BSB Questions ...

[Guest]

1) How bloody dangerous are some of those tracks, both BSB meetings have resulted in some pretty serious accidents and red flagged races, are some of these tracks safe enough ????

2) Why is John McGuinness so crap on the track and sooooo good at the TT ????

Can tell I were poorly over the weekend, had lotsa time to think

[Guest]

motorbike racing is dangerous is general, only takes a little slip and half the bikes can be gone..

as for crap on track and not at tt, he prolly is more daring off the track than others.

[Evs7]

Good questions, my opinion is that no the BSB tracks aren't safe when you compare them to the WSB or MotoGP stage tracks. Run off areas are alot smaller and little of the track is covered with air fences.

Bikes are getting quicker and quicker, look at how the lap times are falling each year it's time some of these tracks done some development work before they become too dangerous.

I know alot of them will say they don't have the money. but then why not apply for a lottery grant. I've seen lottery grants given to a lot more stupid causes.

as for you second question, I was thinking the same thing. How come McGuinness doesn't blitz the field every week. But then again the lads who finish in front of him don't do road racing. probably think it's too risky.

[Guest David]

I was thinking the same myself while watching the BSB races at the weekend. A lot of fast corners with hardly any run off and then it was wet grass. They definetly earn their money.

or am i just getting old

[yorbandit]

Run off areas the TT dont know what ya talking about, yet mcguinness can average 130 round that course, big diff lap size, not as precise as often, fewer place that have to be reapetedly spot on for 18-22 laps.

In defence of some of the tracks vast amounts of money are being spent on them to upgrade all of the facilities, track and public

[gixxergal]

I could be wrong but I think thats why Chris Jones Riders fund (charity thingy, is allways on the look out for collections /donataions etc for an air ambulance to be available at ALL BSB RACES !)

It has a google site and a Facebook one too

[Guest akey]

I dont think many of the tracks are particularly dangerous, there are very few serious injuries these days caused by track design, most are when riders either hit the ground (tarmac) or when they get caught up in the kitty litter.

Races are redflagged for safety, so that the medical team can treat or asses a rider, or marshals can get the bike(and bits) out of the area safely.

I agree that motogp tracks have bigger run off but the corner speed and top speed is much higher (top speed 40mph+ higher).

Like most other things track safety is a compromise between safely slowing a crashed rider / vehicle down (both of which require different approaches), limiting damage to said rider / driver and ensuring that the crowds get some reasonable spectator views for their hard earned cash. I do not advocate that spectators are more important than safety but the current standard of BSB tracks is pretty good - espcially if you look at some of the club racing tracks!

and some of the BSB tracks are also up to the standard for WSB (Brands, Donnington).

As for John well its completly different racing, completely different mentality and style, any racer who just competes at the TT gets my full respect no matter how well they do.

[Evs7]

gixxergal good point well made, The Chris Jones rider fund does raise money to help. They have managed to buy some very important medical equipment which has helped to save riders lives since then. But surely it shouldn't be left down to the family of a bereaved rider to raise money. Surely the sport should be pro-active and make safety changes. I believe there were still two deaths in the BSB and support series last year

Akey I do agree with your point mate, but I still think some of the tracks could do with some of the safety barriers moving back a bit. It may be an optical illusion of the camera but the BSB tracks don't look as wide as WSB tracks.

Brands and Donington are great I think some tracks that need an update are Mondello Park, Mallory Park and maybe somthing at Snetterton or Croft