With the summer break approaching, the teams and stars of the MotoGP circuit have one remaining round to go beforehand and it couldn't be at a more interesting road course.....Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Home to MotoGP events from 1988-1994 and 2005 onward, this is one of my favorite road courses, albeit for open-wheel reasons, as it was the home of "the Pass", when Alex Zanardi use the outside of the Corkscrew to pass Bryan Herta for the lead and eventual win, one of the most-balliest passes of all time......
But we're talking motorcycles here and the focus is on the front-runners as "the Doctor", Valentino Rossi, has the points lead going into this week's round but in his rear-views' looms the big red bike of Aussie Casey Stoner, the current MotoGP champion.......along with, barring injuries suffered in the last round at Saschenring, Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa there to possibly muck things up going into the summer break....
Event Schedule...............................
note.....all times US PDT; -3 hrs US EDT/-7 hrs. GMT
~~FRI, 18 July 2008......................
8-8:45 am, AMA Supersport Practice Session
9-9:30 am, Red Bull Rookies Cup Practice Session
10-11am, MotoGP Practice Session #1
11:25-Noon, AMA Superbike Practice Session #1
1-1:30pm, Red Bull Rookie Cup Qualifying Session #1
1:55-2:55pm, MotoGP Practice Session #2
3:30-4:25pm, AMA Supersport Qualifying Session
~~SAT, 19 July 2008.....................
9:10-9:30am, AMA Superbike Practice Session #2
10-11am, MotoGP Practice Session #3
11:15-11:35am, AMA Supersport Warm-Up
1:55-2:55pm, MotoGP Qualifying Session
3:45pm, Red Bull Rookies Cup RACE-1[30min. time limit]
4:35pm, AMA Supersport RACE[17 laps OR 30min. time limit]
~~SUN, 20 July 2008......................
9:40-10:05am, MotoGP Warm-Up
10:15-11:10am, AMA Superbike Qualifying Session
12:45, Red Bull Rookies Cup RACE-2[30min. time limit]
2pm, Red Bull United States Grand Prix[32 laps]
3:45pm, AMA Superbike RACE[28 laps/100km OR 1hr. time limit]
Series Participating at Laguna Seca............
~~MotoGP Series[no 125cc or 250cc series races]
~~AMA Superbike
~~AMA Supersport
~~Red Bull Rookies Cup
2008 MotoGP Rd. 11--Red Bull United States Grand Prix
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2008 MotoGP Rd. 11--Red Bull United States Grand Prix
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Past Winners of the United States Grand Prix...................
~~Don Vesco(USA), 1963
~~Mike Hailwood(GBR), 1964-1965
~~Eddie Lawson(USA), 1988
~~Wayne Rainey(USA), 1989-1991
~~John Kocinski(USA), 1993
~~Luca Cadalora(ITA), 1994
~~Nicky Hayden(USA), 2005-2006
~~Casey Stoner(AUS), 2007
note....event held on the infield road course layout at Daytona from 1963-1965, then at Laguna Seca from 1988-1994 and 2005-present
~~Don Vesco(USA), 1963
~~Mike Hailwood(GBR), 1964-1965
~~Eddie Lawson(USA), 1988
~~Wayne Rainey(USA), 1989-1991
~~John Kocinski(USA), 1993
~~Luca Cadalora(ITA), 1994
~~Nicky Hayden(USA), 2005-2006
~~Casey Stoner(AUS), 2007
note....event held on the infield road course layout at Daytona from 1963-1965, then at Laguna Seca from 1988-1994 and 2005-present
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If there has been one constant in the past couple of MotoGP events, it is simply this.....chances are, at the end of the first day's practices, Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner will be at or near the top of the timing charts; today was no exception. Fastest in both sessions, Stoner not only broke the existing track record but turned right around and broke it again, setting an ominous tone for the competition..........
Laguna Seca Practice Session #1 top-5 w/wc entries listed.......................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:21.915 sec
2} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:22.679 sec
3} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.953 sec
4} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.306 sec
5} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, 1:23.455 sec
wc--Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.950 sec(11th overall)
wc--Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:24.050 sec(12th overall)
--Australian Stoner set the early pace on the Monterey Peninsula, laying down fast lap after fast lap, breaking his own fastest lap and the track record in the process....meanwhile, wild card entrants Ben Spies and Jamie Hacking, pulling double duty in both the MotoGP and AMA Superbike races, acquitted themselves quite nicely, keeping pace with the MotoGP regulars
Laguna Seca Practice Session #2 top-5 w/wc entries listed.....................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:21.826 sec
2} Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, 1:22.634 sec
3} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:22.769 sec
4} Alex de Angelis, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.808 sec
5} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.847 sec
wc--Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.244 sec(11th overall)
wc--Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:24.371 sec(18th overall)
--Stoner continued to blister the track in the second session, but 2-time race winner Nicky Hayden vaulted from a struggling 1st session to 2nd on the timing sheets, the only Michelin runner in the top-5. Meanwhile, wild card entrant Ben Spies continued to impress the MotoGP paddock w/a respectable 11th on the combined charts.
Interesting sidebit.....this weekend both MotoGp and AMA Superbikes' are headlining the weekend's activities at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca; just as Stoner blistered the track during MotoGP practice, Yoshimura Suzuki's Mat Mladin did likewise in Superbike practice...in fact, Mladin's fast time of 1:23.386 would've placed him 11th on the MotoGP charts..... .......especially when you factor in that, unlike on the MotoGP bikes, the bikes used in AMA Pro Racing don't use traction control, launch control or other rider assists......
Laguna Seca Practice Session #1 top-5 w/wc entries listed.......................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:21.915 sec
2} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:22.679 sec
3} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.953 sec
4} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.306 sec
5} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, 1:23.455 sec
wc--Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.950 sec(11th overall)
wc--Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:24.050 sec(12th overall)
--Australian Stoner set the early pace on the Monterey Peninsula, laying down fast lap after fast lap, breaking his own fastest lap and the track record in the process....meanwhile, wild card entrants Ben Spies and Jamie Hacking, pulling double duty in both the MotoGP and AMA Superbike races, acquitted themselves quite nicely, keeping pace with the MotoGP regulars
Laguna Seca Practice Session #2 top-5 w/wc entries listed.....................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:21.826 sec
2} Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, 1:22.634 sec
3} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:22.769 sec
4} Alex de Angelis, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.808 sec
5} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.847 sec
wc--Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.244 sec(11th overall)
wc--Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:24.371 sec(18th overall)
--Stoner continued to blister the track in the second session, but 2-time race winner Nicky Hayden vaulted from a struggling 1st session to 2nd on the timing sheets, the only Michelin runner in the top-5. Meanwhile, wild card entrant Ben Spies continued to impress the MotoGP paddock w/a respectable 11th on the combined charts.
Interesting sidebit.....this weekend both MotoGp and AMA Superbikes' are headlining the weekend's activities at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca; just as Stoner blistered the track during MotoGP practice, Yoshimura Suzuki's Mat Mladin did likewise in Superbike practice...in fact, Mladin's fast time of 1:23.386 would've placed him 11th on the MotoGP charts..... .......especially when you factor in that, unlike on the MotoGP bikes, the bikes used in AMA Pro Racing don't use traction control, launch control or other rider assists......
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Care to guess who set the fast time in session 3?
Anyone?.............anyone?..................Bueller?............?
If you guessed Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner, move to the front of the class!
Laguna Seca Practice Session #3 top-5 w/wc entrants listed.....................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:21.461 sec*
2} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:22.168 sec
3} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.343 sec
4} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.533 sec
5} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, 1:22.758 sec
wc--Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.171 sec
wc--Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:23.668 sec
*--circuit record
--As in sessions 1 and 2, Aussie Casey Stoner led the field, dropping the circuit record for a third consecutive session......
Anyone?.............anyone?..................Bueller?............?
If you guessed Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner, move to the front of the class!
Laguna Seca Practice Session #3 top-5 w/wc entrants listed.....................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:21.461 sec*
2} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:22.168 sec
3} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.343 sec
4} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.533 sec
5} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, 1:22.758 sec
wc--Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:23.171 sec
wc--Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:23.668 sec
*--circuit record
--As in sessions 1 and 2, Aussie Casey Stoner led the field, dropping the circuit record for a third consecutive session......
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Stoner on point at Laguna Seca............
....for the fifth consecutive race, Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner will lead the field from the point.
Red Bull United States Grand Prix Starting Grid.................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:20.700 sec
2} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:21.147 sec
3} Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, 1:21.430 sec
4} Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha, 1:21.636 sec
5} James Toseland, Tech 3 Yamaha, 1:21.848 sec
6} Randy de Puniet, LCR Honda, 1:21.921 sec
7} Colin Edwards, Tech 3 Yamaha, 1:21.942 sec
8} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:21.971 sec
9} Andrea Dovizioso, JiR Scot Honda, 1:21.974 sec
10} Toni Elias, Team Alice Ducati, 1:21.999 sec
11} Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.039 sec
12} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.092 sec
13}(wc)Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.127 sec
14} Sylvain Guintoli, Team Alice Ducati, 1:22.719 sec
15} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, 1:22.957 sec
16} Alex de Angelis, San Carlo Honda, 1:23.035 sec
17}(wc)Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:23.309 sec
18} Anthony West, Monster Kawasaki, 1:24.525 sec
withdrawn--Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda
Red Bull United States Grand Prix Starting Grid.................
1} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:20.700 sec
2} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 1:21.147 sec
3} Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, 1:21.430 sec
4} Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha, 1:21.636 sec
5} James Toseland, Tech 3 Yamaha, 1:21.848 sec
6} Randy de Puniet, LCR Honda, 1:21.921 sec
7} Colin Edwards, Tech 3 Yamaha, 1:21.942 sec
8} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:21.971 sec
9} Andrea Dovizioso, JiR Scot Honda, 1:21.974 sec
10} Toni Elias, Team Alice Ducati, 1:21.999 sec
11} Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.039 sec
12} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, 1:22.092 sec
13}(wc)Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, 1:22.127 sec
14} Sylvain Guintoli, Team Alice Ducati, 1:22.719 sec
15} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, 1:22.957 sec
16} Alex de Angelis, San Carlo Honda, 1:23.035 sec
17}(wc)Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, 1:23.309 sec
18} Anthony West, Monster Kawasaki, 1:24.525 sec
withdrawn--Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda
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Rossi wins at Laguna Seca........
For most of the weekend, all eyes were on Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner, who had won the past three MotoGP events.....apparently, everyone forgot about the man known as "the Doctor", Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi, who dominated Sunday's Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. Going into Sunday's 32-lap affair, Rossi opined that he "might need a 30-second headstart" to beat the Aussie Stoner........he didn't need a 30-second headstart, he just grabbed the lead from Stoner and it was lights out, so to speak.........
Results from the Red Bull United States Grand Prix...............
1st} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 32 laps
2nd} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, -13.001 sec
3rd} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, -26.609 sec
4th} Andrea Dovizioso, JiR Scot Honda, -34.901 sec
5th} Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, -35.663 sec
6th} Randy de Puniet, LCR Honda, -37.698 sec
7th} Toni Elias, Team Alice Ducati, -41.629 sec
8th}(wc)Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, -41.927 sec
9th} James Toseland, Tech 3 Yamaha, -43.019 sec
10th} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, -44.391 sec
11th}(wc)Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, -46.258 sec
12th} Sylvain Guintoli, Team Alice Ducati, -55.273 sec
13th} Alex de Angelis, San Carlo Honda, -55.571 sec
14th} Colin Edwards, Tech 3 Yamaha, -1:02.380 sec
15th} Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki, -1:08.207 sec
16th} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, -1:10.962 sec
17th} Anthony West, Monster Kawasaki, -1 lap
DNF--Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha, lap 1(crash)
Results from the Red Bull United States Grand Prix...............
1st} Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha, 32 laps
2nd} Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, -13.001 sec
3rd} Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, -26.609 sec
4th} Andrea Dovizioso, JiR Scot Honda, -34.901 sec
5th} Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, -35.663 sec
6th} Randy de Puniet, LCR Honda, -37.698 sec
7th} Toni Elias, Team Alice Ducati, -41.629 sec
8th}(wc)Ben Spies, Rizla Suzuki, -41.927 sec
9th} James Toseland, Tech 3 Yamaha, -43.019 sec
10th} Shinya Nakano, San Carlo Honda, -44.391 sec
11th}(wc)Jamie Hacking, Monster Kawasaki, -46.258 sec
12th} Sylvain Guintoli, Team Alice Ducati, -55.273 sec
13th} Alex de Angelis, San Carlo Honda, -55.571 sec
14th} Colin Edwards, Tech 3 Yamaha, -1:02.380 sec
15th} Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki, -1:08.207 sec
16th} Marco Melandri, Ducati Marlboro, -1:10.962 sec
17th} Anthony West, Monster Kawasaki, -1 lap
DNF--Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha, lap 1(crash)
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