| Author | Message | ||
     Fresnobuell |
I see nothing in that article that states the riders voted on anything. If the riders had any say in the matter, Indy would be 86'ed for Laguna Seca in a heartbeat. | ||
| Simond |
Our coverage always quotes capacity as being 250k permanent seats but that the big races would attract 350-400k people. While every rider thought the circuit was massively improved for last year; the vast majority rate Indy as the worst track of the year - it's a much closer run contest with the Sachsenring now though  . Nicky Hayden, however, did a sterling job enthusing about the place on the track walk with Neil Hodgson on BT Sport in the UK. (Message edited by SimonD on August 12, 2015) | ||
| Pwnzor |
If the riders had any say in the matter, Indy would be 86'ed for Laguna Seca in a heartbeat. Source? the vast majority rate Indy as the worst track of the year - Source? | ||
| Simond |
The source would be the riders and commentary teams. Hodgson panned the place on his lap this year. Colin Edwards had nothing good to say about the surface and lack of camber. Several riders commented that while they quite enjoyed racing there after the changes it was still their least favourite track of the year. None, of course, will say this in official press interviews and I have deleted the coverage now so can only remember one or two specific riders but the theme was the same throughout. We probably get a lot more coverage here. Every session of all three classes plus interviews before during and after when riders are more relaxed and know that it is not the official MotoGp camera/microphone on them. There's also lots of secondhand information reported by the team about conversations that have taken place over the weekend off air. The commentators this year are Keith Huewen, Julian Ryder, Gavin Emmett, Colin Edwards, James Toseland and Neil Hodgson + a couple of other guys that cover the race day warm up. While the riders don't seem to enjoy the track, the commentary team clearly thought that it produced good racing and would be a loss if it were not on the calendar next year. | ||
| Jaimec |
...so YOU say. I can make the exact same comments to the contrary with just about the same credibility so it proves nothing without a source. Indianapolis is perfectly suited to hold the crowds as far as lodging, restaurants and traffic is concerned. The same can NOT be said about Laguna Seca. Although COTA got a lot of good press when they opened, you'll note they did NOT get the "GP of the Year" award last year... Indianapolis did. A friend who attended both races last year said he'd NEVER go back to Austin. The track was good, but the people working there didn't make him feel nearly as welcome as the staff in Indianapolis. Same for the people who lived and worked in the city. All three Moto races, plus the MotoAmerica races were nail-biters. You can't ask for better than that. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
My feeling is the award was given to Indy because they sunk money into improving the track? I wouldn't put too much credence into that "Award." Sure Indy has the facilities to host a GP but my point is based strictly on the racetrack, Laguna Seca has Austin and Indy beat easily. Shoe-horning a pancake-flat road race course into the middle of a super-speedway will NEVER hold a candle to a track literally cut into the side of a hill. My source--many years of attending every motorcycle event and talking with many racers. There is a certain reverence when it comes to Laguna Seca and it's sort of hard to explain to people who may have never had the experience of attending an event there. Less than a month ago, we were so lucky to go on a track walk with Chaz Davies (thanks Ducati!). We asked him what he thought about Laguna Seca versus other tracks. His answer was emotional and powerful as to how much he enjoyed the track...enough to get all of us listening (who obviously love the track as well) a bit misty eyed. All this while we were standing in the middle of turn 6..... We have have had similar conversations with many racers over the years, perhaps not as emotional as with Chaz, but for the most part Laguna Seca is special to virtually anyone that rides it. | ||
| Simond |
Jamie, I think you just agreed with me. Good for the spectators and the spectacle but not liked by the riders. I'm only repeating what I heard this weekend. Do you think I'm making it up? | ||
| Pwnzor |
Do you think I'm making it up? I doubt he's saying that. However, you're the source, and unless you're published somewhere besides BadWeB, how would we even know who you are? A lot of things here are said and taken at face value, but for you to say that "The source would be the riders and commentary teams", yet without so much as a link to anywhere it might be corroborated, it's just hearsay. I can see where anybody would want to ride Laguna Seca over just about any track in the circuit. However, I liken it to HBO cancelling Deadwood before it was finished. I'll never understand why that track was really deleted from the series... but it has been. So I'll just have to enjoy the races at other tracks for now. Doesn't mean I think Indy wouldn't be a good track to race on. You've mentioned "our coverage" of events, does that mean you're an author or reporter for some type of media outlet? (Message edited by pwnzor on August 12, 2015) | ||
| Jaimec |
So much for any stories of "Poor Attendance" at the event: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/more-on-the-at tendance-of-the-2015-red-bull-indianapolis-gp/ By the way, looking at those numbers, one wonders why they even bother with Qatar? If any event should be canceled, it should be that one! (Message edited by jaimec on August 12, 2015) | ||
| Pwnzor |
When I watch Qatar, I see a lot of guys in bed sheets walking around... big money. But I'm racist for saying that, right? | ||
| Jaimec |
Unless they're charging (and getting) a couple thousand dollars a ticket though, it doesn't add up. Even nearly bankrupt Spain draws more crowds to their races. | ||
| Pwnzor |
The impression I get from that crowd is, money is no object. They've really dressed up the place since it first opened, and it just seems like it's the sheiks and their families and/or friends in attendance. In the world of disposable Rolls Royce automobiles, they can do whatever they want. | ||
| Davegess |
Qatar is not about attendance. The country pays the bill so they appear on international TV as an important country holding a major sporting event. | ||
| Davegess |
And if we have to start having attribution for things we say are true on the internet I'm going back to the bar | ||
| Simond |
 .... I can find a link that tells me that Hero are wonderful and have bought EBR...... so it must be true...! | ||
| Jaimec |
I don't know how any event that draws only 19K can be considered a "Major Sporting Event." They probably get twenty times that many for a football (soccer) match (but then, that'd be true in almost ANY country but the US). | ||
| Davegess |
Motogp and F1 r major by definition. Qatar is a tiny country, hard to get to and has a lot of impediments to outside tourists so not many Europeans r going to show up. But motogp and f1 really only care that the promoter can pay the fee. If they pay the race continues. Qatar will pay pretty much any price; that's how they got the world cup | ||
| Jaimec |
I suppose. But by all accounts, the track in Argentina is even HARDER to get to (for the fans AND the teams), and they attract considerably more fans than Qatar. | ||
| Pwnzor |
OK, so Simond isn't answering any questions. | ||
| Davegess |
Likely but Qatar is really in the position where the number ticket buying people simply does not matter. It is a promotional deal for the kingdom not a money making deal for anyone but Dorna. | ||
| Simond |
Good grief! I'm talking about the UK coverage of MotoGP by BT Sport (that's British Telecommunication's sports channels). I watch the coverage and repeat what I have heard that seems to be relevant to the discussion. I've been here for a long time; I love Buells and bike racing and have no particular axe to grind about any brand, circuit or rider. If everything written here had to be backed by a published source then there would be very little content and the majority of it would be utter shite. | ||
| Jaimec |
BTW, I see that according to my link above, Indy outdrew COTA last year AND this year. If I were the bean counter in charge, and I had to cut one American round, it WOULDN'T be Indianapolis... Hell, for the past two years, Indianapolis outdrew MUGELLO! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I will give you a 5 minute reminder as to why Laguna is pure magic....worth watching. enjoy. I especially like Vale's look as the video ends. God I love motorcycles! | ||
| Jaimec |
Lorenzo fastest in FP1 from Marquez. Starting to feel a sense of Deja Vu... The Doctor down in sixth. | ||
| Jaimec |
Marquez fastest in FP2. Pedrosa pulls a "Pedrosa" on Rossi; both reportedly unhurt... | ||
| Jaimec |
Okay, that was a "Cheap Shot" above. Pedrosa didn't hit Rossi; Rossi fell in some fork oil that had leaked out of Dani's POS Honda. Figured I should point that out for accuracy. | ||
| Davegess |
And Dani went down on it and may have broken his heel. | ||
| Jaimec |
Heard he was fine, but it was a heel he'd injured before so THAT sucks...  http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/221959/1/pedrosa- in-pain-after-fork-oil-fall.html | ||
| Jaimec |
Lorenzo on the pole after smashing the lap record; Rossi in third and starts from Row 1 too. Good news for Lorenzo, bad news for Rossi: Lorenzo is once again demonstrating his relentless pace despite conditions causing others to crash. Spanner in the works: There is a good chance of rain tomorrow. | ||
| Smoke |
Rossi a distant 3rd behind Marquez following Lorenzo. 16 to go tim |
