Bout time, go for it Westy, keep ya head down, ass up, and keep ya trap shut and I am sure you will impress. I hope he does enough to convince the Big Kwak that he's the man for 2008.
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Bout time, go for it Westy, keep ya head down, ass up, and keep ya trap shut and I am sure you will impress. I hope he does enough to convince the Big Kwak that he's the man for 2008.
May be earlier than that, wouldn't be surprised if Jacque is replaced before the end of this season. Apparently his injuries aren't healing too well.
We can only hope, although, I wouldnt wish any harm upon anyone, but i would love to see Ant get a go in GP...Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwigav
Good interview with Ant on motogp.com, seemed very happy with the Kawasaki outing, said 'it nearly rips your arms off down the straights' :p He also said he will be riding 600's for the rest of the year and has severed his ties with Team Sicilia.. He also hinted at possibly getting back aboard the Kwak, should the right circumstances arise...
I really hope that the split with his team is a mutual decision and not just him throwing in the towel on them for a more competitive supersport ride. Good luck to him for the future.
Anthony West continues to stand in for Kevin Curtain after taking the race win at Silverstone. As with Monza and Silverstone, West has not ridden the Misano circuit before but this hasn't slowed him down at previous rounds. He will be in good company this weekend as almost none of the Supersport riders have ridden the new-look track.
"I'm looking to get another good result this weekend; it'll be nice to race in the dry and warm after Silverstone! I'm excited to go to Misano, especially off the back of my first win for the team," Anthony says. "It'll be a much more level playing field at Misano because very few people have ridden the new track yet. Normally I'm learning the circuit as well as trying to find the right set-up but this time everyone will be in the same boat, which will give me more chance of getting a good qualifying place. I'll start with the same set-up as I had at Silverstone and see where we go from there. I haven't had as much time as I'd like on the bike yet to find a good base setting but I'm not far off. It should be a good weekend."
Oh and as far as Team Sicilia's replacement rider goes, Ive heard Manuel Poggiali or 'Kuba' Smrz.. Be interesting to see how his replacement fares regardless..
Having not been on here since Silverstone until recently, just wanted to say...that WAS superb from Westy. Monza too actually.
Kev Curtain may be out for a while (possibly a season or even career-ender, actually), let's hope Westy has a good run.
Ant to Kawasaki by next race weekend ?
possible ? yay or nay ?
Never say never ;)
Yay!Quote:
Originally Posted by fatman
Unless there is pressure and any chance he might damage a burgeoning relationship with Yamaha.
Then Yamaha can give him a GP ride! :D Honestly, hed be crazy not to give the kwak a go, just to show what hes capable of... And if they dont offer him anything in 08 then continue in WSS.. Simple...Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach24
If I was religious, I'd join the multitudes in praying for a factory ride for this exceptional talent.
His riding ability in all conditions is unquestioned but is just one of a number of attributes sponsors and factory teams would be seeking before committing to the megabucks required to fund a rider at the world level.
Once he learns to appreciate that the image he projects to the masses and the promotion of his team, mount and sponsor's products and services are matters of equal importance, the factories will no doubt look at him seriously.
As my pappy once said...get a good manager and stop handling yourself.
RR, welcome aboard, great to read your well thought out post.
Please ensure you don't start a topic when one already exists as in this case:
http://www.motorsportforums.com/foru...d.php?t=112751
There are many Ant West fans here and we would welcome your continued input.
Welcome aboard Rod. :wave: I pretty much agree with that.
Can we merge this thread with the original one Pat?
Merge OK by me......Regards from Gold Coast Aus.
West wins in Misano.
Very Good Race for Westy :D
Guy commentating said that there were the rumors that he has been offered a MotoGP drive for the rest of the season
Top stuff! Goooo Ant!
Ant is really proving himself, to come in and blow away all the regulars is a fine effort in any sport.
Wouldn't it be strange if after all these years struggling away in 250 he makes it to MotoGP on the back of success in Supersport.
Lol, itd be ironic and frustrating, but it says alot.. Maybe he should have been in WSS three of four years ago, after the KTM debacle.. Anyway, bring on the green machine!! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Mach24
Brilliant ride(s) from West to take the Misano round out. Parkes performance shows that the R6 has come a long way in development this year, to be able to finish ahead of Sofouglu. But West certainly in a class of his own overnight.
His post-race interview was a little better than in the past too. And in a twist of serendipity, I came across an old Performance Streetbike last night that has an interview with West from his early days in GP, will post some interesting snippets here tomorrow. In a nutshell, the interview (which also has interviews with his dad, mechanic etc.) opened my eyes a little to West's character, and my opinion of his worthiness has certainly changed. I think he deserves a good bike to take a shot at a title! I'll be happy to see him in either WSS or MotoGP but obviously the latter is where he wants to be.
Another Westy convertee! Boo Yeh! :D Are you going to post a scan of the mag article or is it a vid?
It's an article, I'll try to arrange a scan of it this week.
agreed Phantom, i'm an aussie and have been watching guys like West and Stoner since their entries into the top level racing, and i've always maintained that all they needed was a decent bike under their asses to do well. What is happening to both at the moment has re-enforced my thoughts.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Phantom
Way to go Ant, lets hope this dominant patch of form leads to a wroks ride at last, and not an amateur effort like KTM's a while back.
A reputable Australian Motorsport website has gone into print stating Westy is on the Kawasaki MotoGP bike for the remainder of the season......
West and Kwaka for the remainder of 07 season a done deal?
Story Here
Woooot, team green baby! :D Three Aussies in GP's now too! Goooo Ant, stick it up em!! :D
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sp...oridekawasaki/
Looks like it's official
So my question is this.. Does the Kawasaki 800 factor as a competitive package for Ant? Is this his sink or swim time? For years Ant's die hard fans have been making large claims of what the Aussie could do if only given a good bike to ride.
What are the realistic expectations?
- Ant to be a regular race winner?
- Ant to be a regular podium contender?
- Ant to win/podium but only in the wet?
- Ant to run at the back of the pack and complain that the Kawa is a nail?
I just expect him to spend the first few races getting up to speed, then eventually trying to beat wherever DePuniet is at, simple as that! And i HOPE to god he doesnt complain, at all, ever, or he'll never race in GP again!Quote:
Originally Posted by fatman
awesome news for westy and all his believers.kawasaki are not that silly they have seen him ride the bike and give feed back on it and are obviously impressed with what they have seen.full marks to kawasaki for thinking outside the square on a replacement rider for the bike.what kawasaki need is a rider that believes in himself and wants to run at the front,a rider that is willing to give 100% everytime he gets on the bike (something they currently dont have) and doesnt crash every time they ride the bike. i believe west is that rider.any other rider that fits that description is already in a contract and would cost alot more money.
as for his future results i think he will be infront of randy if not after this weekend then by the next race meeting, and will take the bike as far as it will go in it current development.
as for his complaining i bet every rider that wants to win and isnt is "complaining" because thats how they push the team forward, its how they "complain" that is the difference. it needs to be positive,constructive critisism not negative that ruins morale in the team. i think wests previous complaining has been his his frustration at a team not giving 100%. a manufaturer not giving him better equipment and a tyre supplier not giving him good tyres when he is giving 110% to achieve reslts he knows he can obtain but feels like he is being let down.
i sincerely hope he keeps his brain in gear before engaging his mouth because it is a game of politics and nobody like to hear the truth told so brutally honestly. i quite honestly never thought i would see west ever in this position and i belive if he says the wrong things or less likely doesnt get results he will never get this chance again.
COME ON WESTY!!!!
Couldnt of put it better myself! :up:Quote:
Originally Posted by kymando
WOW, few weeks back I post here that West would be perfect for Kawa.. Looks like they listened to me
Quote:
Originally Posted by fatman
Fatty, there are a lot of positions between the podium and the back of the pack.
I am certain Ant would be happy with top 10 finishes and if he could step onto the podium that would be a fine achievement and most likely assure his long term future
DePu raised the bar last round and if he continues to do so Ant will have a hell of a task beating his team mate who now has a season and a half with the team.
I predict before the end of the season Ant will be regularly beating his team mate.
Looking to 08' Ant needs to show he has the 'talent' to take the Big K to the top step or they will be recruiting two new riders for 08'.
This is it the bulls**t stops now! If you can talk the talk you gotta walk the walk!
Goooo Ant (thats for you Jackal)
good pointQuote:
Originally Posted by tha_jackal
people with egos dont like honesty that much unless it makes them look good
exactly. and, before i forget. YOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by tha_jackal
GO WESTY! :beer:
FINALLY!!
Its about time too - GO WESTY!
Now the question remains - dare I dream about an all Aussie Podium at Philip Island :D
You must be a carpenter Mach because you've hit the nail right on the head! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach24
Basically, this is the opportunity that Ant has dreamed of - a fast bike with factory backing. And he has plenty of opportunity for the rest of the year to show his true wares so hopefully he can make the most of it and be able to really give it his best shot. No excuses now, just how he'd want it.
Do you think he'd be getting paid for his contract? Or would it be voluntary? :p My gut feeling is the latter...Quote:
Originally Posted by NinjaMaster
... so what's Ant's racing number gonna be? Of all the people who could have the #14, it's his team-mate. :p :
And in another twist of irony, West's last GP podium was at Donington where he finished second to RdP! :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Malllen
I've got no doubt Ant will get paid. I couldn't imagine Kawasaki are that cheap. Certainly not a superstars wage but enough to live on.
As for his number, I think he may have been 95 or 96 when he was 250 proddie racing so maybe he would revert to that?