SPOOKY

When i start a race i try to make sure i do it in one fluid motion, that is, i don't want to be fanning the clutch after the bike moves off the line. First up i engage the bike into 1st gear, then i allow the clutch out to the point where its starting to pull (obviously not enough to make the bike move), when the red lights go out i pick up the revs and SLOWLY let the clutch out, i would rather lose a fraction of a second making sure the bike engages properly rather than waste precious time ''fanning'' the clutch after i have already begun moving. This method has worked very well for me over the years, and almost always get the hole-shot. Hope you can use this advice to your advantage.

Rossi made an interesting comment the other day regarding the leg out thing...he said '' I don't know why i do it.....but i know why everyone else dose it''.......Classic statment !!!!

Chris V?

Its interesting you brought this point up Jody. I have always raced with my head in the ''up'' position . I then tried changing to the more recognized style used by most of the pro's as you have pointed out. The result was faster lap times (i set fastest lap in my last race). I went out on a ride day before raceday and practiced the new style for over an hour of track time. At first i was a little put off in regards to my visual take on the upcoming corners but over the course of a few laps i slowly became accustom to it. By the end of the track day i was feeling 100% confident and the results the following day under race conditions convinced me it's the way to go. Almost every 125 GP rider today uses this style, its almost as if they have a steel rod running the length of their backs, their head is in perfect line with with the spine and looks as though the chin is almost touching the clip-on's. It works for me and i wont be going back to old habits thats for sure.

Here's the big tip....water and slicks don't mix. I was approaching a hairpin right hander and noticed a few rain droplets on my viser, i figured i could make it back to the pits before it really started to rain, but as i tipped it in, the front end washed out on me resulting in the above photos, in all honesty i should have known better. I walked away from that one relatively unscathed, although 2 days after the crash i noticed a dull ache in my rib cage that lasted a further 5 days.

Be a pleasure to meet you mate. I'll be in pit 26 if you make it.

NOT.....like this

G'day Rod, im from Old Sydney town myself mate, love cutting laps at the Creek and race with the PCRA club (we're at Oran Park July 5, come out and say hi if you like {number 93})...Welcome to the forum...it's one of the best around

Here is an awesome save...unbelievable !!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_9aPWCAM3c and....greatest save of all time

You may be onto something there donaudi.

Anyone who has ever stuck their knee out at the end of a long straight would have noticed how it almost acts almost like a parachute (to a certain extent), it may be possible that taking the foot off the peg could increase this effect (?)...not sure. Either way, if Rossi and friends are doing it chances are it may be a good thing to add to our own repertoire.

Although i dont know Peter personally, i have heard a LOT about this young guy over the past 4 years, i hope he makes a full recovery.

Best advice for the Island.....open the throttle and hang on, its super fast.

I use a Mychron 3 Plus. It has lap timer, RPM, water temp, exhaust temp and G force . It also has shift lights and a gear position sensor. After a ride you can upload all the data to your laptop or PC and study the results. Personally i only use the Tacho, lap timer and exhaust temp ( good for 2t and setting main jet).

Racing without a doubt will make you faster. If you look at most qualifying times they are almost always slower than race times, my point being, without the pressure of actually being in a race and having competitors pushing you to go faster, it's very difficult to produce your best times. Having said that, track days do have there place when it comes to making you faster, its a great opportunity to hone your skills, which you can then use on race day.

Thanks for that guys, every bit of info helps. I just noticed in a photo (a close up of my front tyre) that it looked a little low, but at the same time looked as though the Tyre was making good contact whilst the bike was cranked right over. The fact that guys who weigh a lot more than me run the same pressure got me thinking that maybe there was a set formula for setting tyre pressure rather than just the manufacturer's recommendation.

Dose anyone know if there is a formula for setting the correct tyre pressure for a riders weight? I race an RS 125 and set pressure , front 22psi and rear 24psi. Any advice ????

Watching the MotoGP on the week-end, one of the commentators mentioned that they asked Rossi why he puts his left foot out, his reply was, ''it feels comfortable, and i also put out the right foot''. Infact mid way through the race he did infact let the right leg swing.

My guess is it depends on where you place the slider on your knee, so long as its making good contact with the black stuff i dont think it really matters

Fair enough Cobie, i agree with everything you just said. I was in no way being aggressive in my response to Hub, i totally respect his or anyone else's opinion...next time i'll add a ''smiley'' to my response......

Some good points there Kev, that pass through the cork screw sure did spark some fierce debate all around the world. I only wish Stoner didn't run wide at turn 11, it would have made for one of the best GP races ever. Bring on the '09 season

I dont think Stoner needs to make excuses, he's is right up there with the best in the world, he has proven himself over and over again, so i dont believe that is an issue. Im sure if the pain is intense before the race, he'll get a quarterzone injection to see him through. Not even close. Stoner proving himself would have included him successfully defending his MotoGP title. He had the bike to do it with. The problem is that he didn't have the mental ability. He had plenty of things to blame that didn't include himself. He's only on his fourth year in MotoGP. He hasn't proven anything yet. Wow...(shakes head), you cant be serious man, Stoner has more than proven himself, the guy won the MOTO GP Championship in '07 !!!!...what more do you need to do? He has gone toe to toe with arguably the best rider the world . As for not winning back to back titles, all it takes is to not finish a race or have a mechanical issue and not place well and your championship hopes are out the window..or at the very least your playing catch up. I'll put my money on Stoner this year...Rossi's still the man, but im sure Casey has the minerals to run with him.

I dont think Stoner needs to make excuses, he's is right up there with the best in the world, he has proven himself over and over again, so i dont believe that is an issue. Im sure if the pain is intense before the race, he'll get a quarterzone injection to see him through.

I was starting to think it was something i said Thanks for sorting it out.

Right on !!!! hallelujah i can see the light !!!! Thanks