How can a select few have an advantage when everyone's on the same tires? Granted, some riders may take to the Bridgestones better than others, but then that would be true of a control motorcycle as well. The advantage lies in the rider and the team's ability to exploit available equipment.
I'm probably in the minority, but I'd rather not see any passes for the last 1/3 of a race than see positions determined by which tire company made the best gamble on durability. As it is, there's passing, though not as much as there was with the 990s, that's for sure.
Firstly welcome Beef......
Secondly, the problems that some of the top guys are having is getting enough heat into these compounds to compete, due to their opposing styles and bikes, as this is a 'prototype series' then a more bespoke approach must be considered, otherwise we are looking at World superbikes. The philosophy of 'being able to exploit' available equipment is of course a very good one, until you consider the fact that we are suppose to be watching the best riders on the planet, on the best equipment of the planet, tailored to their requirements. At present Motogp's constant regs and the spec tyre rule have changed the philosophy of the series to something that could be considered more like the local derby......heres what we've got go out and race.........
Now, as Austin and I have already discussed, this K mart tyre supply is IMO adding far more problems and cost to the teams, directly opposed to the idea that the spec tyre would save money, I'm sure it has-for Bridgestone
My reasoning for this is the increased demands on teams and machinery/electronics to compete on spec rubber, when in the past so many set-up issues were negated by a tyre suited to the needs of the individual, whether it be made overnight or available in the range.
So in essence a rider has an advantage on these spec tyres i.e Jorge-full kudos to him and his team as they have got it working best with the spec rubber, so how now do the others catch up?
- Change riding style to be more like Jorge? No one wants to see this as it removes the true nature of individual competition, and makes the progression from other SBK based series virtually impossible, essentially creating a very specific type of successful riding style, I doubt anyone wants to see this. I want to see Casey ride like Casey, and Rossi ride like Rossi etc.
- Spend .... loads more money to try to combat the issues? Which is what is happening- And well this is against the philosophy of Spec tyre=fairer competition in the first place. The problem is that electronics engineers are making the difference, as they are starting to in WSBK as well.
- Or make the tyre supplier include some more compounds so as more riders can benefit from the range. Potentially bringing the racing closer, and making the competition fairer and reducing teams cost whilst adding to Bridgestones. This option should have already happened, yet it hasn't.
A good reason as to why you are not seeing any passes in the last third of the race nowadays is the incredible durability of the rubber, making it far easier to manage a race, albeit flat out all the way whilst letting the ECU dictate proceedings, but still some would consider this far easier than trying to manage then win on worn tires, and much less in the spirit of competition.......
