One of life's mysteries, in my opinion, is the lack of spectators support to motorcycle racing.
Before COVID, I rode to Atco Raceway in New Jersey, and attended an event sponsored by Harley Drag Racing Association. It was an amazing motorcycle racing event, nitro Harleys going down the 1/4 mile track in 6 seconds. The grandstand for racing fans were almost empty.
In my opinion, motorcycle racing in the United States is at an all time low. The sport is in desperate need of an infusion of new blood, a new generation of racing fans to get involved. Most times there are more people competing than those attending the event.
Due to low spectators turnout, sponsors are withdrawing their financial support. On the other hand, in Europe the racing community is experiencing a different outcome. Racing is experiencing a boom in the racing world, the grandstands are always full of spectators, lots of companies investing and promoting their products.
For those of us who love the sport, some changes are needed, soon.
I absolutely agree. Every year I travel to South Jersey (Millville) to watch Superbike racing and am shocked by how small the crowd is. And it's getting smaller which, as you note, causes sponsors to withdraw. Why aren't the best racers being celebrated by fans?
ReplyDeleteI fear it's two reasons. First, fewer young people are getting exposed to and interested in motorcycles generally than used to. Second, our culture (especially entertainment media) doesn't depict motorcycling as much as it used to. With less portrayals, viewers don't think about the sport; with fewer riders, there are less fans.
I got into motorcycling twenty years ago and see the decline over that period. Even the annual exhibition (in NYC at the Javits Center) gets smaller each year. We need to turn this around!
I simply don't understand why fans don't support the sport. I love going to Millville too, it is the closest motorcycle roadracing track in this area. I prefer vintage racing sponsored by the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association every summer.
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