I think bringing CRT bikes on to a prototype bike grid has killed some of the enjoyment.
I think banning 'CRT' bikes in the first place did much damage to the sport. It allowed Superbike to flourish and take away from GP racing.
In fact, 'too many rules' seems to be the problem. The factories are fighting for the last hundredth of a second and are prepared to pay big to get that, because they are so limited in what they are allowed to do.
If there was no limit on engines, tyres, fuel, cylinders, 'stroke', weight or electronics, jus a cc limit, there would be a bunch more teams contesting the championship and a lot more interesting technology would be allowed to strut its stuff.
No doubt it would always end up with v configuration twins, triples and fours, because power for pound they make the most sense. But there might also be some wicked rotaries, radials, push-me-pull-yous... radical new designs that would shake up the motorcycle world. But we'll never know, because the 'show' is so limited in its view.
It doesn't matter though, I don't care if they are running 80cc v8s, I will still watch. I've been doing it for more than fourty years, I'm not going to stop now just because CRT bikes are racing. Contrary to what a lot of poster have said, I still find it fascinating, still get a buzz even when its some guy running off at the front 20 seconds in the lead. I find the balls-out racing of Espargaro and De Puniet as they chase down the factory prototypes a real draw - I want to see them get new hardware and start to show the factories that spending $5M doesn't necessarily ensure you are faster, that a quick RIDER on a half-million dollar 'spec' bike can beat your high-tech money-pit.
I will miss Stoner, but Rossi should be making things interesting next year. If Pedrosa carries on as he has this season, he will be a force to be reckoned with and his new team-mate has to elbow his way into the big-boys club. Jorge will continue to make cutting wise-cracks while proceeding to blandly ride a bike faster than just about anyone on the planet. Cal will cuss and swear and smile and crash and carry on having a ....... awesome time! Bradders will stolidly go about learning how to ride these things fast. Iannone will piss off a lot of people, will crash a bit and will fulfil his monicker of being 'Crazy Joe'. Abraham will have to learn how to ride a CRT, which after his foray with Ducati will probably come as a pleasant surprise - I think he will surprise a few naysayers, too. Bradl and Bautista will be more of the same... Bradl might find it a bit tougher without Spies there to make him look good
And all the while I will be eagerly anticipating the day that Suzuki/Kawasaki/Aprilia/MV/BMW/Norton announce a return to GP racing... and the rules Carmelo will put in place to further level the field.
Because that's why I watch - to see people race. I don't much care what it is they race as long as it isn't a spec bike and as long as there is drama. I want to see crazy Italians gesticulating, Brits chewing up the furniture, Spaniards fighting to cement their place, Americans hanging it out, Australians pissing off fanboys.
You guys can head on off to midget cars or Superbike or whatever it is you watch when you're not watching GP racing.
Me, I'll be glued to my seat, watching every minute of every race and as much footage of teams, riders and managers as I can track down. What else would I be doing? Watching horses?
