What happened in the Daytona riders meeting?

Read that Ben Bostrom and Mat Mladin had some course words during the riders meeting.....

Anyone down there know?
Davie S?

 

I saw that too......and am interested, sounds like neil had some words too.

 

I hear that Mladin asked a bunch of questions...over and over, @ the the riders meeting. Not sure of anything between them though.

 

Anyone find any info. on this?

 

Mat and Ben complained about where they were flagging the race from.(they are flagging from nascar flag stand). They said you can`t see flag at nearly 200Mph. they were told tough. Ben said "thats bullshit", Mat asked if the guy has ever did 200 on a bike, Guy replies "yes" Mat says I dont think so. Guy says i`ve told you 4 times where we were flagging from end of story. This is the jist of the story from people in the meeting. Sorry for the run on, typing from phone

 

I got the same story from another rider in the meeting

 

I can see how that would upset riders, and Im sure safety is an issue as well. Im not sure the NASCAR guys use 'Bullshit' in there drivers meetings....maybe they should start.

 

But imagine how good the TV will look with the 'standard NASCAR camera angle #4' is used with the pack rolling up to the green!?! That will sure bring in the fans!

(to be read with LOTs of sarcasm if that is not apparent)

 

And that right there is a problem.

Instead of just dismissing racer's concerns, how about sending someone out to evaluate the situation further and then make a change if necessary. It's kinda difficult to gauge the situation from a podium at a rider's meeting, no?

All you have to say is "Thanks for the recommendation - we'll check it out".

See? Easy.

 

I thought they usually flagged from the pit wall side of the track.

Ya know I've tried to be objective about this DMG thing but if they are screwing with the riders like this I might keep my ticket money. I can go watch Wera this weekend.

 

Fixed it for ya...

 

I remember them flagging from the bottom of the banking. I know my one experience with WERA at Fontana that if they were flagging from up at the flag stand above the banking around the chain link fence I'd never see the flag and i'm not even going close to 200mph.

 

Let's just call it 3 weeks cause it might as well be next year.

And tonight it finally hit me and I'm really pissed.

 

GAYTONA!!!

 

DMG FTW, :wow: :down:

 

Well, atleast theres that.


I also liked the comments Neil made about the superpole/race being delayed in the qualifying interview.

 

I remember them using the safety lights (red-green-yellow) which if I'm not mistaken (which I probably am) were in a similar sight line and they were never a problem to see.

Also, cars are going similar speeds and can see them fine. Sounds like nit pickin to me.

 

There is a slight difference in the field of vision from the seat of a car and full race tuck on a bike.

 

+1

A car driver is sitting down in a seat with their head resting back, eyes up.

Racing bikes down the straight in a full tuck the racer's eyes/head are in the bubble. It aint no nit-picking.

What would Rossi do? This is no surprise to anyone who's been watching DMG's attitude toward racer safety and being dismissive about anything besides money in their pocket. Hoping it works out has put racers in the hospital before, where DMG is concerned, and other orgs could have avoided it. And that's why we'll be hearing more from the likes of Hodgson and Mladin this year.

 

I think the difference is the seating position and the visibility the cars have while on the banking. Not that the bikes can't see, it just may be easier with the flagger closer to the racing line.

However, things like this NEVER happened with the former AMA, right?? Yes, that's synical. I think there will be growing pains from both sides, but ultimately, they should work themselves out. One way or the other. But, finger pointing isn't going to help either side.