying a solid 11th place. Hopefully, he can show MotoGp that there is other talent out there and the usual suspects that do not deserve to be there (Hopper especially) need to go. Glenn #62

[Throttleroller277]

Placing in the top 10, let alone top 3 is more than "hanging"!!! Yes, what I meant is more along the idea that "can he finish higher than dead last if he can even qualify?" Although Jon has a valid point, its better to play it safe and reserved and still have a shot at a "ride" next season in the GP than wad the hell out of it your first time out and show all the teams that were eying your skills that you can't handle a GP bike. We'll see.

After seeing what Roger Lee was able to accomplish last year, as well as Duhamel, I don't really think that he would have a problem qualifying! He has done some testing on the bike as well, which is more than Roger Lee and Duhamel got to do before their first race.

Just as Glenn said, from what I have read the MotoGP bikes are considerably easy to ride with all the new technology and electronics. I think he'll do just fine. 8)

[clowe]

I think he will be top 10 but you have to remember he is coming off the bike that has won almost every AMA Superbike race in how long (I know someone out there knows this)? In short, he is coming of the best bike with only one other real person to push him. This going to get on a bike that has won what, one race in the past two or three years (I bet someone out there also knows this)? I think he will ride great but I don't think he will have the bike to win, unless it rains. Oh, I have a question, do they run rain tires in MotoGP? I can't remember why that is??? Rain tires in the rain, that's crazy!!! Anyway, if it rains I think he could have a shot because he doesn't get to show it much here he does hall ass in the rain.

Sorry, I couldn't resist! 00--00

[gsnyder828]

Oh, I have a question, do they run rain tires in MotoGP? I can't remember why that is???

Prolly b/c they don't run DOTs... 00--00 :lol:

[glenngsxr]

Suzuki has wasted a lot of time on Hopper, IMO. He thought because he won a FX title over here that he was the next big thing for GP. He hasn't done squat over there. The bike is not the best, but with the right rider it could be fast. As much talk as there is, I don't think Hayes or Zemke could be great over there, but WSBK a different animal. If I had to pick two guys to go to GP, it would be Ben Spies and Tony Baker. Glenn #62

[clowe]

Oh, that's right, they run slicks there. Man, I am sure glad I have those DOT tires when it starts pouring rain. I would be screwed if I were on slicks!!!

WOW, I just had a great idea. Since DMG is making all those rule changes for racing in the rain, I think they should add one to keep costs down. Why don't they use DOTs (like the MRA) to race in the rain instead of what the rest of the world uses (rain tires). It seems that would go right along with DMG's line of thinking. And, as I have been told by people who I think know than me, racing in the rain on rain tires in no more safe than raining on DOTs or slicks for that matter. Man, I am so silly, what was I thinking? Where do I sign up with DMG! :-(0) 00--00

Now, let's get back to talking about Spies because I don't like having arguments about rain tires that I can't win.

So, remember when Spies raced 600 SS. He never did very well. Was that because of bike, rider, tires, riding style, motivation, what???? Outside of Maladin Spies is not pushed at all in the AMA. I for one can't wait to see how he does when there is only 1.5 seconds between the top 20 guys and he is not on the best bike out there. I think it will be a real test of what he is made of. I actually think the travel will be the hardest thing for him, he hates to fly.

What kind of rain tires to you think we will use? ](*,)

[TRK]

I can't think of any other clubs that have a DOT rule when it rains. I think it is based on a rider safety issue. As far as cost goes, it is a hell of a lot cheaper on my pocket book when it rains . I could run one set of tires the entire season if it was really wet every race weekend.

[KipBook]

I actually think the travel will be the hardest thing for him, he hates to fly.

I read it was because when he was a kid he was on a plane, looked out the window, and saw it burst into flames! I'd be wary of flying too!

[polar x]

I actually think the travel will be the hardest thing for him, he hates to fly.

I read it was because when he was a kid he was on a plane, looked out the window, and saw it burst into flames! I'd be wary of flying too!

PPPfffftttt :roll: Grow some balls and get on the damn airplane. :evil:

[glenngsxr]

FYI, he is not afraid to fly anymore and frequently flies with hacking to the races. They are good friends.

[mayhem]

possible top 15, but the big boys are gonna knock him down a couple notches.........

[*GSXR~SNAIL*]

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=32938

[KipBook]

It sounds like he'll do alright if he can just get a getter grasp of the track layout. I wish I could watch the race but alas I have other plans. :cry:

[Mforza]

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'28.253 273.377
2 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'28.829 269.954 0.576
3 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'28.909 268.676 0.656
4 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'28.969 269.011 0.716
5 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'28.992 266.353 0.739
6 2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'29.207 271.997 0.954
7 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'29.207 264.653 0.954
8 52 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'29.341 266.353 1.088
9 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'29.410 268.743 1.157
10 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'29.433 263.296 1.180
11 21 John HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'29.441 264.070 1.188
12 13 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'29.666 265.697 1.413
13 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP Honda 1'29.722 263.747 1.469
14 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'29.856 271.655 1.603
15 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team Ducati 1'30.268 267.609 2.015
16 48 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'30.290 268.609 2.037
17 11 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'30.766 264.718 2.513
18 50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team Ducati 1'30.931 268.743 2.678

[Mforza]

First practice

[dave.gallant]

Oh, bloody hell.

If Ulrich sees that you copy/pasted information he "owns" all hell is going to break loose.

:roll:

Maybe you got those standings from some other website perhaps and we will be safe? :?:

[Mforza]

You scared me! :?

[bluedevil]

Im seeing him somewhere between 11-15th........

ding ding ding....... :wink:


At least all the other American riders (Except Hopper) did well....... I really was hoping Hayden hung on to his new frame/motor..... :cry: