Red Bull Rookie event at Laguna Seca 2/27/08

I was very fortunate to be able to spend some time at Laguna Seca as part of the Red Bull event to see some riders that I have helped in the past ride the KTM's. The rules were very strict and rightly so as far as protocol and behavior for both parents and riders and each days events were printed out for all to see.

Two semi's set up a mechanics/bikes area and a riders classroom and no parents were allowed inside. I would want to have the riders completely focused on the tasks at hand while out on the track for each session. Parents and offspring could mingle between classroom/on track just to check in as needed - obviously parents were coaches, tuners etc in the past and will be in the future, so that makes a great deal of sense to me. Riders were split into 2 groups for both days to alternate class and track sessions.

Each rider received 3 sets of the Alpinestars Red Bull Leathers, gloves and boots (not sure about helmets, as to whether they were provided or riders brought their own) and it really reinforced that perception is reality philosophy in that the physical presentation was very impressive. That extended to the bikes with identical paint and equipment. The KTM's looked suitably equipped for this level of rider!

Each rider had his own bike, own mechanic and individuals had access to a suspension tuner. Riders could make any changes they thought necessary to make the bike work better but that only included geometry and hydraulics.

What I found out that interested me most was that all bikes were the same in terms of 45bhp, all used the same fork and shock springs and all ran the same gearing. With weight differentials from 70lbs to 130lbs it was funny to watch the acceleration differences out of turn 11 and turn 4 during sessions. I did not have time to stay through the end of day two, but Bryce Prince told me they were going to ballast all the bikes to make them even for the last session when everyone would be on the track at the same time. That would certainly have benefited the bigger riders as they had no or little ballast to add, so with good set up analysis they could have been miles ahead by that final session on set up. Others will have suddenly gained 30-50lbs to the bike and then have to dial it in within a few laps.

Lap times were below 1.40 for the most part with a fast lap of a 1.35 for a certain well known young CA rider who did very well last year with this event! Not bad for a 45bhp bike, and the fastest I managed with my AMA 250 bike was a 1.38 at 215lbs. You do the power to weight math.........

I was really impressed with the whole event, it's professionalism, focus and presentation. This approach will undoubtedly find some new talent but more importantly, give access for true talent to shine on an even playing field. Kudos to everyone involved :)

PS: Kevin Schwantz was rumoured to be sandbagging. Conjecture, pure conjecture.