Honda to offer Schumacher WSBK ride?

Yeah do it! And give Damon Hill a bike too. He can push into Schuey and see how he likes it.
On a serious note, I don't think Schuey has big enough 'baubles' to compete at such a high level.

It Wont Happen.....

If they do give him a ride i feel for the thousands of club racers and national racers that spend thousands, give everything and put there life on the line week in week out to make it to WSBK. Only to have a ride taken by someone who is 3 seconds off the pace, probably nearing 40 and no chance of success.

What a joke it would be.

Whilst I agree with your comments, that schuey's real chance of success would be very limited, just imagine the exposure that WSBK would receive if Honda were to give him a bike. That can only be good for the sport we love by raising it's profile to new heights. Bring on schuey I say.

Well said steve jackson, its good to hear some possitive comments on here. Makes a change from all the doome and gloome and negatave one's we usually get!

Schuey at wsbk can only be good and adds more interest for everyone wether he wins or comes last

I would love to see Schuey do a wild card ride in World Supes. Think it would be good for the sport on a whole!

Four seconds off the pace is nothing based on experience (or his lack of it). The average british Championship rider in any class will be four or even five seconds a lap off the respective World Championship pace...

He will raise profile - but (touch wood/heaven forbid) any (serious) injury would position bikes as TOO dangerous

He will get quicker

He is a bit special

I beleive that in time, he could be the quickest old guy out there (no-one is going to beat the kids for a number of reasons)

But i thought the idea of racing was trying to be the fastest and the best? Whats the point in being the fastest old guy?

It's not golf, there's no seniors tour!!

I agree with your average british championship rider being maybe 2/3 senconds of the pace, but when was the last time an average bsb rider got a shot at a full season on a factory supported wsbk machine?

Dont get me wrong i love the idea of WSBK getting more worldwide exposure but i dont think he should be getting a ride. Maybe a few wildcard appearences or maybe his own team to bring in some younger talent.

Moan over!!

I don't think he would be taking anything away from anyone. From what I see in this article, Honda would field an additional bike, something they would not do for anyone else unless they figured they had just discovered the next Troy Bayliss. The article does talk about wildcard rides and I have no problem with that. It would be interesting to see how he would do against the regulars.

why shouldn't Schumacher get a shot? What, you don't think Schumacher put in his dues to get where he is today? His father was a bricklayer and he came from very little money to accomplish what he did. Not to mention he gives millions to charities every year. Just because he did not come up through the 'ranks' of lower level motorcycle racing is IMO not a valid argument.

A valid argument is supporting Schumacher with $$ when he is not worthy of a ride, when there are better riders out there. He clearly understands this, which is why he has stated he is content to race in the German series until he feels he is fast enough. Give the man some credit sheesh

A wildcard ride would be good. Great Publicity for the sport. I cant see him wanting to go through the grind of a full season.

Maybe Ewan Mcgregor could also get a wild card ride, and make a new documentary "The Fast way Round". As long as his wife doesnt end up joining him on track for the last 3 laps

April fool !

Uh - oh its either true or Crash.net are trying to whip up new stories to cover off the barren period.

Providing he meets basic standards ie he isn't a mobile chicane - then why not !!

^^^^^^^^

Why not get some more celebrities that will be 3 or more seconds off the pace involved, maybe we could get Schwartznegger, Tom Cruise etc all rides in WSBK.

Think how much that would raise the profile!

I've not got a problem with Schumacher having some fun racing bikes, and i agree with what he is saying. He knows his level is German SBK.

What i dont agree with is getting someone a ride in WSBK who isn't competitive just because there a famous name.

Nobody would complain if Rossi got an F1 wildcard would they..? He's done more than enough to warrant a wildcard ride.

I don't imagine he was pushing it that hard at the tests, he doesn't want to bin someone elses bikes. I don't know that he'd win races, but it can't hurt the series to have his name in it.

It does suck for the privateers that work full time jobs and try to make a name for themselves in racing on the side. But that's what celebrity does for you. Opens doors. No reason to fault the guy.

Rich......
he's taking nothing off anybody,
he's quick & will only get quicker
club racer....come on,
Nobody having a moan about Rossi I notice, waltzing around the Welsh forests with no chance of winning! I hope he does well though
just as i hope Schuy does enter the odd race....& does well i hope
have a nice w/end

I would show as much interest in Rossi in F1 as i am with Schumacher in WSB ...... And thats nill!

Schumacher has already plainly stated his plans which are to race in the German Superbike and MAYBE do a couple of wildcards in WSBK.

It's disappointing to hear a major manufacturer like Honda making this offer. I have no doubt Schumi would have made a superb motorcycle racer in another life, but he'd be the first to admit he's not even close to world championship level. It's purely about the superstar factor, and a little insulting to bike racers around the world devoting their lives to the dream of being a world championship rider.

To see a guy with extremely limited experience being offered a ride in one of the worlds premier championships just because he's Schumacher isn't right.

But surly Ferrari will miss his experance in the pit lane at F1 races.

Could surly draw the crowds to WSBK races....

Time will tell, but I had to check it wasn't April 1st!!!!!