Is there a difference in skill level required to be the best motorcycle racer vs the best car racer? You tell me...
We all know last year Rossi spent a day in Schumacher's F1 car and was three seconds off the pace.
According to Greg White on TWT, Schumacher got a chance to ride the Marlboro Ducati MotoGP bike last week at the Ferarri test track, and was TWENTY FIVE seconds off Capirossi's pace.
Paul did both....
It is easier for a motorcycle racer to adapt to a car than a car racer to adapt to a motorcycle. In a car you're strapped in and all you need to be concerned about is what your feet, hands, and mind are doing. On a motorcycle, it's your entire body that has an effect on how fast and how well you're going.
Dawn ;)
Not to mention Rossi felt bulletproof in the latest F1 safety technology and is seriously considering doing F1 for a living vs. Schumacher who makes in excess of 30 million a year just screwing around for fun! ::)
I have done both also. I can tell you that I learned early on, regardless of how much skill you have, in car racing it's about the car. You can only do so much to gain an advantage and the guy with the best equipment usually wins. Bike racing is much more rider dependent.
I regard Schumi as one of the best drivers in F1 history.... look how much of a non-factor he was this year just because Ferrari missed the mark with the new car.
QuotePaul did both....
It is easier for a motorcycle racer to adapt to a car than a car racer to adapt to a motorcycle. In a car you're strapped in and all you need to be concerned about is what your feet, hands, and mind are doing. On a motorcycle, it's your entire body that has an effect on how fast and how well you're going.
Dawn ;)
Agreed.
Plus most motorcyclists already know how to drive a car. They have the basics down, so going from driving a car to racing a car is just a step forward.
Not as many car drivers know how to ride a motorcycle... and your average rider will struggle with even the basics. Some of the things you do to control a bike is counter-intuitive to a beginner (such as counter-steering.) Moving from riding to racing will be a much bigger step.
Taking the vehicle out of the equation - a racer is a racer. Once someone learns how to race, they're usually pretty good regardless of what kind of vehicle they're controlling.
QuoteAgreed.
Plus most motorcyclists already know how to drive a car. They have the basics down, so going from driving a car to racing a car is just a step forward.
I don't think so. I've done both - started with cars, then went to bikes - and have been driving and riding for about the same amount of time (and miles) - 30 years (geez - am I *that* old?? :-/ ). Anyway, I would say that learning how to drive competently on a track after driving on the street - car or bike - is about the same for either of them - it's difficult, and it's not what you thought it would be before you tried it.
I will say this, tho - I feel much safer on the track on two wheels than I do on four. Go figure.
Going from car to bike (even with a 10 yr separation) was a problem for me. Mainly the blue flag thing. When I ran cars, you usually moved over to let the leaders through (although never dealt with that myself in a car ;D). But when I got blue flagged the first time on a bike I went to move over. Had to bang it into my head to "hold the line, hold the line".
Plus you can brake deeper into a corner with a car. ;D
Spin out?
Highside?
Which has more dire consequences? A car is complicated, but it has more traction. Bike, one or two small contact patches, when pushed to the limit, place the operator on the ground.
Most blue haired grandma's still try to drive a car. Ride a bike?
QuoteIs there a difference in skill level required to be the best motorcycle racer vs the best car racer?
John Surtees race bikes and was a world champion in bikes. Then was world champion in cars. I haven't really seen much going the other way.
If Rossi is successful as an F1 driver, he will be similarly unique.
QuoteSpin out?
Highside?
Which has more dire consequences? A car is complicated, but it has more traction. Bike, one or two small contact patches, when pushed to the limit, place the operator on the ground.
Most blue haired grandma's still try to drive a car. Ride a bike?
I agree with Dave. Not too many of the worlds best (or worst) car drivers have had themselves ejected ten feet higher than their car because of a simple thing like losing rear traction!!! :o
wow, im shu could even ride a motogp bike. LOL 25 seconds off. i can just imagine that shu on a 250hp ducati putting his foot down and crawling at -1mph around each corner, and then pissen himself on accel and decel.
QuoteSpin out?
Highside?
Which has more dire consequences? A car is complicated, but it has more traction. Bike, one or two small contact patches, when pushed to the limit, place the operator on the ground.
Most blue haired grandma's still try to drive a car. Ride a bike?
Well I cartwheeled a car before. ;D Been upside down in them also. ;D