[stevegrab]

Go Ben go. I'm sure Edwards, Corser etc will push him in the second session, but maybe he can hang on (at least to a front row start).

If anybody's curious why there are no L&M markings on Ben's bike, I read at the World Superbike site (http://www.motonline.com/superbike/) that his team found out when they showed up in South Africa there's anti-tobacco legislation (which went into affect in February). They had to quickly get new leathers done, modify team clothing, and cover up the giant L&M logo on the bike with a solid white decal. Pretty surprising that they didn't know this before showing up.

 

[MoMo]

Where is Kawasaki?

I would like to know why Kawasaki has not developed a new machine yet. The -7RR is still competitive, but it is a relative dinosaur. Do they have something up their sleeve? Are they waiting to race a 4 stroke grand prix bike?

 

[hamatsu]

It would be nice to see Ben take the Championship this year....but I don't think it's gonna happen. I thought it was Juan Borja who replaced Ben on the Infostrada team last year. From the looks of things so far I think the number 1 is going to be stuck on the front of Corser's bike at the end of the year. Regardless, it's going to be an interesting year in WSB this year.

 

[neoyetif2]

I wish they would approve more anit-tobacco legislation here in the states. But then again there would be no racing without them. Wouldn't it be nice if other companies (like computer companies) got into racing advertising.



I can see it now "Ben Bostrom on the Apple Ducati team with translucent bodywork". But if it was an Apple team they would have half the displacement and claiming faster top speed!



The Red Hat Linux team would have penguins all over their machines and have a really good "open" relationship with the other Linux teams.



The Microsoft teams would have the best advertising but the bikes would be made up of stolen technology from the other bikes. They would be cheaper and they would crash a lot. The riders would complain that Microsoft knew of flaws in the bikes so Microsoft would always be updating them.



Sorry I kinda twisted that to "What if Computers made Motorcycles"



I'll be quiet.

 

[Larry_supersport]

I missed why Yamaha pulled out of the FIM super bike race this season. Can any one shed some light on the subject?

 

[Larry_supersport]

never mind I am an idiot. I just saw the story after I wrote the comment

 

[stevegrab]

Pretty funny. There are some good sponsors in larger racing series outside the US, like Computer Associates I believe is a sponsor for McLaren-Mercedes.



I would hope if it does happen it is phased in, or allows them to run their recognizable colors/patterns (like Marlboro does in F1, they remove the lettering, but the shape and colors of the emblem everybody recognizes).

 

[stevegrab]

Re: Where is Kawasaki?

Not sure, but they seem to be the least committed to racing of the 4 Japanese manufacturers. They aren't in GP (not sure when was last time). They have always had great motors, but seem to lack in other things.

I say the more manufacturers, the better.

 

[BONGTOKER]

Go Ben!!!!!!!!! Go Edwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[minime]

Re: Where is Kawasaki?

Kawi will make an announcement soon.

 

[VR1000racer]

Yamaha sent Haga to GP's and are concentrating resources on developing the 4 stroke GP bike.

 

[ollie]

Yes, I think you're right about Borja-Bostrom. I believe Bayliss replaced Foggy.

 

[hackfu]

CA sponsors the Williams/BMW team... and from what I've seen, teams that have tobacco sponsors will do just that for there US races. For example, Benson and Hedges became Buzzin' Hornets. Way cool.

 

[BritRider]

Unless CA bought Compaq, I don't think they sponsor Williams. CA is a sponsor of the West (tobacco) McLaren/Mercedes team.

 

[Haga]

There is anti-tobbacco here in the US... you don't think Honda dropped the Smokin' Joe's thing because they care about your kids do you?

 

[Haga]

Re: Where is Kawasaki?

Seems to me I heard that same line last year and about 3 months later it was followed by a story(here, again) that there would be no new 750 from Kawasaki, and that it would, in fact, be scrapped due to the supposed new displacement regulations that might bump WSBK up to a level 1000cc for all bikes. Did that rule get stopped somewhere?

 

[neoyetif2]

Good point.

 

[stevegrab]

Thanks for backing me up on that, Computer Associates is in fact a sponsor on West McLaren/Mercedes team. I'm looking at a picture of a car and sponsor/partner lists at the FIA site.



Compaq, is the partner with BMW Williams. Of course a Brit (BritRider) would know this stuff.



For bonus points who is TicTac (breath mints) a sponsor for?

 

[BritRider]

Actually I'm a yank in FL who rides a Triumph and loves Formula One. Tic Tac, I admit I had to cheat and do the research and I should be beaten as they are the sponsor of my favorite team, Ferrari. Good one Steve

 

[stevegrab]

Ok, that explains your name. I followed F1 for a few years (98-00), but now that only Speedvision is showing it (and I don't have it, although I may get it), I've stopped watching. But to be honest, I found the racing very boring. Not much action, very little passing happening. Kind of like race 1 at Kyalami this past weekend. After 3-5 laps, it looked like a high speed parade. Very surprising for motorcycle racing, since it usually has much more passing due in part to the small size of the vehicles on the track, relative to the width of the track.



I didn't recall Tic Tac either, until I saw some car pictures at the FIA site. I still follow F1, reading reports the day after the race usually.