Based on the known facts and figures blatantly stolen from PlugBike.com, AsphaltAndRubber.com, eMotoRules.com, IvarKvadsheim, the FIM, HellForLeather.com (who seriously know how to have a good time), and eGrandPrix.com; David did indeed slay Goliath.
The FIM had their asses handed to them not only on quantity of entries, but also on quality of participation. Well known, and well respected, veteran road racers Michael Barnes and Shawn Higbee swapped positions on their respective Lightning Motors and Zero/Agni machines throughout the 11-lap final event, with Higbee coming out on top at the end. Although there were technical issues for nearly every team on the grid, there were still some great battles, and it was a fantastic start to the e-season.
So, how did the two competing opening events compare? Here we go:
Okay, I had to throw in the scooter stat because I just don’t care for the silly things. Saying the word scooter actually makes me vomit in my mouth a little. I think the French have a term for a person who shows up to an international road race on a scooter, “le sac de douche” (okay, maybe it’s an American term). I mean really, how much of a DB are you to put your pit bike on the grid at the legendary LeMans circuit and not mean it as a joke? I digress.
In less than a week (22-May-2010), the FIM gets their first chance to redeem themselves and save some face on the international e-racing stage. The entire electric road racing scene will be looking toward Albacete, Spain to see how it all turns out. For now that’s TTXGP 1, ePower 0.
Sources: As Hyperlinked (please visit them for more info, and far better writing)
Photo: (Higbee and Barnes) stolen from AsphaltAndRubber.com
5 comments:
Good post, but I don't think it's as Apples to Apples as you make it out to be. Infineon is at the heart of the electric bike scene, whereas France certainly is not. When cash is a huge issue, location of races because even more important. That's certainly part of FIM's fault for not picking opening venues as well as they should have, but I think they're stop at Seca is a better place to make comparisons on grid attendance and such.
The other thing you have to realize about TTXGP is that only the Zero/Agni bike went the full race distance. They stopped the race once it crossed the finish line. With bikes left with 33% of the race distance left to go, who knows what could of happened, and who would have still finished.
Kenyon Kluge put together a great bike, and is a super nice guy to talk to, but he finished his last lap pushing the bike...he technically had another lap to go after that, so should he be counted in that figure?
I'd put another category on that table: PR spin. TTXGP spins a good story, but the truth is far from their version. The FIM seems to be media retarded, and doesn't even really bother promoting their series. There was some good racing on the track (and some very lack-luster racing on the track), but I don't think either series can claim a victory in their battle for running electric motorcycle racing just yet.
Jensen,
Have been watching you over time become the Fox news of the motorcycling press.
You peddle opinion as fact and since you have taken a disliking to TTXGP perhaps since Azhar Hussain called you out as a moron. He did apologise for it after but I hazard only because he said it publically.
TTXGP has developed against the odds. The wiki thing is brilliant and I hope the co-op idea takes off too.
You are right, its not Apples to Apples. FIM isn't even in the game. But you always seem to be making excuses for FIM.
You are being becoming a foot soldier for the man.
I am completely biased for sure. I think TTXGP certainly has it's issues, but I also think they have created the best representation of a sport that I would like to see succeed. I agree with Jensen that the FIM has no clue how to promote and organize their version of the sport, and yeah, I'm knocking them for it. If anything, I hope this post helps prod the FIM and TTXGP to improve. Laguna is their chance to shine.
As I tweeted yesterday, if you don't start writing more posts, I'm going to have to open a can of whoop-ass on you. Loved this one. I couldn't see the details of the chart when I looked at it on my phone, but it made me laugh when I finally got it open on my screen. Wish you could have been there, Christian. The camaraderie among the teams in the pit area was phenomenal.
@Jensen Beeler
what's the real version of the truth with TTXGP?
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