MotoGP: Dutch TT @ Assen (Van Drenthe Circuit)

[kmh364]

Anyone from the Alembic collective going to Drenthe for the MotoGP race? I figured I'd ask since we have a substantial contingent from the BeNeLux countries, and their neighbours across the Channel.  
 
The Americans (Edwards, Hayden, Hopper) are looking like the early favorites for the champagne bath, but anything can and will happen (NEVER rule out Vale!). Sorry there are no combatants from those countries, although Aussie Vermeulen does have Dutch ancestry.  
 
I'm going to Monterey for the US round of the MGP World Championship in July, but I'll be watching the TT (on CBS?) this Saturday.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[bigredbass]

Kev, couple of terrific articles in the current RoadRacing World about the TT/Isle of Man.
 
I hope Honda can make some ground up with the so far struggling RC212V before all hope of Nicky repeating his World Championship fades.  But I'd really like to see Hopper win one finally now that Suzuki is on a big upswing with the GSV's.  As usual, this all plays out against the constant threat that Rossi could catch lightning in a bottle, if Michelin gets a handle on their tires.  
 
I've REALLY got my fingers crossed that Barber can sew up a WSB race next year and MotoGP comes to Indy:  Both venues are a pretty easy drive from Nashville.
 
J o e y

[kmh364]

Yeah, I was looking at RRW last night. I had to go to work, though, before I could digest anything of substance.
 
Personally, I think the boat has sailed for Nicky. He'd need a major miracle to unfold for him to claim a consecutive second title with his current points tally @ 12th spot.
 
I'm still pulling for Colin @ Assen and Laguna Seca. I want at least one win for the Tornado before he gets demoted to SBK or AMA or retires.
 
It's be nice to get SBK and another MGP race here in the states. Indy is not, unfortunately, a good RR course...ask the F-1 guys, LOL! Barber has a great facility, but the track is very tight and short with lap times under a minute for the AMA guys.
 
Regardless, I'd go to both...build it and they will come, LOL!

[adriaan]

There was a report in the newspaper about how last year they flattened all the interesting corners, and also made a shortcut - not leaving much of the TT character. The riders did have a say in the changes, and now they're crying over spilt milk.
 
Not sure what the official name is for the race (TT van Assen?) - Assen is the capital of a province called Drenthe, and the circuit is known as the TT Circuit. Van is just a Dutch preposition.
 
Right next to the circuit is a kiddy traffic amusement park - a big hit with our then 6 year old, who got to drive a small go-kart with a real engine about 5 times that day. You can also rent a quad to drive around a small dirt track.
 
Drenthe offers lots of nice countryside to cruise through - it's the greenest province here.

[terryc]

I was going to go to Donnington but the weather put me off. we have had three months rain in two weeks.
Would love to go to Assen but have other commitments(gigs!!)
I guess the Japanese manufacturers are wondering why they are not beating that aussie kid and his small team. Did anyone tell Ducati that the engine size is now 800??

[kmh364]

The Drenthe circuit is AFAIK part public roads (i.e., public park) and part dedicated racetrack.
 
In the past, the World Superbike guys loved the place, and the 500cc GP guys hated it. It nearly ended 5-time 500cc World Champ Mick Doohan's career, and nearly cost him his leg. Now that it's been modded, they're all crying. Regardless, in the past, it's always been an exciting race to watch...lot's o'crashes!
 
Understood about the van preposition...I understand it means from/of...same as von in German.  
 
They're officially calling the race the A-Style Dutch TT Assen. AFAIK, it's always been referred to as the Dutch TT...it's the oldest race on the calender and dates back to the first year of the modern (i.e., post war) GP-era: ca. 1948-49.
 
While I'm sure it's nuts...The European version of Daytona, sans the Harley contingent PLUS a MGP race instead of AMA Superbike...I'd like to go one of these days. Ditto for Donnington, Jerez and Misano.  
 
I'm retiring in the next ten years so riding Europe...from race to race...is a definite goal for me.

[bigredbass]

The Doctor Is In ! ! !
 
Geez, I just got to see the CBS tape-delay of Assen.  What a ride for Valentino.  To begin from mid-pack and steadily work up through the preceding spots was just amazing to watch.  Truly intimidating to hear them call out his lap times steadily falling as the race proceeded, cutting the fastest laps of anyone at the end of the race AFTER he passed Stoner on the Ducati.  Smooth as glass, I knew it would be a pass on Stoner as I'd see the Ducati shake in spots while the M1 looked as if you could have set a cup of coffee on the tank, Michelin hit the tire right on the head.
 
Was great to see Hopper, Nicky, and Colin all in the top 6.  Maybe Honda's starting to get the 212 on course.  Good to see the Suzis hitting stride, John's hung in with them through so many lean times.
 
So if John is finally leaving Suzi for next year, where does he go?
 
Great race !  Motorcycle racing is just so much more interesting for me than auto racing these days.  Terrifying to imagine MotoGP racers are setting faster poles in Europe at some venues than F1 cars.
 
J o e y

[kmh364]

See...NEVER rule out Il Dottore!  
 
I still wanna see Colin on top of the box! Maybe Laguna will be a charm. We've seen Nicky hogging the box there enough...somebody's else turn this time!
 
I can't wait for the USGP!
 
Hopefully Tahoe will still be there when I get there!
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin