Grand Prix racing is falling on hard times
Kawasaki Officially Suspends MotoGP Effort
MotoGP Alice Out, Canepa to Onde 2000

But how bad can it get? Could it get Grapes of Wrath bad…
(cue corny dream sequence swipe)

“Over in World Superbike they got umbrella girls so purty they practically burn ya eyes out with sin,” says a grinning Colin Edwards, his lean features streaked with dirt.

Four riders gather round a campfire in a GP shanty town made up of dilapidated motorhomes. They contemplate their racing future.

“Shucks, I hear the World Superbike paddock’s so plum full of riders, they’s almost falling all ova theyselves,” agrees Nicky Hayden, scooping out a spoonful from a can of pork n’ beans. “Don’ hafta wash they own bikes neither.”

“Yes sir, its World Superbike for us… Get’s so’s a man can make no livin’ riding a damn GP bike,” says a dejected John Hopkins, kicking a stick further into the crackling fire.

“Butta dey only gotta Pirellis,” warns Valentino Rossi.

“They’s only got Bridgestones out here now! Remember what happened to them Michelin fellas,” cries Edwards. “Why I ain’t seen them fellas around a racetrack for a mighty long time.”

“S'pose your right… Reckon we’ll hafta pack up and head out to SBK ourselves one of these days,” admits Hayden.

“I been there before boys,” promises Edwards. “They’s championships for the takin’. So many teams and bikes they’s beggin’ fo’ riders. See this here handbill, say’s ‘Ducati privateers wanted.’ Now they wouldn’t go to all the trouble of printin’ out these here handbills if there warn’t no jobs for the takin’!”

The riders zip up their leathers to brace against the cold and huddle closer round the campfire, concerned faces sizing up each other. Then a faint murmuring comes from the ditch. They rush over.

“MotoGP riders are gods…” whispers the starving Clinica Mobile fixture, Dr. Costa, crumpled up on the ground.

“Cripes! Dr. Costa’s delirious and half frozen trying to help us down and out GP fellas,” says Hopper. “That seals it, I’m packin’ up and leaving in the morning.”

“Where you going Valentino?” asks his former teammate, Edwards.

“Where eva de rrrrida is widda outa de sponsorship, I’lla be dere. Where eva de rrrrida is lookin a fora de fulla racing grid, I’llaa be dere. Where eva the action onna de track is de best in de world, I’lla be dere.”