Wayne Gardner demands immediate TT ban

[imdying]

I don't deny that there is a morbid fascination with crashes however I strongly disagree that people are baying for the riders blood or hoping that he's badly injured.

I don't think they hope that they're badly injured, but they definitely look forward to crashes. That hope will come in time though.

[imdying]

I salute those who know how great the chance is at IOM, I salute the fact they are able to stare it right in the face and push themselves an their bikes to the limits when death is right on their doorstep.

Totally, the only thing I don't understand is how they don't all walk like cowboys.

[onearmedbandit]

I don't think they hope that they're badly injured, but they definitely look forward to crashes. That hope will come in time though.

The comparision to the Gladiators and Lions gave the impression that spectators were baying for blood, in either injury or death. This is what was hoped for in those days. If the analogy doesn't fit, then it should have never been used.

[onearmedbandit]

I believe to some uneducated 'joes' we are perceived in a manner of defying death and the odds....you really can't argue with this onearm...most people rightly or wrongly think motorcycle racing is super stupid dangerous....and this forms an opinion within thier heads about those of us who compete in this sport.

I don't argue that at all. I argue that they view you as 'heroes' (in regards to crashes).

[Deano]

Funny too...come Paeroa and Whangas all these different riders come out of the woodwork who only compete in the street events....why do you think that is?

Lets be clear here, I'm not personally calling for a ban of the IOM myself (although I would never race there and believe it has served its useful life), I am more so a doomsayer with a sandwich board standing on your street corner saying "Beware - The end is nigh!"

The streets are a niche event - perhaps for some it a cheap alternative to get a 'nationally recognised' placing without the expense of doing the Nats. And maybe they think circuit racing is too boring, or their bike can compete on a short street whereas it won't on a flowing circuit. Or they have a purpose built street race bike.

What do you think the reason is ? Because they want to be a hero ? There used to be a parade in Auckland for that, and less risky too. LOL

If you think the IoMTT has served it's useful life, then you DO think it should be banned right ? You can't have it both ways and appear to be contradicting yourself now.

Yet when there is footage available for viewers it will be sought out and watched over and over again....posted on peoples facebook pages (like the recent crash in the moto2 race this weekend) and talked about...so why is that then? Curiosity bro...its what makes us racers all heroes to some.

I believe to some uneducated 'joes' we are perceived in a manner of defying death and the odds....you really can't argue with this onearm...most people rightly or wrongly think motorcycle racing is super stupid dangerous....and this forms an opinion within thier heads about those of us who compete in this sport.

If most think motorcycling is super stupid dangerous then who regards racers as heroes ? The minority that you purport go to see crashes and deaths ?

[Biggles08]

I don't argue that at all. I argue that they view you as 'heroes' (in regards to crashes).

I think you need to re-read some of my points...its about the perceived stupid 'risk of crashing' not the actual crashing that makes racers 'heroes' in some peoples eyes...especially kids. This is why I personally do not see racers that compete in IOM as heroes (or any racer for that matter), just racers like me who love a different style of racing.

In saying that, if you crash and come back from it, some people view this fact alone as reason to call you a hero. Look at Shaun Harris as an example... he has competed at the IOM many times yet the one fact people are most likely to know about him is he basically died there due to crashing yet thankfully made a remarkable recovery.

[Quasievil]

who regards racers as heroes ?

Youre my Hero Deano

[Biggles08]

The streets are a niche event - perhaps for some it a cheap alternative to get a 'nationally recognised' placing without the expense of doing the Nats. And maybe they think circuit racing is too boring, or their bike can compete on a short street whereas it won't on a flowing circuit. Or they have a purpose built street race bike.

What do you think the reason is ? Because they won't to be a hero ? There used to be a parade in Auckland for that, and less risky too. LOL

The last sentence is what I think is the main reason...its a well publicized event with great atmosphere...I loved that part of the event myself...but the racing is not what I enjoy, give me a track any day over a road.

If you think the IoMTT has served it's useful life, then you DO think it should be banned right ? You can't have it both ways and appear to be contradicting yourself now.

Come on Deano....don't make me spell everything out for you! I am not calling for it to be banned 'myself' merely stating I think it 'will' eventually be banned...and for what my opinion is worth I think it has served its use in history. Its all semantics really so if you want to categorize my opinion to make it easier for you then sure, I think it should be banned...happy?

If most think motorcycling is super stupid dangerous then who regards racers as heroes ? The minority that you purport go to see crashes and deaths ?

Man...this is getting tiresome...read what I am saying rather than arguing just for the sake of it...I never said anyone went to these events only "to see crashes and deaths." I am talking about human society and our deep seated curiosity with danger and those who flirt with it. I used the crash in the moto2 this weekend as an example of this to make it easier to understand...but it seems to have been lost on you?!

[Deano]

Youre my Hero Deano

Yeah right !! LOL

[Katman]

read what I am saying rather than arguing just for the sake of it

That's not the KiwiBiker way.

[Biggles08]

Yeah right !! LOL

here you go loverboys...

[onearmedbandit]

Yet when there is footage available for viewers it will be sought out and watched over and over again....posted on peoples facebook pages (like the recent crash in the moto2 race this weekend) and talked about...so why is that then? Curiosity bro...its what makes us racers all heroes to some.

Can you explain to me then what you meant by 'curiosity bro...its what makes us racers all heroes to some'. Thanks.

I hesitate to agree with you....

This I do feel though falls outside your argument as its dealing with life and death in the arena of what is acceptable collateral damage for present day standards... sure people love to watch IOM, but the fact is the main reason for this is because Joe Public see these riders in the same light as the Roman peasants viewed the gladiators....as expendable. I know motorcyclist's see more than this but the truth remains, the stats simply (unfortunately) do not stack up in favor of it continuing. Put it this way, how many deaths per event is too many for it to continue every year? 10? 20? 50? You see my point...its much like "everyone has a price." Its just a matter of what that price is.

read what I am saying rather than arguing just for the sake of it...I never said anyone went to these events only "to see crashes and deaths."

The highlighted section of your previous post seems to contradict what you state later. Or am I misunderstanding you?

[avgas]

Sounds like they are your heroes avgas?

Anyone who knows what the odds are - and tries anyway is my hero.
Sadly if we can stuff like IOM - motorbike heroism will be left to the stuck up rich kids who don't know what its like to put it ALL on the line.
I used to love watching Haga - now he is also a soft pussy. He used to be balls the wall on an R7....ending up with a podium or a wipeout.
Now I am lucky to see him lean into a corner.
We need more womanizing, fag smoking, drinking-too-much-the-night-before, hardcore oldschool bikers.
Motorbike racing is not about legislation, its about the riding.

[Crasherfromwayback]

You guys are gonna have to agree to disagree on this one, you're all getting nowhere! There are those of us that think the riders should be free to choose to race there, and those that think they have the right to tell others what to do. Life is full of such things.

[Biggles08]

Can you explain to me then what you meant by 'curiosity bro...its what makes us racers all heroes to some'. Thanks.
The highlighted section of your previous post seems to contradict what you state later. Or am I misunderstanding you?

When you add those two questions together I would have thought it was obvious...but here goes;

People are curious to watch other people put themselves in danger for their entertainment. They like 'the thought' of someone taking on the unimaginable to them....and they are curious as to what makes them tick. Without knowing it consciously, by idolizing these people just simply because they put their life on the line for their entertainment, they are making those same people expendable.

Anyway, I'm kinda over this thread now and have said my piece...take from it as you will.