RACE STUFF THREAD

[RED]

I was just glad to see a new Ducati privateer do so well. wink wink nod nod.  

[fastwin]

How many folks were in the stands at the Daytona races? 100, maybe 200? Good lord, that race has sunk from the race of the year (years ago!!) to a really sad hand me down. There is no way in hell I would spend the time, money and energy to go watch these races. Even though, despite my criticism of AMA/DMG, the SBK races were great! I like Zemke and was glad he did well! I wish AMA/DMG well this year. Things change... and they certainly have!

[RED]

Well, for starters, you might ask the Nash's if they have any home movies of The Thunder Days?   

[RED]

How many folks were in the stands at the Daytona races? 100, maybe 200? Good lord, that race has sunk from the race of the year (years ago!!) to a really sad hand me down. Things change... and they certainly have!

I don't like the change either. I see changes in moto racing that point to the death knell. Without getting all philosophical it seems to come down to money and self indulgent promotion. If you go to a so-called 'biker' event now it's all about the shock and awe stunters. It's the skateboard mentality now on two wheels. Even the motocross events are suffereing from lack of attendance. Fans seem to want to see thing go wrong like someone falling down and getting all mangled up for life. They like to see everyday trucks with tires and suspensions on them that no one should drive on the road. It's the fantastic that captures dollars now a days.

So, how is it that in Europe the stands are full at F1 or WSBK events. Do they just 'get it' or are they slow to adopt the current state of entertainment direction in the U. S.? Heck, look at the Olypics now. X-Games now draws a tremendous crowd. It's the younger et that has created and heraled the change. Yes, change is good and needed to expand the sport beyond it's current configuration. It's needed for growth. I understand the concept. So, why isn't it applied to road racing? Is it not something everybody can relate to anymore? Rant off. Good Morning!  [moto]

[Cher]

Bonneville Salt Flats vs 24 Hours of Le Mans

NHRA vs World Rally Cars

Board Track vs Hill Climb

Differrent focus, different roots.  Road racing in the U.S. has never been popular; cars or motos <shrug>

[RED]

Then are we as folk an anomaly?

[fastwin]

Dare I say it? Maybe it's just a lack of good taste. Or maybe everyone is too busy texting!

[RED]

I'm texting at the moment   

[RED]

Good point though, I wish I could discuss this over lunch but...(see Margauex thread).

What is it about RR that draws us in and not many others? Personally it's the connection having to deal with the common man's means of transport vs. the wannabe desire to be the person on the track racing I can't get there so I watch RR. Hate the voyeur thing sometimes. That's why there are track days! Yeah!  [moto] 

[AndreRA3]

Crashes of WSBK & WSS phillip island...  Xaus' decision not to race seems wholly justified!

[fastwin]

Nice Yammyhammer video starring two of the nicest guys in bike racing!

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/road-racing/2010/03/07/eddie-and

[fastwin]

Just read a nice little K. Schwantz interview on cyclenews.com. What was really disappointing was his response when asked some questions about the Daytona SBK race. Mainly his description of what happened to John Hopkins on the M4 Suzuki. I know he had some sort of mechanical DNF in the first race, he pulled in after the first lap. It was legit. But in the second race he pulled in because he "thought" the shift level felt slippery. Before I read any further the same thought immediately hit me before I read Schwantz's words! Duh, pull in the pits, have your crew check it out, no oil on boot, no oil on motor or shift assembly, then boom... go back out! But no, he parks it behind pit wall like the first race. No evidence or confirmation of any problem, zero.  What's that word you're trying to convey when you hold your thumb and fore finger on one hand in the shape of an "L" and hold it up to your forehead? Yeah that's it: LOSER!!!! That's no way to win over your sponsor and crew. They pay him well (I assume) so does Monster and it costs a lot to field a team at Daytona... a lot. Poof, all out the window. I'll give him the first race DNF, but now I know why the second "DNF" has been so hush hush. So many good riders out there without rides. Pity...

[AndreRA3]

Pity about Hopkins. The guy might have crashed and hurt himself one too many times, and might be easily psyched out of races...

In other news, Gary McCoy will be back in MotoGP from Jerez!:

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/03/17/fb_corse_and_mccoy_to_compete_from_jerez.html

[GeorgeInDallas]

In the US, we are huge TV patrons.  If we develop a bond with a sport (e.g., bike races) on TV, we'll attend an event and buy a ticket.  But if the sport doesn't lend itself to regular, frequent advertising spots, sooner or later TV will drop it.  Less TV coverage => less visibility => fewer followers => fewer fans in the stands.  Sport bikes are a recent addition to our shores AND none of the contenders (bikes) are made in the U.S.

In Europe, they've had motos since the wheels were made of wood - it's become a cultural thing, like soccer and the Tour de France and Le Mans.  Europe is smaller and people can get around more easily, so they can physically attend more races.  TV is a late comer - and it's pretty crappy programming, too.

So-o-o, better attendance in Europe than in the U.S.

That's MY story, and I'm sticking to it.

G.

[RED]

Glad to see at least another Aussie riding in MGP.  The bike is really strange and secretive it seems. All I could come up with was that it is a 3 cylinder water cooled, dry clutch inside a jointed al-u-minee-um frame. Garry rode it yesterday in timing without electronics "so he could get a feel for the bike". This could be another MotoCysz effort if their not careful. I doubt that Sir Branson will let that happen though.
Hey, after all it IS Italy and stranger things have happened. If the MGP season doesn't get going soon I'll lost in F1 land! just sayin...