Originally Posted by
scottieducati
That's kinda the point here Pete, the point was the way things were run, promoted, and the "administration" of it all have completely eclipsed the fact the racing was actually pretty good this year.
And Alex, I know this is round 11tybillion on this issue, and I def. acknowledge that you have way more inside info than me, but it's not just Dean Adams who has spoken out about this stuff.
From the absolute embarrassment that went down during Laguna, where the world-class guys were literally laughing and shaking their heads in uncomfortable embarrassment, to the JRP incident, to the pace car, to... to... you really can't sit there and say it's a squeaky wheel or "that one laughing stock of the paddock."
Hell even Spies who by all accounts is a pretty easy going dude (at least off the track), pretty much said flat out he was relieved to have gotten out when he could, and felt awful for everyone back trying to race amidst all of it. Mladin's outspoken too, and while I loathe the man, he has a lot of valid arguments... as does Schwantz, who ripped DMG to shreds not to long ago. Schwantz is probably the starkest example, I have absolutely nothing but mad respect for the guy, all he does is smile and try to help everyone out, starting with the kids.
Maybe part of it all stems from my absolute hatred for NASCAR and anything related to it, but you have to admit, there are some pretty stark indicators of where this is all heading, and it started from the very beginning where the OEMs weren't really valued like they had been in years past. Some may argue it's a good thing, but I would really hate to see the day when Yamaha / Suzuki / whatever is just a sticker on a cookie cutter bike.
We haven't even gotten to talking about Buells, and how pathetic it is that a) they're legal against 600s, and b) they can just whip up a special bike to race in SBK.
It's pathetic.