Running on Fumes

Rob - Racing in a poor economy  January 20, 2009 04:12 AM
The question should be for MotoGP as a sport and business platform, is it practical and are all participants willing or are able to continue to shell out huge sums of money money that is in short supply or simply doesn't exist. MotoGP is like F1, an exclusive club for the rich with plenty of excesses, lavishness and what makes it worse is the lack of consistent close competition that is really what makes racing entertaining and worth the purchase to watch and support it. Ultimately the factories, sponsors, fans and the economy must be considered. WSBK on the other hand has something for everyone even in todays market conditions with very exciting close competition on circuits from around the world to race on, lot's of talented riders and motorcycles that fans can relate too within more reasonable costs and realistic budgets. Combine that with good racing organization and you have a great show for everyone involved. On the other side of the pond the AMA unfortunately is a failed organization as far as road racing is concerned and I highly doubt that by allowing NASCAR ownership take over the promotion will change two wheeled racing for the better. WSBK is the last refuge for the "super" sportbike to really strut it's stuff IMHO. In uncertain times all the racing participants and organizations need to get back to the basics and stop throwing large amounts of monetary excess's around in expenditures with ridiculous budgets to the top riders and teams. There needs to be major changes in how these teams are managed if everyone wants to continue to survive. Heck I as a racer would race for room and board and the factory teams and sponsors are throwing money at the riders like it was never going to run out. Instead of the factories dropping out and the racing fans losing important players in competition let all who are involved get involved in making changes. Everyone needs to make sacrifices otherwise you can all consider racing a no win situation and a lost but not forgotten sport.

1bigdawg - Moto GP vs. WSB  January 17, 2009 04:35 PM
I think that Dorna's move of 600cc four strokes into the 250 2-stroke slot is the beginning of MotoGP's demise. Once everyone accepts that the move to WSB bikes for the main show will be much easier to sell than without the 600cc stepping stone. With the present global economic environment there has to be some give in the racing world; Honda has established themselves as the leader dropping out of F-1 and AMA. Honda saw it's first financial loss for a quarter since the company began in 1946. Sponsors are not going to have the money to spend and there will be fewer sponsors.

KT - Moto GP vs. WSB  January 15, 2009 02:03 PM
I recently starting watching motorcycle racing during the 2008 Season. WSB just seem to be more exciting than the MotoGP races. Rossi and Stoner kept MotoGP interesting, but it just felt like the competition was better in WSB. As a bonus, it should be fun to watch Ben Spies compete against comparable talent. and can the Speed Channel Pleeeeeeeeeease go High Definition!!! DANG!