What is back? I was going to say World Superbike, but my plans are that this blog is also back. Inspired by my good buddy John Dagys' new blog, I'm going to try to get this one up and running again.
To be honest, it's been hard to be as excited about motorsport lately, with the global economic downturn claiming such racing victims as Subaru and Suzuki in the WRC, Kawasaki in MotoGP, Honda in F1 and the AMA, and Audi in the ALMS. But now that the season is getting underway, it's a good reminder that racing will always be there, and that these contractions can be a good thing, forcing the sport to think more carefully about how it goes about it's business.
So here's what I'm finding exciting at the moment:
- World Superbike - Having just watched the new Superpole qualifying format, along with the bevy of superstar riders and deep field of factory teams, I just can't wait for the first races tomorrow. And to have an American rookie on pole makes it even better...
- The Intercontinental Rally Challenge - Although it may not be the future of rallying, it's proving some important things that the WRC is simply going to have to pay attention to. Cheaper cars? Check. Simpler gearboxes? Check. Incentive for manufacturers to join in? Check. A kickass TV package with lots of helicopter and in-car footage? Check.
- Formula 1 - Everything points to an exciting season this year. It couldn't get much more exciting than the finale last year, but we may be looking at more than two people battling for the championship. Plus F1 races make my mate Dave want to have friends around and enjoy his superb BBQ, so I'm not arguing!
- Le Mans - 26 P1 entries. 26!!! Nine of the them from factory programs! Three of those from Aston Martin! Ridiculously good.
- All my favourite races: the TT, Sebring, Bathurst, Petit Le Mans, Nurburgring 24, MotoGP at Laguna Seca, Baja 1000 and of course Le Mans. These things are always great, regardless of the economy or quality of entry.
