Latest issue of Roadracing World has a great article on the annual
after season Manufacturers and Race Team's Open House for journalists
and some pro riders to test out this year's Prototype machines.

Meaning the 2008 GP bikes as they are at the moment.

I won't reveal the whole story, you'll have to buy the mag for that.

But...at Valencia the following were some of the lap times set by:

Michael Schumacher (known as "The Kaiser" and also better known as the F1 God)

Schumi set a best time of 1:37.9, supposedly a very serious and competitive time.
(The guy can drive as well as ride like lightning apparently)

This was done on the so far 2008 version of the upcoming Ducati.

Kevin Schwantz and Ben Spies on the Rizla Suzi's....1:36 and small change.

Then Spies really "put his head down" and broke into the 1:35's.

Some other interesting stuff.

The Ducati's aren't just set up for a track, and then left at the whim of the rider
to do this or that in certain areas, straights, turns, etc. on the track.

The Ducati's, the actual bike itself, knows where it is at on the track at all times.

For an example...

Sometimes the Duck keeps the engine braking from fully occuring all the way into
a brakeless turn, this causes the chassis to not be upset by too much downshift
braking, thus increasing smoothness and corner speed...all without the rider's
complete help.

That's scary, cool, and for a purist kind of lame, all at the same time.

I'll stop before I get sued...or **** the mag's owner off.

Anyway...interesting stuff to say the least.

Especially when one of the journalists nearly blows up a Duck GP bike just trying
to exit the pit lane. ROFLMAO...you gotta read his mental responses...hilarious.