Rate the Race – Indianapolis

After every race, we ask a fan to give his or her impressions of race in our segment known as “Rate the Race”, featuring 8 categories that sum up the action.  After our selected fan shows the way, feel free to hit the discussion section and add your race feedback as well.  Here are the categories for the Indy round:

R8 the Race:

1. The Steady Eddie  – goes to the rider who was in complete control the whole way, no matter where in the order they finished

2.  The Schwantz  – goes to the rider who displayed the most courage, or rode through the most pain, or took the most chances and lived

3. The Mamola – goes to who had the best save

4. It was great to see …….

5.  I wish I could have seen  ……

6.  I expected more from  …..

7.  The Handbag – who had the best duel, no matter where it took place, at the front or the back of the pack

8.  The Sheene – the best pre or post-race moment – something humorous or cool that happened either before or after the race, this can include awesome wheelies or related post-race stunts on the last lap or the cool-down lap,  pre-race interviews, etc. etc.

This week’s fan – James Schipper – let ‘er rip, James!

1. The Steady Eddie – Even though he came in 2nd, there was only 1 rider who even approached him the entire race. Ben Spies was steady as could be the whole race and never faltered for a second.

2.  The Schwantz – After his 3 crashes of the weekend (the most he’s ever had at an event), Rossi’s ride to 4th was better than even I had hoped. He was obviously “off” a bit this weekend, so he definitely surprised me with his ride up to the fourth spot.

3. The Mamola – I think he should get the most Mamolas for this race. Andrea Dovisioso was sliding that bike all over through what seemed like every corner. His Repsol Honda seemed determined to buck him off, but he rode it brilliantly to the end.

4. It was great to see – Jorge Lorenzo pay homage to Melissa Paris-Hayes during the race by wearing a copy of her Ironman helmet from earlier in the AMA racing season. I’m sure she was honored with that honor.

5.  I wish I could have seen – more of the racing, and less of the long pauses on air. Near the beginning of Speed’s coverage, they held a stationary camera shot of Lorenzo on the grid for about 30 seconds. At least half of that was complete silence, as the announcers said nothing. Later, they came back to a lovely stationary shot of the water tower at Indianapolis for close to a full minute while not showing the race.

6.  I expected more from – Lorenzo this time out. He has been so dominant this year, as well as last year at Indy, yet he was never really a factor in the chase for the podium this time.

7.  The Handbag – would probably go to Simoncelli and Bautista fighting near the back of the pack. Unfortunately Speed showed about 4 seconds of it as they crossed the finish line. Nobody else really stayed together for more than a lap or two.

8.  The Sheene – may have to go to Ben Spies again. His commentary during the post-race interview included the thought that they’d already put the 1000cc motor in Pedrosa’s bike, judging by how fast he went by him. Greg White does get honorable mention for his attempt at international commentary when discussing the “Tech Trois” team