In some cases, yes. A bigger pay packet would be nice, a bigger yard would give me some more space and a bigger TV would make watching motorsports more enjoyable. But, bigger is NOT always better and I could multiply examples. Instead, let’s cut to the chase.
Is increasing the grid size in MotoGP going to make it better?
Well, it certainly can’t make it any worse. The current situation of 15 bikes on the grid due to various injuries, etc, is unsustainable. Despite news reports overnight that Valentino Rossi hopes to be back racing at Brno in August (skipping the German and US rounds that were causing Jeremy Burgess some concern the other night), his return, if it happens then, will still only bring the grid back to the 17 bikes that it has been for the last few years.
“But look at the success of Moto2,” DORNA must be thinking, “Huge grids, close racing, isn’t that what the fans want?”
Yes, it is, but the grids are big because it’s cheap (relatively) to enter and most of the competitors are 125cc class graduates or 250cc class alumni, both of which classes never struggle(d) to fill a grid. And Moto2 is SLOW. Yes, the racing’s good, but the bikes are barely beating lap times set by the 125’s at the moment. Given time and some finessing of the technical regulations it will be a good class, but it’s certainly no justification for opening the doors at the top level and dragging in anybody who wants to enter.
The warning signs for DORNA should be clear. Formula 1 this year has seen a sudden influx of new teams, supposedly running identical machinery with the big players. The grid is full again after becoming increasingly sparsely populated due to costs. BUT, has it improved the racing? No, it hasn’t. If anything it has detracted from the spectacle with boringly slow cars filling the bottom half of the grid, being driven by no-name drivers and causing all sorts of mayhem and destruction along the way. And, in the mean time, the main players streak off into the distance leaving only the contrivance of mandated pit stops to keep the field anywhere close together.
Is bigger better? In this case, I don’t think so. What is needed is more FACTORY support to increase the grid by adding top class bikes. But since they are all stretched almost to brealing point by the GFC, I can’t see that happening any time soon. Any contrived attempt to boost the spectacle by simply flooding the grid with production-based bikes with no pedigree is going to result in the same situation we are currently seeing in F1.
That’s my 2c’s worth, anyway.
And, in some great news, Australia’s Joshua Brookes took 2 second placings behind his team-mate Riyuichi Kyonari at the Mallory Park round of the BSB on the weekend.
gearsau says
Phil,
Unless I am reading the official DORNA results incorrectly, the 125 CC race at ASSEN took 41 minutes 36.146 seconds and the race was run over 23 laps
The MOTO2 race took 40 minutes 00.383 seconds, and was run over 24 laps. So, the MOTO2 race was 1 minute 36 seconds faster,and also a lap longer. Lap times around 1 minute 40 seconds. So, in effect, if the MOTO2 race was run over 23 lasp, the race time would have been almost 3 minutes 20 seconds faster .
I think that Phillip Morris should stop throwing 15,000,000 reasons at ROSSI, and spread that money around. I would be happy with 1,000,000 of that 🙂
Really, MOTOGP has put too much emphasis on ROSSI to the detriment of the sport.
Its short term gain, but, long time loss.
If they had a more sensible calendar, with perhaps a 2 week break between races in Europe, the riders may also get a chance to recover from any injuries. As it is now, its walking wounded, and it will get worse.
STONER took 8 weeks off and missed three (3) races. In this crazy period that we are in now, 2 months covers 6 or 7 races.
All the best from cold Melbourne.. Peter
Phil Hall says
Thanks for pointing that out. You are, of course, correct. What I MEANT to say was that the Moto2 bikes are slower than the 250’s (at least that’s what I read). Yes, the preoccupation with Rossi has to be unhealthy for the sport. I mean, even cycling continued when Armstrong retired!!! 🙂
As far as the calendar is concerned, I agree. I know that WSBK got a Summer break in the middle of the season. And MotoGP should have had one too, but the juggled the calendar when the Hungarian round was canned didn’t they? Nothing must come between DORNA and making money, it seems.
It’s pretty cold here, too, Peter; 8 degrees when I was driving home at 1630.
gearsau says
Phil,
Yes, everyone was saying that the MOTOGP2 were slower, but, as they say, figures dont lie.
I realize that for this year, the ASSEN track has been slightly modified, but, here are race times from this years MOTO2 and last years 250cc race.
1: Andrea IANNONE ITA Fimmco Speed Up Speed Up 163.5 40’00.383 ( 2010 RACE)
2: Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN Scot Racing Team 250cc Honda 161.0 40’44.008 ( 2009 RACE)
Its also interesting to note, that, in this years race IANNONE won by 4.492 seconds, and in the 2009 Race, AOYAMA won by 4.424 seconds.
All figures from http://www.motogp.com
I don’t like the way that MOTOGP.com wants a subscription, even to see an video interview with a rider,but,at least, for statistics, it certainly has the information there.
I found this information the other day,when a friend of mine Mike Esdaile(ex REVS) was talking about laps times and race times with the new MOTO2. Everyone thought they were slower, but, as you can see, they are faster.
I never used to watch the 250cc races, but, I definitely watch the MOTO2 races now.
All the best from still cold Melbourne
Peter http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038924&id=1239983560&l=a4420843ab
Phil Hall says
Fascinating stats, thanks. Mike Esdaile, eh? Now there’s blast from the past. I believe that he’s just finished a gig co-authoring Graeme Crosby’s official autobiography. Now THAT will be a book that’s well worth buying and reading (or borrowing a friend’s copy). I love the smaller classes in GP racing. The racing is always so tight and firecely contested. Besides, I like playing “spot the next big thing” as well. I don’t inhabit motogp.com much, there are plenty of other places where you can get the info without being plagued about subscribing all the time. To be fair, though, they probably have millions of hits per week, it must cost them a bomb to maintain the service. Give my regards to Mike next time you talk to him, eh? I’d like to do a “Where are they now?” feature on him; that would be good.
gearsau says
Phil,
I used to shoot for REVS back in the late 1980’s and early 90’s. Still keep in touch with Mike,and should be shooting for him this year at P.I in October.
My email is Gearsau@gmail.com.
Shoot me a note, and I will send you Mike’s address if you want.
Phil Hall says
I will do that, thanks. Gee, for all I know, we could have stood next to each other trackside back then. I used to freelance photogrpah back then. Got to know Greg McBean and Rob Lewis and a few of the other photogs pretty well. I’d love to know if Mike still has a copy of the Kenny Blake memorial issue of REVS.
gearsau says
Phil,
I met Greg McBean a few times. I got to know John( Zen) Lapka quite well, and we keep in contact every couple of weeks. He is living in Blaney now.
Maybe you know Bill Forsyth as well.
On another note, I see Melandri is hoping to be back for Balcelona this weekend. Talk about the walking wounded . http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/8775787.stm
Phil Hall says
Peter, Greg was a real artist, in my opinion. Not only did he take great photos but he did so with a creative flair that not all of his contemporaries possessed. It was no surprise to me that he eased out of motorcycle racing photography and made a name for himself doing salon shots for the really expensive glossy magazines.
Yes, I saw the thing about Melandri. He’s certainly a hard man isn’t he? Even if he does ride, it surely will be only to fly the flag for the team???