FLAT TRACK
SUPERPRESTIGIO
DECEMBER 13, 2014
PALAU SANT JORDI/BARCELONA, SPAIN
P74
TO TT OR TO SHORT TRACK?
Once upon a time, riding dirt track
was considered compulsory training
for any road racer with ambitions of a
Grand Prix Championship. The ability
to control the rear using the throttle
was key to taming a vicious 500cc
two-stroke. The introduction of the
four-stroke MotoGP bikes, coupled
with vastly improved tires and advanc-
ing electronics rendered the European
250cc wheels-in-line style more popu-
lar. Dirt track's popularity waned, re-
vived only when both Valentino Rossi
and Marc Márquez revived the art.
That begs the question whether dirt
track still provides a solid foundation
for Grand Prix road racing?
"That's a question that's better an-
swered by the guys that are utilizing it,"
said seven-time AMA Grand National
Champion Chris Carr. "From what I
understand, the top two guys in the
world in the MotoGP class this year
use dirt track as a method of training
to be better road racers. So they've
answered it for us."
While Márquez uses a classic
oval, Rossi's VR46 Ranch is a vastly
more complex layout. Carr believes
that choice is as much about mental
preparation as about bike skills.
"He's got a really big laid out TT
track without a jump," said Carr. "He
has what he has in his mind he needs
to do to improve and that's his inter-
pretation of the tool. I think anybody
who knows about World Champions
knows that if they have the right mind-
set, if that's what he thinks he needs
to do, then he's going to be better,
whether we agree with him or not. The
most important inches in racing are
the ones between the ears."
The other difference between Rossi
and Márquez is the use of a front
brake. Former World Superbike cham-
pion Troy Bayliss believes that Rossi
has the right idea.
"I think the stuff we do with the front
brake is good for you, but a short dirt
oval like here is good for learning to
