Qatar - Off-track Stuff

[Oscar]

Well, I suspect we are all talked out over the off-season on the subjects of Stoner vs Rossi, Ducati, Rossi vs. Stoner, the future of motoGp, Roner vs. Stossi, what's wrong with the 1000 formula, Stonsi vs. Rosser, whether testing means anything, Himself vs. T'other Feller.. so maybe we don't need this thread. But - it's traditional.

It's the place where we can post the stuff that isn't directly a part of the racing so the racing thread remains a useful reference point for the future. If it's who ran over who's toes with a scooter, who laced the diapers with itching powder on Saturday evening, conspiracy theories regarding the Poisoned Pasta scandal, or even the big issue (why no terry-towelling hats in motoGp any more?) - it goes here.

So, to kick things off: if Dorna is truly in cost-cutting mode, why don't they fly the spectator over to a more convenient race circuit instead of taking the teams to the spectator?

[chakraist]

I believe the lack of terry-towelling hats is down to Lucy no longer posting in the forum.

[corinthian]

OK, here's one: Dani Pedrosa has been arrested while cheating on his yacht license exam. Great way to prepare mentally for the start of the season.

Hope it's a dry race.

[Nachlauf]

This whole story about Pedrosa sounds so weird. Why would they arrest him because of something like that?! I wonder if April Fools Day is on 4/2 in Spain.

[corinthian]

Nope, the Spanish equivalent, el día de los santos inocentes, is 28 December.

It looks like last Saturday the Guardia Civil caught 21 people in the act, including Pedrosa. Ten of the candidates were wearing earpieces through which they received the answers, and a further seven candidates turned out to be strangers sitting the exam in place of the real ones. Unbelievable.

A mate of mine finally managed to obtain what I assume was this same license, coincidentally in Valencia, last year and it took a hell of a lot of work in spite of having grown up around boats. He'll be sick to the guts when he hears this.

A couple of years ago there was a lot in the news here about famous (and not-so-famous) people paying their way through driving exams, with spy video footage, high-profile names and lots of details I know a driving school in Seville where you can pay for the same service. This all looks like more of the same, even though it seems very contrary to Pedrosa's public persona, and I actually like the lad. I hope he finally has an injury-free season, keeps Stoner and Lorenzo honest, and vindicates his position at Honda because things like this just help open the HRC (or should I say Repsol) door to Márquez.

[Squidpuppet]

The biker was released Saturday night, but later was indicted in the case which the Guardia Civil have been working on for months.
Pedrosa’s agent has claimed that his client was in Switzerland the whole weekend.


Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/pu ... z1quHD5OLC

It's funny how the story becomes so twisted. Was he there with an earpiece, or, was someone else taking the test using his identity?

[corinthian]

The biker was released Saturday night, but later was indicted in the case which the Guardia Civil have been working on for months.
Pedrosa’s agent has claimed that his client was in Switzerland the whole weekend.


Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/pu ... z1quHD5OLC

It's funny how the story becomes so twisted. Was he there with an earpiece, or, was someone else taking the test using his identity?

The half dozen reports I've read are all in agreement: he was one of the ten wearing an earpiece. I hadn't seen anything about his agent claiming Dani had been in Switzerland. That wouldn't be everybody's favourite ex-rider and Honda mastermind, Alberto Puig, would it? Don't hear much about him these days.

Best thing to do is follow Krop's links on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/motomatters

Since my last post there has been a confirmation of the arrest from Livio Suppo and a confession from Pedrosa in one of Spain's leading newspapers, more coming in all the time.

[Geonerd]

The half dozen reports I've read are all in agreement: he was one of the ten wearing an earpiece. I hadn't seen anything about his agent claiming Dani had been in Switzerland. That wouldn't be everybody's favourite ex-rider and Honda mastermind, Alberto Puig, would it? Don't hear much about him these days.

Naw. If it was Puig, he would have blamed Nicky Hayden for the incident.

[Nachlauf]

Nope, the Spanish equivalent, el día de los santos inocentes, is 28 December.

It looks like last Saturday the Guardia Civil caught 21 people in the act, including Pedrosa. Ten of the candidates were wearing earpieces through which they received the answers, and a further seven candidates turned out to be strangers sitting the exam in place of the real ones. Unbelievable.

A mate of mine finally managed to obtain what I assume was this same license, coincidentally in Valencia, last year and it took a hell of a lot of work in spite of having grown up around boats. He'll be sick to the guts when he hears this.

A couple of years ago there was a lot in the news here about famous (and not-so-famous) people paying their way through driving exams, with spy video footage, high-profile names and lots of details I know a driving school in Seville where you can pay for the same service. This all looks like more of the same, even though it seems very contrary to Pedrosa's public persona, and I actually like the lad. I hope he finally has an injury-free season, keeps Stoner and Lorenzo honest, and vindicates his position at Honda because things like this just help open the HRC (or should I say Repsol) door to Márquez.

Interesting. Thanks for the background information. Seems like Dani made a poor choice there. Hope he can put this behind him and concentrate on his job.

On a side note I'm impressed that the Spanish law enforcement acts so tough there, sending a clear message to anyone else who thought of doing this. The tests are there for road and water safety in the first place. Should be in everyone's interest, that drivers/skippers are properly qualified.

[Tourn46]

Oh Man, this is brilliant stuff!! Couldn't make it up!

Ah, Dani boy... I just hope you turn this into extra motivation to shut up the press in Qatar

...Krop, if you get to interview Dani, pleeeease can you constantly refer to him as Captain Pedrosa?

[corinthian]

Naw. If it was Puig, he would have blamed Nicky Hayden for the incident.

Interesting. Thanks for the background information. Seems like Dani made a poor choice there. Hope he can put this behind him and concentrate on his job.

On a side note I'm impressed that the Spanish law enforcement acts so tough there, sending a clear message to anyone else who thought of doing this.

Spanish law is a constant surprise to me, even after 15 years here. There are strict rules and penalties in place for just about everything but they are so rarely or poorly enforced that most people spend a fair amount of time breaking the law in one way or another (this is in no way a criticism, it's just the way things are). But then when they do enforce them, God help you. Valencia in particular is getting a terrible reputation for corruption, thanks in no small part to its ex-President being taken to court on corruption and bribery charges, which he confessed to early in the trial, then getting off scot-free.

The tests are there for road and water safety in the first place. Should be in everyone's interest, that drivers/skippers are properly qualified.

I totally agree, but don't get me started on the bureaucracy required to get a vehicle license in Spain - it's a total racket. Besides, in light of the Costa Concordia cruise ship accident, qualifications are not that great an indicator of someone's ability to sail around the Mediterranean.

EDIT to add a link to a very interesting article with Casey Stoner in Marca: http://www.marca.com/2012/04/02/motor/mundial_motos/1333372679.html
A few interesting points from the interview:
- Only two new chassis since Jerez 9 months ago (one in Brno, one in Valencia)
- Bike has been the same in all three tests, with small changes to work on chatter and fuel consumption
- Hasn't been able to follow a physical preparation schedule (back problems, fever, birth of daughter)
- In spite of this, says he feels pretty good (did take exercise in mountains near home)
- Back problem is permanent, getting worse and recurrence is more frequent (used to be 2 or 3 a year, now already had 2 or 3 this year)
The emphasis then shifts to a discussion of other riders. Here's a google translate version: http://bit.ly/HggCpY

[Oscar]

I can't imagine someone doubling (or perhaps halving, in Pedrosa's case - now, that was cruel) for Pedrosa and not being recognised as a fake in Spain. Still, on the bright side, at least with Suzuki out, he won't have to hide from the Rizla girls. This does put the newsworthiness of Lorenzo getting his bike licence finally last year into perspective, though - you wouldn't want some crazy kid who couldn't manage a motorbike out there loose on the roads. Mind you, as I understand it, that was just the theory side, he may not have passed the practical yet.

What a strange set of priorities! Spain demands a high set of standards for drivers and sailors, yet apparently allows free rein to its bankers and economists. I guess it proves what Bob Dylan said - "Steal a little and they throw you in jail/Steal a lot and they make you king"

[corinthian]

I can't imagine someone doubling (or perhaps halving, in Pedrosa's case - now, that was cruel) for Pedrosa and not being recognised as a fake in Spain.

No doubt. But Dani was one of the ones caught with a “pinganillo” in his ear, which means that the team of cheats found out that he could write and follow instructions so they just gave him an earpiece. The full service is for people that can't do either of the above, and it's safer just to send in a sea captain in their stead. In my mind they all look like Hemingway wearing a sou'wester.

[motor]

Even if this is a bit OT, watch out for Dani...he's getting underestimated by just about everyone when it comes to championship chances, number of possible wins, etc etc. He's never been one to pick up pace during tests or even during free practice sessions. He won 2 races in his rookie year in motogp, so I can't imagine him being restricted to a couple of race wins or so this year.

[TwoStroke Institute]

Hmmm I wonder do yacht manufacturers make 'little wheel' yachts for Dani to see over? Maybe he's still in a state of shock from when I got texta on him

[CLX]

Off-track, where in LA can I watch the race?

[CLX]

Nobody knows where I can watch it here?

[Squidpuppet]

Nobody knows where I can watch it here?

Speed TV. But get ready for constant commercial interruption.

[corinthian]

I've had luck with streams on justin.tv.

[WayneG]

Another one to try is firstrowsports.eu I've used it for WSBK quite successfully. It states it shows MotoGP but I haven't tried it.

[Tourn46]

Another one to try is firstrowsports.eu I've used it for WSBK quite successfully. It states it shows MotoGP but I haven't tried it.

Although I don't advocate the use of it... I've used it many times for football matches, BSB, WSBK and also the MotoGP practice sessions (usually available too!).

[Gustav O]

The season pass at www.motogp.com works just fine...

[Nachlauf]

Oh and if you don't want to watch it on the internet I'm sure there are sports bars or even some enthusiastic motorcycle dealer, who set up a TV showing it in their shop somewhere.

[MS Re~Cycle]

Oh and if you don't want to watch it on the internet I'm sure there are sports bars or even some enthusiastic motorcycle dealer, who set up a TV showing it in their shop somewhere.

Not in the states...

[Geonerd]

...In my mind they all look like Hemingway wearing a sou'wester.

I envisioned Dani looking something like this:

(Courtesy of Master Photochopper Mick, as seen at http://www.powerslide.net/forum/index.p ... t&p=309649 )