Playing the numbers

AMA SX Champs from Indianapolis – claimed crowd 60,000. MXGP from Qatar – claimed crowd 7,000.

 

Now, I really am as thick as two short planks when it comes to counting, like I have to remove my shoes and socks to get past 10 – but even I can spot a pretty large difference here.

 

The Americans have done a fantastic job over the past 20 years of building a Supercross series that can pack monster stadiums, week-in, week-out with Joe Public, his wife and his kids having a fantastic race experience. 

 

A cynic would argue that the World MX champs has spent the last 20 years doing the exact opposite trading the many thousands (fill in your own estimated number here) of fans who descended to the likes of Hawkstone and Namur for the Qatar 7,000.

 

Now, I do know that the sport has apparently "moved on” in those 20 years and these days the crowd counts for little. 

 

It is all about television and the sponsorship/ advertising money that it apparently draws – although don't believe everything you hear. 

 

But as a fan I know which I prefer.

 

Not having been in receipt of a plane ticket to Qatar – not that I'd have gone anyway –, it was a case of finding something a bit nearer to home to make the most of my Sunday.

 

After a hectic previous weekend, travelling to Telford and Hawkstone, I elected for observing at a local Westmorland club trial. 

 

Not one for your big-time promoters this – no money to be earned – just hard-working club members staging sport for themselves and fellow enthusiasts.

 

And it was a great day. 

 

Despite an horrendous weather forecast, 

around 125 riders turned up to take part in a single-lap, road-based trial and without exception all offered thanks for observing, nobody queried my (admittedly lenient) decisions and most had something amusing to share.

 

One of my duties was to punch former MotoGP ace Rob McElnea for a five. 

 

I faked remorse – but Mac knows that I can never forgive him for beating me in a Manx Two Day Trial of many years ago, when he was still a tarmac king and I thought I was a reasonable trials rider. 

 

So it was wry grins all round as the punch slammed down! 

 

"Bet you wish you were at Oulton Park today,” I offered. "Never,” said Rob, 

 

"Miss the chance to get wet and muddy and drop fives? No chance!” 

 

Hawkstone was brilliant witnessing the genius of Herlings. 

 

But no more enjoyable than a day out with the lads at a local trial...