Suzuka 8 Hours | 2016

Are those knee sliders on the chestal region?

 

Anybody catch the video of Nicky role playing as a mechanic during a pit stop? I'd hire him on for my team in a heartbeat, but I don't think I can afford his salary! Also, keep an eye out for when he gets kicked in the head.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/vi...deos/10153650087612120/&show_text=0&width=560

 

Just catching the race today....

So apparently GMT had a issue with the wheels because they had to borrow 16.5s for this race? I guess Dunlop Japan still runs that size?

Kinda weird.

 

Seeing Kagayama collapse after pushing that bike in. He's getting a little old for all that! Pol, Alex and Nakasuga didn't even look tired at any point. Does Pol even sweat?

 

Found out during test week earlier in July that Dunlop 17" tires were not good enough for Suzuka. They do all their Suzuka-specific development in 16.5". And apparently the teams wheel supplier did not have enough time to handle an order. Probably made zero sense financially for the team anyway.

 

Can't believe SERT got that bike back together. Hell, I can't believe it made it back to the pits. That thing was as close to a yard sale as it gets while still being able to throw a leg over something.

 

And another wheel problem. SRC breaks the rear wheel 6 hours in. Commentators thought it was a lock up but clearly the rear wheel broke.

Between that, GMT and Kagayama losing the front tire it's some weird failures this year.

 

SRC didn't break a wheel; it was the rear axle, like GMT. Same supplier…

 

They are not good enough?
Elaborate please

 

Not sure what to tell you. The team was going nowhere on 17s (really slow) and had to make the emergency switch because the good Dunlop Suzuka rubber was developed in 16.5. I spoke to the team owner an hour ago.

 

Damn. Somebody is getting fired.

Thx for the info.

 

Crumpet.