08-10-2015, 01:17 AM
I'm a total newb when it comes to these types of events. But having been there last weekend, I guess I'll weigh in.
First of all, IMS is a gigantic facility - almost 300k in the stands and almost 500k if you include the infield bleachers and mounds. So, it sems 70,000 people kind of get lost in the sea of bleachers and grass.
Also, the front straight is not where the action is for MotoGP. So, that long expanse of grandstand looks pretty empty. Much different than the 500. We were in the E "Penthouse" looking down on the end of the front straight and turns 1 - 4. Most of the passing happened in turns 1 and 2.
With no competitive American riders in the field at the moment (Nicky Hayden is getting long in the tooth and on a satellite team), there isn't a big fan draw. If it doesn't come back next year (and that's a distinct possibility as I write this) hopefully the MotoAmerica series will develop some competitive U.S. talent for future years and it'll draw better.
One final thought, this event happened coincident with Sturgis. The 75th anniversary, to be exact. A scheduling conflict in the midwest U.S. that someone should have seen coming maybe?
First of all, IMS is a gigantic facility - almost 300k in the stands and almost 500k if you include the infield bleachers and mounds. So, it sems 70,000 people kind of get lost in the sea of bleachers and grass.
Also, the front straight is not where the action is for MotoGP. So, that long expanse of grandstand looks pretty empty. Much different than the 500. We were in the E "Penthouse" looking down on the end of the front straight and turns 1 - 4. Most of the passing happened in turns 1 and 2.
With no competitive American riders in the field at the moment (Nicky Hayden is getting long in the tooth and on a satellite team), there isn't a big fan draw. If it doesn't come back next year (and that's a distinct possibility as I write this) hopefully the MotoAmerica series will develop some competitive U.S. talent for future years and it'll draw better.
One final thought, this event happened coincident with Sturgis. The 75th anniversary, to be exact. A scheduling conflict in the midwest U.S. that someone should have seen coming maybe?