Safety Commission

Wasn't Hopper also a member of the commision? Either way, if it truly is open for everyone, then I think Casey should stop complaining and actually join the commission. It'll only have enough influence if it encompasses enough of the riders. At the end of the year Loris might retire, leaving a one man "commission". I can't see Valentino keeping up with a commission that he's the only member of. I think the riders need to start speaking up for themselves before all their decisions are made by Dorna with them having no influence.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (IsraeliRacer @ Jun 26 2007, 09:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Wasn't Hopper also a member of the commision? Either way, if it truly is open for everyone, then I think Casey should stop complaining and actually join the commission. It'll only have enough influence if it encompasses enough of the riders. At the end of the year Loris might retire, leaving a one man "commission". I can't see Valentino keeping up with a commission that he's the only member of. I think the riders need to start speaking up for themselves before all their decisions are made by Dorna with them having no influence.


I totally agree - riders need to take responsibility for safety, they are the ones racing.

Do you think this could be a sign of a lack of support toward Valentino from the other riders. After all, the report states Valentino adopts a sarcastic tone toward the others. Perhaps the last thing they want to do is listen to Vale talking?

I can't imagine for one moment that these guys are not interested in safety issues.

I think they'd rather just relax the day before qualifying instead of be in meetings, which is fine, but there are some things that are more important, if they don't look out for their safety then nobody else will.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Burky @ Jun 26 2007, 10:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Do you think this could be a sign of a lack of support toward Valentino from the other riders. After all, the report states Valentino adopts a sarcastic tone toward the others. Perhaps the last thing they want to do is listen to Vale talking?

Agree that this could be the case, but if this is the case they are bldy stupid to be.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mbracing @ Jun 26 2007, 10:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Agree that this could be the case, but if this is the case they are bldy stupid to be.
Well I agree, in principal. But Valentino seems to have been 'the spokesman' for a long time now, and perhaps the others would like a voice of their own. After all, public critisism also gains an awful lot of attention, so their opinions will have to be noted whether raised through the commission or not.

There has always been a "Spokesman" the last one KR Jnr and before that was Doohan. But who will be the next "Spokesman" next year will be the last year for Loris & Rossi. Even if their voice's are not heard in public it is a start.

This is just my two cents but I feel that no one joins the safety commision because no one in power listens to any rider outside Rossi. Rossi says he'll never ride at Suzuka again, MotoGP hasn't been back. Rossi says Laguna is unsafe, Hayden says he doesn't see any manjor problems. Laguna makes changes to dangerous areas. Stoner says Donnington is too slippery and dangerous while Rossi says nothing, everyone says Stoner is doing nothing but crying.

By no fault of Rossi's, the media and powers that be have effectively created a one-man commission as it is.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Burky @ Jun 26 2007, 02:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Do you think this could be a sign of a lack of support toward Valentino from the other riders. After all, the report states Valentino adopts a sarcastic tone toward the others. Perhaps the last thing they want to do is listen to Vale talking?

I can't imagine for one moment that these guys are not interested in safety issues.
Hi Burky, hope all is well in your life my friend.

It’s interesting how Laguna got mentioned as an unsafe track (which ironically was made unsafer when a certain rider ran around the entire track spilling oil on it) haha. Anyway, but I think Misano is way more unsafe, and I've never really heard anything mentioned about that track. So what I'm saying here is politics sometimes trumps the reality of track safety and perhaps, as you point out, it may be something other than mere rest and relaxation that has kept some riders away.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 26 2007, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This is just my two cents but I feel that no one joins the safety commision because no one in power listens to any rider outside Rossi. Rossi says he'll never ride at Suzuka again, MotoGP hasn't been back. Rossi says Laguna is unsafe, Hayden says he doesn't see any manjor problems. Laguna makes changes to dangerous areas. Stoner says Donnington is too slippery and dangerous while Rossi says nothing, everyone says Stoner is doing nothing but crying.

By no fault of Rossi's, the media and powers that be have effectively created a one-man commission as it is.
What a great observation. Couldn't have said it better. But let me add, that despite any feelings of not being listened to by other riders, I still think they should go in there and voice their concerns on record.

Rossi was also critical of the Donington track surface during the race weekend. He also questioned the safety level at Misano.

Stoner's quote in the article makes it seem like he doesn't realise the safety commission meetings are open to all. Or perhaps he'd rather just whinge about things, then try and do something to get them fixed. Good to see that Pedrosa does attend, and see that Hayden--humble as ever--conceded that he should go along to the meetings.

I wonder if Biaggi or Gibernau ever went to these meetings?

It's interesting that you guys mention Laguna. Back when Laguna had GPs the first time around the track was universally condemned by the non-Amercian riders although, like Hayden today, none of the American riders had a problem with it. Kocinski called it a "man's track" (but then every year he'd .... himself at Hockenheim).

The most uncomfortable I've ever seen Wayne Gardner in a press conference was during the first GP at Eastern Creek. Being such a vocal critic of Laguna Seca, he was asked about all the nasty concrete walls at Eastern Creek. As a loyal Aussie, he gave it his best shot at defending the indefensible.

So, yes, politics does play its part in these things.

Perhaps Rossi's comments were attempts at mind games. Trying to draw Casey into a war of words.

If I were Rossi (hhmmm just had visions of Rossi's new girl and all those topless photos) I would be trying everything I could to draw Casey into an off track battle. After all racing is all mental.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (IsraeliRacer @ Jun 26 2007, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Wasn't Hopper also a member of the commision?
Not Hopper, it was KRJ

I think the simple truth of is, that too few riders racing today remember the really nasty crashes of the past. How many of them remember Kato as more than 'that guy who died at Suzuka...and hey we don't race there anymore anyway' kind of thing. It's not real to them in the way it is to older riders. I believe Rossi got very involved with the safety commission after Kato's death. Gibernau also (since someone asked). If it takes Rossi dictating what needs to be done, then so be it. But Rossi won't be around for ever and the younger riders need to start taking responsibility for themselves. What the safety commission does is selfless dedicated work for EVERYBODY's safety. Rossi might be thinking of leaving Motogp after all, and Capirossi is close to retiring. The younger riders need to at least start understanding how it works. I really doubt this is an effort to get Stoner into a battle of words. That's the kind of cynical view the press would take in an effort to create enmity where there is none. Another Biaggi-Rossi scenario would really make their day. Even that quoted article refers to rossi's 'sarcastic' tone. Doesn't that sound like someone is stirring things to anyone else but me? I've heard Rossi being interviewed after every gp this season. He's never had anything but praise for Casey and I didn't hear a hint of sarcasm anywhere.

i agree, and well put bikergirl.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Jun 27 2007, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think the simple truth of is, that too few riders racing today remember the really nasty crashes of the past.

Yeah i think the current riders arnen't really experienceing any safetey concerns, so why would they complain? Things are good now, but they can still be improved andw ill need to be as the bikes get faster. Perhaps the riders need to put in the effort now rather than waiting for an accident to happen.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TP70 @ Jun 27 2007, 08:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Perhaps Rossi's comments were attempts at mind games. Trying to draw Casey into a war of words.

I doubt its mind games. I can't really see Rossi starting mind games untill his riding can put him in a more powerful position, at the moment Stoner is riding so well that mind games would achieve nothing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 27 2007, 11:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah i think the current riders arnen't really experienceing any safetey concerns, so why would they complain? Things are good now, but they can still be improved andw ill need to be as the bikes get faster. Perhaps the riders need to put in the effort now rather than waiting for an accident to happen.
I doubt its mind games. I can't really see Rossi starting mind games untill his riding can put him in a more powerful position, at the moment Stoner is riding so well that mind games would achieve nothing.

chris vermuelens response

see link

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60462

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>"They have never invited me to start with," said Vermeulen,

what a weak excuse,all the riders no full well they should be apart of the safety council,its just like a health and safety meeting at work.
yes ive met people like this at places of work, they moan about this and that but then sit back and let others do the dirty work so they look like there not the ones rocking the boat..
bang on rossi and capi your full of .... you wimp.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jul 3 2007, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>bang on rossi and capi your full of .... you wimp.
Haha, very funny Roger. You think Vermi is making it up? I mean, man, isn't this the guy that lost a finger or something like that. I would think he would want to know about safety issues. Maybe he's being honest and doesn't want to step on toes. (no pun)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Jul 3 2007, 11:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Haha, very funny Roger. You think Vermi is making it up? I mean, man, isn't this the guy that lost a finger or something like that. I would think he would want to know about safety issues. Maybe he's being honest and doesn't want to step on toes. (no pun)
that was bayliss who lost the finger numb nuts and i stand by what i said !!!! well for the moment.