MotoGP Interview: Dr. Martin Raines

What were the steps that you took to get this job?

Dr Martin Raines: I started going to motorcycle racing back in 1972, so I was passionate about it then. I’ve raced, and been a marshall, mechanic, all levels and as just a spectator. I wanted to learn how to program a data base and wondered what was interesting to learn. Fortunately, I got in contact with one person who has helped me all the way, and I wouldn’t be here without him, and that’s Dennis Noyes. He was working for Dorna at the time in 1995. He wanted to write stories but did not have the numbers, and there was  a lot of interesting information that wasn’t out there anywhere. 2000 to now I’ve done it completely on my own.

Can you explain what goes into collecting statistics and data on MotoGP?

Dr. Martin Raines: I have a data base that I started producing back in 1994, that database now contains something like 75,000 entries , the results of every grand prix, every person who’s finished the race in each class. After each grand prix I update the database, and it’s as simple as that. It’s just an update process.

What do you enjoy about it most?

Dr. Martin Raines: To be honest, collecting is really, really interesting. Hunting down information is a pursuit I do in the winter, and that’s things like collecting old GP programs with riders entry list, collecting rider’s date of birth from various sources, it’s a continuous hunt for information. The real job is getting something out of that in terms of what you see as the statistic.

What are your activities during the off-season, or does the season ever end for you?

Dr. Martin Raines: This is only a hobby, I have a profession. So, when I come to the races it’s my vacation, really I try to fit my life around my day job and this. In the winter time I spend more time on my day job, and updating data I’ve collected during the season so it’s much more relaxed.
How many circuits do you make it to during the season?

Dr. Martin Raines: I try to get around to different circuits, the only one I’ve never been to in Europe is Misano, and I’ve been to all the other ones. I still have not been to Malaysia , Japan, and Australia. It’s very difficult to go to the first race when there are two back to back, I have to have all the statistics finished by Monday evening and I need to be at home to do it because there is information at home that I need to go and dig out, like 4,000 motorcycle magazines, maybe 400 books, videos, and DVDs.

You have recently joined Twitter and started to engage in conversations with MotoGP fans about statistics. How did that come about?

Dr. Martin Raines: I was just convinced at Jerez this year, Ian Wheeler and Gavin were twittering next to me and told me to have a go. Because when I’m not at the races I learn about what’s going on in the paddock from the guys twittering because they are here. When something happens immediately you can’t learn it from the website it’s right there instantaneously on Twitter. For instance, to get the information on the rider when somebody crashes is very difficult, someone in the media center can learn about it quite quickly and let everyone back home know if the rider will be out for the next session or not.

You’ve mentioned before that you don’t feel like you have to be a motorcyclist to enjoy MotoGP as a sport, why is that?

Dr. Martin Raines: I think this sport stands completely independent. You don’t need to know anything about motorcycles or ever ridden one.

You have such a passion for MotoGP, what keeps you so excited?

Dr. Martin Raines: Everything.  The biggest privilege is being on this side of the fence, after being a spectator for 20 years. Don’t for one moment think I’m just a person who likes just the facts, the most important race that has ever been run is now. The only reason I do this is to relate to what is happening now, because now is a fantastic time in racing and I get just as excited as I did back in 1972.