I agree with Stoner

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Originally Posted by CraigE

Terry,
I prefer WSBK anyway as they have at least some resemblance of bikes you can buy.
As for the number 1 plate that is pretty much rubbish, we all know who is the current champion and the number 1 is just a formality. Under most motor sport regs you do not have to display the number 1. Many many motor sport champions have kept their normal racing number as it has more benefit with no detriment.

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Re the Number one plate not being important ...said like a true enthusiast who only looks at the sport from the inside out. Rather then from the perspective of a prospective convert looking at the sport from the outside in.

To grow or even maintain a following in any sport you need to attract new viewers and followers as people move on.

No sport has a serious future without being on TV as without it there are no sponsors and hardly no one gets to see the action no matter how good it is.

TV is everything in sport and retaining and attracting new viewers is the goal that has to be acheived for any chance of growth or continued success of the series. The more viewers the larger the potential sponsorship as any televised motorsport is just another form of advertising for most vehicle manufacturers and product suppliers.

I newbie watching racing for the first time on TV can't see who is the champion or who finished in the top ten without those bikes carrying the previous years top ten finishing order. In motorcycle racing in many championships they have taken the easy option of trying to build the sport based on personality rather then the actual competition itself.

This is extremely short sighted and when Rossi and his famous racing number leaves the MotoGP championship the series will be in serious trouble. That is unless Rossi spends a couple of seasons getting beaten and the number one plate once again has its status built back up again.

cheers,
Terry

I could have it wrong, Ron, my comment was based on a few comments I think I recall Barry saying during a telecast.

He had a lot of time for KRjnr, as he saw him a lot as young Kenny was growing up and I think he said he was nicer person than his old man.

Memory isn't quite what it used to be though :D

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Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

"On power delivery - "When I first rode the Honda we used the other guys settings during the first exits and for me the engine was way too dull, too smooth. It would just slowly come on, so we reduced that over the next runs, then we went too far and the thing was really aggressive, so we whacked it back one step and we've been happy with it since."

This is similar to Doohan going with the Big Bang engine,,
they all (the rest) had to try it to keep up,, but not many could master it,,:cool::cool::cool:

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I thought it was the screamer that came on in a rush ?
The Big Bang has a softer power delivery ?
Or have I got it arse about ?

If anyone is interested there is some brilliant graphics on another forum showing the different crank throws for the current generation of engines when they are configured for either a Screamer or Big Bang configuration.

Apparently the 500cc riders (and I assume the current lot) took to helicopter flying like ducks to water as they had unbelievable control of the cyclic (I think) whereas Joe Public really struggled for the feel.

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Originally Posted by p38arover

I've just finished watching the 1989 race and during it Freddie Spencer dropped his bike. The marshals helped him up then walked away even though he was asking for a push.

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Was that still in the era of no outside assistance for starting ?
Can't remember, Ron.

My opinion is that the marshals are there to help remove the bikes and riders from danger, not to assist re-starting and if you are a racer don't expect them to.

Someone above mentioned 'just' adding a starter.
If it was written into the rules they would, but it would take a complete re-design of the crankcase to incorporate it, adding a larger battery somewhere and obviously be a bit of a nightmare (initially) in packaging it, not to mention the extra quite a few kg's (racers hate that)

It would increase costs (not that it would really be noticed in Honda's budget for example) but could be argued as need on safety grounds.

Having said that, a highly tuned race engine that's stinking hot and just been dropped and stalled could be a mongrel to start and it may not happen anyway.

can you imagine the sponsors turning up for a photoshoot after they PAID this team to win them a World Championship,,

and the bike has 46 on it????

Rossi must have a lot of clout,,,


You only have a personel number if you are uncompetitive,,,
and,
competitive teams only care about ONE number.


Hey Rick,,
it might interest you to know our engine management system has a rollover
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dont ask me how I know this,,,

Come on really?? Does not matter what form of racing it is, if not within the first 5 minutes of watching any broadcast, at least by the end of one race you would know who the championship leader is or who was last years winner. The #1 only really lets you know who the reigning champion is from the previous year. Most have some indication on their vehicles that they are the current champion, though it may not be the #1.
There are many variations of motor sport where the champion is not given a number 1 plate at all.
Anyone that has an interest in any of the disciplines will always do their homework a bit. As for the novice viewer, well they are usually only passing and fleeting supporters of any sport.
But hey if thats what it takes to get people interested, well who am I to judge.
:D:D

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Originally Posted by TerryO

Re the Number one plate not being important ...said like a true enthusiast who only looks at the sport from the inside out. Rather then from the perspective of a prospective convert looking at the sport from the outside in.

To grow or even maintain a following in any sport you need to attract new viewers and followers as people move on.

No sport has a serious future without being on TV as without it there are no sponsors and hardly no one gets to see the action no matter how good it is.

TV is everything in sport and retaining and attracting new viewers is the goal that has to be acheived for any chance of growth or continued success of the series. The more viewers the larger the potential sponsorship as any televised motorsport is just another form of advertising for most vehicle manufacturers and product suppliers.

I newbie watching racing for the first time on TV can't see who is the champion or who finished in the top ten without those bikes carrying the previous years top ten finishing order. In motorcycle racing in many championships they have taken the easy option of trying to build the sport based on personality rather then the actual competition itself.

This is extremely short sighted and when Rossi and his famous racing number leaves the MotoGP championship the series will be in serious trouble. That is unless Rossi spends a couple of seasons getting beaten and the number one plate once again has its status built back up again.

cheers,
Terry

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