Originally Posted by: Chidadog 
Hard to believe Hayden got bumped for him??? Wonder what happened???
Hayden didn't get bumped per say. Hayden lost his ride, Yoshimura could no longer afford to campaign 2 riders. Clarke's dad stepped up for Chris and paid for a spot to be made available for him at Yosh. In other words Clarke didn't steal a ride from anyone. If he wasn't paying for it, no one would be on the 2nd Yosh bike in 2012, they would just be running a 1 man team with Blake. Most people immediately look for the downside on this but I think it's quite the contrary actually. 1) It's one extra bike out there on the grid that wouldn't be there otherwise, and 2) it's saving a whole bunch of guys behind the scenes at Yosh from being fired. Now they'll have a job supporting a 2nd rider, 3) Chris is a talented rider, it's not like he is some no name brat. I'm pretty sure if I had several million dollars to hand over to Yoshimura to let me campaign a 3rd bike in AMA SBK they wouldn't have it. Yes the ride is paid for, but they aren't going to let their team be represented by a backmarker who finishes last every race.......and Chris certainly has proven that he's fast. Yes his father is paying for the ride but how many kids out there are racing with no support or backing from their family and friends in some way shape or form, very few I would have to guess. Hell, Larry Pegram's mom and dad still help run his race program and that guy has been racing since the friggin early 90's
Besides, it's not at all uncommon to pay for a ride these days. Especially when you consider what the economy looks like and how many riders in AMA are actually MAKING money as opposed to paying just to be out there.
To give you another example, Aussie Dave Racing has been offering pay your way rides for several years now. You pay him and he provides bikes, support etc etc. Like a turnkey racing package, you just show up and race the bike. When we were down at VIR last year for a trackday his semi showed up with a few riders who were testing bikes. Its not usual however that you would see it from the top tier team in AMA SBK (Yoshimura Suzuki), but such is the state of our current economy.
But yeah, just to be clear, Clarke definely didn't BUY a spot out from under Hayden. Tommy was going to be released from the team regardless. I heard rumors about him on the EBR 1190 possibly, but nothing more than rumor I'm sure. No one seems to know quite yet where Eslick will be landing in 2012 either.
Oh, and Jamie Hacking has been drag racing cars locally wherever he lives. He made it clear he wasn't going to race unless he was being properly compensated. So there's the difference. Some people will pay out of their own pockets just to get out there. Other's refuse to suit up (no matter how much talent is being wasted) unless they are being paid for it.........so at the end of the day, who is more passionate about the sport I ask you????
Edited by user Friday, January 06, 2012 11:47:50 PM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified
