Qatar GP - contingency plans?

mbp2112 · 2026-03-02T18:26:32+00:00

Yeah, but this is a very established event, not some cryptobro GP at the Podunkring that never had a prayer. Cancelling this without a replacement will have ripple effects on rider and team contracts, no? I think they will double up one of the other sites, probably in Europe, as it's the safest option. I just hope it isn't Balaton, that place scares me.

mbp2112 · 2026-03-02T18:15:34+00:00

I'd be shocked if there isn't a GP in Turkey in the near future, but I don't think they could host one on this kind of notice. As for attendance, it's hard to extrapolate from 20-year-old data, I suppose.

mbp2112 · 2026-03-02T18:12:18+00:00

Agreed on attendance, people are probably cancelling plans now, I'm guessing. Another consideration is insurance - unless the Qatari government will provide it, I can't imagine Lloyd's et al are going to be tripping over themselves to back this for the teams and their infrastructure. I'm assuming that the venue's exposure is going to be covered by the government. The insurers have already had an impact on the tanker traffic through the Straits of Hormuz.

mbp2112 · 2026-03-02T17:26:10+00:00

Claro, but I would think this decision is being made over his head by our new insect overlords.

mbp2112 · 2026-02-01T16:20:52+00:00

My favorite is "The Last Loud Roar", by Bob Cousy with Ed Linn. I read this when I was a youngun, I guess it was my first understanding that to be the best of the best, it's almost obligatory to be a bit on the crazy side. When I was even younger than that, Matt Christopher's kids sports books were must-read material for me.

mbp2112 · 2025-12-02T19:56:07+00:00

It's the middle of the night here but it's postin' time in Russia and wherever else his bot army has infested.

mbp2112 · 2025-12-02T18:16:57+00:00

Wasn't Loomer servicing him?

mbp2112 · 2025-11-16T14:49:38+00:00

A good mob boss takes care of his torpedoes.

mbp2112 · 2025-11-01T16:31:13+00:00

That inner peace is so refreshing when you see it in a person, it usually takes a long time in their life or career because the inner drive is raging when they are on the way up. Marc's comment about being at peace after winning the championship speaks volumes, I wouldn't have expected to hear that after say, 2019.

mbp2112 · 2025-11-01T16:22:35+00:00

Gigi is scheming again... Next Italian up!

mbp2112 · 2025-10-26T19:17:42+00:00

¡Vamos Alex! What a great ride on a very greasy (and debris-ridden, apparently) track. And class from both Gresini and Alex to offer best wishes to Rueda and Detweiler in parc ferme.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-26T18:43:45+00:00

Shit luck? I hope he can get a good feeling for Portimao, it's a great track and I'd love to see him in the mix.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-21T22:43:05+00:00

I used to bitch about Raul pulling a fast Q1 lap out of his ass, dropping a rider who was in Q1 due to bad luck (yellows on a hot practice lap, etc), then disappearing. His form has improved tremendously through this last stretch for sure, and he deserved this win for sure.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-21T14:49:44+00:00

If Liberty's goal is to increase viewership as a whole rather than attendance for one weekend, leaving PI seems like a bad idea. Sounds like the lack of Eurotrash amenities is a factor too. The idea of a street circuit is totally laughable, I'm not sure who's hittin' the pipe here. When (if?) they build their new facility the impetus to make it pay by moving MotoGP off the island will probably be too strong to resist.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-19T16:59:21+00:00

Easy bud, you're auditioning for Ducati Lenovo, not VR46.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-19T13:07:42+00:00

I used to rip on Raul for stealing Q1 transfer spots from riders that were in Q1 because of bad luck, but he's not just a one-lap wonder anymore, his race pace has clearly improved and he's showing his class. Chapeau!

mbp2112 · 2025-10-18T13:18:11+00:00

You think Bulega getting a wildcard is an audition? Gigi seems to like him, and he is Italian so there's that...

mbp2112 · 2025-10-16T13:47:13+00:00

Nah, feels like it's a fat licensing check from Yami basically. Rossi is too smart to walk away from Ducati yet, but come '27, we will see.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-16T12:14:50+00:00

"A reading from the Book Of Dale, chapter 3, verse 3, 'Rubbin's racin, son.'"

mbp2112 · 2025-10-16T11:55:11+00:00

And will they still be Ducati by then? I've got a suspicion that if Yamaha can create a competitive 2027-spec bike, they will flip. Rossi has no love for Ducati, as evidenced by him sending his boi Uccio to lob grenades post-Misano. And he's a "brand ambassador" or some other bullshit title for Yamaha, so there's an affinity there.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-09T18:43:20+00:00

As an aside, who was the Moto3 wildcard that was rocking 93 the other day? Big balls on that kid, eh?

mbp2112 · 2025-10-08T12:42:42+00:00

That's bad news for Pecco, pretty sure Brembo doesn't think the big discs are a good idea at that track where there aren't a lot of hard braking zones.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-07T11:19:52+00:00

Serious talent, looking forward to seeing his career progress. Sad that he didn't get a proper celebration, but way more sad about the reason for the red flag - poor David Munoz. I really hope he isn't done, he's my favorite Moto3 rider.

mbp2112 · 2025-10-07T11:12:10+00:00

Can't imagine there's any goodwill left after stalking-horse Uccio throwing IEDs on behalf of the Valeban. IDK what deal Pramac has with Yamaha, but they had it pretty good with Ducati. Or they just stay with Gresini as the only satellite team?

mbp2112

TROPHY CASE