I was hoping some of you could help me out on a few questions I have about sport-bike racing. I understand how races seperate the fields by engine size and such, but what I don't understand are all the circuits and terminology. What exactly is motoGP, Grand Prix, Super Bike, etc and how are they organized? Why is there a seperate group/organization for US and abroad? What are ALL of the classes or groups or whatever? Which race is for the Champion of the World? Last, why don't I see all the brands of companies that produce superbikes (MV Agusta, Aprilia, Triumph, Buell, Binelli, Bimota, etc.) in the races? I have really started to like watching them on the Speed channel, but don't really get it. Help me out! :wacko:
Dude, your questions are so broad on such a complicated subject that I think most folks won't answer. Kinda like: why do they make different motorcycles? :biggrin: Cliff notes version: MotoGP is the top class. Best riders on non-production/race only machines. Different classes. World SuperBike: Best of production based machines but the actual bikes aren't even close to what you can buy and ride. World SuperSport: Closer to real production bikes. National levels of Superbike National levels of Supersport Regional Club levels of Superbike Regional Club levels of SuperSport Local Club levels of Superbike Local Club levels of SuperSport Track days on your own bike. Playing MotoGP on your computer/xbox Sitting on a bike making vroooo, vrooom noises There are intricate rules/specifications that can change even weekly in each organization to keep the racing as fair (or unfair depending on your point of view) as possible. The top tiers are business and run for money, the lower are run in the spirit competition.
Throw in World Superstock (FIM Cup 1000) - its part of the Superbike World Championship circus but unfortunately they only ride the tracks around Europe. Here you get to see streetbikes with little in mods - race can, upgraded rear suspension and thats about it (I think). All four Japanese makers are represented but you also get to see the very tasty Ducati 1098S and MV Agusta F4 312R come out to play!! I get to watch it as part of the Fox Sports SBK coverage. Cheers,
MotoGP & Grand Prix are the same, prototype bikes only with heaps of go faster bits!! Superbike - production based 1000cc bikes Supersport - production based 600cc bikes, rules basically the same as Superbikes Most classes below Superbike/Supersport are similar bikes, but less modifications allowed. World Championships: Grand Prix - 125cc, 250cc & MotoGP World Superbike & World Supersport World Endurance? (e.g. Suzuka 8 hour, Le Mans 24 hour) There are probably a few others that I've forgotten. I'm not sure if there is still a World Sidecar championship Other makes: A fair few have competed at World championship level. MV Agusta won a number of GP titles some years back, they probably dropped out when everyone else went to two stokes. A few rumours that they may return to World Superbike. Aprilia have competed in 125cc & 250cc for quite a few years. Took part in the first few years of MotoGP, bike wasn't competitive. Recently involved in World Superbike, won the occasional race. Rumoured to have a 1000cc V4 under development, a return to World Superbike imminent? The only recent racing that Triumph has been involved in that I know of is road racing. e.g. the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 Buell - I'm not aware of any involvement at world level Bennelli raced in World Superbike for several seasons a few years ago, they weren't competitive. Bimota occasionally has been in World Superbike. Usually cut short by the team going bankrupt. They did win one Superbike race at Phillip Island when they chose rain tyres before the start & the rain duly came in flood proportions. Some sites you could try: www.motogp.com www.worldsuperbike.tv www.crash.net www.moto-live.com www.stickyrubber.com
DavidVFR, Thank you very much for that excellent break down and links! That was exactly the description I was looking for. Now I can better understand what the hell I am watching and readig about in magazines.
You can watch or participate in clubracing in Phx http://roadracesw.com/ or Demming http://asmaracing.com/ Rules and specs on each website, RRSW routinely has AMA SS and SB racers at the races. (if not on an AMA weekend.)
