How long until BSB implodes?
Discussion
After all the idiocy of the sudden rule changes affecting Ducati's just before the Donington Park round there is some new rubbish being touted.
Is the series doomed under the "guidance" of Jonathon Palmer? He freely admits he knows stuff all about bikes, but then makes snap judgements about weight penalties. In cars I can understand it, but when have you heard something as daft as that in bike racing. For a start, where do you put it?
Now he's blathering on about banning the Dukes next year and having the series for 1000cc 4 cylinder machines only...............You what?
With the threat of legal action from Donington Park as the reckon they lost massive amounts of ticket sales due to the row, is the series in trouble?
All because of one stupid and blatantly ill thought out decision made by someone I thought understood what racing was about.
I hope this is a storm in a teacup, but once you start things like this, they tend to escalate quickly.
There are always rows in racing, but these seem to strike right at the heart if sport and could drive teams and manufacturers away and that is not exactly in the best interest of the sport.
Is the series doomed under the "guidance" of Jonathon Palmer? He freely admits he knows stuff all about bikes, but then makes snap judgements about weight penalties. In cars I can understand it, but when have you heard something as daft as that in bike racing. For a start, where do you put it?
Now he's blathering on about banning the Dukes next year and having the series for 1000cc 4 cylinder machines only...............You what?
With the threat of legal action from Donington Park as the reckon they lost massive amounts of ticket sales due to the row, is the series in trouble?
All because of one stupid and blatantly ill thought out decision made by someone I thought understood what racing was about.
I hope this is a storm in a teacup, but once you start things like this, they tend to escalate quickly.
There are always rows in racing, but these seem to strike right at the heart if sport and could drive teams and manufacturers away and that is not exactly in the best interest of the sport.
Edited by IforB on Thursday 29th May 17:52
Despite not running with the extra 10kg Byrne's double winning bike was only 5kg under the new minimum weight called for them. I think I heard they could match the new weight by running with more fuel, but they could also add the extra weight lower down in places to benefit the handling of the bike.
The main problem as I see it was not just the arbritray addition of weight, but the fact that it was done so close to a race weekend with no real justification. The Dukes are doing well, but that is more down to the fact that their main rivals have been riding like numpties, blowing up or crashing whilst Bryne has been consistent and kept the bike upright.
What is bugging me is that whilst the Duke does seem to be the best bike, instead of the other manufacturers improving their own products to catch up, the series organiser has simply imposed a penalty to try and even things up.
What is the point of development, when all that happens is that you get penalised for it?
This is the sort of meddling that has caused F1 to turn from the peak of technology into an expensive farce.
What is bugging me is that whilst the Duke does seem to be the best bike, instead of the other manufacturers improving their own products to catch up, the series organiser has simply imposed a penalty to try and even things up.
What is the point of development, when all that happens is that you get penalised for it?
This is the sort of meddling that has caused F1 to turn from the peak of technology into an expensive farce.
IforB said:
What is bugging me is that whilst the Duke does seem to be the best bike, instead of the other manufacturers improving their own products to catch up, the series organiser has simply imposed a penalty to try and even things up.
'lowest common denominator' policies borrowed from nu-labour, I'm sure the I4 jap bikes are more than capable, with the right rider but in todays 'prizes-for-all' society we have to be fair....Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff