Daytona Highlights: the gusts, the curse, the BMW, the winner

RC51DRAG · 03-08-2008, 12:07 PM

Spoilers in post 2

RC51DRAG · 12:29 PM

First lap antics were bizarre. The number of bikes out in the first 3 laps was insane. The gusts and cold tires were quite an issue.

The Screaming Chief curse continues for Miguel. Going to a 600 Honda dominated format didn't allow him to take the title of Mr. Daytona. I thank the motorcycle gods for that one. A return to superbikes next season signals an end to Honda's easy walk to the 200 title and some real factory competition.

6th (Richard Cooper) and 7th (Brian Parriott) place finish for the BMW HP2 Sport esp. after a first lap crash! Good show for the first time effort.

Congrats Josh Hayes, the most undervalued racer in the US series IMO; why this guy has not been given a factory superbike ride is beyond me.

Deans BMW · 03-08-2008, 12:23 PM

Amazing, Brian was able to fight from 60 th after his first lap crash to 7th.

Don't know what happened as Brian does not crash.

Steve Carlton · 03-08-2008, 12:58 PM

This will be an interesting season for FX after Daytona. SJBMW and BMW of Atlanta get to manage their own teams, I believe. According to Chris, Daytona is their least competitive race due to the high speed nature of that track benefiting the Japanese 600s and their horsepower and weight advantages.

BMW Atlanta · 03-08-2008, 01:07 PM

While the straights of Daytona are the Boxers weakest point, the endurance factor is its strongest. So IMHO it kind of washes out. While the shorter tracks like VIR and Barber we'll be in the top 10 qualifying, it's much more of a sprint race at 20 laps and no pit stops for gas or tires. It will be interesting to see how we do, maybe we can get BMW to send Cooper over to play with Nate and Brian and make it a threesome!

jduke · 03-08-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Atlanta

While the straights of Daytona are the Boxers weakest point, the endurance factor is its strongest. So IMHO it kind of washes out. While the shorter tracks like VIR and Barber we'll be in the top 10 qualifying, it's much more of a sprint race at 20 laps and no pit stops for gas or tires. It will be interesting to see how we do, maybe we can get BMW to send Cooper over to play with Nate and Brian and make it a threesome!

Ralf - Bubby and I are taking up a collection to help with your down payment on a Honda....
GGGOOOOOOOOooooooo BMW!!
6 and 7th!!!!
If BMW is smart they will have SUPER Cooper under contract before he leaves the track.

jduke · 03-08-2008, 01:22 PM

Ralf, Bubba says he'll sell you his spot for an HP2 Sport for $5000 because you won't be able to get parts for you R1200S too much longer....

Steve Carlton · 03-08-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Atlanta

While the straights of Daytona are the Boxers weakest point, the endurance factor is its strongest. So IMHO it kind of washes out.

I'm not seeing the logic in that. The bike has to be competitive to finish 6th and 7th out of what, 55 bikes that finished? Attrition didn't seem to be too much of a factor today. Didn't 69 bikes start? Some of the 14 that didn't finish was due to crashing or rider problems vs mechanical failure.

BMW Atlanta · 03-08-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I'm not seeing the logic in that. The bike has to be competitive to finish 6th and 7th out of what, 55 bikes that finished? Attrition didn't seem to be too much of a factor today. Didn't 69 bikes start? Some of the 14 that didn't finish was due to crashing or rider problems vs mechanical failure.

What I am saying is that I look forward to seeing how the HP2 Sport stacks up in the rest of the FX series, I am uncertain how much better of a result can be had in sprint races where the strength in endurance/attrition is minimal but so are the high hp favored straightaways. Meaning those who think because the HP2 Sport was able to place an outstanding 6/7 in Daytona means definite podium potential on shorter tracks is likely, I am not so quick to say sure it is. If we can qualify in the top 10 to begin with for the remaining races which is possible, then we have a true shot at a podium finish in FX. The HP2 Sports strength is definitely the stopping and going in the corners combined with great consistancy for both bike and rider. Few more weeks and maybe we'll know at Barber.

Steve Carlton · 03-08-2008, 01:59 PM

Should be an interesting season! I take it from here on out BMW Atlanta and SJBMW get to manage their own team and modify the bikes?

Flatbutt1 · 02:30 PM

You guys seeing this? Jeez its more like a six day enduro. the bikes are disappearing in the woops!

Flatbutt1 · 03-08-2008, 02:56 PM

Well lets just ask Chad Reed about attrition...holy cow what a heartbreaker

BMW Atlanta · 03-08-2008, 03:09 PM

Well let's just say the "big brother" at BMW was very happy with both the MotoST and FX results which means it should help push along the effort. Nate and Parriott already have rides, it would also be great if BMW AG maybe freed up another bike and some air fare for Cooper since he's the leader in points now and this is a points type race.

Deans BMW · 03-08-2008, 03:24 PM

Just finished taslking to Chris, to say the least unbeliveable excitement as no one expected such an achivement. When Brian got off the bike at the end of the race, he pulled off his helmet, a big smile not a bead of sweat and he simply asked for some water. One of the great things of racing with Brian is the total lack of drama, he communicates what the bike needs, he helps in any way he can, takes adversity in stride, a total professional gentelman, never any excuses for anything and an absolute delight to be associated with.

Brian was dead last after the crash and fought to 7th. The reason for the crash was cold tires due to several delays getting started, he is perfectly OK.

This is the second time that BMW has amazed all in a major US venu.

The first was at the first 8 hour Moto ST at Daytona, BMW whispered to us " It would be unbeliveable and beyond expectations if we got on the podium", we won.

The second was with this Daytona 200, the hope was a top 20, BMW got a 6th and 7th.

I wonder what would happen if BMW decided to make a real racing motorcycle..........and put it in the hands of Chris, Brian and Coop??????????

YellowRacer · 03-08-2008, 04:09 PM

What about the two BMW's in the very back? Who were they?

BMW Atlanta · 03-08-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowRacer

What about the two BMW's in the very back? Who were they?

Huh? You mean Nate who did not start and Penzekofer who did not finish the first lap due to a crash?

Highlander179 · 03-08-2008, 04:12 PM

I have to admit, I'm pretty floored by that performance. Great job to the entire team, but especially to Mini Coop and BP46 for phenominal rides. To run 4 secs a lap slower than the leader and still pull off top 10 finishes is beyond amazing.

Great job to all involved!

signit98 · 03-08-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jduke

Ralf, Bubba says he'll sell you his spot for an HP2 Sport for $5000 because you won't be able to get parts for you R1200S too much longer....

...LOL, no worries, there are plenty of parts to be had, as cheap as you can buy those things now!

What happened to Nate?... I was gone the whole day, just got back and read wrist injury??? Can anyone elaborate?

roger albert · 03-08-2008, 08:09 PM

> Congrats Josh Hayes, the most undervalued racer in the US series IMO; why this guy has not been given a factory superbike ride is beyond me.

Agreed, he's done a great job for Honda for a couple years now. They should have given him a 3rd, at least semi factory superbike seat, as Suzi used to do for Yates and now does for T.Hayden. I don't know if he's world class, but certainly way under-appreciated.

> What about the two BMW's in the very back?

Weren't any at the back. They played their names on the screen over and over, as Bobby mentioned above. They were, on the same screen ticker, over and over listed them as DNSs.

So, did the beemers use a single-pit vs a dual strategy, thus minimizing their top speed advantage.

And I'm with Bobby as to thinking the top-speed vs endurance thing might be a wash, going forward. Where were the BMWs on lap 20? I think pretty low, and not just the one that didn't crash. It was after the others appeared to pit more, that the BMW's really came forward. Great job, but the part of the race prior to the first pits is a better example of how the BMWs will normally stack up. Probably a bit better, since the top end deficit won't be as bad as at Daytona. But that deficit will remain, to some degree, and the endurance advantage will wither. I think it will be great fun to follow in the press, but will likely be far enough down in the pack that there won't be much TV coverage. Of course, I hope I'm wrong.

sfarson · 03-08-2008, 08:18 PM

Indeed, congrats to all. Outstanding.