Road Racing

 What is your opinion about moto road racing such as Isle of Man TT or
300 curves of Gustav Havel  (http://www.300zatacek.cz ) ?

Are there any similar popular and famous road races in US or somewhere
else (except Ireland/Northern Ireland where the road racing's pretty
popular, as far as I know).

Btw. here are some onboard videos:

http://www.300zatacek.cz/2008/02/video-z-biku-kamila-holane.html

or the winner

http://www.300zatacek.cz/2008/02/video-vitez-winner-2007.html

Let me know, thanks!

 
Cool videos.  As far as I know, there is nothing like this or the Isle
of Mann in the North America.  My understanding is that the main
reason is insurance, in no small part because of fear of lawsuits.  A
couple of years ago there was an attempt to organize a road race in
Nova Scotia, which fell through at the last minute because the
organizers were unable to secure insurance.

A friend of mine, who races vintage bikes, did participate in what was
advertised as a vintage road race, but in reality it was more of an
exhibition run.  It was part of a big bike rally and was conducted the
day before the real vintage races were held at the local closed
circuit.  You still got to go fast through closed public roads, but it
wasn't like anybody was dicing for the win pushing it to the limit.

Personally, I think road races like this look fantastic, but I don't
know that I'd ever do it as part of a serious race.  An exhibition
run, sure.  Signing up to do one event, surviving it, and then getting
back to do my normal closed circuit thing, maybe.  But pushing a
modern bike to the limit on such a course half a dozen times a year,
no freaking way.  Best of luck to you guys!  Have fun and stay safe.

 
There may well be, but I don't know of a more lethal event than the IoM.
Historically, there's been a 1% fatality rate at IoM. Each year they
lose 1-2 people. Not just injured, mind, but fatalities. And not just
the little guys, they lost top riders there as well.

Now perhaps motorsports in the past were as, or perhaps even more,
lethal, than IoM today, but  I dunno. GP has, now, two fatalities in its
entire history. But IoM loses 1-2 a year. Dakar doesn't even have that
kind of record.

But IoM is certainly exciting. Love to see them run there.

 
I'm not sure about that.  It's all but shut down for good now, but as
I recall, they have lost several motorcyclists in the last couple of
years.

 [Dangerous TT]

I have a feeling that more spectators* are killed on the Isle of Man
roads during TT week than racers are killed during the acutal racing
and practice.

* That'll be spectators attempting to emulate their heroes on the TT
course, sometimes after a couple of pints of local beer and
occasionally on the wrong side of the road, rather than spectators
just sitting watching the racing.

[Wonderful TT]

But every motorcyclist who thinks he or she is a bit quick on the road
should visit there at least once and see the experts demonstrating how
it's done. I don't know how relevant it is to any other form of
motorcycle racing, but it's a true test of balls and judgement. Or
something...