With the racing season over, at least in the northern hemisphere, it might be time to ask racing fans whether you watch races live, or at least when they’re televised, or do you take advantage of the many TV recording options to watch on your own schedule. During the season, especially with MotoGP and World Superbike, many of the races are long over before they are shown on U.S. television, but the results are easily available from the sanctioning bodies and many different news sources. In their rush to be first, many sites report the results as soon as they can on the front page and if you happen to drop into their website, there it is staring you in the face which pretty well kills the suspense in any close race. Watching races can be a great way to relax and often the time available for relaxation does not coincide with televised schedules.
It used to be that I would post results after the race had been televised until I received an email from a fellow who watches on TiVo and raised the issue of spoilers. After that I began to post results where you had to click the “more” link for their display. Of course, discussing the race is impossible if you always have to hide the results and some races are notable for unusual events and a discussion soon after can be interesting, so how long do you delay for all of the time shifting viewers?
Toward the end of the season I just stopped posting about races altogether, there are obviously many sites where results are available and The Kneeslider is not a site primarily about racing anyway so I don’t believe it’s a big issue. On the other hand, I still would like to discuss races if they have some unique happenings so here is my question: How do you watch races? Do you always watch live, recorded, depends on your schedule, doesn’t matter because missing a race is no big deal, or what? This is probably a good post for a poll and I may toss one up later today when I have a little more time.
This all applies differently to viewers around the world because I suppose many European races are live for viewers on the continent and delayed for the U.S. Of course the U.S. has AMA Superbike with the same problem of timing.
The time shifting viewers also have to realize you can only delay so long before you’ll run into results eventually, no matter how much others work with you to keep results behind a curtain. It’s an interesting issue though since more and more viewers are watching television very selectively by recording what they want to see.
So, what do you think?
Hanny P. says
Well, in the rare occasion that I ain’t able to watch it live: I record it and try to avoid watching sites about MotoGP and Superbikes. I won’t even open my mailbox before I’ve seen the recording! I’d like to watch a race with a ‘blanco mind’. On the other hand, when I already know who won, this never stops me from watching it nevertheless…
Kerry Suche says
Not knowing the results is very important but that doesn’t stop me from watching a race. I avoid any race related sites, ignore email from MotoGP so I can see the race as if it was live. MotoGP, WSB (and sometimes even AMA) races are much more exciting when you don’t know the outcome. Well, when you don’t know if Rossi came 1st, 2nd or 3rd anyway.
Obandoj says
I would love to watch my races live, that way I could go on line and get all the rest of the information without spoiling the exitment, however, that almost never happens, wich means that sometimes I stay away from the computer and SpeedTV so that they can not let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. I find it very unprofessional for SpeedTV to broadcast so many of the races during working hours! Thank you Tivo and VCR.
Stephen Waits says
I think I’m the one that complained about spoilers – and I much appreciated your going to the “more” format. I like the discussion.
My time-shifting varies, from same day, “nearly live”, to months. It all depends on my work schedule. As an extreme example, I just watched Magny Cours SBK last week! But, that’s the exception rather than the norm – which is usually a few days at most.
Thanks!
–Steve
Matt Lindley says
I do my best to watch races “as broadcast”, since live is not always an option. What is very frustrating is how frequently Speed pushes SBK rases out til Tuesday morning, to make room for 12 hours of non-racing Nascar programming. This is not an exaggeration. . . I have counted over 12 hours of Nascar TV with not a single Nascar race, yet no SBK!
Speed Channel often forces its viewers to rely on Tivo or VCR. If I could watch MotoGP anywhere else, I’d boycott Speed.
john intelisano says
Why won’t they give us real time races??
Where can I find a schedule of what will be televised and when?
Please shed some light as I’m a new fan and can’t believe I can’t find regulary scheduled races on TV.
Thats absolutly unacceptable. Absurd.
Thanks, John