Suzuka...does anyone care anymore?

All of the big races of the past (Dayton, Suzuka, Isle of Mann, etc)
seem to have really lost their luster in the past few years or decades.
Just a few years ago Suzuka would have lots of GP stars and a few
WSB and even AMA stars. Now the one riders I have ever heard of
are Colin, Haga, and Okada. Daytona is still a fairly big deal in the
USA, but unlike 10 or more years ago, nobody outside the USA cares
at all. What has happened to the former important races?

shane

 

They got less important.

--
Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Infant

 

I think that as technology grows and people become more involved with
'virtual' entertainment such as computers and games consoles, they are
slowly losing interest in 'real' entertainment such as motorbikes. Not
just motorbike racing, but motorbikes themselves. With less of an
interest base, there becomes less room for the less glamorous types of
races.

It's a shame though...

 

I disagree. I think it's due to specialization. If you are in a series, be
it national or international, you likely have sponsors who have an interest
in you doing well in that series. Adding the risk of participating in a
one-off event such as Macau, Isle of Mann, Suzuka, etc. increases your
exposure to risk by injury that could damage your success in the primary
series in which you take part. Many of these events have scheduling
conflicts with the series calendars as well. Also, with riders making better
wages than in the past there is less need for them to enter these events for
the financial rewards.

 

Interesting point. It's a shame that money can work against these great
sporting contests, eventually rendering them less meaningful.