Formula 1 Grand Prix motor racing has a huge international following, but many find that the races are predictable. On the Monaco circuit, for example, there is little opportunity to overtake, so the first car into the first corner is likely to win, unless there are mechanical problems or pit-lane slip-ups. Perhaps its time to enjoy the excitement of the Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Track action in Moto GP is different. Although motorcycles are much narrower than cars, they race on similarly wide tracks, which provides more elbow-room for passing maneuvers. Only in unusual circumstances are there pit-stops, so the winner is more likely to be the best rider on the best bike, instead of the best pit team.
There are some organisational similarities, however:
- like F1, the Moto GP circus moves around the world
- starting grid positions are determined by pre-race qualifying laps
- there is a constructors championship
- the bikes are designed purely for racing.
The Moto GP bikes
Governed by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), a Moto GP race weekend has three contests. There used to be more classes but inevitably, the FIM have made changes over the years and only the 125cc race provides a link to the Grand Prix origins of 1949.
The 250cc series, run as recently as 2009, has been replaced by Moto2 where all bikes must have the same engine. For 2011, it is a Honda 600cc unit, although teams can fit it into any frame. The big race is now called the Moto GP with an engine size of 800cc, although there's no restriction on who makes it. Anoraks can read up on further details of the classes by consulting the FIM 2011 rule book. (You will need the Adobe pdf reader to view it if you use this link.)
It is surprising, when considering the number of motorcycle manufacturers around the world, how few of them get involved in the main event, either directly or via semi-official support of non-factory teams. For 2011, there are seventeen riders. Six use Honda bikes, another six are on Ducati. Yamaha is the preferred mount for four riders, and one is on the distinctive blue Suzuki of the Rizla team. Or perhaps it isn't so suprising there are so few as the costs can be very damaging to the bank balance.
The Moto GP riders
How many countries in the world are there? The United Nations lists 192 members in its organisation. Presumably, countries exist who are not members, so lets round up the number of nations to 200 (it's just a guess on my part). Out of the 200 or so countries, only eight nationalities make up the 2011 riders list. Spain leads the way with five riders, there are four Italians and three from the USA. Given the number of Japanese bikes, Japanese riders seem under-repesented - there's only one. One each from France, the Czech Republic, Australia and the UK completes the list.
The Moto GP circuits
There are eighteen rounds to the 2011 season. Some circuits will be familiar to Formula 1 fans; Britain's Silverstone and Spain's Valencia are two examples. Other iconic names to motor sport enthusiasts are Le Mans in France and Indianapolis in the USA. Less well known is Losail in Qatar, hosting the only race that runs under floodlights, and the extremely televisual Laguna Seca track in California, USA. The other twelve venues are in Europe, the USA, Japan and Malaysia.
Ticket prices
Understandably, prices vary with location. Silverstone, England and Philip Island, Australia are at the more expensive end of the range. Nevertheless, when comparing costs on the official web sites for MotoGP and Formula 1, tickets are cheaper. Taking Silverstone as an example, a MotoGP three-day pass is nearly half the price of the Formula 1 equivalent.
Regalia
Many sports fans like to wear the colours of their heros, and MotoGP enthusiasts are no different. But like Premiership footballers, riders have been known to change teams, making some items out-of-date. Italian Valentino ('The Doctor') Rossi delighted his countrymen when he moved from Yamaha to Italian maker Ducati. Some will have celebrated by rushing out to buy a baseball cap with the Ducati insignia on it.
Are you now convinced that MotoGP is more exciting and better value than Formula 1?
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