WSBK weekend 15 - 17 May 09

From http://www.go-gp.org/

See the link for full detail

Aspects visitors should take note of:

Prohibited
No FOOD & DRINKs will be permitted through the gates. Other prohibited items include weapons, cans, glasses, glass bottles, sharp objects, cooler boxes, braais, fireworks, narcotics, gazebos, beach umbrellas and pets.

Doors/Gates Open
Gates open at 07h30 on the morning of the event.

Duration
09h00 till 17h00

Please Note
Stands 11, 12, 13, 14, 21 54, 63, 64, 65 & 72 are the gold stands.
Stands 22, 23, 24, 41, 51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 66, 71 & 73 are the silver stands.
Seats B: 1 - 26, C: 1 - 22, D: 1 - 20, E: 1 - 18, F: 1 - 12, G: 1 - 11, H: 1 - 8, J: 1 - 5 and K: 1 - 4 in stand 54 are restricted view seats.

VERY IMPORTANT
Lost, Stolen or Damaged tickets WILL NOT be replaced or re-printed under ANY circumstances - new tickets will have to be purchased. PLEASE TREAT YOUR TICKETS LIKE CASH
Friday prices includes all day paddock access.
Saturday and Sunday prices do NOT include paddock access.

Refreshments And Meals
Water, soft drinks, beer, fast foods.

Parking
Ample secure parking available at designated off-site Park and Ride parking sites at R10.00 per car.
Refer to the Park and Ride Map for futher details.

Wonder if there will be food/drink stands around the track - or do they expect people who have forked out a lot of money for tickets to walk forever to buy food/drinks??

I see a ripoff coming here.....

Yip - reason why we did not even bother to buy tickets. Presume it will be exorbitantly high as well - so bring money with.

So, is ANYBODY actually going to this race...?

Yes!

yep

NO PETS?????? So I guess the girlfriend must stay at home!!! Eish not gonna mis this one and then I am still trying to (bribe) organise pits tickets.......any tackers???? But I got my normal ticket, and will be there

I'm there all 3 days! Can't wait!

I can see a lot of friends are going to....but
Where are you planning to stay there?
I'd like to go on Sunday, but before buying my tkt, it would be good to know the area that you have already booked.

Where are on stand 63 (mineshaft erea) but I believe it's sold out there

Hi All, I have had my rip-off experience in the past at race tracks and bike shows (except AMID, only decent show to go to), will rather watch from home, see the whole track, toilet 5 meters from me, braai outside, comfy chair to watch from, the worx.... Kyalami not for me. Will miss the real sound, but at Sunday runs I hear them all!!!!!

You are not far off with your analysis. That would also have been my reasoning. After the army I hate queues anyway….

If only I did not attend the practice session at the end of last year. Nothing could have prepared me for the sound of those machines and I’m afraid to say………”nou is dit neusie verby”…….I’m hooked.

And all things considered, we are a bit hungry for top class international racing here on home turf………very much the same as attending the Curry Cup final at Loftus or not. You can see much better on TV, you don’t have to “koes” for “naartjies” and you don't have to deal with a dronkg@t who thinks you are his long lost brother or for that matter your wife/girl friend will will look very good at his side.....but it’s just different to be there in person.

Stand 71 for me
The maps for the park-and-drive could hardly be smaller, suppose from the north take new road and find the carpark ?

*********************

Read the instructions on the website and took a drive to the track, will park inside and avoid the traffic

I have changed the topic heading to accommodate all reports about this weekend.

This contribution is somewhat sad though.

http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/553-laconi-taken-to-hospital-after-crash.html

“During the first lap of the morning's free practice session, Regis Laconi (Ducati DFX) crashed in the section between Turn 11 and Turn 12. Unfortunately in the crash the French rider, despite not hitting any obstacle, suffered a severe trauma to the cervical vertebrae. Transported by helicopter to the nearby Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, Laconi is reported as being on the danger list. The serious injuries suffered mean that an operation will be required, which will be carried out by a neurological specialist in the next few hours”

And from today’s Beeld......

http://jv.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2517331,00.html

“Die Franse motorfietsrenjaer Régis Laconi (33) is gister ernstig beseer in ’n ongeluk op die Kyalami-renbaan en het gisteraand ’n dringende operasie aan sy rug ondergaan.......
Hoewel hy nie enige hindernisse of voorwerpe getref het nie, het Laconi erge skade aan sy lae rugwerwels opgedoen,” het Thomas gesê.
Volgens die webwerf MCN.com is minstens vyf van sy werwels gebreek. Hy is gestabiliseer en per helikopter na die Sunninghill-hospitaal vervoer.
Volgens Thomas is hy “op die gevaarlys”.
“Sy beserings impliseer hy sal geopereer móét word.” Chirurge sou gisteraand twee plate aan die gebreekte werwels heg.”


The incident happened right in front of us and these are not press images

Wow, We wish him luck and speedy recovery

update............

http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/558/558.html

"Following his crash Regis Laconi was taken by helicopter to Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg. After undergoing checks later in the evening it was possible to have a better idea of the Frenchman's condition.

Laconi suffered two broken cervical vertebrae (C3 and C5), severe concussion and a contusion of the lung. A CT scan for eventual neurological damage, proved to be negative and for the moment he is in an induced coma and in a stable condition. After consultation with Dr. Maurizio Zorzi, the South African neuro-surgeon who was called from Pretoria to check on the patient's condition, it was decided not to operate immediately and to postpone any eventual intervention for a few days.

Barring complications, a further three weeks will be required before a clear clinical picture of the situation can be made, during which the French rider will have to remain totally immobile."

Strongs for a full recovery

back to the racing......................

Kyalami pulled out all the stops by staging a truly world class event.

After spending the last two days at the track, even a sceptic like me is impressed.









and of course, there are BMW’s in the mix as well



maybe not everyone’s cup of tea as the only gravel involved is the run-off kitty litter in case of a mistake..

I guess this is a case of the lowered suspension providing the thrills.

.... A bit disappointed in the BMW raceteam's performance this weekend or more accuratly the performance of their riders......I'm certainly very disappointed. I think they will do 100% better to sign a very cheap Morais......this "laaitie" has got some class!

[edited by Admin]

Thought a while ago already that Corser was a better hope than Xaus - pity Corser was taken out at the last race and did not make it to Kyalami.

Xaus was shocking - made a grand total of four laps if I have it correctly and as for Martin - looked like he was looking for parking!!!

Very dissappointing performance - heal up Corser!!!

Some pics of the hero for the day:

MadnohB wrote:
I will therefore not “bore” the forum further with pics of the new S1000RR (production version) which was on display today at Kyalami – which I might add is in fact, a BMW motorcycle

If you got some good pics of the RR - please send them to me!!

done

Back to the race:

Indeed a day to remember!

Early in race 2


Spies and Haga


Nori Haga


Ben Spies


Jonathan Rea


Sheridan Morais


Max Biaggi


Steve Martin


Morais & Fabrizio


Fabrizio showing off after the race


Haga celebrating