brianbuck 928 Posted October 5, 2019 Can someone explain the point of these individual numbers that the riders now use in GRand Prix Meetings? I can't for the life of me see what purpose they serve - it can't be for any kind of identification as they are way too small to be seen from the terraces, so what was wrong with numbering the riders from 1-16 as used to be the case? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Panthers89 1,922 Posted October 5, 2019 Thought the idea was giving a rider a 'brand' name and selling point? Do agree though, its pretty pointless. Should be 1-15 on how they stand going into the round IMO and 16 for wildcard. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,706 Posted October 5, 2019 Pure merchandise and marketing identity Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry 1,319 Posted October 5, 2019 I remember Nicki Pedersen never bought into the nonsense. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,094 Posted October 5, 2019 28 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said: Pure merchandise and marketing identity Absolutely. Same as it has been in other motorsports (remember, Barry Sheene was No. 7), and of course, what has happened to football in recent years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobMcCaffery 2,752 Posted October 5, 2019 I'm waiting for someone to ask Jason Doyle why he chose his racing number. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topaz325 1,859 Posted October 5, 2019 Off topic a little but it said in the SS this week that GP earnings for Zmazlik was $74k and he was the top earner , thought it would be far more than that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,706 Posted October 5, 2019 11 minutes ago, topaz325 said: Off topic a little but it said in the SS this week that GP earnings for Zmazlik was $74k and he was the top earner , thought it would be far more than that? And quite possibly little if any profit from that directly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldyman 6,243 Posted October 5, 2019 Selling merch by being known by number associated with you works. Just ask probably the world's best known sports number 46. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted October 5, 2019 Root - '66'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BWitcher 12,453 Posted October 5, 2019 5 hours ago, brianbuck said: Can someone explain the point of these individual numbers that the riders now use in GRand Prix Meetings? I can't for the life of me see what purpose they serve - it can't be for any kind of identification as they are way too small to be seen from the terraces, so what was wrong with numbering the riders from 1-16 as used to be the case? You're right, I was in the pub recently and I happened to mention this and the place broke down in hysterics. They couldn't believe there was a sport where a competitor kept the same number all season. What a tinspot sport it must be was the general observation. Some swore they would never watch or attend any event where a competitor/athlete has the same number all season long. Name another sport that does it was the most common question asked.. in between the laughter that is! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldyman 6,243 Posted October 5, 2019 All other forms of motorsports. Think that's the point Bwitcher is making. Some motor sports the rider/driver have the same number all there career. Number 44 is another well known merchandising number 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,094 Posted October 5, 2019 34 minutes ago, Baldyman said: All other forms of motorsports. Think that's the point Bwitcher is making. Some motor sports the rider/driver have the same number all there career. Number 44 is another well known merchandising number I said that hours ago.... In American sport, teams actually "retire" a number that was used by legends. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RS50 359 Posted October 6, 2019 7 hours ago, Baldyman said: Selling merch by being known by number associated with you works. Just ask probably the world's best known sports number 46. The numbers aren't unique. I believe Tommy Bridewell is a number 46 motorcycle racer. Obviously not the most famous one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites