Mat, can he really be THAT fast?

ReaperAZ · 07-01-2005, 10:12 AM

Here's an interesting poll....Link

It will be very interesting to see what the comparison is time wise.

SJ96F3 · 07-01-2005, 10:32 AM

That is an interesting question. I think another thing you have to consider is that Laguna doesn't really benefit top end so even though the GP bikes have a top end advantage it may not be one at Laguna. The fact that the Superbike is so amazing, Matt is dialed in again this year, and he is probably much more familiar with that track than the GP guys, he may lap quicker. Or, I could be completely wrong... after those GP bikes and riders are the best.

ccwilli3 · 07-01-2005, 10:34 AM

interesting to contemplate.

It wouldn't surprise me if mladin was damn close to those guys. I think his bike/team is that good and I think the GP squad is just that far off.

Won't compare qualifying though, those bridgestone Q's are good. You'd have to compare their race paces I'd think.

ReaperAZ · 07-01-2005, 11:13 AM

Since I posted this, I have been really wondering how this will turn out. Sure the GP Zook has a pretty decent HP advantage but Mats' handles so damn well, and he's riding good. It would be pretty sepctacular if a AMA Superbike out raced/performed any of the GP bikes. If in fact he does cut some faster times Suzuki will surely have to rethink their efforts.

WetShrub · 07-01-2005, 11:18 AM

As posted above. Laguna doesn't have long enough straights I don't think to really take advantage of the HP on the GP bikes. They won't get to 200 mph like they do on other courses so the extra 40 HP they have over the GSXR won't make as much of a difference.

ReaperAZ · 07-01-2005, 11:32 AM

And that is why it should be interesting.

WetShrub · 07-01-2005, 11:37 AM

You know, on second thought, it might be pretty close. Laguna is basically straight, tight turn, straight, tight turn. It doesn't require a lot of rythm to get around it quickly and it's not super technical aside from the corkscrew. That would play to the advantage of the GP bikes with better braking and better acceleration. On the other hand Mat has years of test data and experience on the same bike at the same track and has his bike well sorted.

Plus he has traction control too.

ReaperAZ · 07-11-2005, 4:28 PM

Ok so anyone watch lap times? I know Eboz was turning some 26's and pretty damn close to what the GP's boys were lapping. Interesting indeed.

SJ96F3 · 07-11-2005, 4:34 PM

I taped it and would need to go back and look at it but I know the Superbike qualifying pole time was in the 1:24's. Just 10ths off of the GP time.

Heavy-Dee · 07-11-2005, 4:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

Ok so anyone watch lap times? I know Eboz was turning some 26's and pretty damn close to what the GP's boys were lapping. Interesting indeed.

Uh, no way was it close. Nicky's pole time was 1:22.

RRWANTR · 07-11-2005, 4:46 PM

Qualifying times:

MotoGP:

Fastest: Nicky Hayden RC211V 1:22.670
Slowest: Franco Battaini Blata WCM 1:28.435

Fastest Race lap: Colin Edwards YZR-M1 1:23.915

Superbike:

Fastest: Matt Mladin GSXR1000 K5 1:24.886
Slowest: CR Gittere GSXR1000 K5 1:34.143

Fastest Race lap: Matt Mladin GSXR1000 K5 1:25.707

Supersport:

Fastest: Tommy Hayden Kawasaki ZX-6RR 1:27.707
Slowest: Martin Sims Yamaha YZF-R6 1:36.281

Fastest Race lap: Jason DiSalvo Yamaha YZF-R6 1:28.651

Superstock:

Fastest: Jason DiSalvo Yamaha YZF-R1 1:26.294
Slowest: Ivan Garza Suzuki GSXR1000 K5 1:37.003

Fastest Race lap: Jacob Holden Suzuki GSXR1000 K5 1:27.247

ReaperAZ · 07-11-2005, 4:49 PM

Thanks for the info RR

.

The one I find most interesting is the qualifing times of the fastest SuperSport rider, and the slowest GP guy. Pretty amazing that a relatively stock 600 bike is lapping faster then a GP bike.

RRWANTR · 07-11-2005, 4:50 PM

Matts pole time would have put him 17th (out of 21) on the GP grid.

TAZ · 07-11-2005, 5:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

Matts pole time would have put him 17th (out of 21) on the GP grid.

So are you suggesting he's about as good as KRJR?

RRWANTR · 07-11-2005, 5:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAZ

So are you suggesting he's about as good as KRJR?

Kenny was 10th with a 1:24 flat....so I'm not sure what I'm suggesting....

ccwilli3 · 07-12-2005, 12:53 AM

damn, hayden, on a superstock 600 qualified faster than the WCM guys. Seriously, when they would come by, it sounded like a superbike, not a growling nearly liter MotoGP bike! Those guys are doing as well as they can I think though, my hat is off to them.