Fast Freddie to chair MotoGP stewards panel.

Barbedwirebikerr · Oct 19, 2018

Freddie Spencer appointed Chairman of the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel

American Champion and MotoGP Legend set to take on a new role for 2019

MotoGP Legend Freddie Spencer will be taking on a new role in 2019, with the American set to assume part of the role of Mike Webb and become Chairman of the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel. Webb is currently both Race Director and Chairman of the panel, and the arrival of Spencer will permit Webb to concentrate exclusively on his function as Race Director and focus his attention exclusively on tasks within Race Direction. Spencer therefore both debuts as a Steward in 2019 and takes on this new role as Chairman.

The FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel comprises three people: the Chairman and two other Stewards, both of whom are nominated by the FIM and approved by the permanent bureau. They meet whenever required during events and are responsible solely for disciplinary decisions; imposition of penalties and the adjudication of protests.

>From 2019, Spencer will play a pivotal role within the panel – almost 40 years since the Louisiana native made his debut on the world stage. That debut came in 1980 in the Belgian Grand Prix, but the American first began to set the world alight in 1982 when he finished the year third overall in the 500cc Championship and took his first win in the Belgian Grand Prix, soon after taking another in the San Marino GP. The following season Spencer took his first premier class crown and in 1985 he did it again – as well as competing in, and winning, the 250cc World Championship that same year. A record breaker from the off, Spencer was the youngest ever premier class race winner, polesitter and Champion until current reigning Champion Marc Marquez took the honour in 2013. Involved in the sport from his days of competition to the present, 2019 will mark another new chapter for the American as he takes on this new role at the heart of MotoGP.

“I appreciate the consideration and respect shown to me in offering me the position as Chairman,” says Spencer. “One of the motivating factors for me in doing all the classic events as well as talk shows, broadcasts and my book is because of my passion for my sport and what it has given me.

“In addition, one of the key factors in deciding to accept this position is my belief in this being an opportunity to be a positive influence and a constructive, resolving voice in issues that will arise; a voice that can impact the reputation of our sport both within it and in the outside world. I have spent the majority of my lifetime developing the skills required for this position. I know it is imperative to have the trust and respect of – and the ability to communicate with – the riders, teams, media, and hopefully fans too. Complete objectivity is absolutely essential in order to protect impartiality and to cultivate trust and respect in our decisions. The integrity and reputation of the sport has to come first; our sport has reached the heights it has because of the incredible effort everyone has put in to make it such a success.”

Spencer will next attend the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana this season.

Theo · Oct 20, 2018

Its turning into a right old farts club. I think they should be pushing for the recent retirees from racing for these jobs.

Mick D · Oct 21, 2018

Theo said:
Its turning into a right old farts club. I think they should be pushing for the recent retirees from racing for these jobs.

Recent retirees may have bias. I think they need to be out for at least a decade.

Barbedwirebikerr · Oct 21, 2018

Mick D said:
Recent retirees may have bias. I think they need to be out for at least a decade.

Of which Spencer qualifies.

Theo · Oct 21, 2018

Mick D said:
Recent retirees may have bias. I think they need to be out for at least a decade.

Ok a decade, Spenser finished in 93, thats a generation ago in human terms, in fact he last swung a leg over a race bike longer than me ago, ffs he's a dinosaur.

michaelm · Oct 21, 2018

Theo said:
Ok a decade, Spenser finished in 93, thats a generation ago in human terms, in fact he last swung a leg over a race bike longer than me ago, ffs he's a dinosaur.

A decade more than that back to when he was in his pomp.

Could do worse than a multiple world champion who was a great, great rider when he was in his pomp though IMO.

Theo · Oct 21, 2018

michaelm said:
A decade more than that back to when he was in his pomp.

Could do worse than a multiple world champion who was a great, great rider when he was in his pomp though IMO.

Memories don't feed and clothe you.

michaelm · Oct 21, 2018

Theo said:
Memories don't feed and clothe you.

Sure.

I know very little about him post his career, we haven't even ever had any of his commentary here. I have hopes he will be better than a more recent rider in Loris Capirossi was in his role, with whom I was underwhelmed. He is also 56 not 76, having been the youngest ever champion prior to MM as you would know. He did ride when the sport was rather hazardous as well.

I don't object to your suggestion of a more recent rider, but no-one really springs immediately to mind, and many of them have close ties to one or other of the marques. Spencer's success was as a Honda guy, the first Honda guy obviously, but the length of time since is probably an advantage in that regard.

Theo · Oct 21, 2018

michaelm said:
Sure.

I know very little about him post his career, we haven't even ever had any of his commentary here. I have hopes he will be better than a more recent rider in Loris Capirossi was in his role, with whom I was underwhelmed. He is also 56 not 76, having been the youngest ever champion prior to MM as you would know. He did ride when the sport was rather hazardous as well.

I don't object to your suggestion of a more recent rider, but no-one really springs immediately to mind, and many of them have close ties to one or other of the marques. Spencer's success was as a Honda guy, the first Honda guy obviously, but the length of time since is probably an advantage in that regard.

I was just thinking (dangerous I know) how about someone from outside the sport, is it really necessary to have someone from that field, there have been a few occasions where its been done.

Barbedwirebikerr · Oct 21, 2018

Theo said:
I was just thinking (dangerous I know) how about someone from outside the sport, is it really necessary to have someone from that field, there have been a few occasions where its been done.

I feel for this position, deciding on racing incidents it is best to have someone whom themselves are a former racer.

Freddie doesn't seem to have any affiliations with any manufacturer, and would hope he will be a great, impartial steward.

michaelm · Oct 21, 2018

Theo said:
I was just thinking (dangerous I know) how about someone from outside the sport, is it really necessary to have someone from that field, there have been a few occasions where its been done.

You mean pick someone with proven expertise and experience as a race steward?. Too radical.

michaelm · Oct 21, 2018

Barbedwirebikerr said:
I feel for this position, deciding on racing incidents it is best to have someone whom themselves are a former racer.

Freddie doesn't seem to have any affiliations with any manufacturer, and would hope he will be a great, impartial steward.

I actually have to give Dorna credit, even if their motivation started from a wish to avoid a repetition of the flak they copped after Sepang 2015, this looks like a genuine attempt to appoint an independent person of unquestionable stature in the sport. Even the likes of MM, Rossi and Lorenzo could not dismiss the guy who won both the 500 and the 250 titles in the same year in the modern era as some also- ran, not that it was even possible for any of them to repeat his feat of course.

Gaz · Oct 21, 2018

Theo said:
I was just thinking (dangerous I know) how about someone from outside the sport, is it really necessary to have someone from that field, there have been a few occasions where its been done.

Barbedwirebikerr said:
I feel for this position, deciding on racing incidents it is best to have someone whom themselves are a former racer.

Freddie doesn't seem to have any affiliations with any manufacturer, and would hope he will be a great, impartial steward.

IMO only but both views have merit, although why not go a little from left field and do both?

Why not have a panel with the chair of the panel purely from a legal type of background (in the longer term, this would help firm up the rules and interpretations) with their primary role being to interpret the rules and the meanings therof (ie. where it says dangerous riding, they define the meaning of dangerous for the remaining members of the panel).

Then you have the panel members which can be past, or even present riders (not in the category of the rider facing the panel), although personally I would push for a group of past riders from whom a panel can be selected under the guidance of the legal background independent.

It wouldn't be to difficult finding 2 or even 3 past riders in attendance, to form a panel (you could go with a single if preferred) to adjudicate using their racing knowledge, their technical understanding of the bikes and their visibility of the offence to make an informed judgement.

Hell, many sports have it with the only real downside being that sometimes decisions are not immediate, but is that really an issue (remembering that stewards do not call for black flags but adjudicate on what caused the black flag if the issue is raised to them)

Theo · Oct 22, 2018

Gaz said:
IMO only but both views have merit, although why not go a little from left field and do both?

Why not have a panel with the chair of the panel purely from a legal type of background (in the longer term, this would help firm up the rules and interpretations) with their primary role being to interpret the rules and the meanings therof (ie. where it says dangerous riding, they define the meaning of dangerous for the remaining members of the panel).

Then you have the panel members which can be past, or even present riders (not in the category of the rider facing the panel), although personally I would push for a group of past riders from whom a panel can be selected under the guidance of the legal background independent.

It wouldn't be to difficult finding 2 or even 3 past riders in attendance, to form a panel (you could go with a single if preferred) to adjudicate using their racing knowledge, their technical understanding of the bikes and their visibility of the offence to make an informed judgement.

Hell, many sports have it with the only real downside being that sometimes decisions are not immediate, but is that really an issue (remembering that stewards do not call for black flags but adjudicate on what caused the black flag if the issue is raised to them)

Yes thats a great idea

Iamapony · Nov 6, 2018

Theo said:
Ok a decade, Spenser finished in 93, thats a generation ago in human terms, in fact he last swung a leg over a race bike longer than me ago, ffs he's a dinosaur.

So? Do you have age issues? You brought up wrinkles in another thread.

Rossi started in 1996. If you want to make sure there is no bias, it is probably better to get an EXPERT who retired before any rider in the field started riding.

I also might point out that having too many voices on these issues may make it too difficult to get results. Many of these decisions are also time sensitive. Western jury systems and democratic voting should point to the hazards of a larger group making choices in a timely and vetted manner..

Theo · Nov 8, 2018

Iamapony said:
So? Do you have age issues? You brought up wrinkles in another thread.

Rossi started in 1996. If you want to make sure there is no bias, it is probably better to get an EXPERT who retired before any rider in the field started riding.

I also might point out that having too many voices on these issues may make it too difficult to get results. Many of these decisions are also time sensitive. Western jury systems and democratic voting should point to the hazards of a larger group making choices in a timely and vetted manner..

Yes, I have plenty of wrinkles as well, doesn't mean I should be given a job on that basis. In fact with the change in bikes performance all round, it needs someone who understands the complexities of the modern racing bike. We all know they are faster, they stop quicker, plus all the extra attachments that alter how the bike rides and transfers forces. 20 Years ago if you'd ridden a gp bike the way they do now, imo it'd throw you off. So thats why I think these old "wrinklies" should not be given a job like that.

Mick D · Nov 8, 2018

Theo said:
Yes, I have plenty of wrinkles as well, doesn't mean I should be given a job on that basis. In fact with the change in bikes performance all round, it needs someone who understands the complexities of the modern racing bike. We all know they are faster, they stop quicker, plus all the extra attachments that alter how the bike rides and transfers forces. 20 Years ago if you'd ridden a gp bike the way they do now, imo it'd throw you off. So thats why I think these old "wrinklies" should not be given a job like that.

You sir, are an ......

Theo · Nov 8, 2018

Mick D said:
You sir, are an ......

Fine I can live with it

Search

Search

Fast Freddie to chair MotoGP stewards panel.

Barbedwirebikerr

Theo

Mick D

Barbedwirebikerr

Theo

michaelm

Theo

michaelm

Theo

Barbedwirebikerr

michaelm

michaelm

Gaz

Theo

Iamapony

Theo

Mick D

Theo

Similar threads

Recent Discussions