Spyder Racing Events

[figmotoday]

Alan Cathcart (2013) in Motorcyclist mentioned that in the late 1950s Soichiro Honda wanted to expand his motorcycle company. Soichiro used international racing to successfully increase his market and to distinguish his brand from other Japanese motorcycles. Mahindra, a small India motorcycle company, is currently attempting to utilize the same racing/marketing tactic. I wondered if this perspective was still relevant in this day and age and if racing would increase spyder visibility and market. I have no idea about the time, energy, resources, and finances needed to set up amateur or professional racing events or how to connect it with other racing events. I just think it would be a very cool thing to watch and I'd road trip across the country to be there.

Is anyone familiar with current amateur or professional spyder racing events or discussions about future spyder racing events?

Thanx,
Jon

 

[Bob Denman]

This issue has been kicked around in here a little bit; but I honestly don't think that anything has developed... :shocked:

 

[tajohn]

Spyder Races

It would take someone who is close to a track owner or manager.
I think it would have to start small such as having a Spyder lead the cars on the parade lap to start a race. This would get exposure to the public and perhaps lead to racing.

 

[Bob Denman]

At once point; we even had some folks trying to figure out how to see if Bosch would release a programmable version of "Nanny" for competition usage... I think that they hit a brick wall... :shocked:

 

[figmotoday]

Thanx for the history on this topic. My hunch is that possibly BRP has done a cost/benefit of racing/marketing and/or pigging backing with other racing events and their data sets indicated a loss. Accessing younger cohorts may even involve X games involvement. I grew up hill climbing, hare scrambling, and various enduro racing plus racing 1/4 mile dirt track race cars; I was just picturing racing events with a bunch of spyders on a huge track just going for it.

 

[figmotoday]

It would take someone who is close to a track owner or manager.
I think it would have to start small such as having a Spyder lead the cars on the parade lap to start a race. This would get exposure to the public and perhaps lead to racing.

excellent point

 

[NancysToy]

As an old racer, I have to think it would be an uphill road. The Spyder nanny would inhibit high performance, and the inability to tune the engine via BUDS would prohibit extensive performance mods. Racers don't like to be just the same as the other guy...and crew chiefs like it even less. Toss in liability issues for the manufacturer, and the costs of sponsoring a program, and things get expensive and complex. While racing programs nowadays are often big buck operations, and very sophisticated, they began as grass roots efforts many years ago. Even Honda started that way. (BTW, they abandoned direct participation as soon as their reputation was established.) Not to throw cold water on the idea, but to me it is a long shot.

 

[Jeriatric]

It WILL happen

It's just a matter of time. :thumbup:

I won't say who it was but nanny has already been disabled and they reported riding it without nanny.......is a hoot. (the source of this report is VERY credible)

 

[Oldmanzues]

As an old racer, I have to think it would be an uphill road. The Spyder nanny would inhibit high performance, and the inability to tune the engine via BUDS would prohibit extensive performance mods. Racers don't like to be just the same as the other guy...and crew chiefs like it even less. Toss in liability issues for the manufacturer, and the costs of sponsoring a program, and things get expensive and complex. While racing programs nowadays are often big buck operations, and very sophisticated, they began as grass roots efforts many years ago. Even Honda started that way. (BTW, they abandoned direct participation as soon as their reputation was established.) Not to throw cold water on the idea, but to me it is a long shot.

I have to agree on this one.
The amount of money required to start a new class. How many with enough money to support it and even where/when. Factory support. The engines on thoses Honda's were several thousand each, when you could buy many new motorcycles for less then a thousand, some way less. Translate that to day and it would cost mega millions. Then would people support it ? Side hack racing has been around since the begining, but few support it in the US I do not know about overseas anymore.
Oldmanzues

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: i think we'd all like to hear from the fellow who has managed to pull this one off! :bowdown:

 

[docdoru]

 

[docdoru]

 

[docdoru]

 

[Jeriatric]

Talking out of school

:shocked: i think we'd all like to hear from the fellow who has managed to pull this one off! :bowdown:

Would like to say more but the last thing I want to do is get anyone in trouble. I will say they have all the tools and knowledge necessary to do the job. And, had a free Spyder to work their magic on.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THIS IS OCCURRING RIGHT NOW

..

 

[Jeriatric]

:thumbup:

 

[Jeriatric]

FIGMO

Was a long time ago but there are many HERE who have gone FIGMO. :doorag:

 

[Chupaca]

As a spectator..!!

Great points mentioned above. Now as a spectator I would not enjoy a competition of only one brand. Honda and others entered racing to gain markets by winning or placing against old established brands. To have a spyder place 1st 2nd and 3rd in a field of 50 spyders will only show who is the best driver not giving much to the brand. But it would be fun to watch...saw this happen with Toyota in a south american market, no sales gain for them. The full page ads claiming a sweep did not impress people... Just my thought

 

[Bob Denman]

You mention a salient point; identical machines will show who can RIDE! :thumbup:
But the old I,R.O.C. races were supposed to offer the same type of competition; they were a bit boring due to the equality of the machines.
There just wasn't enough passing to keep it interesting... (IMHO)

 

[Jeriatric]

Flat Trackers

Do you root for the brand they ride, or, the rider?