Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

Via e-mail:

I was outraged that Loris Capirossi was not penalized for running into John Hopkins and taking out five riders in turn one during the Japanese round of the MotoGP run on Sunday afternoon. Hopkins did the same thing last year and had to endure a one-race suspension. Why wasn’t the Ducati rider given the same penalty for the same action?

Michael Ross
Phoenix, Arizona


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I was curious if you had received any information regarding Capirossi taking out 6 of the potential winners of the Motegi race? I am amazed that when Hopkins did this last year he was HEAVILY scolded and suspended. Now Capirossi does the same thing & all I have seen so far is that it is just a racing incident.

Josef Buxton
Odessa, Florida


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

My personal opinion: Last year at Motegi John Hopkins was disqualified and penalized one race for going into turn one too hot and causing a crash. This year it was Loris Capirossi doing the same, but this time two riders sustained serious injuries and three more were involved that couldn’t continue in the race. However, I don’t hear any protests or anything about Capirossi being penalized. Do the the powers to be think that Hopkins did it on purpose and it was just an accident for Capriossi? Let’s be fair. If one rider is penalized then the other one should receive the same penalty.

Al Lyons
Lake Elsinore, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

It’s hard to know what to think here – while Hopkins was suspended, it was after a whining Checa protested to the FIM. The riders who went down this time are, in my opinion, harder men who aren’t looking for excuses to try to explain a lack of results (as Checa was last year). As a result, I seriously doubt a protest was submitted.

Also, nearly everyone in MotoGP seemed to feel that the suspension of Hopkins was a mistake. The FIM is not known for admitting errors, but I think even they may recognize that Hopkins’ suspension was not a good way to address the situation. First lap altercations seem to be a pattern for Capirossi now, he does deserve a little extra scrutiny – but in my eyes, ever since he won a world championship by knocking his rival down in the last race of the season, Capirossi ALWAYS deserves to be watched closely.

Gary Hilliard
Dover, Delaware


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

From your 9/20/04 news article, “No Mention Of Disciplinary Action Against Capirossi For Causing Turn-one Pile-up At Japanese Grand Prix:

“Observers are waiting to see if FIM officials dispense a different brand of justice for European Capirossi in 2004 as opposed to American Hopkins and Japanese Tamada in 2003.”

Three words concisely sum up the chances of that happening: “when pigs fly.”

Regardless of whether the FIM penalizes Capirossi for that screwup, I’d sure like to see Loris accept responsibility. Hopkins did just that, and I doubt there were many racing fans that didn’t think better of him for it. I’m something of a fan of Capirex, and I’d not like to be disappointed.

David Anderson
Rogue River, Oregon



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

The involved FIM officials should be arrested when they arrive for the 2005 U.S. GP at Laguna Seca and sent to Guantanemo Bay as terrorists. Or the Vatican should be bombed.

One way or another, no Italian must be allowed to take out the entire American MotoGP contingent in a single corner without consequences.

And if Ducati does not issue an official apology to the people of the United States, the foreigners Ducati is importing for the AMA finale at VIR should be heckled and pelted with over-ripe tomatoes (in the paddock only, of course, as to not endanger American riders.)

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Richard T.J. Jones
Danville, Virginia



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

What is the test of a true professional, sportsman, and human being? It’s admiting that you have done something wrong and hurt others. I have lost a lot of resect for Capirossi. Not just as a racer, but as a person. It’s sad
when a “rookie” is big enough to admit his mistake and a “three-times” World Champion can not.

Shane Weeks
Castaic, California