SPOILER ALERT - WSBK Discussion

[sbs]

So, who else was impressed by Leon Haslam today at the first WSBK weekend of the year?

First race he got third after a really good ride. It looked like he was fighting the Bike for the last 1/3rd of the race, but he really pushed hard and did a great job. Third was about all he could have achieved. Carlso Checa just dominated and Biaggi was a solid second.

Second race started well for him and also Corser, but they both lost ground.. It looked as if they made adjustments, but went the wrong direction. He should have got 4th, but was pipped at the end and ended up 5th.

As a point of interest, Biaggi on the Aprilia hit 321 kph (200 mph) on the straight. Next fastest was Haslam at 318 kph. The BMW is FAST!!! Haslam was able to pull on everyone except Biaggi. Who knows how fast they will be at Monza????? We may see 210 mph...

I think we may see the first BMW win fairly soon judging by how well and how aggressively Haslam rode.

Major thumbs up for the BMW team and especially Haslam. The racing was really exciting and competitive. I'm frothing at the mouth in anticipation of the rest of the rounds.

Cheers.

[Rainman]

Congrats to Cheka & Biaggi. I thought it was a great race also. Haslan was wonderful on his first BMW race. I was on pins and needles the whole time. Corser may have been closer in the second race if he hadn't had a botched shift and runoff.

I see Xaus was back around 16th (where he usually had been on the BMW last year - when he finished), and the BMW Italia guys were respectable in their first SBK race too, though way back in the pack.

Looks like a promising start.

My only viewer compaint is "when are the SBK television crew going to step up to HD equipment?" That picture is aweful compared to MotoGP coverage. It's painful for me trying to squint and makeout bike numbers on such a crappy picture.

[Lee#144]

Great race I think Haslam did the best he could but I was hoping Haga could have done better on the Aprilia.

[Thugsfatboy]

Great races ,Checa just awesome on the Duke,Expect good things from BMW this year with Haslam being Hungry for the wins but with the knowledge of Corser backing up,Kwakka dissapointed a bit ,i hope they dont expect when Vermuleun comes back to win,he crashed last year overiding the Kwakka
Biaggi will probably be the one to beat though,

[kismetcapitan]

as much as I hate Biaggi, he knows how to ride, and there is massive synergy between him, Aprilia, and the RSV4. I'd compare it to how much the MotoGP Yamaha M1 is like an extension of Rossi.

The S1000RR has had troubles with fading in the later stages - the bike eats tires. But it's definitely gotten better, and the first few laps of Race 2 with Haslam and Corser way up in front was beautiful to see

[Wild Pete]

Haslam was an improvement for sure. I still think Corser will pedal that bike backward better than anyone else.

I also think Badovini will finish higher in points than Toseland.

[Darkangel]

Anybody notice how many Kawasaki green machines were in the race? It was a crap load and they were ALL bringing up the rear.....

[RansomT]

Does anyone know how I can watch the race?

I set my VCR (yes, I know old school) last night to record the speed channel at 3 a.m., but Dish Network decided to do an upgrade to the satellite tuner and shut it down.

[john1000RR]

Here ya go. I finally watched them last night.
BTW he replays them back to back per link.


here they are on justinTV

1
http://www.justin.tv/formula_motor/b/280484543
2
http://www.justin.tv/formula_motor/b/280497074

[chopt]

2 Thumbs-up, for sure.
My only problem was the lack of TV time spent on the Beemers.