hopper to race in wsbk on a cbr1000rr

[1down5up]

John Hopkins will ride a Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR for the rest of the '09 WSBK season. Hopkins was a casualty of Kawasaki's failed attempt to pull out of MotoGP even though they were contractually obligated to race the series.

Hopkins will be on the grid for the next WSBK race at Valencia.


about bloody time too i hate to see a top rider on the side lines and i cant wait to see him win a race. he hasent had a win since he was in the states doing the ama
with the state of sponsors leaving moto gp and riders loosing rides and the new rules and boring racing i think the torch of best bike racing series has changed hands from moto gp to the world supers ..well with this life long fan of bike racing anyway and i am sure a lot of you ppl think like wise

[James]

That's great news.

Makes the SBKs even more exciting this year. :ayyy:

[Birdman45]

wow, this will hopefully throw a spanner in the works for spies and haga.

[zRoYz]

wow, this will hopefully throw a spanner in the works for spies and haga.

Hopefully, I'm not overly impressed with any of the current CBR riders as the bike should be gaining better finishes than it is Checa for one needs to relax & go live in his villa & watch the racing on tv. Tyres will be the main thing that effects Hopper me thinks.

[*Oggy*]

Extra bike... or is someone getting the heave ho ????

[1down5up]

roberto rolfo was on the bike at the island he should be team mate to haslam in the stiggy team also with west in wss

[Birdman45]

Hopefully, I'm not overly impressed with any of the current CBR riders as the bike should be gaining better finishes than it is Checa for one needs to relax & go live in his villa & watch the racing on tv. Tyres will be the main thing that effects Hopper me thinks.

Yeah but others haven't taken long to adapt. Spies for example?? The good thing is, everyone is on the same hoops, so he isn't disadvantaged there. Just hope they can set the bike up for him how he wants it. I've heard horror stories about how this team can work, so not holding my breath.

[Turtle]

go hopper....

[Cedric]

Confirmed eh..

I'd heard the rumours linking him with Stiggy WSBK and this one turned out to be a realby.. I'm glad for him still racing. Wonder what sort of severance package he got with Kawasaki. Hope he excels in this endeavour.

[gazujc]

Yeah but others haven't taken long to adapt. Spies for example?? The good thing is, everyone is on the same hoops, so he isn't disadvantaged there. Just hope they can set the bike up for him how he wants it. I've heard horror stories about how this team can work, so not holding my breath.


Horror stories about Stiggy?

They haven't been around long enough really have they (I thought they were only 1 - 2 years old)?

Given their performances this year (thus far) they have had West on pdoium in WSS (50% hit rate) and Haslam with a Podium at PI (25% hit rate) which places them above many more fancied teams, so I would say that they aren't exactly a 'low level' team. But, I do have some concerns (as do people in other forums) regading the ability of Stigefelt to be able to maintain the high level of results given the small funding within the team (although one wonders is Monster money may appear).






Garry

[Cedric]

Hasn't Monster money gone to Rossi and the Tech Trois team? Considering they're now calling themselves the Monster Tech 3 team? I don't know if he still has the money, just putting it out there..http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/MotoGP+satellite+squad+become+Monster+Yamaha+Tech+ 3

[2ndclasscitizen]

Hopper might even put some of his own money in. I remember reading that Kawasaki had planned to just pay everyone but not race. Plus he's pretty damn popular which would help draw sponsors, which would help Westy since more dollars = more development = more hp = win.

[gazujc]

Hasn't Monster money gone to Rossi and the Tech Trois team? Considering they're now calling themselves the Monster Tech 3 team? I don't know if he still has the money, just putting it out there..

http://www.motogp.com/en/teams/Monster+Yamaha+Tech+3


Yep, they have now become incorporated into the helmet of VR and spent some big dollars to keep Edwards and Toseland cicrulating. But, I wonder if they may have some left over for Hopkins as at one stage he wast heir 'pin-up' child and I am not sure if they have exposure to teh WSBK paddock.






Garry

[Cedric]

Yep, they have now become incorporated into the helmet of VR and spent some big dollars to keep Edwards and Toseland cicrulating. But, I wonder if they may have some left over for Hopkins as at one stage he wast heir 'pin-up' child and I am not sure if they have exposure to teh WSBK paddock.

Garry

You're right, I don't think they do. Haven't seen them try to crack the WSBK market but with Hopper, he'd be the right guy to do it. I think it's unlikely Kawasaki money would be coming to the party though..

[Turtle]

Go Hopper !!!

[clarkey]

John Hopkins will ride a Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR for the rest of the '09 WSBK season. Hopkins was a casualty of Kawasaki's failed attempt to pull out of MotoGP even though they were contractually obligated to race the series.

Hopkins will be on the grid for the next WSBK race at Valencia.


about bloody time too i hate to see a top rider on the side lines and i cant wait to see him win a race. he hasent had a win since he was in the states doing the ama
with the state of sponsors leaving moto gp and riders loosing rides and the new rules and boring racing i think the torch of best bike racing series has changed hands from moto gp to the world supers ..well with this life long fan of bike racing anyway and i am sure a lot of you ppl think like wise

hope ten kate give him the parts n pieces he needs to have a near works bike ....Be happy to see the blade with a competitive rider without the deficate ala Westy:hatter:

[gazujc]

One point that will be interesting is whether he works well with West and vice versa (even given to the different categories) as there did seem some tension between the two last year at Kawasaki (regards Hopkins gettings West's entire crew etc).

I say meh, have not seen enough from Hopkins that makes be believe the hype that has surrounded him for years although he can put in all to rare mercurial performances and displays of ability. Sadly though, those performances tend to occur for short periods of time and are so far between.







Garry

[1down5up]

One point that will be interesting is whether he works well with West and vice versa (even given to the different categories) as there did seem some tension between the two last year at Kawasaki (regards Hopkins gettings West's entire crew etc).

I say meh, have not seen enough from Hopkins that makes be believe the hype that has surrounded him for years although he can put in all to rare mercurial performances and displays of ability. Sadly though, those performances tend to occur for short periods of time and are so far between.







Garry to be fair to hopper he has been on ...shall we say "slower bikes" in all of his 500 and motogp time with the bikes been a bit more even in the wsbk so to speek ........... we will see if the cream rises to the top or not....... ill give him one thing.... he has the pig dog in him . he will not give up !!!!!!!!!

[Jungleboy]

Hopper might even put some of his own money in. I remember reading that Kawasaki had planned to just pay everyone but not race. Plus he's pretty damn popular which would help draw sponsors, which would help Westy since more dollars = more development = more hp = win.

Westy doesnt need more money he needs something money cant buy (a higher IQ) I for one am sick of hearing about how west is constantly hard done by... His lack of results in 250GP and MotoGP are because he is a feeble minded bonehead that has a natural ability to ride but not the intelect to fully exploit his physical skills..

[Cedric]

Westy doesnt need more money he needs something money cant buy (a higher IQ) I for one am sick of hearing about how west is constantly hard done by... His lack of results in 250GP and MotoGP are because he is a feeble minded bonehead that has a natural ability to ride but not the intelect to fully exploit his physical skills..

And what do you base that on?

[2ndclasscitizen]

Westy doesnt need more money he needs something money cant buy (a higher IQ) I for one am sick of hearing about how west is constantly hard done by... His lack of results in 250GP and MotoGP are because he is a feeble minded bonehead that has a natural ability to ride but not the intelect to fully exploit his physical skills..

Riiiight. The guy jumps on a MotoGP bike and does better than the team's existing riders (only to be let down by a chassis that he couldn't ride last year), then jumps on a 600 Supersport and almost gets a win, only being let down by a lack of outright HP. What does him not being the sharpest tool in the shed have to do with anything?

[gazujc]

And what do you base that on?


Riiiight. The guy jumps on a MotoGP bike and does better than the team's existing riders (only to be let down by a chassis that he couldn't ride last year), then jumps on a 600 Supersport and almost gets a win, only being let down by a lack of outright HP. What does him not being the sharpest tool in the shed have to do with anything?


Well I will jump in here and defend JB.

Within many circles in the racing community it is recognised that West is not the smartest of riders. This isn't said in a derogatory way (or intended that way), but generl discussion will always revert back to it being quite fortunate that he is so damn good on a bike as he did not do well schooling wise (already knew he wanted to ride bikes).

However, the guy can ride and ride well but struggles immensely at the MotoGP level as he does not play politics well, does not bring with him sponsorship monies (real or potential) and to be fair, is not the best (or even near it) with teh technical setup required at MotoGP level. He may well be very successful at WSBK/WSS level (as most ecpect) but that is primarily due to talent and the more limited technical aspects of bike set-up at that level (MGP, a minute change has major impacts whereas WSBK a minute change has small impacts). He has (IMO) enough ability to ride around small problems but not large ones (not many do).

He may also be a nice guy, but IMO he is now at the level that will best suit his abilities and even better when he gets to WSBK.

As for Hopkins, it is all now in his court to show that he belongs (although nothing should be expected for a while)






Garry

[Cedric]

I see what you mean Garry, and to an extent I agree. It's easy to see that the higher up you go in almost any sport; diplomacy and politics play a part. Perhaps you're right about him being simple; having never met the bloke I'll wait and see.

IMO the bike was more to blame from what I've observed. Hopper ended 2008 16th with 57 points and West 18th with 50 points. Noting that Hopper was 4th in 2007 on the Suzuki with 189 points, and the fact that there's not a huge disparity between the 2008 points for both West and Hopper, I find it hard to believe that West was so far out of the competition as to not be worthy of participating.

Anyway, makes a lot more sense now about what JB was saying rather than just calling West a pinhead.

[gazujc]

I see what you mean Garry, and to an extent I agree. It's easy to see that the higher up you go in almost any sport; diplomacy and politics play a part. Perhaps you're right about him being simple; having never met the bloke I'll wait and see.

IMO the bike was more to blame from what I've observed. Hopper ended 2008 16th with 57 points and West 18th with 50 points. Noting that Hopper was 4th in 2007 on the Suzuki with 189 points, and the fact that there's not a huge disparity between the 2008 points for both West and Hopper, I find it hard to believe that West was so far out of the competition as to not be worthy of participating.

Anyway, makes a lot more sense now about what JB was saying rather than just calling West a pinhead.


God this pains me to say it (given that I question the hype surrounding him), but in fairness the points were far closer than they woudl have otherwise been had Hopkins not missed so many races with injury (ie. the badly smashed leg). So, whilst they look close in reality they weren't when all things are considered (yes, West had back issues but did race).

IMO, West is more of a throwback type of rider in that he lacks political nous but has plenty of riding ability, whereas today being politically savvy and saying the right things will get you places, as will having sponsorship dollars (Monster anyone?).

Personally, I like West because he is not the smartest in the paddock and because he doesn't try to pretend that he is, instead we see a real true person. But sadly, were I involved in MGP I wouldn't have him either.







Garry

[Cedric]

You make a good point Garry. I had forgotten about the races Hopkins didn't participate in due to injury.

Just for interests sake, I calculated his average result for 2008 was 11th. So assuming he raced all races (no injury/retirements) that would have given him a result of 87 points (assuming an average result of 11th place = 5 points and filling in his 6 missed races with that result). That would have placed him 13th, just behind Elias and above Guintoli, arguably far lower than he's capable of.

West does come across as a genuine bloke, so I do sympathise with him.. I really hope he does well in WSS.

[WET4URacing]

Westy is a dude . Always stops 4 a chat and tells it how it is.
Needs to be more like him and maybe (if i could see more of th interview) Hacking!

[gazujc]

Westy is a dude . Always stops 4 a chat and tells it how it is.
Needs to be more like him and maybe (if i could see more of th interview) Hacking!


Yup.

I enjoy the likes of Westy, Mladin, Hacking, Stoner etc because they will say things as they see them, not take the official media friendly corporate line of 'never say anything controversial'.

The sport was full of them a few short years back when riders would hang crap on other riders (remember the mobile chicane comments aimed at Michael Rudroff), or hang crap on the track or race organisers. Always made for good interviews as you never really knew what was going on or who woudl say somneing interesting.

And Wetty, the full interview was available but is only 5 minutes long and Hacking doesn't say much.







Garry

[WET4URacing]

so why did he get a $4k fine??

[gazujc]

so why did he get a $4k fine??


I am in a few US forums and the general consensus is that the fine and subsequent suspension is more related to his comment that 'it felt like a win' and also another comment that has been reported that he 'won the 600 race' as the new category places 1125cc Buells against the 600cc japanese sportsbikes. The blame is allegedly being sheeted to the aftermath of that press conference where (as reported by someone present) he did leave muttering stuff to his wife but not directed at people.

The same general consensus also says that both Neil Hodgson and Matt Mladin will somehow be penalised throughout the year as they have also been critical of the new race series.

Maybe AG23 can jump in with comments, not sure but the general consensus seems to be one of complete dissatisfaction with DMG who run AMA






Garry

[1down5up]

well hopper had his first go at wsbk last night and the report card for 1st day was........ could do better ..... i know its his first real ride on the bike and all that. but i thought he would be higher up the time sheet . he was a little over a 1.2 off pole so i guess i am been a little hard on the man ............ i also noticed that westys bike is a little slow this week again maybe thats why hopper is not up the time sheets a bit more ........go westy ......we will see what tonight brings ....... super poll will be interesting to see if hoper gets in and how well he dose can he pull a rabbit out of his arse or not time will tell

[_chado77]

only his first time out but seemed like a bit of da ja vu with moto gp in terms of his finishing position..still a long way off..

hopefully for his sake the honda gets more competitive..seem to be struggling this year so not looking good for him

[Birdman45]

I thought he did fukin great, top 10 in the 2nd race, first race in, fuk all testing, new tyres, new team, new bike. Only gonna get better from here on I rekon.

[BART]

Watched both races and he didn't get on camera very much at all.

He will only get better as he gets use to the bike.

[1down5up]

+1 yeah he did well . he was 8 th most of the 2nd race but got rounded up by 2 riders . he was thrown in at the deep end .and he came up coughing , but he has started to swim. if he gets a win quickly ( 1st 1/2 of the year )i think he will realy kick on