[BDA116]

Alright, so I spent the day at the track today (just like I will tomorrow and Sunday), but today I volunteered to work "carnage duty" (help pick up bikes and riders) - which means I stood around in the hot sun all day watching the bikes go by and did absolutely nothing as there is no way a rider will ever hit anything out there unless they try. Sure a few went off, and a couple lowsided nearby, but those that rode off just got 'er turned around eventually and went back on the track and the couple that lowsided got up quick, dusted themselves off, picked up the bike and rode away.
DiSalvo had one particularly amusing save and dirt ride. So did Eslick. His was re-entry was awesome as he threw a huge roost coming back around to get on track.
Anyway, I have attached an image of the track map and a red X where I was hanging out. It was in turn 6, and thus we had a view of the riders as they came up the hill through turn 2 all the way to us and beyond.
What I found very interesting is that exactly two, yes two motorcycles made this obvious rythmic stuttering noise on accelleration. All the way accellerating out of two, out of three and into four, then again coming off of six. On the gas, and a ta-ta-ta-ta as if the bike were hitting the rev limiter, but still revving.
Anyone want to guess which two of all the bikes out there were making that noise?
Alright fine, I'll just tell you. Bikes #1 and #11. Yes, Mladin and Yosh can claim all they want that they have no form of traction control at all but it is 100% pure, unadulterated bullshit.
I had heard the claims and even seen video from Barber (or was it R.A?) about this, but wanted to see and hear for myself.
What was interesting was that Yates' bike in the early Superbike practice didn't do it, nor did his Superstock bike.
In the qualifying session, his bike would do the stutter thing for a few laps, then it wouldn't. It changed back and forth a few times, and always after Yates had been off the track for a few minutes (he finished the session stuttering).
Hmmm................odd. I'm quite sure that the engine builders for the Yosh Superbikes doesn't suck, therefore it wouldn't have been an engine problem - that and the fact that the bikes were pulling and revving through the stutter and also the fact that both Mladin and Spies were hauling ass.

Now I'm one of those that has no problem with Superbikes and FX bikes having traction control. It could be a good thing. However, it is currently against the rules and the AMA doesn't give a rat's ass that Yosh is so clearly cheating.

It may not be a traditional traction control device that measures the difference between front and rear wheel speeds and thus compensates, but they most definately have some form of accelleration control programmed into their engine management system to cut spark on hard accelleration in low gears.
For them to continue denying and lying about it is bullshit. Own up to it and get the rules changed so everyone can legally do it.

One other thing to note was how much more quiet the factory Honda Superbikes were. It was strange, they weren't anywhere near as loud as the Suzukis, Yamahas and even Pegram's Honda.
Oh, and also Ben Bostrom appeared to be very smooth and actually seemed to be turning faster lap times. But he was fourth, and Miguel just didn't look like he was comfortable.

[Hammer]

Don't hate on the Suzuki because they are faster.

[bwhip]

Wish I could be there. I wonder how well their tires will hold up on that track, as it sured chewed the crap out of mine.

I also anticipate lots of compliments going to the whole MMP team, and designer Alan Wilson, as that facility is absolutely incredible. I bet they are loving those garages!

[ccwilli3]

yeah, I saw the vid BDA speaks of, sounds like john hopkins and KRJR sounded last year at laguna... Pop Pop Pop out of the corners. Total 'engine control' as they like to put it. It's no wonder they are heads and shoulders above the rest of the field...

[Scout]

Traction Control in AMA Superbike - Barber '06 - Google Video

There's the link of Barber. Can somebody post the video in wmp format, I'm blocked on google video.

Soup :: Traction Control Hysteria Running Wild

[evl_twn]

Soup :: A Moment With Mat: Landing Smooth, And Going Off; June 2006

After congratulating Jake on his win, I said to him it must feel good to get your traction control working. I mean, there is no way anybody could ever win without traction control. Either that or he is in another league as a racer to what he was just last week. You see, all the whining when you are losing is not worth it. Eventually, you have to be the one to listen to it. Not to say Jake was doing the whining, but the same can't be said about some others in the camp.

[LUCIDDREAM57]

I thought winning machines(mostly car races, but I guess it would apply to bikes too) undergo a very carefull inspection post race. Wouldn't they catch something like that??

[luvtolean]

Mat said exactly what I was saying after going there:

Miller Motorsports Park is the best facility we go to, bar none. From a safety standpoint, it is the best. They tried hard to get it right over the course of the weekend. Can some things be better? Sure. Is it the best racetrack in our series? Not for me, I prefer some others. Do I like the track? Yes, most notably because of the safety aspect. The staff at Miller deserves big congrats for such a successful weekend the first time out.

And I loved this bit:

To all the racetrack owners out there that call us whiners, etc., I extend the invitation to you to get on the back of my bike, and I will push you off at a buck-eighty into a concrete wall, and if you survive, didn't piss your pants, and can still look me in the eye and say "no big deal", then I will never complain about the safety of your tracks again.

[luvtolean]

Originally Posted by Scout

Traction Control in AMA Superbike - Barber '06 - Google Video

There's the link of Barber. Can somebody post the video in wmp format, I'm blocked on google video.

Soup :: Traction Control Hysteria Running Wild

Sorry, Google won't let you save it.

Someone more clever than I (or really, just with better software) might be able to capture it.

The vid is definitely interesting...but if it's just a timing retard at certain combos of gear/engine speed/TP, it's not really traction control. It's just mapping.

[BDA116]

Originally Posted by LUCIDDREAM57

I thought winning machines(mostly car races, but I guess it would apply to bikes too) undergo a very carefull inspection post race. Wouldn't they catch something like that??

It is far too easy to program death into your software. This is how the F1 guys got away with launch and traction controls before they were legal. After the launch or before the end of the race, they simply hit a button on their wheel that was set to completely delete all traces of the software that did the controlling.
Mat's article was very entertaining this time, and it should really be in the same thread as B.Boz' latest comments on the AMA and such, but it doesn't change the fact that the only two bikes that were cutting out and stuttering on low gear hard accelleration all weekend long were his and Spies'.
Those engines aren't crap, they aren't built shoddily, and they were gaining revs and speed through that stutter.
They are most definately running an accelleration control in their ignition mapping, and it is getting the "self destruct" treatment before it can be officially inspected and found.

Many of the other riders stated that it was the best and their favorite circuit. If they would run the whole thing there is simply no other course that can compare.

I have also noticed that the course is already bumpier than it was on April 1st, but that's what happens when cars run there as well. And those seams aren't the best thing in the world, but at least they aren't tar snakes.
I was caught off guard the first time I saw them. I thought it was kitty litter dust, but I guess they have already seen need to repair some seams and that is the way they did them.
I also know that Larry isn't afraid to spend money where necessary to keep this place at the top of the heap. He actually let slip this last weekend that he has already been in talks with NASCRAP, CART, WSBK, MotoGP and F1 about track usage. The last two are longshots, but he wants them pretty badly. The first two are almost a done deal for next year.

I guess he's also been buying up water shares lately. The "native grasses" planted in the infield are helping the dust for sure, but they aren't pretty at all. Supposedly the plan is to plant grass when there are enough shares to irrigate it. Being out there in it on Friday, you could see where there are lines run for that.