08-09-2015, 09:01 AM
That is a question that puzzles me. Two MotoGP events at what seem to be two superbly appointed venues, but as you say, they are hardly packed to the rafters. But 68,000 at Indy is not small beer. However, Europe and Asia are the Meccas of motorcycle racing so pushing one off to either would seem to make, superficially, sense. However money talks I guess. Tha US is still the worlds most powerful economy and to grow the sport there would reap dividends. Perhaps I have used the wrong word in "grow". Reinvigorate may be more appropriate. The sponsors and factory teams have an interest in selling so that is a major consideration. You could run a dozen GPs in OZ and it wouldn't make an iota of difference to motorcycle sales on a worldwide basis - not a significant market. If it was we might have '13 and '14 CB on offer.
Cheers, and I'm off to watch all three races that I recorded last night.
Just to add a little. The MotoGPs are well attended at PI, the WSBKs a little less so. I ride to both from Sydney every year, with a bit of messing around on the way, about 2500kms. PI is a fairly basic facility but has a great small town aura. Friendly and a lot of fun, especially in the camping area which overlooks a good portion of the track. If the Jackass can get his act together with a competitive factory bike then that would ensure a full house at PI. Casey's swan song in '12 was a sell out.
Attendances 2014
COUNTRY – Circuit Total
QATAR- Losail 17,890
USA – Austin 118,918
ARGENTINA – Termas de Rio Hondo 125,961
SPAIN – Jerez 229,416
FRANCE – LeMans 178,073
ITALY – Mugello 111,309
SPAIN – Barcelona-Catalunya 163,045
NETHERLANDS - TT Circuit Assen 131,000
GERMANY - Sachsenring 209,408
USA – Indianapolis 132,817
CZECH REPUBLIC – Brno 240,695
UK – Silverstone 138,000
SAN MARINO - Misano 88,665
SPAIN - MotorLand Aragon 112,331
JAPAN – Twin Ring Motegi 70,271
AUSTRALIA – Phillip Island 77,900
MALAYSIA – Sepang 130,925
SPAIN - Valencia 197,000
Total 2,473,624
Cheers, and I'm off to watch all three races that I recorded last night.
Just to add a little. The MotoGPs are well attended at PI, the WSBKs a little less so. I ride to both from Sydney every year, with a bit of messing around on the way, about 2500kms. PI is a fairly basic facility but has a great small town aura. Friendly and a lot of fun, especially in the camping area which overlooks a good portion of the track. If the Jackass can get his act together with a competitive factory bike then that would ensure a full house at PI. Casey's swan song in '12 was a sell out.
Attendances 2014
COUNTRY – Circuit Total
QATAR- Losail 17,890
USA – Austin 118,918
ARGENTINA – Termas de Rio Hondo 125,961
SPAIN – Jerez 229,416
FRANCE – LeMans 178,073
ITALY – Mugello 111,309
SPAIN – Barcelona-Catalunya 163,045
NETHERLANDS - TT Circuit Assen 131,000
GERMANY - Sachsenring 209,408
USA – Indianapolis 132,817
CZECH REPUBLIC – Brno 240,695
UK – Silverstone 138,000
SAN MARINO - Misano 88,665
SPAIN - MotorLand Aragon 112,331
JAPAN – Twin Ring Motegi 70,271
AUSTRALIA – Phillip Island 77,900
MALAYSIA – Sepang 130,925
SPAIN - Valencia 197,000
Total 2,473,624