Running on Fumes

Economic woes. Motorcycle sales down. Plant shutdowns and layoffs. Manufacturers cutting back racing support…

Don’t you hate it when the media gets stuck on the same downer story? Wouldn’t it be great if this blog entry were a refreshingly positive one?

Well, too bad because this maybe is the most depressing news so far, as our friends at MCN report that MotoGP crews are now flying economy class.

Oh, the humanity!

Actually, I’m being kind of serious here. Grand Prix teams travel constantly, thousands and thousands of miles every year. In fact, it would be, I’m sure, mind boggling to calculate the air miles traveled by GP’s most elder statesman, Loris Capirossi. A couple decades of Grand Prix racing and Capirex has burned more jet fuel than… I don’t know, it’s a lot of jet fuel.

Anyway, back to my point. MotoGP teams traveling economy class, that rough. Not because it’s not doable, flying economy class isn’t the end of the world. It’s that these folks know what they’re missing!

A couple years ago I’d have no sympathy, but that was before flying business class myself. BMW foot the bill for my ticket to Germany, my first, and most likely last, taste of business class decadence.

I don’t remember much, to be honest, just that an 11-hour flight can be completely enjoyable. There were warm towels, free drinks, warm blankets, all offered up by attractive Lufthansa flight attendants (pretty sure the lookers draw duty up at the front of the plane.) Oh and then there were the reclining seats… Reclining seats!

Well, keep your chin up MotoGP pit crews. I’m sure things will turnaround soon…Maybe 2012 or so. Until then, may your leg room be spacious and bathroom lines short.