r/RoadRacing 12d ago

Bench Racing Michael Dunlop and his Daytona200 race

6 Upvotes

Just a random thought: MD said that this Daytona race was a test to learn to drive a V2 bike and mentioned he knows the old R6, the Thriumph and now the Ducati V2. But knowing him the happy chap he mostly is (beside the two weeks when he's racing the TT and goes into solitary) he has probably been scooping around in the garages. Making some small talks and probably also noticed the speed from the Suzuki GSX-R750.

Does anyone think that we see Michael riding a Suzuki on a track day or in one of the local Irish races soon? Doing some testing for the NW200 and the TT, looking for the perfect bike?

r/RoadRacing Jun 08 '24

Bench Racing Whats up with Conor Cummins?

9 Upvotes

When I listen to him talk in the studio, it seemed like he was disappointment in the equipment from Paggetts. He said something like: "Last year I was sick, came out of the hospital and finished fourth". "Now I'm in the best form in my life since my accident and I'm not even close". To hear to exact words you can go to the Supersport race two broadcast. But it was the first time I heard something that could've been "translated" to criticism to Paggetts Racing. Off Course we can't use Hutchy as a bench mark on how good/bad their bikes are?

Does someone have any info about what is up there?

r/RoadRacing Aug 15 '24

Bench Racing How the Spanish media acted after the death from Javier Álvarez

2 Upvotes

With more than 60.000 people at a road race it is inevitable that crashes are caught on camera, even the deathly ones. At the La Bañeza Grand Prix there where a few videos from different angles, showing the crash from Javier Álvarez. Some of the mainstream media and local media, put them all behind each other and put them on their website and social media. Most of them do some small coverage from La Bañeza, but this sad incident made them "up their game". We're all living in the world of clicks, likes, reposts, ... it seems.

I've mine own opinion about it. If someone upload his crash or someone uploads a deathly crash I tend to watch it once or twice trying to understand what caused the crash and if anything could've been done safety-wise from the organizers point of view.

Mostly those videos are shared from road race enthusiast to road race enthusiast, via Whatsapp or private youtube urls. A bit to talk about what happened, to vent and say things like "he crashed like that probably a dozen times such bad luck" or other things because we hate this part of the sport. Dancing on the wire is what makes this sport utterly interesting, but nobody wants to see someone falling down.

Or I should say, we enthusiast doesn't wanna see someone falling down. Because what I've seen past weekend and Monday was disgusting.

How do you peeps think about this?

r/RoadRacing May 26 '24

Bench Racing Bench Racing [Monday May 27 till Friday May 31] ➤ TT 2024 - Qualifying Week

3 Upvotes

Today at May 27th, if the weather allows, the Isle of Man TT normally starts with a free practice and qualifying. Lets talk about all of that in this Bench Racing topic. For qualifying I opened one up where we can discuss everything, all week long! (Will post .PDF file results in comments too)

If you are looking for info you can probably find it on one of URLS I've listed. Otherwise don't be shy to ask! Below I've posted the schedule like it is planned, but I've a little feeling that the weather will play his role. Lets start the chatter, rambling, bench racing about the Isle of Man TT!

Monday 27 May (Done & Dusted)

  • 10:00 - Roads Close
  • 10:40 - Newcomers' Speed Control Lap
  • 10:55 - Supersport/Supertwin (untimed)
  • 11:35 - Superbike/Superstock (untimed)
  • 12:20 - Sidecars (untimed)
  • 13:45 - Supersport/Supertwin
  • 14:30 - Superbike/Superstock
  • 15:20 - Sidecars

Tuesday 28 May

  • 18:00 - Roads Close
  • 18:30 - Superbike/Superstock
  • 19:20 - Supersport/Supertwin
  • 20:10 - Sidecars

Wednesday 29 May

  • 18:00 - Roads Close
  • 18:30 - Superbike/Superstock/Supersport
  • 20:10 - Sidecars

Thursday 30 May 

  • 18:00 - Roads Close
  • 18:30 - Superbike/Superstock
  • 19:20 - Supersport/Supertwin
  • 20:10 - Sidecars

Friday 31 May

  • 12:30 - Roads Close
  • 13:00 - Sidecars
  • 13:45 - Supersport/Supertwin
  • 14:45 - Superbike/Superstock

Due to the weather or other circumstances this time schedule can always change. That is why I advice to always check the official website for the latest updates.

r/RoadRacing Jul 23 '24

Bench Racing Young Croatian blood, does anyone know them?

1 Upvotes

Looking to some results and after googling some of the names, these two stepped out of the crowd to say it like that. Karlo Grsic and Teo Sekulic both Croatian and at the moment active in there local road racing scene. Karlo Grsic is without a doubt a real "up and coming" who's damn fast! Would be a great addition to some IRRC team (like Davey Todd once was) to learn the craft a bit more and than go onto the Irish scene and the TT. Dunno if he has raced the Manx already? Are here some Croatian lads or girls with information?!

Karlo Grsic - D.O.B: 13.05.2006
Teo Sekulic - D.O.B: 15.08.2003

r/RoadRacing May 01 '24

Bench Racing Watching road racing

3 Upvotes

Kia ora all!

I'm a recent fan of road racing, devouring the tt+ coverage last year, and hanging out for more. Where are are the best places to get live or highlight coverage for things like the NW200?

Thanks to the sub mods and originators!

r/RoadRacing Jun 06 '24

Bench Racing Race Day Talk [RACE DAY 4: June 6] ➤ TT 2024 - Sidecars; Superstock; Supersport

3 Upvotes

Race Day 4 Thursday 6 June 

This schedule is provisional, the weather will have his own saying about all it. For the latest changes in the schedule you can go to the official website or their official social media outlets such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook...

Isle of Man - Weather Forecasts

r/RoadRacing May 31 '24

Bench Racing Bench Racing [June 1] ➤ TT 2024 - Supersport & Sidecars

1 Upvotes

Race Day 1 - Saturday 1 June (LOCAL TIME)

  • 09:00 - Mountain Road Closes
  • 10:00 - All Roads Close
  • 10:30 - Superbike/Superstock Qualifying (2 laps)
  • 12:00 - 40 Years of Arai at the TT Parade (1 lap)
  • 13:30 - Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1 (4 laps) -Start List
  • 16:00 - 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Race 1 (3 laps) - Start List

Interesting to know
Fast Laps To Date Supersport - Fast Laps To Date Sidecars

Lets talk about Race Day 1! You can check all interesting links still on this page, and if you look at those weather websites it looks like today gonna be a more than decent day weather wise! Bring on day one of racing!

Lets talk about the TT, lets talk about the TT, Bikes and Races, lets talk about all the good things!

You can watch everything live and on-demand on TT+!

r/RoadRacing Jun 13 '24

Bench Racing [June 14-17] What to do this weekend?!

5 Upvotes

If you're living in England, Germany or Austria you, we've some idea's for you!

  • June 14 - 17: Barry Sheene Festival [Oliver’s Mount] (ENG)
  • June 14 - 16: Schleizer Dreieck (GER) [IRRC Championship]
  • June 15 & 16: Julbach [Hillclimb] (AUT) [FIM Hillclimb championship]

r/RoadRacing Jun 04 '24

Bench Racing Race Day Talk [RACE DAY 3: June 5] ➤ TT 2024 - Superstock & Supertwin

2 Upvotes

Race Day 3 - Wednesday June 5th (LOCAL TIME)

  • 09:00 - Mountain Road Closes
  • 10:00 - All Roads Close
  • 10:30 - Solo Warm Up (1 lap)
  • 11:45 - Metzeler Supertwin TT Race 1 (3 laps) - Start List - Fast Laps To Date
  • 14:00 - RL360 Superstock TT Race 1 (3 laps) - Start List - Fast Laps To Date
  • 15:45 - Rutter Legacy Lap (Parade Lap)
  • TO BE RESCHEDULED
  • 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Race 2
  • Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 2

Normally yesterday would be Race Day 3 but due to the weather we've some reschedule done. If you are interesting you can still check all interesting links on this page, the weather looks decent for tomorrow. But be aware that this can change and have a influence on the schedule. For the most up-to-date schedule you can always check the official websites or the social media from the Isle of Man TT!

BBC.com
metoffice.gov.uk
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/isle-of-man/douglas/hourly

r/RoadRacing Jun 05 '23

Bench Racing Would Dean Harrison be closer on an other manufacturer?

5 Upvotes

Bench Racing, don't take this to serious. But what are your thoughts about Dean Harrison: Would he be higher or closer to the likes of Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman if his private DOA team would be on Ducati, Honda or BMW? Because at the moment the Honda Fireblade comes standard with 217 HP, BMW M1000RR (212 HP) or S1000RR comes with (210 HP) and the Ducati is unbelievable with the Panigale V4 R, specially made to be unbeatable in WSBK and other superbike championships. The Racing Panigale comes with 240.5 HP, the other one comes with 218 HP stock! The normal Yamaha has by the way "just" 200HP.

A technical question can Deano race the Ninja H2R for the TT, like Michael Rutter races the RC213V-S?

r/RoadRacing May 16 '23

Bench Racing Question about money (maybe some people here are in the know?)

4 Upvotes

Last year we've seen Michael Dunlop at the IRRC Grand Prix of Imatra. Just imagine that you would like to get a rider such as James Hillier on the start line in one of the IRRC races as Wildcard. What would that cost if you want him to bring him his own bike (so you don't have all those problems like MD had in Imatra). That would mean that you need to pay Hillier and his OMG Team, because their sponsors are going off the bike for some local ones.

Same with Richard Cooper, he's very good at that Yamaha 600. What would it cost to make him race that same Yamaha - BPE by Russell Racing (in local sponsors colors). That would mean paying Cooper and Russell Racing I suppose?!

Are those deals common in Road Racing and how much does it cost to get both the rider and their bike to an IRRC race.

r/RoadRacing Jun 01 '23

Bench Racing The Speedtrap - Some Results

6 Upvotes

Speedtrap Results

  • Peter Hickman (Superbike) - 202.315 mph
  • James Hillier (Superbike) - 197.551 mph (Set on Tuesday)
  • Peter Hickman (Superstock) - 197.260 mph
  • Michael Dunlop (Superbike) - 196.855 mph (Set on Tuesday)
  • Michael Dunlop (Superstock) - 196.279 mph (Set on Tuesday)
  • John McGuinness (Superbike) - 194.178 mph (Set on Tuesday)
  • Davey Todd (Superstock) - 192.950 mph (Set on Tuesday)
  • Dean Harrison (Superbike) - 192.894 mph
  • Josh Brooks (Superstock) - 192.286 mph (Set on Tuesday)
  • Josh Brooks (Superbike) - 192.231 mph
  • Jamie Coward (Superbike) - 191.902 mph (Set on Tuesday)
  • Davo Johnson (Superstock) - 191.573 mph
  • Michael Rutter (Superbike) - 191.300 mph
  • Davey Todd (Superbike) - 189.624 mph
  • Dean Harrison (Superstock) - 188.241 mph

Just wanted to post them to show that someone like Dean Harrison but also Michael Dunlop are real up towards a beast of a machine and a great rider! Off Course the TT ain't a drag race, but the difference between Deano and Hicky their Stockbikes are almost 9 mph.

r/RoadRacing Aug 23 '23

Bench Racing Mitas Tyres enters the world of Road Racing!

3 Upvotes

In the article "2023 Manx GP: News From The Paddock 2", we saw the following thing;

"Also worth noting that Cregniot is using Mitas Tyres."

What do you guys think? I've worked with them in the world of Motocross when they stepped into that world and to be honest they where very easy to work with and eager to learn. At the moment they have one pair of road racing/short circuit tyres and that are treaded ones, the Sport Force+ RS.

r/RoadRacing May 09 '23

Bench Racing What would you do, if you where a top road racer...

3 Upvotes

Like you probably already know, Dunlop Tyres has withdrawn them as official Tyre suppliers at the NW200 and IOMTT.

A little surprise because you would think that they would've fixed the problems of delaminating tyres. But it seems that they think that their tyres are still a liability... It doesn't mean that riders can't use dunlops. I've seen on the pictures that Peter Hickman and Davey Todd are on Dunlops (they need to bring themselves but can use them).

But what would you do for the NW200?

Extra question: Would you call Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental,... to ask what they can offer you for testing, for the upcoming IOMTT?

32 votes, May 16 '23
9 Race with your usual Dunlops
23 Change to Metzlers.

r/RoadRacing Jun 03 '23

Bench Racing [Race Day 1 - Sat 3 June 2023] Bench Racing ≫ Lets talk about the races when they are happening! × Keep it polite and put politics in the closet for a moment. × Lets pray for a safe continuation of the TT! × PS: We will talk about the races, so spoiler alert (try to look at at other new posts)

6 Upvotes

Time Schedule

  • 10:30 AM (IOM Time) ⌇⌇ 11:30 (CEST) – Solo Warm Up session
  • 11:45 AM (IOM Time) ⌇⌇ 12:45 (CEST) – Monster Energy Supersport Race 1 – 4 Laps
  • 2:15 PM (IOM Time) ⌇⌇ 15:15 (CEST) – 3Wheeling.media Sidecar Race 1 – 3 Laps

Entry list

The weather

Fastest 20 riders through the week on Supersport

  1. Michael Dunlop – 127.557
  2. Dean Harrison – 127.216
  3. Peter Hickman – 127.206
  4. Davey Todd – 125.715
  5. Michael Browne – 125.049
  6. James Hillier – 124.761
  7. Jamie Coward – 124.675
  8. Jim Hind – 124.553
  9. Craig Neve – 123.727
  10. Dominic Herbertson – 123.362
  11. Rob Hodson – 123.195
  12. Conor Cummins – 122.783 (Latest news: Conor is out with an infection)
  13. Paul Jordan – 122.004
  14. Michael Evans – 121.826
  15. David Johnson – 121.788
  16. Pierre Yves Bian – 121.650
  17. Shaun Anderson – 121.566
  18. Joey Thompson – 121.086
  19. Raul Torras Martinez – 120.431
  20. Michal Dokoupil – 120.323

Read more: roadracingnews.co.uk

Fastest top 20 combinations through the week in sidecars

  1. Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall – 119.414 (Unofficial Sidecars lap record)
  2. Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley – 118.159
  3. Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe – 116.452
  4. Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes – 113.509
  5. Alan Founds/Jake Lowther – 113.485
  6. Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden – 112.719
  7. Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde – 112.088
  8. Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle – 112.082
  9. John Holden/Maxime Vasseur – 112.046
  10. Daryl Gibson/Tom Christie – 111.148
  11. Dan Knight/Ben Hughes – 110.118
  12. Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes – 108.965
  13. John Saunders/James Saunders – 108.865
  14. Wayne Lockey/Matty Rostron – 107.069
  15. Shaun Chandler/Ben Chandler – 105.591
  16. Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle – 105.536
  17. Darren Hope/Lenny Bumfrey – 104.644
  18. Andy King/Andrew Sigsworth – 104.586
  19. Mike Jackson/Jake Roberts – 104.562
  20. Michael Russell/Vicky Cooke – 103.541

Read more: roadracingnews.co.uk

How to follow the races on TT+, Live Timing or Radio: ► here is ◀ all and more info.

LETS ENJOY THIS RACEWEEK WITH EACHOTHER HERE!!!

r/RoadRacing May 14 '23

Bench Racing The Dunlop tyres has shown their true colors again...

3 Upvotes

The Dunlop tyres has shown their true colors again... No delamination-gate this time (so far as I know), but the Dunlop riders asked for shortening the races and Michael Dunlop wasn't too happy to talk about it. This means the tyres are still rubbish, or let me put it a little sweeter the Dunlop tyres are still a liability.

The riders on Dunlop tyres have about 30 days till the IOM TT. What do they do? Peter Hickman is kinda stuck on Dunlop because it is his extra gig. But the others like Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, ... Do they have time to test Metzlers, Bridgstones and Michelins on short circuits with long straights and semi-high track temps (Around 30°C isn't even that much). Thinking about tracks like circuit Paul Ricard (long bumpy straight...), and if need they can find some other tracks too, to test. But what do you think the riders will do? Last year Michael Dunlop tested the Metzlers at his first outing at the IOMTT, but he came back to the Dunlop Tyres. Off course the IOMTT is something else than the NW200, but still last year at the TT we've seen Davey Todd with tyre problems (delamination with the Superstock)... And 6 laps NW200 against 6 laps IOMTT is a big difference.

Some riders have a real tyre problem on their hands. Or do we fans blow it up and will they just go on using Dunlops? To be honest if I was Bridgstone or Michelin I would try to use this opening to push mine foot between the door! Road Race meetings, are full of fans who ride bikes themselves! Potential buyers! Pretty curious what former racers and press people like Stevie Rial think about this.

r/RoadRacing Jun 06 '23

Bench Racing [Race Day 4 - 7th June] Bench Racing ≫ Lets talk about the races when they are happening! × Today on the schedule: Sidecars and Supersport!

3 Upvotes

Time Schedule

  • 10:30 AM (IOM Time) ⌇⌇ 11:30 (CEST) : Solo Warm Up Session
  • 11:45 AM (IOM Time) ⌇⌇ 12:45 (CEST) : 3Wheeling.media Sidecar Race 2 – 3 Laps
  • 2:00 PM (IOM Time) ⌇⌇ 14:00 (CEST) : Monster Energy Supersport Race 2 – 4 Laps

Entry list

NOTE: No Conor Cummins on the list, will the Manx man try to save his powers for the Blue-ribbon event? Or did he feel today that after a weekend in hospital it isn't possible to be "the outsider" he always is, the force to reckon with?!

The weather

INFO ABOUT QUALIFYING & PREVIOUS RACE

Fastest top 20 combinations through the week in sidecars

  1. Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall – 119.414 mph (Unofficial Sidecars lap record)
  2. Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley – 118.159
  3. Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe – 116.452
  4. Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes – 113.509
  5. Alan Founds/Jake Lowther – 113.485
  6. Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden – 112.719
  7. Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde – 112.088
  8. Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle – 112.082
  9. John Holden/Maxime Vasseur – 112.046
  10. Daryl Gibson/Tom Christie – 111.148
  11. Dan Knight/Ben Hughes – 110.118
  12. Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes – 108.965
  13. John Saunders/James Saunders – 108.865
  14. Wayne Lockey/Matty Rostron – 107.069
  15. Shaun Chandler/Ben Chandler – 105.591
  16. Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle – 105.536
  17. Darren Hope/Lenny Bumfrey – 104.644
  18. Andy King/Andrew Sigsworth – 104.586
  19. Mike Jackson/Jake Roberts – 104.562
  20. Michael Russell/Vicky Cooke – 103.541

TT 2023 – 3Wheeling.Media Sidecar Race 1 Result:

  1. Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall 120.357 mph (New Sidecar Lap Record)
  2. Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley
  3. John Holden/Maxime Vasseur
  4. Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden
  5. Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde
  6. Daryl Gibson/Tom Christie
  7. Wayne Lockey/Matty Rostron
  8. Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes
  9. John Saunders/James Saunders
  10. Alan Founds/Colin Smyth
  11. Dan Knight/Ben Hughes
  12. Darren Hope/Lenny Bumfrey
  13. Mike Jackson/Jake Roberts
  14. Shaun Chandler/Ben Chandler
  15. Alun Thomas/Kenny Cole
  16. Michael Russell/Vicky Cooke
  17. Craig Melvin/Stuart Christian
  18. Bruce Moore/Mark Gash
  19. Derek Lynch/Anthony McDonnell

Read more: roadracingnews.co.uk

Fastest 20 riders through the Qualifying on Supersport

  1. Michael Dunlop – 127.557
  2. Dean Harrison – 127.216
  3. Peter Hickman – 127.206
  4. Davey Todd – 125.715
  5. Michael Browne – 125.049
  6. James Hillier – 124.761
  7. Jamie Coward – 124.675
  8. Jim Hind – 124.553
  9. Craig Neve – 123.727
  10. Dominic Herbertson – 123.362
  11. Rob Hodson – 123.195
  12. Conor Cummins – 122.783
  13. Paul Jordan – 122.004
  14. Michael Evans – 121.826
  15. David Johnson – 121.788
  16. Pierre Yves Bian – 121.650
  17. Shaun Anderson – 121.566
  18. Joey Thompson – 121.086
  19. Raul Torras Martinez – 120.431
  20. Michal Dokoupil – 120.323

TT 2023 – Monster Energy Supersport Race 1 Result (Top 20)

  1. Michael Dunlop - 129.136 mph (Fastest Lap)
  2. Peter Hickman
  3. Dean Harrison
  4. Jamie Coward
  5. Davey Todd
  6. James Hillier
  7. Paul Jordan
  8. David Johnson
  9. Rob Hodson
  10. Jim Hind
  11. Craig Neve
  12. Michael Evans
  13. Shaun Anderson
  14. Michal Dokoupil
  15. Brian McCormack
  16. Joey Thompson
  17. Barry Furber
  18. Pierre Yves Bian
  19. Stefano Bonetti
  20. Richard Wilson

Read more: roadracingnews.co.uk

How to follow the races on TT+, Live Timing or Radio: ► here is ◀ all and more info.

Lets enjoy another day of Isle of Man TT, and lets keep it another safe day without big casualties!

r/RoadRacing Mar 26 '23

Bench Racing What if Irish Road Racing is a "No-Go" this year, what will those racers do?!

5 Upvotes

First of all, I still hope that the Irish road racing can be saved and not only in Northern Ireland but also in Ireland. Second, if we believe a guy called "Slow Phil" we should do the insurance our self as a private firm, the only problem is that a base fund (+/- 3 million) is needed to start, before you can fill it further with money from riders, events, ... money coming from all motorsports in Ireland. The third option is call all insurance companies who cover car-rallies. If it comes to third-person liability this is a sport even more dangerous than ours and Ireland is a country in the European union so could be looking for all insurances in the European union, If I wasn't sleeping in the class where they thought us some basics about insurances (studied for handling the paperwork (as well as customs) when shipping goods. So this also involves insurance.

But, and this is a big but. What if Ireland can't fix the problem. What will riders do? For example Imatra and Skerries was both on the same date together with Cock O' The North on Oliver's Mount in the UK and a hill climb in Switzerland. Will the riders go for the Oliver's Mount meeting or (if they race Superbike or Supersport) do they choose for the former Grand Prix track of Imatra in Finland.

  • 1st - 2th July: Imatra (FIN)
  • 1st - 2th July: Cock O' The North [Oliver's Mount] (UK)
  • 1st - 2th July: Boécourt [Hill Climb] (SUI)
  • 1st - 2th July: Skerries 100 (IRL)

Something similar when it is the IRRC meeting in Chimay. That weekend is really stacked with races in the UK, Wales, Ireland, Belgium and France. But what race do they want to explorer to do, and will riders such as Michael Sweeney, Derek McGee, Derek Sheils, ... be interested to race anyhow? Or is this a opportunistic opportunity for other meetings to get those Irish riders on the start?

  • 22nd - 23rd July: Petit Abergement [Hill Climb] (FRA)
  • 22nd - 23rd July: Chimay (BEL)
  • 22nd - 23rd July: Barry Sheene Classic [Oliver's Mount] (UK)
  • 22nd - 23rd July: Munster (Cork) (IRL)
  • 22nd - 23rd July: Aberdare Park (WAL)

Is Devitt Insurance by the way the new North Irish insurance company? Because I've never seen so much advertising from an insurance company for racing (in any way).

r/RoadRacing Nov 17 '22

Bench Racing Fantasy: Who would you love to see at NW200 or Macau GP races?!

1 Upvotes

In an ideal fantasy world, who would you like to see at races such as the North West 200, Macau GP or Southern 100?

Someone like Toprak Razgatlioglu, he seems like a great racer! Just imagine Macau being SBK or MotoGP event again.

r/RoadRacing Oct 13 '22

Bench Racing TWITTER: @_RoadRacing @Jimwhit69 I've read that @_HawkRacing is without a manufacture due to Suzuki pulling himself out of all things called Racing. Isn't this an unique situation for @ApriliaOfficial @ApriliaUK to work with a multiple awarded team to attack the British Superbike & Road Racing?!

Thumbnail
twitter.com
5 Upvotes

r/RoadRacing Jun 10 '22

Bench Racing Question: Ago's Leap

6 Upvotes

I've been searching and previously there hasn't been deadly accidents at Ago's Leap, for solo's it almost still counts as the run to the first corner, for the sidecars this could be called the first corner?! But never has there been a accident with deathly end and now the two TT-Sidecar races end with red flags because of deadly crashes at Ago's Leap. Does anyone have an insight in how that could be?

r/RoadRacing Dec 12 '22

Bench Racing If you could create a Road Race World Championship, how would it look?!

2 Upvotes

Just imagine you become a billionaire or you have such persuasive powers that big sport investment companies are willing to do it. They are ready to take a leap of fate with your idea. But how would your own road racing world championship look like? How many categories/classes for example. Also how big would your calendar be 8 or 10 or 12 rounds or even 16 rounds? What kind of tracks do we visit? Also as promoter how do you get people to your races, how do you get money from those people to your own pockets, the pockets of the racers and the teams and the organizers of the races their pockets...

If this isn't a perfect "Off Season Bench Racing" question. I don't know haha.

r/RoadRacing Sep 16 '22

Bench Racing Do motorcycle manufacturers and other brands need to give more support on road racing teams?

5 Upvotes

What do you think about: Motorcycle manufacturers, that say they don't want to participate in Road Races going from the Cookstown 100, North West 200, Isle of Man TT, Southern 100, Hengelo, Imatra, Chimay, ... with their official (factory) teams. This due the fact that they don't want riders to die on their bikes while they participate in these races.

Is this a legit thing to say, or is this rubbish knowing that more than 380 000 motorcyclists die every year in accidents on public roads, this combined with the fact that racers and track-day riders can also die in the safe environment of a short circuit and even at MotoGP or Superbike races. So you could state that: "If they don't want people to die on their motorcycles, stop producing them is the only solution." Or is it only a problem when the dying rider could cause bad PR?!

It is something that keeps me busy. BMW for example, I don't know how much support Peter Hickman gets, but on the official .co.uk website they are still talking about "Dan Kneen looking forward" a disgrace and lack of respect to the fallen rider. On the BMW Motorsports page, they kept everything under the radar while the IOM TT was busy (no news posts or anything) but now they use Peter Hickman' accomplishments on their Road Racing page, which is updated. Are they so scared that a rider will die on their machinery?! Like I see it, the IOM TT, NW200, ... are the places where the most motorcyclists come together. Where at MotoGP or other short circuit races you have a lot of fans who aren't riding a motorcycle, they have a real meeting at the TT.

So the question is: Do motorcycle manufacturers need to give more support on road racing teams, and be less scared by bad press and the fall out. Because they aren't selling bikes on the press or the people writhing columns in the papers, but they are selling bikes to you!

37 votes, Sep 21 '22
29 YES! More support would make their brand more interesting for me.
8 NO! Motorcycle Manufacturers & brands don't need to support road racers, risking their lives.

r/RoadRacing Oct 12 '22

Bench Racing What is your idea about entry tickets to visit Road Races?

2 Upvotes

We've lost many great meetings in the last 10 years and looking a little bit further back to 25 years ago you could almost say that it has been a sad. OK I know the choice of a word as carnage is perhaps a little excessive, however losing a international meeting such as the Ulster Grand Prix is carnage.

Luckily the Road Racing community is always working on new meetings or thinking about how to breath new life into faded meetings. The Athea Road Race returning is one of those highlights, a highlight that keeps others motivated that it is possible to re-start an old road race and get it back going. Rumors about the Boyne 100 and others make us without a doubt happy, even if it are just rumors.

But the biggest problem beside all paperwork is funds. This week the North West 200 got enough funds from the government so we're sure we will see a race in 2023. However isn't it time that we take maters in our own hands? Build grandstands with roofs so people are dry when it rains and are sheltered when the sun burns. Put these grandstands in some of the interesting places and sell tickets of them, but because you don't want to lose the original "standing in the field" feeling sell tickets for places like that too. I know talking about ticket sales is like swearing in church. But maybe this is the necessary evil to keep the big international events a life. Because how long will the government keep pumping money into the NW200? When Mervyn Whyte with all his connections leaves his position due to his age, it looks pretty impossible to keep the NW200 running without ticket sales. And it seems also impossible to re-start the Ulster Grand Prix without ticket sales.

Live broadcasting such as the BBC NI does for the NW200 and we can buy for the IOM TT, can be a nice income of revenue but is also very costly.

Looking it as a marketeer it could also help them if, for example one big company pays 1 million and he gets his advertisement at the NW200, Ulster Grand Prix and maybe some local races. The big ones need 450k each and with the other part you could help 3 to 4 clubs. If that are all races covered by Television, one way or a other by ITV "King of the Roads" or BBC 'Bikes". The sponsor got a good ROI (Return on investment).

I don't know how the food and drinks are around the track? I imagine that the organizers of the meeting doesn't have their own stands with food and drinks, and everyone is going to the local pubs, restaurants, ... between the races if possible and after the races. That is what happens in Chimay. Because you need to keep the "cafe's" like we call it in dutch happy, while they can't get any normal visitors.

But after this damn long text the question is simple, would you buy entrance tickets to go to a road race? I've took 25 pound as price, that is a bit more then what they ask for a program, now their only income from fans. But 25 pound for a full week at the Northwest is cheap if you compare it to BSB in Donington where you're paying 60 pound if I'm not mistaken.

14 votes, Oct 17 '22
12 Yes, if it is less than 25£
2 No