Life, Liberty, and a Passing of the Torch
How great is COTA GP? I’m just getting around to reviewing the weekend. It’s been a week. Thanks, Boss.
This time, however, was a “Liberty”-infused COTA GP review. The signs were there — more social media influencers, a red-carpet-ish entrance for the riders, high-profile guests, NBA players, comedians Alonzo Bodden and Bill Burr, just to name a few, along with yummy refreshments. Only in Texas can you have cups of tequila to wash down a two-foot bag of popcorn.
The Liberty Touch: What’s Changed at COTA GP
How did this all play out in real time? From a personal point of view, I really liked it. To grow a sport — or anything, for that matter — you have to let outside eyes come in and do something a touch different. Let’s face it, the diehards are a built-in audience. They will always be there. But they also can be a hindrance to growth by being rooted in “traditional,” a.k.a. “old thinking.” Gotta shake it up, baby. Do something different.
Case in point: the Harley Bagger Cup. Not gonna lie — I wasn’t excited about the thought of Harleys protruding on my precious MotoGP weekend. But then I actually watched a race, up close and personal. The sounds and sights of a rider dragging a knee on a bagger — much less a Harley — was a sight and sound to behold. Not to mention watching a rider crash and actually pick one up, unassisted. Impressive.
Other than that, it was business as usual for the championship series. And as much as I love nine-time World Champion Marc Marquez, it was good for the championship to have new blood on the podium — especially with the Boy Wonder of the series, Pedro Acosta, part of that group. New antics, new schemes, same old great racing make MotoGP look to be in great shape. Or does it?
The Pros and Cons: What Should Happen Next at COTA GP & What We Can’t Ignore
What can be or should be added? Another round in South America. Bring back Argentina. With two viable championship contenders from Brazil and Colombia, South American fans will be frothing at the mouth like a Pavlov experiment for another round on their continent. Then you can top it off with COTA for the Western Hemisphere Trifecta.
Not to sound like a homer, but Liberty wants the U.S. market bad — and there are no U.S. riders to be had. Joe Roberts in Moto2 is a long shot at this moment, and after that? It’ll be a while. Let’s face it — Americans like sports with Americans, no matter how great the product.
And then there’s the aging superstar. There is only Marc Marquez, and his style and flair are only matched by his tenacity on the track. But let’s face it — if we’re lucky, and I mean say-our-prayers-every-night, place-four-leaf-clovers-in-our-pockets, help-little-old-ladies-cross-the-street lucky — we might get Marquez for another two years before his body says, “And we’re done.”
Where does that leave us? Pedro Acosta. I love Acosta — he’s politically incorrect, hence his T-shirt in Austin (go check out his IG page). But he has to win first, and as of this article, that has not happened. The world likes winners. Let’s be honest — until that happens, well, you know.
That being said, MotoGP and Liberty are off to a good start, and my sore feet can attest — the weekend was a success. Will COTA GP achieve F1 success? No. But it can get the respect and recognition it deserves. If that happens? Mission accomplished.
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