2012 Sepang Test 1

[RatsMC]

Well, this is where things just start to get interesting and the speculation begins. I'm expecting some surprises out of this one because there are a lot of unknowns. I'm more interested in what happens here than I have been in any test in a long time.

Sepang International Circuit

First GP : 1999
Length : 5548m
Longest Straight : 920m
Rank: 5th Longest Straight
Lefts : 5
Rights : 10
Width : 25m
TimeZone : GMT+8
Wet Races: 16.7%

Track Map:

Weather: http://www.myweather2.com/Motor-Racing/Malaysia/Sepang-Circuit.aspx
Current Track Conditions: http://www.myweather2.com/activity/hourimage.aspx?tagid=20101716051205&id=42178

[RatsMC]

Riders are probably on track right now according to my typically faulty calculations

[Domino]

Track is open but wet. No one on track yet according to zelenberg.

[akeizm]

I'm correct in assuming there won't be any video feeds?

[RatsMC]

Yep, they never broadcast it unfortunately.

[Richo]

Pretty much the only way to follow this is on Twitter. Not much action first up as track damp. A couple of riders out now, including Rossi.

[yzr750]

Do they have the 2012 Bridgestones yet, or are they still using the 2011 tyres?

[motor]

2012 tyres, AFAIK.

[Oscar]

Who is twittering times, and what is/are their URLs?

[motor]

http://twitter.com/birtymotogp

http://www.crash.net/motogp/results/176 ... y_1pm.html

[RatsMC]

Also Azi Farni is good as is Colin Edwards and of course David Emmett though he isn't on location.

[WayneG]

From Azi Farni

JL fastest 2'02.601 ahead of VR +0.304, BS +0.329, AB +1.025, DP +1.605, KN +1.696, CC +2.165, AD +2.395, SB +3.032, HB +3.756

[WayneG]

First video of Rossi on GP12
http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/latest+videos#Valentino+Rossi+1st+pitout+with+the+GP12

Azi Farni
Stoner has not done any laps yet. don´t know why..

[WayneG]

From Honda_HRC
Dani has completed a few laps, circuit still not great. Casey pulled his back slightly warming up this morning, still having physio...

[WayneG]

Azi Farni
re Bridgestone tyre allocations: each rider is given 2 spec front (hard + extra hard) and 2 spec rear (medium + hard) on the 1st day
after 1st day they choose a spec and are given a further 3 sets on each of 2nd and 3rd days = 10 tyres in total + extra rain tyres if needed

[TwoStroke Institute]

A 2.01 was pole last year.

[motogpmd]

A 2.01 was pole last year.

Test weekends at Sepang at the beginning of the year have generally had better times than the race weekend. Sometimes a lot better, 2010 for example, when the test times were over a second faster than race weekend times.

[WayneG]

They had rain overnight and the track is still damp and not 100% yet.

[WayneG]

Times at lunch
https://twitter.com/#!/MotoGP/status/164236220057133056/photo/1

[WayneG]

Azi Farni
Casey will not do any laps today after pulling his back. he´ll go back to hotel shortly and rest up for tomorrow

[WayneG]

Stoner did not ride today, Akiyoshi did the 4 laps on his bike.

[RatsMC]

Some great pics coming in:


2012 radiator supports the conclusion that the motor is rotated back.




2011 Radiator:

[RatsMC]

And the 2012 exhaust:




Now the 2011 (valencia):

[tom]

Early days I know but its looking very encouraging for Ducati. I've got every finger and toe crossed hoping for a 4 way alien battle for the title this year.

[Cam D]

Form the Yamaha MotoGP Facebook page