| Author | Message | ||
     Jng1226 |
Currently 7th, this is only first practice at the AMA races in AL. More to come, I'm sure. POS NO. RIDER(S) TEAM BIKE INTERVAL GAP BEST LAP LAPS 1 22 Tommy Hayden Rockstar ·Makita ·Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 FASTEST FASTEST 1:26.432 27 2 4 Josh Hayes Team Graves Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R1 0.074 0.074 1:26.506 27 3 79 Blake Young Rockstar ·Makita ·Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 0.329 0.255 1:26.761 18 4 21 John Hopkins M4 Monster Energy Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 0.456 0.127 1:26.888 20 5 155 Jake Holden - Yamaha YZF-R1 0.723 0.267 1:27.155 22 6 54 Jake Zemke National Guard Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 0.735 0.012 1:27.167 16 7 99 Geoff May Erik Buell Racing Buell 1125RR 0.821 0.086 1:27.253 19 8 72 Larry Pegram Foremost Insurance ·Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R 0.971 0.150 1:27.403 22 | ||
| Duggram |
Isn't Pegram's 1098R actually 1198CC? | ||
| Imonabuss |
Yes. Pegram's bike actually is what's known as an F09, slightly decontented. They are 1198cc's, as are the 1098R's. No idea why they kept calling it a 1098. But at the end of today's qualifying Larry was a number of places ahead of Geoff, who was 11th. We'll see what tomorrow brings in second qualifying, and then the race. But still respectable. | ||
| Mickeyq |
I see that list of names and teams and think OUTSTANDING !!! Anybody who's raced knows how hard it is to place top 10 against "factory" bikes. Those aren't privateer efforts--SWEET! | ||
| Jng1226 |
Yup, he ended the day in 11th, but only 0.31 seconds back from the Ducati. I'm only concerned with comparing the 1125RR against the Ducati 1098R as it is the most highly developed racing twin on the market. If it shows the same speed (or better) than imagine how great the 1190RR/RS will be! Pos. Rider Team Bike Time 1 Blake Young Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:25.775 2 Tommy Hayden Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:25.939 3 John Hopkins Monster Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.027 4 Josh Hayes Team Graves Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R1 1:26.126 5 Jake Holden Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha YZF-R1 1:26.278 6 Larry Pegram Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R 1:26.613 7 Taylor Knapp RidersDiscount.com Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.624 8 Jake Zemke National Guard Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.680 9 Eric Bostrom Attack Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.864 10 Brett McCormick Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.891 11 Geoff May Erik Buell Racing Buell 1125RR 1:26.925 | ||
| Mickeyq |
Ducks are refined--many years of hard work there; But, we're talkin tenths of a second--which can be made up by consistent laps. My hats off to everyone involved and wish I could be the one doing the riding. Happy hunting to that crew and success at the finish line!! | ||
| Avalaugh |
How long untill i can see a 1125/1190 on 'm sick of watching jap stuff every weekend winning  | ||
| D_adams |
Well, look at it this way. He's about 1.2 seconds off the leader's time. Earlier this year it was more like 2 or 3 seconds, maybe more. I'd say they're gaining in an admirable fashion and have done it in only 1/2 a season of racing. Next year will be even better. I was disappointed to see Eslick jump ship, but this just proves the point that it wasn't just the bike stomping on the 600's last year. To go up against liter bikes and fair well on a twin says a lot when you're down on power by maybe 30+ hp. It takes a lot of skill to race at that level and I'm glad Geoff has it. My hat's off to the whole team. Awesome job guys! | ||
| Elvis |
With just a little over a second between first and 11th, we're likely to see a lot of changes in positions in the final qualification today. As for May vs. Pegram, Geoff has finished ahead of Larry in two of the last three races. | ||
| Avalaugh |
Is AMA equilivant to our BSB (British Super Bikes) ? And is there anywhere on the WWW i can follow the racing for free ? | ||
| D_adams |
Live video? I don't know. AMA is (I think) the top level before going to Moto GP on the world stage. I don't follow it close enough to know all the nuances and whatnot of who's who and what's what. I just like watching the Buell's win or compete and place high. | ||
| Duggram |
AMA Live Timing just started for superbike qualifing 2. | ||
| T_man |
In terms of where the AMA fits in, methinks: 1) MotoGP 2) World Superbike 3) Moto 2 = BSB = AMA | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Moto2 is above AMA and BSB. Anything that competes on the world stage is above a single country series. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
Yea AMA and BSB are pretty equal in terms of were it fits in compared to other motorcycle race venues right under WSB and Moto GP. Some riders go strait from AMA to moto GP some go from AMA to WSB. | ||
| Elvis |
Looks like he's 8th in final qualification with a 1:26:299. 0.745 behind Blake Young's pole time. Should be a great race. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I donno I think t man has it right because not a lot of AMA and BSB riders are going to go to riding moto2 most will either go to WSB or strait to MotoGP as far as career progression. Moto2 would be more like a demotion. | ||
| Jng1226 |
Like Elvis said, Geoff May is 8th in final qualifying, and true to the title of this thread he's back ahead of Pegram's 1098R: Pos. Rider Team Bike Time 1 Blake Young Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:25.554 2 Josh Hayes Team Graves Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R1 1:25.701 3 John Hopkins Monster Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:25.901 4 Tommy Hayden Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:25.935 5 Eric Bostrom Attack Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.096 6 Jake Zemke National Guard Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.200 7 Jake Holden Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha YZF-R1 1:26.278 8 Geoff May Erik Buell Racing Buell 1125RR 1:26.299 9 Taylor Knapp RidersDiscount.com Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:26.380 10 Larry Pegram Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R 1:26.592 | ||
| D_adams |
Now look at the times from initial qualifying to the final. Who's times are getting better and by how much? Blake Young, .22 sec faster Larry, .1 sec faster Geoff, .6 sec faster I'm guessing he's still learning the bike and track, constantly improving. Looks good to me. Geoff might not be at the top yet, but he's heading in the right direction. | ||
| Jng1226 |
Is AMA equilivant to our BSB (British Super Bikes)? I think the original question was about motorcycle configuration, to which the answer would be "generally yes". Since 2009 the AMA Superbike rules have precluded the use of many racing-specific parts (like frames, engine heads/internals, etc.) so in that respect the bikes are much closer to production bikes than WSBK. I believe BSB rules allow those bikes to be similar to WSBK, which is a mistake the American series owners (NASCAR) have made. It makes it harder for American riders to transition to WSBK, although Ben Spies was an exception. If we are discussing status of series, then I would agree that national superbike classes, while the premier class in each country, are lower in status than Moto2. Moto2 has the best European/World racers from all the feeder series (National series, 125cc GP, etc.) and is itself the step before MotoGP (Y-A-W-N this year). A case in point is Jason Disalvo at the Indy Moto2 race. He couldn't win the championships or barely any races when he was a factory Yamaha racer in the USA (R1 and R6), but given the right package and opportunity (FTR Moto2 team) he was inside the top 10 Moto2, which can be considered almost a podium with 40+ riders in the Moto2 races. However, racing talent rises to the top, irrespective of series. Ben Spies was focused purely on the AMA, then won the WSBK championship in his first try, and is now well on his way to becoming the next "Alien" in MotoGP. Avalaugh - you may want to purchase the DVD's of the AMA Superbike Season Reviews, especially the 2008 season to see how Ben Spies became the International phenomenon he is now. I think Duke also distributes those. I've bought the BSB Season reviews and love them, especially the Cadwell Park races. That "Mountain" is insane!: | ||
| Jng1226 |
For those WSBK race fans, Johnny Rea is the British equivalent to our Ben Spies. Here is a glimpse of his greatness to come at a BSB race at that same "Mountain" jump at Cadwell Park racetrack as above: | ||
| Elvis |
Because I'm a geek (and a bored geek at the moment - one of the most dangerous creatures in nature), I decided to add up the points for the past 4 races (Since May has been very consistent and performing well, I was curious where he would fall). Would you believe he'd be tied for fourth with Taylor Knapp? Here's how it would look (not counting bonus points which would be split between Hayes and Hayden) Hayes - 115 Hayden - 101 Hopkins - 62 May - 57 Knapp - 57 Young - 54 Bostrom B. - 51 McCormick - 51 Zemke - 45 Pegram - 36 Ulrich - 30 | ||
| Duggram |
Jeff, if Johnny Rea were the equivalent of Ben Spies he would not be 3rd in WSBK. He would be leading the standings. Don't get me wrong I like Rea and Crutchlow, but you just can't lower Ben's status by your comparison. | ||
| Jng1226 |
Doug - haha! I know what you're saying, but you gotta respect Johnny Rea. He's the only one that can get anything out of the WSBK CBR1000RR. So in that respect, he's more like Ben if you look at this year's results for the R1. | ||
| Johnnys999 |
For those wishful thinkers believing Geoff and Geoff's bike is competitive to the Ducati, consider the fact the Foremost Ducati has gone backwards since the early season. Whether its because the engine is tired or money is scarce, the bike does not have the grunt it formally had. Still, Geoff ran a great race and put it all on the table in trying conditions. Its always fun to watch the last couple races of the season, the riders seem to add another level to their racing. | ||
| Tbowdre |
johnnys999- do you know this is a BUELL forum? | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
So, how does a bike with much less RWHP than its competitors stay in the front of the pack and damn near take a podium position? Damn good engineering, talented ridding, and a top notch crew. THATS HOW!!! Can't wait to see how the 1190RR does.  | ||
| Blake |
Last season at NJMP the 1125RR ran neck and neck with Pegram's 1198R. Must have been wishful thinking then too? Or did the Ducati racer's face shield suffer fogging? Yeah, that must be it.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Whether its because the engine is tired or money is scarce And I'm sure neither of those could be a factor at a company where EVERY employee there could pile in the van and go to lunch on a given day. Why is it so hard to take it for what it is - an amazing accomplishment for a group of incredible people, each with more talent in their pinky toes than I have in my whole body? |
