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I am one who is excited about the project. So much so that (as only a few know) I had an informal interview with the hiring person for the test engineer knowing the eventual result in advance that “at present we are hiring profiles that are lower than yours” (translation - I wanted too much $$$). While I love my job, this was a conversation I could not pass up. I think it would have been exciting, but now being married with children, its not the best time to be relying on this type of venture. NOTE: If I were single, I would have made whatever concessions necessary to make it happen.

Why would I want to be a part of such a company? It would have been a chance to attach my name to a motorcycle brand at the ground level if they succeed. Sure its a longshot, but is there no admiration for a guy who is giving it a try? I understand the comments about over-marketing and under-delivering. From my stand point they have in fact under-delivered on their promises but not the product. The weakness is in fact the lack of / poor marketing. I am member # 450 or so in their online club and I signed up on day one. I have no idea how many are on board, but I get a terribly written email every couple of months. That is a mistake. Its long enough that I think “oh yeah…MotoCzysz”.

At Laguna, I was expecting a warm-up lap followed by a hot lap and it never happened. That was a big let down. There was a lot of pre-Laguna MotoGP hype about the C1 possibly being ready to compete in that race. Even though it was anounced well in advance that they would not compete, it was still disappointing. I have no doubt that Czysz can ring its neck…and what better place. And being an event paired with Mamola doing the two-up hot laps (on one wheel most of the time), it didn’t show well. Keep in mind though that throwing a rod at WFO (on a prototype with one-off parts) in turn #4 and having to be towed in is not a good marketing tool either.

During our discussions, the basic strategy was unfolded. From my memory, the idea was to use MotoGP at Laguna to gain some attention in hopes of attracting noteriety and add’l investors. The first certainly happened, but the latter is a private matter I am sure. The second was to use MotoGP as a beta-test for what would eventually be available in a street version.

My question: “Is the ultimate goal to win a MotoGP race or put something on the street?”

His answer: “We want to end up with a high-end street bike…something like an MV Agusta class of bike, but better.”

That was the answer I wanted to hear and the strategy on paper is sound. I had in the back of my mind the possibility of the 800cc rule (not official at the time). With its approval, that about 100% removes the chance for the C1 to be in a MotoGP race any time soon. The only hope is to get in for the ‘06 season. Time will tell.

The bottom line for me is simple: I’m going to verbally support this effort until its either bankrupt or in production (I can’t really financially support them at this stage of my earning years!). Why? Its what I do. I’m an optimist when it comes to us ‘yanks’. There is no harm in wanting this project to succeed. Having met some of the fine folks, I think its possible.

I liken it to the scene from On Any Sunday during the Malcolm Smith section where the announcers wer bagging on the Japanese entry with engine problems pronounced yuh-MAH-hah…that would be Yamaha. They ended up OK.