Spies is at Donington

theJrod · 06-20-2008, 09:04 AM

1 Casey Stoner Ducati MotoGP 1:28.979
2 Alex De Angelis Honda Gresini 1:29.527
3 Colin Edwards Yamaha Tech3 1:29.661
4 Andrea Dovizioso Honda Scot 1:29.718
5 Nicky Hayden Honda HRC 1:29.723
6 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki MotoGP 1:29.787
7 James Toseland Yamaha Tech3 1:29.878
8 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Factory 1:29.917
9 Shinya Nakano Honda Gresini 1:30.144
10 Randy De Puniet Honda LCR 1:30.220
11 John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing 1:30.282
12 Daniel Pedrosa Honda HRC 1:30.309
13 Anthony West Kawasaki Racing 1:30.452
14 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory 1:30.690
15 Marco Melandri Ducati MotoGP 1:30.906
16 Antonio Elias Ducati d Antin 1:31.103
17 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati d Antin 1:31.578
18 Ben Spies Suzuki MotoGP 1:31.807

Not bad for first practice....

"I spoke briefly to Spies when he came out of the garage to sign from autographs. He said that the light blue of Rizla felt fine except when he put his new leathers on—then he mimicked walking stiffly which seemed a metaphor for the unfamiliar feel of the 800 machine compared to his GSX-R in the darker Yoshimura blue. He said that the 800 felt “just a bit” different from his bike back home with a sardonic smile.

I asked if Vermeulen and Capirossi had been helped him adjust to the new bike, and he said that Chris hadn’t spoken to him much, but that Loris would help him when he arrived on Friday. When I asked how the overall experience was going he said it was fine except that he didn’t know where he was going, in reference to the unfamiliar Donington track."

theJrod · 06-20-2008, 09:07 AM

theJrod · 06-20-2008, 09:10 AM

FP2:Spies 1'30"766 (second to last)

Three guys are in the 28s - so he's only 2 seconds off...

tokin · 06-20-2008, 09:23 AM

I wonder how that works w/ his sponsors back in the states. I'd imagine Rizzla Suzuki would have to compensate them?

fastfoodfred · 06-20-2008, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by tokin

I wonder how that works w/ his sponsors back in the states. I'd imagine Rizzla Suzuki would have to compensate them?

This weekend, he is not racing for them or in their series, even. I would guess there is not conflict. Besides, he is not property, they don't own him.

GixxerPete · 06-20-2008, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by theJrod

FP2:Spies 1'30"766 (second to last)

Three guys are in the 28s - so he's only 2 seconds off...

Woohoo! Second to last! Clearly the talent in AMA is equal to that of MotoGP.

theJrod · 06-20-2008, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by tokin

I wonder how that works w/ his sponsors back in the states. I'd imagine Rizzla Suzuki would have to compensate them?

I don't think it's all that complicated, especially since it's a one-off kinda thing.
He doesn't have any US sponsors that compete w/ Rizla, so no conflict there.

theJrod · 06-20-2008, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by GixxerPete

Woohoo! Second to last! Clearly the talent in AMA is equal to that of MotoGP.

He's 2 seconds off on a bike he's had maybe 10 laps on, on a track he's never been to, against riders with 100x more experience on both?

I don't even know how you can argue that Spies doesn't have the talent to compete in MGP. He has no, zero, none, el zilcho experience on their bikes or their tracks, and he's doing fairly respectable in free practice. He just needs time to adjust.

fastfoodfred · 06-20-2008, 09:44 AM

I hope Ben does well. I could give a fuck about Suzuki, but I have always liked Ben.

PeteN95 · 06-20-2008, 09:56 AM

I'd say that is pretty impressive, less than half a second off that Lorenzo guy, but he's not that good, eh?!

16 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:30.290
17 Ben Spies Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:30.766

tokin · 06-20-2008, 09:57 AM

RLH would do 27s.

cee-jay · 06-20-2008, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by theJrod

He's 2 seconds off on a bike he's had maybe 10 laps on, on a track he's never been to, against riders with 100x more experience on both?

I don't even know how you can argue that Spies doesn't have the talent to compete in MGP. He has no, zero, none, el zilcho experience on their bikes or their tracks, and he's doing fairly respectable in free practice. He just needs time to adjust.

^^^I agree. Why go balls to the wall on a bike you don't have any time on. For me that equals crashville. I can't wait to see where this race ends up.

cj

coder · 06-20-2008, 10:28 AM

Practice times = very little. Gonna be interesting. I'd like to see Spies hand out some spankins 1st time out. That would be hilarious. Plus it would destroy the feigned arrogance of GP'ers.

MichelinMan · 06-20-2008, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by coder

Practice times = very little. Gonna be interesting. I'd like to see Spies hand out some spankins 1st time out. That would be hilarious. Plus it would destroy the feigned arrogance of GP'ers.

It's not feigned. Those guys are badasses. They race MotoGP for a reason.

You know anyone within 100 miles that could out-ride Rossi?

Didn't think so.

mnewell · 06-20-2008, 10:41 AM

It sucks that the human mole isn't giving him any pointers... :(

coder · 06-20-2008, 11:05 AM

MichelinMan, I'm not saying GP'ers aren't good. I just happen to think that the top tier AMA guys would also be top tier GP guys if thats what they chose. If Spies jumps in and does what he does in AMA (after a short time), that would prove my thoughts.

Maybe it's just the media and fans that have a condescending attitude towards AMA, I don't know. So I'd like to see an AMA guy go in and have success.

Regardless, it's going to be interesting.

theJrod · 06-20-2008, 11:32 AM

GixxerPete · 06-20-2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by theJrod

He's 2 seconds off on a bike he's had maybe 10 laps on, on a track he's never been to, against riders with 100x more experience on both?

I don't even know how you can argue that Spies doesn't have the talent to compete in MGP. He has no, zero, none, el zilcho experience on their bikes or their tracks, and he's doing fairly respectable in free practice. He just needs time to adjust.

Quit trying to tangle my line when I'm fishing, bitch!

GixxerPete · 06-20-2008, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by coder

Practice times = very little. Gonna be interesting. I'd like to see Spies hand out some spankins 1st time out. That would be hilarious. Plus it would destroy the feigned arrogance of GP'ers.

Not Gonna Happen.

MotoGP is the premiere class for a reason. All the best talent from the entire world is there. Spies may be among them some day, but no way in hell is he gonna "hand out some spankns" first time out.

GixxerPete · 06-20-2008, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by coder

MichelinMan, I'm not saying GP'ers aren't good. I just happen to think that the top tier AMA guys would also be top tier GP guys if thats what they chose. If Spies jumps in and does what he does in AMA (after a short time), that would prove my thoughts.

Maybe it's just the media and fans that have a condescending attitude towards AMA, I don't know. So I'd like to see an AMA guy go in and have success.

Regardless, it's going to be interesting.

AMA = domestic series

MotoGP = premiere series for the entire world

So really, what makes you think the AMA guys, that dont' ride MotoGP machines or tracks, are just as good as the best rides in the world? Good ol fashioned American arrogance that we're the best at everything? That our domestic series is somehow equal the best the of the rest of the world?

Spies and Mladin might be able to hang in MotoGP. Nobody else in the AMA can even hang with those two, so how in the world could they ever hang in MotoGP?

late apex · 06-20-2008, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by tokin

RLH would do 27s.

I think that is too much to ask, even of RLH. He would be low 28s at this point of the race weekend.

JTR · 06-20-2008, 12:31 PM

I'd be willing to bet if he had more seat time on those bikes....he wouldn't be at the bottem of the list...(which is still pretty good IMHO)

but wtf do I know...

tokin · 06-20-2008, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by late apex

I think that is too much to ask, even of RLH. He would be low 28s at this point of the race weekend.

You underestimate Earl's race team.

erickb · 06-20-2008, 12:36 PM

Texans are taking over EVERYWHERE

theJrod · 06-20-2008, 03:34 PM

Improving his morning time by over a second in the afternoon free practice session at Donington Park, Ben Spies has established a precedent of progression that promises much from his maiden Grand Prix weekend.

Rizla Suzuki are looking for more of the same from the American, who replaces Loris Capirossi in their ranks at the bwin.com British Grand Prix. A further reduction of a second is what both the 23 year-old and his Team Manager for the weekend Paul Denning are targeting, with Spies already faster than full time Alice Team rider Sylvain Guintoli.

`Ben is settling in incredibly well; it´s effectively his first day with the 2008 bike as he only rode for around two hours with it in Valencia,´ praised Denning.

`If he can get into the ´29s and battle for points, then that would be an incredible achievement in his first race,´ he added. Such pace would also make existing Suzuki data all the more useful, being more comparable with the times of Spies´ temporary teammate Chris Vermeulen and the factory team´s former rider John Hopkins.

`Now that Ben´s lap times are coming closer, what we have already is becoming more and more relevant. He´s got something to shoot for, and we´ll try and provide him with anything that he needs.´

Spies himself reiterated the intention of dropping his Friday time. `We´re realistically a second off being in the top ten, but we´re getting faster every time and hopefully this will continue tomorrow.´

...

manicmike · 06-20-2008, 04:36 PM

hope he does well...

fastfoodfred · 06-20-2008, 10:31 PM

RLH can only muster a 27 second pre-ejaculation time. He likes to suck off goats, too.

late apex · 06-20-2008, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by fastfoodfred

RLH can only muster a 27 second pre-ejaculation time. He likes to suck off goats, too.

Are you implying Rossi?

fastfoodfred · 06-20-2008, 10:44 PM

he's not the goat, yet. I meant the fury, pee on themselves during mating season type, that have kids as offspring.


06-20-2008, 09:07 AM	#2
theJrod Moderator Joined: Feb 2006 From: Marysville, WA I Ride: '07 GSXR600, '05 DRZ400SM


06-20-2008, 09:10 AM	#3
theJrod Moderator Joined: Feb 2006 From: Marysville, WA I Ride: '07 GSXR600, '05 DRZ400SM	FP2:Spies 1'30"766 (second to last) Three guys are in the 28s - so he's only 2 seconds off...


06-20-2008, 09:23 AM	#4
tokin Hello Kitty Fan Joined: May 2007 From: none Blog Entries: 1	I wonder how that works w/ his sponsors back in the states. I'd imagine Rizzla Suzuki would have to compensate them?


06-20-2008, 09:44 AM	#9
fastfoodfred MotoGP Champion Joined: Mar 2006 From: spokane, wa I Ride: 2006 R6	I hope Ben does well. I could give a fuck about Suzuki, but I have always liked Ben.


06-20-2008, 09:56 AM	#10
PeteN95 Zone Head Joined: Jan 2008 From: Lake Stevens, WA I Ride: Suzuki SV1000N, CRF450R, XR100	I'd say that is pretty impressive, less than half a second off that Lorenzo guy, but he's not that good, eh?! 16 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:30.290 17 Ben Spies Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:30.766


06-20-2008, 09:57 AM	#11
tokin Hello Kitty Fan Joined: May 2007 From: none Blog Entries: 1	RLH would do 27s.


06-20-2008, 10:28 AM	#13
coder Pit Crew Joined: Apr 2008 From: Royal Slope, Wa I Ride: K4 Gixxer thou	Practice times = very little. Gonna be interesting. I'd like to see Spies hand out some spankins 1st time out. That would be hilarious. Plus it would destroy the feigned arrogance of GP'ers.


06-20-2008, 10:41 AM	#15
mnewell MotoGP Contender Joined: Sep 2005 From: Bellevue, Wa I Ride: Aprilia Mille R, Gixxer 600, Yamaha WR250, Yamaha TTR125	It sucks that the human mole isn't giving him any pointers... :(


06-20-2008, 11:05 AM	#16
coder Pit Crew Joined: Apr 2008 From: Royal Slope, Wa I Ride: K4 Gixxer thou	MichelinMan, I'm not saying GP'ers aren't good. I just happen to think that the top tier AMA guys would also be top tier GP guys if thats what they chose. If Spies jumps in and does what he does in AMA (after a short time), that would prove my thoughts. Maybe it's just the media and fans that have a condescending attitude towards AMA, I don't know. So I'd like to see an AMA guy go in and have success. Regardless, it's going to be interesting.


06-20-2008, 11:32 AM	#17
theJrod Moderator Joined: Feb 2006 From: Marysville, WA I Ride: '07 GSXR600, '05 DRZ400SM


06-20-2008, 12:31 PM	#22
JTR MotoGP Contender Joined: Feb 2006 From: the bat cave I Ride: stuff	I'd be willing to bet if he had more seat time on those bikes....he wouldn't be at the bottem of the list...(which is still pretty good IMHO) but wtf do I know...


06-20-2008, 12:36 PM	#24
erickb Mr. PNW Riders 2007 Joined: Jun 2005 From: classified Blog Entries: 2 I Ride: without gear	Texans are taking over EVERYWHERE


06-20-2008, 04:36 PM	#26
manicmike Zone Head Joined: Aug 2007 From: Ellensburg,WA I Ride: street:2007 gixxer 6 track:1993 cbr600 f2	hope he does well...


06-20-2008, 10:31 PM	#27
fastfoodfred MotoGP Champion Joined: Mar 2006 From: spokane, wa I Ride: 2006 R6	RLH can only muster a 27 second pre-ejaculation time. He likes to suck off goats, too.


06-20-2008, 10:44 PM	#29
fastfoodfred MotoGP Champion Joined: Mar 2006 From: spokane, wa I Ride: 2006 R6	he's not the goat, yet. I meant the fury, pee on themselves during mating season type, that have kids as offspring.