Disaster
So what happens to a race series when by far its biggest star crashes and will be out of the sport for many months?
I am, of course talking about Valentino Rossi who is facing many weeks of rehab and pain before being able to ride again.
Now, the issue is; Rossi’s presence on the grid and his personality have been masking a race series utterly devoid of action and passing for many years now.
The last great year was 2006 when Nicky Hayden triumphed and Valentino wowed us all by nearly winning despite having a multitude of problems and crashes on a recalcitrant Yamaha.
Since the 800cc rules were introduced the racing has, by and large, been appalling. there have been some memorable races, but whereby in the past a dull race would still have something going for it, nowadays we get very processional, strung out races where the first 20 laps are just couting time and the last few decide the race.
Also, since the rules were introduced at the beginning of an econimc downturn two things happen:
1) A whole host of bikes that before could have been leased cheaply are now scrap.
2) An even bigger budget is needed by the existing teams to develop new engines and make the sport apparently safer! Genius!!
What can be done about it then?
Well I would like to see the abolition of fuel limits and the loss of electronics on the bikes.
Power sliding is the next best thing to good racing, and yes the rubbish guys might crash a bit more, but it hasnt really dumbed down F1 has it?
Rossi is going to leave sooner or later and Dorna and the show masters have to do something. He IS the show right now and the racing mattters little.
That will not last when he goes, and what are all these fans going to do then?
