WSB 09 The Island, BMW, Corser and Xaus

[Jonas The Swede]

Originally Posted by Nail24

Jonas, this is one of the toughest crews on the prospects of any BME S1K success you'll find. Everyone has the answers; but, none sits in the room where the decisions are made. S1K is a complete unknown for most of us on the outside and BMW isn't talking very much. They've got two proven drivers; but, you couldn't fuel a pissants tricycle on the technical information they give out. PI will be the first true test of the entire BMW effort--if they go all out. The final goal is to use the S1K to sell La Machine in all of it's detuned glory. I would like for this venture to be an unqualified success for the Roundel.

I agree...
Why do you think I'm not in agreement??
/J

[Jonas The Swede]

Originally Posted by roger albert

Sorry, but if you know racing, comparing times from two different days in fields this close means nothing. Apples to Oranges. It may have been homework, but it was wrong homework. No cut intended. It's just the way it is.

I agree, comparing different days mean as much as comparing the times at all, on a test day... nothing!
Although, the WSBK news on different web-pages do just that, a sum-up of sorts. I guess to create a hype.

What means something is the times on races day, march 1:st. (As I've said before in this very thread.)

All the best to you all, my friends... but I need to go to bed now, I'll come out and play tomorrow again! ;-)

[Deans BMW]

Mr Mayor, detuned to 193 HP in full emission and noise trim...........

Not too shabby, I'd say.

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by Deans BMW

Mr Mayor, detuned to 193 HP in full emission and noise trim...........

Not too shabby, I'd say.

It's all about the carbon fiber and suspension Dean.

[roger albert]

> Jonas, this is one of the toughest crews on the prospects of any BME S1K success you'll find.

Too true. Damn those guys, what with their racing, and general love of motorcycles, and cursed objectivity and lack of fan-bois roundel/flag waving. They're all bastards.

[signit98]

Originally Posted by Dr. Curve

While that true Ralf, the forward momentum of a race effort is psychology reinforced with a finish in the top ten, and/or a podium finish. This is why this first race out is of such importance to BMW. They have already experimented quite a bit, as have their riders. Foremost is that both bikes finish and that one gets in the top ten. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake. Its only been a few years since people were telling us diehards that BMW would NEVER be able to compete on a "real track." They were wrong then and they are wrong now. While we all realize that BMW has a lot to learn, that can only occur in actual race time, lets rest assured that BMW is way ready to surprise the regular dogs as they all hunt for the fox at the finish line. No telling how much RWHP they have dialed into Corser's bike.

As I said before, Jim... I have no doubt (and lots of hope) that they will show good results... but I don't EXPECT any... not this year.

Of course it is good to go in to the season with a positive momentum but, don't kid yourself, these guys are ABSOLUTE pro's and they can deal with good and bad as well as with indifferent... else they would not be where they are.

BMW goes into this season with the realistic expectation of "trying to learn lots and to learn fast, in order to be competitive next season"... ANYTHING on top of that would be added bonus.

With the riders they have, anything is possible but the other manufacturers have not been sleeping.

Here's to a great season in WSBK and lot's of respectable results for BMW!

[signit98]

Originally Posted by Nail24

PI will be the first true test of the entire BMW effort--if they go all out.

WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING? What else do you think they will do there? Hold back to tease the rest of the field?

I'd like to see what the "heads of household" would have to say to such a concept... that would be a funny conversation...

Hehehe...we showed them today... we only went 75%... next time we do 80%... the we'll roll up the field from the rear...

Or to say it with John McCain's words when he was trailing in the polls:

We got them exactly where we want them... the results are known!

I have a hard time typing that's how hard I am laughing...

[roger albert]

Agreed. You do NOT hold out, AT ALL, in an actual race situation, unless you are against extremely weak competition (Personally only been there once, and even though I won it all that year, it didn't feel like a victory, AT ALL -- though the contingency money and free oil and tires was nice)

Hehehe...we showed them today... we only went 75%... next time we do 80%... the we'll roll up the field from the rear...

You're killing me Ralf. Stop it. My ribs are still killing me, and my stomach will not tolerate any more than the triple doses of Naproxen I'm already scarfing down.

[Bob Hancock]

Steve says: "BMW will finish 1st and 2nd. I guarantee it."

Then Jonas calls him on it.

And then brad says: "steve~put down the spray paint can, drop the rag, go wash your face."

Reason to fast read through loads of Guessitmatical Drivel to mine these type of jeweled exchanges. This forum alternates between being the meanest and then the funniest. Gotta love diversity.

[jduke]

***** and moan all you guys want - I still predict 2 maybe 3 podiums THIS SEASON!!

[EZ-RIDER]

I don't think people are mean, They just been drinking too much Kool-Aid and wearing colored glasses

[signit98]

Originally Posted by roger albert

You're killing me Ralf. Stop it. My ribs are still killing me, and my stomach will not tolerate any more than the triple doses of Naproxen I'm already scarfing down.

Sorry, Roger... I'll stop... maybe.

Hope you are going to feel better... are they broken or bruised (no telling which one is better, actually... bruised just heals a week faster).

Don't take that $hit any longer than you have to... it'll tear your stomach apart...

[Guest24]

Ralf, do you have an inside source? I think not. If BMW is out to master WSBK with the S1K they won't learn a damned thing if they crash in the first 5 laps. They are out to finish strong; but, the focus will be to finish. You remind me of the young bull that says to the old bull "Let's run down there and get a cow." The old bull looks at the young bull and says "Let's walk down there and take them all." This is more about market share than just winning. BMW, AG thinks in $$$'s not trophies. I don't think you understand what I meant. This race will be about data in a competitive environment--not just qualifying lap times. To get the data to refine the bike, the bike must run the entire race. I don't speak tongue in cheek when I say that this group is harder on the Roudel than the rice burner crowd is on theirs. We just spent the last two years hammering the HP2 Sport most having never thrown aleg over a bike that wasn't static. And that's a fact.

[signit98]

Bubba... if that is what you think then I am sorry to tell you that you are soooo wrong! I understand very well what you are saying... you are saying that you want to be part of the conversation with your best guess... unfortunately, your shot into the dark missed, however.

Market Share HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS YEARS RACE EFFORT... that would be a sad story... you think someone goes out and buys a bike that is running in the middle...? Another good conversation:

"Hey, Dude... I am going to buy that BMW R1000RR"

"But they only ran in the middle of the pack with an excellent rider!?"

"I don't care, Dude... at least they ALWAYS made it to the finish line..."

Sometimes you DO worry me, Bubba...

They collect even more valuable data if they DO NOT finish... it's not about putting around a race track at all... THEY NEED to go all out in order to FIND the weak spots if there are any... holding back will do NO GOOD AT ALL! Your "the bike must run the entire race" is - hence - total BS and just shows that you have very little of an idea of what's going on in racing and development... Sure, it's the ideal situation if a bike does make it and that's what everybody is shooting for... but no one is naive enough to think that will always be the case or - better yet - approach it with your theory of "let's go slow, we learn more that way"

Crashing is part of the game and so is breaking down... you go out there and try to find the small edge, the very outer perimeter of physics that apply to your combo... sometimes you exceed the parameters and you crash. But, you'll never find the limit if you don't go looking for it...

Your approach might work for the local Breast Cancer Walk but not for a WSBK Level Racing Team... or ANY other racing team, for that matter...

What you miss when you say that "this group is harder on the Roundel than the rice burner crowd is on theirs" is that some of us are more realistic than other's... we are not tough on the Roundel, we are just tough on the "Kool Aid Drinkers" and "BMW über alles" crowd...

Sure, the HP2S did well throughout the last two years, but let's put that in perspective... it ran with 600cc and 750cc Jap bikes... apples to apples, it would have to run with 1000cc bikes and you know where the HP2S would be in such a field?

I hope as much as the next one that BMW will have a good showing... but I am not going to be heartbroken if it does not happen because I know how it works in the racing circuit... though it's been long ago, I HAVE BEEN THERE!

And, please don't make any assumption about whether I have an inside source or not... as it is with the rest of you thinking, you may be far off there as well.

[Dr. Curve]

Amen One. Plus 1, to. Strongly agreeing with Nail24, but also knowing that if Ralf were here in our turf or we were somehow upon his...........we would all end up good friends and BRBs after a few rides. BMW is going to race this weekend........very carefully. No DNFs from any mechanical reason is of number 1 importance. A top ten finish or especially TWO IN THE TOP TEN would become a national holiday at the home factory. Lets all pull hard for BMW's effort and for how quickly they have made a entry after their initial decision to test the WSBK waters. Having not been without one or more BMW motorcycles since the spring of 1971 and obviously old school..............I am simply very pleased at BMW's ongoing effort to "speed things up" over the past 3 years.

[signit98]

JIM... I WILL ONLY RE-ITERATE AGAIN:

It's NOTHING personal AT ALL! Not hostile either - it may come across that way - it's just how I am... online or in person... no difference except that in person you'd pick up on how I mean it right away because you have the interpersonal stuff that's missing online...

I am just responding to the statements made... I absolutely and wholeheartedly agree with you that we'd have fun riding together and razzing each other... that's what we constantly do during our TC rides... no matter how long we have known each other.

None the less, if something seems to be out of whack enough for me to be tickled... I jump on it! It's my way of having fun...

AND YES< it is absolutely impressive what they have done with the R1000RR... all the more reason for you guys to not get your hopes up too high...

[Dr. Curve]

your hopes up to high...

"too high".........has two o's in it Ralf. Do you build only sprint engines?

[signit98]

...argh... you are saying that I should pay more attention to my second (active) language?

[shreddr]

Originally Posted by Dr. Curve

. BMW is going to race this weekend........very carefully. No DNFs from any mechanical reason is of number 1 importance. .

+1 Curve,

Strong finishes will be great, but exploded engines, and spectacular crashes due to ill handling will be deadly to both rider and brand. Beemer needs to give it their best shot, but certainly not hell bent for leather!

[signit98]

Tell that to Ruben, Jeff... he does not seem to listen...