VR gets on the soapbox -“Ban electonics.”

This excellent article appeared on superbikeplanet this morning, and I quote it in full, with acknowledgement.

“Outside of his motorhome last night at the Indianapolis MotoGP race, reigning world champion Valentino Rossi railed against electronic rider aides used in MotoGP. Rossi, in his signature machine-gun style of talking, said major steps need to be taken to curtail the control that the MotoGP’s ECU has over the machine.

“I think this is a big problem for MotoGP,” Rossi said, echoing statements made last week by Kenny Roberts Junior “because the races are very boring. So we lose our best card, especially compared to Formula One, because until 2006, with Michelin and Bridgestone, but 1000 engines, less electronics, f***, the races were unbelievable. So a lot, a lot of people stay (glued) with the television, because you know that for sure MotoGP will be a great excitement.”

“When Bridgestone arrive, 800 arrive, and this amount electronic arrive, make these race very, very boring. So is like sleeping, like with Formula One. So I hope that they have (this in mind). Not for next year, because for next year (the rules are) the same, but for 2012, when they have to make new rules for the 1000, take out some electronic, take out some anti-wheelie, take out some anti-spin.”

Rossi remains the most powerful voice in MotoGP racing and his opinions carry huge weight in Barcelona.

“The people want to see the bike that …wheelieing, make slide,” he said. “(Racing now) is like the remote control, no? The rider cannot make any more difference. On the last lap, if you have 1.5 second or two second, you remain with 1.5 or two second. Maybe you gain 0.5. But before, you gain 0.5 in two laps, when you are in a good shape with good setting. Now, is like everybody the same, because all the acceleration, all the anti-wheelie, is control from the bike.”

“So I hope for fix this problem …its not enough just (increase capacity to )1000. The problem is the electronic.”

Dean Adams.

Now Rossi has long been a critic of the shift to 800cc, but it is very interesting to see this position being so publically stated. Especially since he is going to Ducati which is acknowleged as the most difficult bike in the paddock to ride and the one that is most in need of electroncis to help tame its wild behaviour.