AMA new direction - your thoughts

[Cajun]

The AMA's racing arm has been bought out by the Daytona Motorsports Group, headed by NASCAR's first family, the Frances. With a decreased emphasis on the manufacturer's adage of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday," and an increased focus on creating a great racing show similar to NASCAR, Hayes believes the sport is facing some seriously rough waters.

"It's absolutely crazy," Hayes said. "Next year, racing in the U.S. is going to be completely different. They want it to be a better show, like NASCAR, where 10 guys at any race can win. They're hoping that gets some of the NASCAR crowd to watch. But motorcycle racing draws a different crowd, techie geeks who argue about it on message boards. They're hardcore."

The biggest problem Hayes has with the changes looming on the horizon is the manufacturers will be shut out of the equation. DMG will be going to specification ECUs (engine control units), tires and fuel, each provided by a single supplier. Whereas now where the rules allow some diversity in these areas amongst manufacturers, this will fall by the wayside as AMA drops to two classes, one for 1,000 cc bikes and one for 600 cc bikes. Both will differ little from their street-going kin. Since he is a salary racer paid by Honda with endorsements from apparel deals (ARI helmets and TCX boots) and receives bonuses from Honda for wins, his normal way of making a living will be under threat.

"The days of going to a track and seeing a 200-horspower, fire-breathing superbike will be over," Hayes said. "Right now our series is about to do a 180. Right now none of our sponsors are from outside the industry. But DMG is not into selling motorcycles. They're into entertainment. One of my goals was to get a factory superbike ride and with all of the changes, that isn't going to exist."

Extract from a chat with Hayes about the changes in AMA racing.

Any thoughs/ideas?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah I've been reading about it of late. What a load of fucking crap.

The racers ALL want to ride the nastiest fastest thing you can get hold of, and it's what most people want to see.

It's not Suzuki's fault that Mladin and Spies have blown everyone else into the weeds for years.

To make the 'Premier' class 600 based is a insult to the racers AND the public.

Bit like trying to make the 125's the 'top' class in Moto GP.

[onearmedbandit]

Wow, looks pretty short-sighted to me.

[Ivan]

Bit like trying to make the 125's the 'top' class in Moto GP.

Probably could more bikes and better racing in it

[merv]

Time for another organisation to pop up and run motorcycle races methinks

[JJ58]

Time for another organisation to pop up and run motorcycle races methinks

The truth is that Colin Fraser (PMP + DMG) has been running succesful motorcycle races for more years than most of you have been into motorcycles..... That's the funny thing.

+ Remember, these changes for the "American" public.... Of course it won't make sense to the rest of the world.... It's like saying WWE and NASCAR make sense.

+ the biggest thing to remember is, how does this impact NZ? And the possibility of getting NZ riders recognised in one of the most competitive domestic series known, and with arguably the most $ turnover..... The outcome could be very positive for NZ riders.... depending on the final release of the rules of course.

[onearmedbandit]

The truth is that Colin Fraser (PMP + DMG) has been running succesful motorcycle races for more years than most of you have been into motorcycles..... That's the funny thing.

Maybe so, but running control ecu's, tyres and fuel isn't going to win favours with the manufacturers is it? The average guy watching won't be able to tell much difference, but how will Suzuki/Honda/etc feel about having that control taken away from them?

[JJ58]

I think the recent release on roadracingnews.com was evidence that they're not taken it well.

Spec tires and fuel are becoming more common globally, but the controlled ecu I'm not too sure about..... However if it provides closer racing the spectators would surely notice. The dominance of one team in the recent years is getting pretty boring.

I'll certainly be watching with interest to see how it works next year. It could lead to a radical shift in motorcycling, or it could be a huge failure, with the litre bikes remaining the premier class :-) Either way there are many pros and cons, but overall it should make some good spectating.....

Remember that the litre bike class will adopt the previously proposed AMA rules for 2009 (The sport has to change in America due to their economy), therefore there's been no real change for the litre bikes than what would've happened anyway, other than possibly spec tires, fuel and the fact they won't be called superbikes..... Manufacturers can still market the might of their premier sport bikes.

[JJ58]

I do laugh at the rolling starts :-)

[speed63]

the way of the future taking control away from the bike manufacturers and creating sustainability by catering for the spectators..

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm glad Mladin spoke out!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SP5S10OG50.DTL

[slowpoke]

I'm kinda happy that a group with some marketing nouse has taken over as the AMA themselves have done a woeful job.

BUT, I've got mixed feelings about several other aspects:
1/ I like the fact that the bikes will be slightly more representative of what you can buy off the showroom
2/ I don't like dumbing down the bikes so that more riders are capable of riding them (as stated by DMG), rather than the cream rising to the top on the current monsters.
3/ 600cc Superbikes sounds like an oxymoron

[BarryG]

DON'T get me started!!!!!
The bottom line is that the 600's will be the 'premier' class, controlled horsepower, weight, tyres. 1000's will be allowed to race, but not for money/points/titles. WhaaaaaTF???
I think it's a complete cock-up, the end result of which will be no US riders able to catch the eye of anyone in GP or WSB, and ending a long illustrious line of US road racers who (I truly believe) rejuvenated GP racing in the early 70's.
IF Spies goes to GP next year, he may well be the last, unless someone like the Bonney kid, or a Red Bull kid, makes it up the ladder. Even if they do, it'll be no thanks to the US professional road racing scene.
Not that DMG give a shit about racers going offshore, that much is obvious.
OK, the AMA made a balls up of racing to a large extent, but it has muddled through and been on a par with most other national series. That will change, one way or another.
NASCAR on two wheels, anyone?
Cheers
Barry

[denill]

I think it's a complete cock-up, the end result of which will be no US riders able to catch the eye of anyone in GP or WSB, and ending a long illustrious line of US road racers who (I truly believe) rejuvenated GP racing in the early 70's.

Agree totally. Apart from the many other negative aspects this proposal will bring about - that is one of the most serious.

How could any American possibly launch a career in MotoGP or even WSBK from that level??

No more KRs, Wayne Raineys, Eddie Lawsons et al.

Miladin has said he won't race in that formula..............

[svr]

I'm kinda happy that a group with some marketing nouse has taken over as the AMA themselves have done a woeful job.

What it is is a giant EXPERIMENT which will provide the motorcycle road racing world some interesting insights.
Giant dumbing down or inspired levelling out which provides access to top level racing unavailable elsewhere?
We'll have to wait and see.