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Stoner threatens to leave MotoGP over rules

C

chopperman

Joined Sep 2006
23K Posts | 3+
MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has warned he will have little interest in staying in the championship if the regulations are steered more towards production-based machinery.

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Series promoter Dorna is heavily pushing the new Claiming Rule Teams system, which allows elements of modified production machinery.

In addition to several new teams stepping up to MotoGP next year under the CRT regulation, a number of current satellite squads are expected to ditch their pure prototypes to run CRT bikes, amid suggestions that the system could form the basis of MotoGP's future.

But Stoner said he felt a move too far towards a lower-technology formula would be the wrong choice for MotoGP.

"I think if we kill prototypes then we may as well be racing touring cars," he said. "It's no different to this. It'll definitely take everything out of the racing for me.

"I won't find the same interest to the point where you can maybe get a street bike, put a different chassis on it, a bit of suspension and this and that, and have a competitive bike.

"This (prototype rules) is the way it's been for so many years. There have been a few things recently about costs, which have definitely increased, and the amount of personnel needed to run these bikes. They're definitely more complicated than the old 500cc.

"But if it does change like that [to more production-based rules] then it's definitely going to be disappointing for me and I don't know if I'd want to be a part of it."

Yamaha's Ben Spies said he was also concerned about the prospects of a CRT-based future for the championship, though he acknowledged that the global financial system might force radical change.

"The way the economy's going, I hope I have a job in 2013, so I'm not worried about a CRT bike right now, that's for sure," he said. "But I'm not the biggest fan of it."

AutoSport
 
No-one ever said the guy didn't know what his priorities were. Maybe that's why Honda is keeping Pedrosa in reserve. And if by then Spies is his teammate - watch out! Seriously - the head of Honda (and others) have indicated that Prototype and CRT will continue to race side-by-side for the immediate future. Never know tho.... Stoner can only do so much fishing and bow hunting before he gets bored.
 
Stoners not going to cut short a lucrative career because hes not happy with the bikes. If they were racing tractors he would still be there collecting paychecks.

In the history of sports only 2 guys I can recall have walked away when they still had a great career in front of them. Marvin Hagler and Barry Sanders.

It just doesnt happen. Athletes make a lot of money but their careers are very short.

I dont think he's actually saying that he would quit just that he wouldnt like it.

Thats not a stretch for him because as far as I can see he doesnt seem happy or like anything at the present time either.
 
JohnnyKnockdown said:
Stoners not going to cut short a lucrative career because hes not happy with the bikes. If they were racing tractors he would still be there collecting paychecks.

In the history of sports only 2 guys I can recall have walked away when they still had a great career in front of them. Marvin Hagler and Barry Sanders.

It just doesnt happen. Athletes make a lot of money but their careers are very short.

I dont think he's actually saying that he would quit just that he wouldnt like it.

Thats not a stretch for him because as far as I can see he doesnt seem happy or like anything at the present time either.
Click to expand...

Youichi Ui and Sebastian Porto spring to mind.
 
JohnnyKnockdown said:
Stoners not going to cut short a lucrative career because hes not happy with the bikes. If they were racing tractors he would still be there collecting paychecks.

In the history of sports only 2 guys I can recall have walked away when they still had a great career in front of them. Marvin Hagler and Barry Sanders.

It just doesnt happen. Athletes make a lot of money but their careers are very short.

I dont think he's actually saying that he would quit just that he wouldnt like it.

Thats not a stretch for him because as far as I can see he doesnt seem happy or like anything at the present time either.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt bet the farm on it, Casey is not your typical 21st century athlete. 20-25 million in the bank and off to the ranch is his idea of heaven.



Right off the top of my head, athletes who retired at the top of their game, Jim Brown, Rocky Marciano, Matt Mladin.
 
Threatening to leave the sport? Sounds familiar.... And the cult followers he's recently created who are echoing him smack no different. Maybe Stoner should offer his salary back in hopes that they put that money back into the technology of his bike. Somebody might want to sit down with the young man and take the time to explain the vital marketing equation part of racing. If he feels this strongly about the lack of funds to sustain the technology, then he should be out pedaling Hondas at every dealership. God knows how much he enjoys making marketing appearances. Why does this remind me of the prevalent ignorance/arrogance of the Motegi debacle this year?



Stoner is no doubt in my mind the best rider in the world. I admire the dude on several levels, most of which is his ability to ride a bike beyond even the best on the planet. Notwithstanding, my praise, in the eyes of his cult fans of late, my motives are probably in question. In their eyes, I have probably become a detractor (maybe even a ‘hater’) for some of his more radical fans who can’t stand me pointing out some minor flaws in the young man, yes minor, now move along. Nothing but positive accolade for Stoner is expected of me I suppose. He has so much going for him too, loving supportive parents, a pretty wife, a kid on the way, world champ (on his bday at his home GP no less) and one of the best packages (if not thee best) in the series, and loot to boot. How he finds something to complain about is really beyond the pale. Maybe he should take the advice of some of his fans and leave the sport; after all, it doesn't seem to suit him considering his criticism and lack of enjoyment, right right (....... idiots). When he smiles, it seems to be big news. Despite all his talent, he just doesn't seem cut out to handle the reality of life, that is, that it changes constantly. I mean, I get criticism of the series, but threatening to leave it? Dude, WTF.



When we changed from 990s to 800s, I remember reading how this was going to render the speeds and performance unspectacular. And within a few rounds, the speeds were back up. Burgess even suggested we turn to 600s as the premier class displacement. All this doom and gloom recently from a few members that try to put on the cloak of purism or worried that this is "dumbing down" the series, or who declare this is no longer "prototype" racing (despite arbitrary rules for every formula including the next), or this is simply pseudo engineering of close racing, seems to forget we already have had several formula changes, every time with the doom and gloom birds chirping the end of the world.



I for one hope Stoner is just being the complaining guy in the room we've known him to be and really doesn't leave the sport. Every time he takes the track, especially when he rode for Ducati, I felt we are/were watching something truly special. But if he does decide to leave, he will lose most of the respect sane people have for him, as he will turn his back on the sport and fans because he will have thought he was bigger than it. I’m sure some of his radicalized fans will reply that he is the man for threatening to leave the sport, some of which probably talked massive .... when Rossi attempted to do the same thing. Perhaps its just human nature, I thought Rossi was unique in being the head of a cult, it seems to be turning out, it doesn't matter who the head is, we will always have fans on the outside fringe of insanity who echo the talking point no mater how out of step with reality it may be.



I can see Casey and Ben and any other rider wanting the most exquisite jewelry on the bike in terms of the latest technology, but that doesn't pay for itself. Btw, didn't most of the riders also say they preferred less rider aids? Newsflash, the most "technological" thing is probably the electronics. In what world does this make sense, you claim you don’t want electronics but then poo poo when they aim to get rid of them by increasing the fuel limits. The components will probably stay the same and get better as more money will surely be diverted to the hardware of the bike, where the brain of the rider will manage the machine, not some elaborate and extremely complicated computer because somebody arbitrary decided 21 liters was the rule Jesus would have wanted. About the change of formula in the series, its just change, and people hate change. This is the reality of life that I have to live with and everybody else on the planet. Deal with it and get a grip.
 
People have been bitching about this on other forums for a few days. Funny how Spies said basically the same thing about production based gp bikes and no one gives a ..... Just sayin'.
 
two-stroke said:
People have been bitching about this on other forums for a few days. Funny how Spies said basically the same thing about production based gp bikes and no one gives a ..... Just sayin'.
Click to expand...

Did Spies threaten to leave the sport?



"But if it does change like that [to more production-based rules] then it's definitely going to be disappointing for me and I don't know if I'd want to be a part of it." CS



"Funny how" you don't see the difference.
 
chopperman said:
Not seen that in the news. Got a link ?
Click to expand...

Two-stoke is probably citing the same article you just post above. Where it says:



Yamaha's Ben Spies said he was also concerned about the prospects of a CRT-based future for the championship, though he acknowledged that the global financial system might force radical change.

"The way the economy's going, I hope I have a job in 2013, so I'm not worried about a CRT bike right now, that's for sure," he said. "But I'm not the biggest fan of it."





I'm sure you can see the big difference in the comments of the two men Chopper. One guy is saying, I'm thinking of leaving the sport, the other guy is saying, I hope I can still be part of the sport. World of difference.
 
Jumkie said:
Two-stoke is probably citing the same article you just post above. Where it says:



Yamaha's Ben Spies said he was also concerned about the prospects of a CRT-based future for the championship, though he acknowledged that the global financial system might force radical change.

"The way the economy's going, I hope I have a job in 2013, so I'm not worried about a CRT bike right now, that's for sure," he said. "But I'm not the biggest fan of it."





I'm sure you can see the big difference in the comments of the two men Chopper. One guy is saying, I'm thinking of leaving the sport, the other guy is saying, I hope I can still be part of the sport. World of difference.
Click to expand...

Yeah, thats why i asked for a link, i thought maybe two stroke had more on this and maybe Spies went further. To say spies is saying the same thing based on info from the artical i posted is bollocks. Spies is basicle saying what where all saying.



Come on Two stroke, you have our attention, now elaberate please.
 
Ur right Chops. I may have jumped the gun. Maybe Spies did say he doesnt think he wants to be part of it somewhere else. In which case, i'll wait for Two-strokes link.



HOWEVER, in the article u quoted above, he says in no uncertain terms, he wants a job in the sport.
 
What's wrong with touring cars? Touring cars are prolly more advanced than their open wheeled counterparts, except F1 offcourse. Heck DTM from the early/mid nineties was probably the most advanced racing series out there next to F1.



He should get with the times, there's a good chance someone like him wouldn't even have gotten the chance to enter the premier class in these times.



I'm excited for the CRT's, not only will there be more variety (especially in noise, something i missed since the 990's) but riders and teams who prolly would've never gotten the chance to enter can now atleast try.
 
To be honest, I always expected Stoner to walk away before he ran out of speed. He races b/c he must. Racing is in his nature.



If racing ceases to be part of his nature, he's too much of a contrarian to hang around for the crumpet, accolades, and free-handouts. Stoner's contrarian decorum is one of the things I appreciate most about him. He has the personality and showmanship of a tree stump, but he has an innate understanding that none of us is as dumb as all of us. When you take a group of race junkies, and you pump $250M through their speed club, parasites come from far and wide to establish a pecking order via a code of needless social complications.



At times I think Stoner's anti-social behavior and contrarian remarks are reactionary and contrived, but he sees through the BS one way or another. The people who claim to love him are not actually his friends, a lesson Stoner learned from Arrivabene. The Marlboro marketing maestro has been boiled in his own hot air, but the example he made of himself is not spectacular enough to change the GP culture or to assuage Stoner's feelings of disgust towards MotoGP politics.



I'm keen to see what happens to him. He's either going to wake up one day and realize that he's 3x-4x world champions, he's got tens of millions in the bank, and he knocks up his hot wife when it suits him. He'll put people to work polishing his boots and he'll backhand trouble-makers out of his pit box. If time doesn't weather his thin skin into steel wool, he will become even more reclusive. His interviews will be more laborious, and his countenance will be even more dour. He will retire to his farm, and he will not return until his priorities are straight. He will only return to the paddock for public appearances with Mick as his guardian. Nobody screws with Mick. He told Honda to stop developing his bike.
<
 
Right - Spies and Stoner's comments are taken from the post-race presser http://www.motogp.co...ress+Conference



Some kind sir on motomatters wrote up their comments (and Dovi's which arent included in the 'Stoner threatens to quit' stories for some reason)



Stoner: I think, um, if we kill prototypes than we may as well be racing touring cars, you know? It is no different to this and it will definitely take, for me, everything out of the racing. Um, you know, I won’t find the same interest to the point where you can get a street bike and, um, you know, put a different chassis or something like that on it – a bit of suspension and this and that and have a competitive bike. So, um, yeah I mean, this is the way it’s been for so many years and, you know, there has been a few things recently about, uh, costs and things like that that have increased personnel needed to run these bikes. Uh, they are definitely more complicated, I think, than the old 500’s but, um, you know if it does change like that then it’s definitely going to be disappointing for me and I don’t know if I’d want to be a part of it.



Spies: I think, um, it’s hard to understand right now just because it’s so far away. Um, I don’t know a whole lot about it, actually. Um, MotoGP is a prototype class, that’s what it is, um, so I think it would be taking a big part of that away. But, um, you know as I said, it’s – I’m more focused on next year and 2013…well, (laugh) the way the economy is going I don’t know if I’ll have a job in 2013…So (laugh) I’m not worried about a CRT bike right now, that’s for sure! But, um, I’m not the biggest fan of it but we’ll just see what happens.



Dovi: Yeah, me too. I mean, uh, first we don’t know exactly how it will be. So when the rules will be fix we can analyze. Uh, sure it is not the best because MotoGP is a prototype and uh, is something special – but, uh, is true the fighting is not so nice, so, the change…we need some change. But intelligent change, so.. I mean, it’s a long story and we can speak about many things. I don’t think we are the people, and the moment, to speak about that. I don’t know, and don’t know how it will be will change…I mean, the race the best riders are here so in any case with in any bikes the level will be high. But, uh, I don’t know.



Taken from here http://motomatters.c...?p=43408#p43408



None of them sound enthusiastic about CRT bikes being the top class.
 
The article is based on the post race press conference that I referred to a day or so after the race. You can see in on MotoGP.com for yourselves.



They all commented on the new testing rules which they all believe are unnecessary as well as the CRT.



Stoner has made it very clear that once he finishes with bikes he wants to race v8 Supercars. So I guess he is saying he doesn't want to ride 2 wheeled versions of a touring car he will just go and race the real thing.



Also unlike I guess a lot of the MotoGP field Stoner does not spend his money on flashy stuff. There are no sports cars (although there is a garage full of free m-BMW's) etc. You can bet he has saved a bucket load and therefore does not need to race soon.
 
two-stroke said:
Right - Spies and Stoner's comments are taken from the post-race presser http://www.motogp.co...ress+Conference



Some kind sir on motomatters wrote up their comments (and Dovi's which arent included in the 'Stoner threatens to quit' stories for some reason)



Stoner: I think, um, if we kill prototypes than we may as well be racing touring cars, you know? It is no different to this and it will definitely take, for me, everything out of the racing. Um, you know, I won’t find the same interest to the point where you can get a street bike and, um, you know, put a different chassis or something like that on it – a bit of suspension and this and that and have a competitive bike. So, um, yeah I mean, this is the way it’s been for so many years and, you know, there has been a few things recently about, uh, costs and things like that that have increased personnel needed to run these bikes. Uh, they are definitely more complicated, I think, than the old 500’s but, um, you know if it does change like that then it’s definitely going to be disappointing for me and I don’t know if I’d want to be a part of it.



Spies: I think, um, it’s hard to understand right now just because it’s so far away. Um, I don’t know a whole lot about it, actually. Um, MotoGP is a prototype class, that’s what it is, um, so I think it would be taking a big part of that away. But, um, you know as I said, it’s – I’m more focused on next year and 2013…well, (laugh) the way the economy is going I don’t know if I’ll have a job in 2013…So (laugh) I’m not worried about a CRT bike right now, that’s for sure! But, um, I’m not the biggest fan of it but we’ll just see what happens.



Dovi: Yeah, me too. I mean, uh, first we don’t know exactly how it will be. So when the rules will be fix we can analyze. Uh, sure it is not the best because MotoGP is a prototype and uh, is something special – but, uh, is true the fighting is not so nice, so, the change…we need some change. But intelligent change, so.. I mean, it’s a long story and we can speak about many things. I don’t think we are the people, and the moment, to speak about that. I don’t know, and don’t know how it will be will change…I mean, the race the best riders are here so in any case with in any bikes the level will be high. But, uh, I don’t know.



Taken from here http://motomatters.c...?p=43408#p43408



None of them sound enthusiastic about CRT bikes being the top class.
Click to expand...
Thank for posting the link ect. I still dont understand this coment of yours though?





Funny how Spies said basically the same thing about production based gp bikes and no one gives a ..... Just sayin'.
Click to expand...

What Spies said is nothing like or as dramatic as what stoner said. Sorry but im thinking you made the comment to try and imply we were giving satoner the .... end of the stick while giving Spies a free pass. This of course is bollocks. The world champ threatening to quite is bound to draw more attention than a rider just saying " we will have to wait and see". Hardly a though inspiring comment is it. We will all have to wait and see what next season brings so it was hardly worth a comment imo.
 
Mental Anarchist said:
The article is based on the post race press conference that I referred to a day or so after the race. You can see in on MotoGP.com for yourselves.



They all commented on the new testing rules which they all believe are unnecessary as well as the CRT.



Stoner has made it very clear that once he finishes with bikes he wants to race v8 Supercars. So I guess he is saying he doesn't want to ride 2 wheeled versions of a touring car he will just go and race the real thing.



Also unlike I guess a lot of the MotoGP field Stoner does not spend his money on flashy stuff. There are no sports cars (although there is a garage full of free m-BMW's) etc. You can bet he has saved a bucket load and therefore does not need to race soon.
Click to expand...

How the .... can you know this. You know him personally or are you mind reading again ?
 

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