Sad day for Suzuki

Kropotkin said:

Because they couldn't find anyone who would offer them any more money? Suzuki is universally loathed in the paddock for the price at which they sold their title sponsorship (reputedly, a six figure sum, and not a particularly high one), which is alleged to have wrecked the market and devalued the cost of a title sponsorship. Mind you, there are also people inside the paddock who are angry at Honda for the amount they get from Repsol, which is probably 10 times more than Rizla, but about a fifth of what it should be.

Click to expand...

Reading between the lines, Rizla ponies up less than a million dollars for main sponsorship on a GP team. That doesnt seem possible.

Does that mean Repsol gives Honda 10 million, and in your opinion, should be 50 million.

povol said:

Reading between the lines, Rizla ponies up less than a million dollars for main sponsorship on a GP team. That doesnt seem possible.

Does that mean Repsol gives Honda 10 million, and in your opinion, should be 50 million.

Click to expand...

Lower! Lower!











(You may not get this unless you grew up in the UK in the early '70s).

Kropotkin said:

Lower! Lower!











(You may not get this unless you grew up in the UK in the early '70s).

Click to expand...

Jokers Wild? We had that in the States as well.

Kropotkin said:

Lower! Lower!











(You may not get this unless you grew up in the UK in the early '70s).

Click to expand...

I will take 700,00 for the win Johnny. Is that a close figure? Doesnt matter at this point, 700,000 or million, its bush league. On the other hand, Rizla is getting really cheap advertising, so i doubt they give a .... where they run

povol said:

I will take 700,00 for the win Johnny. Is that a close figure? Doesnt matter at this point, 700,000 or million, its bush league. On the other hand, Rizla is getting really cheap advertising, so i doubt they give a .... where they run

Click to expand...

Lower! Lower!

omg they really have sold out the value of sponsorship

no wonder they struggle they cant develop / invest in chit

I'll bite... 400,000, Johnny!

Mick D said:

I'll bite... 400,000, Johnny!

Click to expand...

Higher. But frighteningly close.

Kropo, I have a question for you. Why are MotoGP teams not interested in Toni Elias? He's by far the most talented non-MotoGP rider imo, yet he's never mentioned in rumors for a return to the top class. There will be a couple of openings, Tech3 and perhaps Suzuki if Loris leaves. So what gives? I'm thinking MotoGP politics, but what is your take?

Jumkie said:

Kropo, I have a question for you. Why are MotoGP teams not interested in Toni Elias? He's by far the most talented non-MotoGP rider imo, yet he's never mentioned in rumors for a return to the top class. There will be a couple of openings, Tech3 and perhaps Suzuki if Loris leaves. So what gives? I'm thinking MotoGP politics, but what is your take?

Click to expand...

I`d like to hear your take on it too ,Krop,ta.

Jumkie said:

Kropo, I have a question for you. Why are MotoGP teams not interested in Toni Elias? He's by far the most talented non-MotoGP rider imo, yet he's never mentioned in rumors for a return to the top class. There will be a couple of openings, Tech3 and perhaps Suzuki if Loris leaves. So what gives? I'm thinking MotoGP politics, but what is your take?

Click to expand...

Elias is going to Suzuki next year. Elias is undeniably fast, but he's just not championship material. He doesn't have the calmness to race an entire season, which handicaps him. He's also Spanish, and we already have two Spanish championship candidates, so Dorna will not subsidize his wages like they do for Kallio and will do for Crutchlow. And he also has a reputation for extravagant salary demands, which he does not always live up to. All in all, he has a few strikes against him.

Kropotkin said:

Elias is going to Suzuki next year. Elias is undeniably fast, but he's just not championship material. He doesn't have the calmness to race an entire season, which handicaps him. He's also Spanish, and we already have two Spanish championship candidates, so Dorna will not subsidize his wages like they do for Kallio and will do for Crutchlow. And he also has a reputation for extravagant salary demands, which he does not always live up to. All in all, he has a few strikes against him.

Click to expand...

Thank u sir. I would say thers 5 other guys on grid also "not champ material" either; yet, would be hard pressed to beat Elias. We tout MotoGP as "the best" but as often is the case, the best must come from X country, oddly in this case, we're all full of Spaniards (while ther are Nth in lower classes); how ironic. So Dorna subsidizes Kalio, interesting...nice to know GP is a pure authentic competition as most casual spectators think, eh. At least Elias is being considered by Suzuki, as this is news to me. Thank u once again for ur insight, its a real privilege for PS to hav u as a member. BTW, i suppose u didnt make it to Laguna, u missed out...should hav taken me up on modest but fun filled lodging. Actually, on 2nd thot, it mite hav been in ur best interest, as i doubt after a few shots of Woods u would hav been in no condition to report anything. Anyway, i'll b at Indy, free room if u need it, tequila shots optional.

Jumkie said:

Actually, on 2nd thot, it mite hav been in ur best interest, as i doubt after a few shots of Woods u would hav been in no condition to report anything.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer, but the above summarizes the difference between attending races as a fan and as a journalist. I spend 14-18 hours working on race weekends, and so miss most of the "fun". My fun comes from finding stuff out and writing about it. Not the same kind of fun as watching the races with like-minded individuals whilst sharing a few alcoholic beverages, but still fun in its own way.

Jumkie said:

Thank u sir. I would say thers 5 other guys on grid also "not champ material" either; yet, would be hard pressed to beat Elias. We tout MotoGP as "the best" but as often is the case, the best must come from X country, oddly in this case, we're all full of Spaniards (while ther are Nth in lower classes); how ironic. So Dorna subsidizes Kalio, interesting...nice to know GP is a pure authentic competition as most casual spectators think, eh. At least Elias is being considered by Suzuki, as this is news to me. Thank u once again for ur insight, its a real privilege for PS to hav u as a member. BTW, i suppose u didnt make it to Laguna, u missed out...should hav taken me up on modest but fun filled lodging. Actually, on 2nd thot, it mite hav been in ur best interest, as i doubt after a few shots of Woods u would hav been in no condition to report anything. Anyway, i'll b at Indy, free room if u need it, tequila shots optional.

Click to expand...

Where you are from, and more important, how much are you bringing with you, has been the game in GP for quite a while. It goes back to debate about the best riders in the world being in what series. After the the top 6-8 riders in GP, you could replace the rest of field with riders from most major series and not notice much difference. Thats when the passport and the sponsorship you bring, is the ticket to a ride.



I to, get burnt out on sports when the show is more important than the actual competition. I wouldnt go as far as calling it non authentic, but i know exactly how you feel.