July 22, 2006 - Part I - FP3 and qualifying prep from Laguna Seca

The third practice session is over. It wasn't on live video, but I did have the timing pulled up. I didn't pay very close attention to it, as I was a little busy at W.A.R.P. Speed headquarters getting the Moose prepped and loaded for the race tomorrow down in Gainesville. But, I did have the laptop perched proudly upon the toolbox displaying the live timing data from Laguna. Kenny Roberts, Jr. ran another strong practice. In fact, he was on top for most of the hour long session, with Casey Stoner nipping at his heels the entire way. Colin Edwards was right there in the mix with a steady 3rd placement for 90% of the session. In the end, Nicky Hayden apparently pulled quite the run out of somewhere, and landed on top. Vanetino Rossi improved his times a little over yesterday's sessions, but he wasn't putting down the fantastic times he's certainly capable of. Team Marlboro Ducati ran almost a carbon copy of yesterday's practice. They remained around 13th/ 14th position. I guess they didn't get the tire situation hammered out yet.

Qualifying is this evening at five. It is running live on the MotoGP site, and SpeedTV has made an impressive effort to stroke it's MotoGP fans by carrying the SDD coverage tonight at 9. Way to go SpeedTV... a little retribution for the sportbike world after the poorly planned "Superbike" series left us a little cold and bitter. Sometime last week I sang the praises of ABC network television and gave them a cyber-pat on the back for carrying the coverage of the USGP. I would like to take this opportunity to withdraw my statements and would like to instruct the jury to disregard my testimony and request that it be stricken from the record. Apparently, ABC will air the coverage NEXT WEEK.... a valiant effort indeed, but a little too late for me personally. I'm one of those instant gratification seekers. If I had to depend on ABC to get my Laguna fix, I would be downtown camped out in front of the methadone clinic before the coverage aired.... red-faced and twitching :) I JEST!!! (My face rarely turns red)

And so it is.

Roughly an hour and a half until qualifying begins out in CA. I am standing here beside myself in anticipation... (that sentence is intended to be spoken aloud in a very thick Indian (habib) accent... ) I'll most likely be back for part II of "Thoughts" after it's over!!

Below is a quick screen-grab of Rossi's agricultural excursion (yesterday's free practice2).... give it a second. It appears to not work to begin with, but it does.. it just took me a minute to find the right button :)

Until next time......

Rubb'er Down :)

Kristen