AMA NEWS FOR 2012

mylexicon said:

All of this stuff is common in racing. Manufacturers fighting with sanctioning bodies. Teams fighting with manufacturers. Sponsors screwing people. It's just another day in the office.



Officials targeting participants based upon public comments......that was something special that can only come from NASCAR land. The poor officiating was worth publicizing. Power-politics in the marketing/sponsorship business is just another day in the office.

Click to expand...

mylexicon said:

All of this stuff is common in racing. Manufacturers fighting with sanctioning bodies. Teams fighting with manufacturers. Sponsors screwing people. It's just another day in the office.



Officials targeting participants based upon public comments......that was something special that can only come from NASCAR land. The poor officiating was worth publicizing. Power-politics in the marketing/sponsorship business is just another day in the office.

Click to expand...

Here is part 2. Looks as if Atlas is trying to get fired, or JU stepped over the line and printed stuff told him in confidence. Or, the 2 of them are leading a revolt



http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=47431

I have an an opinion on the above matter, but I'm not sure if I should voice it publicly.



I'll just say, getting new sponsorship has been extremely difficult.





On a completely unrelated note, I just wanted to give props to Taylor Knapo for nabbing a ride in BSB. I actually got wind of this story before it was published by my UK inside sources (Wilski).



http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=47423

.

Jumkie said:

I have an an opinion on the above matter, but I'm not sure if I should voice it publicly.



I'll just say, getting new sponsorship has been extremely difficult.





On a completely unrelated note, I just wanted to give props to Taylor Knapo for nabbing a ride in BSB. I actually got wind of this story before it was published by my UK inside sources (Wilski).

http://roadracingwor.../?article=47423

Click to expand...

I like to keep my ear to the ground Jum !

Jumkie said:

I have an an opinion on the above matter, but I'm not sure if I should voice it publicly.



I'll just say, getting new sponsorship has been extremely difficult.





On a completely unrelated note, I just wanted to give props to Taylor Knapo for nabbing a ride in BSB. I actually got wind of this story before it was published by my UK inside sources (Wilski).

http://roadracingwor.../?article=47423

Click to expand...

If JU doesnt mind spitting out his opinion, why would an obscure fan on a bike forum have a problem voicing his opinion. Use a pen name and your double naught spy decoder ring if your afraid you think it could be traced back to you.

povol said:

If JU doesnt mind spitting out his opinion, why would an obscure fan on a bike forum have a problem voicing his opinion. Use a pen name and your double naught spy decoder ring if your afraid you think it could be traced back to you.

Click to expand...

Part of it was tongue and cheek, and the other part serious... I'm a nobody. Nobodies get squashed.

povol said:

If JU doesnt mind spitting out his opinion, why would an obscure fan on a bike forum have a problem voicing his opinion. Use a pen name and your double naught spy decoder ring if your afraid you think it could be traced back to you.

Click to expand...

Part of it was tongue and cheek, and the other part serious... I'm a nobody. Nobodies get squashed. No reason for anyobdy to get effected in the slightest from my big mouth.

I don't approve of JU's tell-all. While interesting, it's the journalistic/opportunistic side of him, not the racer/businessman, that is coming to the fore. Publicizing private meetings is the baby-boomer version of taking compromising photos of people and posting them to facebook. Doing something? In the loosest sense, perhaps.



JU is complaining about a patch on the leathers, and inconsistent communications from a overworked sanctioning-body owned by miscreant descendants of Bill France Sr. Surely, JU knew a majority of the work was going to fall on the teams and a handful of virtuous DMG personnel. That's how NASCAR/DMG work. They let other people do the work for them, while they try to create a business environment that yields profits (mainly for ownership, but some major teams benefit). JU is whining for a Big Mac, but he doesn't seem to realize that AMA is living in a lean-to and cooking over an open camp fire. Gotta have a McDonald's first, if you want Big Macs, maybe JU needs a Snickers to hold him over cuz he's got Diva Syndrome. In his defense, DMG probably told everyone the bad old days were over, and it was time to get rich.



I understand times are damn near impossible in the AMA, but that is a choice made by the major AMA players (OEM, DMG, teams). DMG had a lot of good ideas. The manufacturers had certain demands. Those considerations were not reconciled. Private government, like real government, devolves into mindless imposition of willpower without any focus on reality or results. DMG wanted the opportunity to show they could craft a good racing product. While they have succeeded with their formula in DSB, all the close racing and low costs in the world cannot save them b/c AMA is not selling bikes or generating viewership. This is a repeat of what the OEMs did before DMG arrived. DMG and the OEMs have to work together, but it will never happen as long as DMG continue to squat on the 600cc segment. Why the manufacturers won't support DSB and politick for something better is completely beyond me. You'd think the OEMs were trying to go bankrupt.



Every racing series on earth has the same problems b/c they are not interested in solving their problems. The sport has no fans, no sportbike industry remaining, and almost no manufacturer participation, yet JU is worried about the lack of corporate bylaws. Write them. The sport will still go under. DMG are losing their shirt on AMA Pro, but if the top 5 are not covered by a blanket, they can't be happy. So keep DSB, don't split revenue with the manufacturers, and go under. The manufacturers have no marketing-plan for younger generations, but they are content to watch AMA die. So let AMA die, and watch the average age of motorcyclists continue climbing to over 50 years old.

Hey guys, if u happen to have Ama races recorded, check out last years SBK races at Laguna & the 2nd race at Mid-Ohio, and the season finale in New Jersey. Just rewatched. Those were some of the best races of last year. Last lap battles! Very motivating.



Anyway, here is part 3 of Ulrich "expose".



http://roadracingwor.../?article=47440

Last time I forgot to mention how disappointed I was that JU would claim DMG might sue riders for advertising the AMA outside of AMA competition. Technically speaking, DMG could sue, but the reality is that DMG have neither the time nor the money to sue. The competitors don't have any money to take, and DMG would have an impossible time proving damages even if their was a breach.



Furthermore, I can't believe the bluster about licenses or electronics. JU cannot really expect DMG to get sideways with major factory teams over Superbike licenses or $15,000 in electronics prices, especially when comparable cheaper-kit can be homologated and sold.



I have generally sided with JU since DMG's takeover, but his recent articles are a more revealing account of his own achilles heel. For some reason, he believes that rules and order are the solution to every problem. Rules are as arbitrary as exemptions, and adding new rules often causes more problems than issuing a few exemptions.



He needs to get back to major problems. According to many people, safety was THE problem with AMA back when he started the Action Fund. Sponsorship is a big problem, but it is not THE problem with AMA competition. Licensing definitely isn't the problem. The big problems in AMA are lack of fans, sales, and manufacturer support (on track or in the stands). I'm not sure JU can adjust to AMA's current nadir.



On a side note, AMA Pro would be smart to crowd-source. They need to get some stuff going in new media, and they need Speed to support them. Race sanctioning is inbred. Unless the deepen the gene pool and try new things, they won't survive.

mylexicon said:

Last time I forgot to mention how disappointed I was that JU would claim DMG might sue riders for advertising the AMA outside of AMA competition. Technically speaking, DMG could sue, but the reality is that DMG have neither the time nor the money to sue. The competitors don't have any money to take, and DMG would have an impossible time proving damages even if their was a breach.



Furthermore, I can't believe the bluster about licenses or electronics. JU cannot really expect DMG to get sideways with major factory teams over Superbike licenses or $15,000 in electronics prices, especially when comparable cheaper-kit can be homologated and sold.



I have generally sided with JU since DMG's takeover, but his recent articles are a more revealing account of his own achilles heel. For some reason, he believes that rules and order are the solution to every problem. Rules are as arbitrary as exemptions, and adding new rules often causes more problems than issuing a few exemptions.



He needs to get back to major problems. According to many people, safety was THE problem with AMA back when he started the Action Fund. Sponsorship is a big problem, but it is not THE problem with AMA competition. Licensing definitely isn't the problem. The big problems in AMA are lack of fans, sales, and manufacturer support (on track or in the stands). I'm not sure JU can adjust to AMA's current nadir.



On a side note, AMA Pro would be smart to crowd-source. They need to get some stuff going in new media, and they need Speed to support them. Race sanctioning is inbred. Unless the deepen the gene pool and try new things, they won't survive.

Click to expand...

So your ok with a governing body ignoring safety rules,, and giving a team a competitive advantage to keep them onboard. You preach that Honda drives up the cost to eleminate competition in GP, yet you cant beleive the bluster over a factory team doing the same thing in DMG Superbike.

Wonder if it was Yosh or Graves.

Any word on Tommy?

povol said:

So your ok with a governing body ignoring safety rules,, and giving a team a competitive advantage to keep them onboard. You preach that Honda drives up the cost to eleminate competition in GP, yet you cant beleive the bluster over a factory team doing the same thing in DMG Superbike.

Click to expand...

They didn't ignore any safety rules. They granted license exemptions, which were as arbitrary as the 100pt Sportbike rule. The 100pt Sportbike rule was probably designed to force riders through DSB so DMG's baby would get participation. The manufacturers think they can circumnavigate DSB when convenient. The license exemptions turned out to be unsafe, but that doesn't qualify the 100pt DSB rules as an effective safety control.



Everyone has the same $18,000 limit, and the supplier already said that they would provide units for less than the restriction. You're the one who proclaims that people aren't manly enough for "real racing", but you can't handle electronics restrictions b/c the prices are too high? Which way is the wind blowing? More importantly, who is down wind? The MSMA or DMG? Honda drive up the costs and eliminate competition from GP with the 21L fuel limit. I'm for open electronics in GP. I would like more stringent electronics rules for AMA, and DMG are technically making progress.



JU rightly grills DMG for causing sponsorship problems (though I don't think he should make his thoughts public nor have a mental breakdown over the rule), but he also grills DMG for improving the electronics rules. He's just in the mood to have a go at someone. The rules he wants are just as arbitrary as the exemptions granted to others. JU wants everyone to follow the same rules. Unless the rules are really liberal, not the case in SBK racing, people are always going to ask for exemptions. He's like a salmon swimming upstream. I hope he doesn't kill himself. He says he has a smart solution.

Jumkie said:

http://roadracingwor.../?article=47451

Click to expand...

this was all a bunch of nothing. i'm stunned.



dmg are not trying to sue their competitors out of the ama. omg. team war hammer can relax for a while.

Jumkie said:

I have an an opinion on the above matter, but I'm not sure if I should voice it publicly.



I'll just say, getting new sponsorship has been extremely difficult.





On a completely unrelated note, I just wanted to give props to Taylor Knapo for nabbing a ride in BSB. I actually got wind of this story before it was published by my UK inside sources (Wilski).

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=47423

Click to expand...

Spoke to the owner of the BSB team last night. He sounds excited about getting Taylor onboard. On a side note. BSB have a round at Assen this year. The Supersport teams have decided not to attend. Because of this, it sounds like the BSB supersport guys will run one of the support races at WSBK round at Donington. Be a bit of coverage for Taylor and the team on the world stage.

mylexicon said:

this was all a bunch of nothing. i'm stunned.



dmg are not trying to sue their competitors out of the ama. omg. team war hammer can relax for a while.

Click to expand...

Disagree, JU got exactly what he wanted, dialog. He clearly states he cannot get an audience with DMG, and if and when he does, they just tell him they will get back with him on it. He got their attention wouldnt you say, and they have toned down the rhetoric and bullying.

Willski said:

Spoke to the owner of the BSB team last night. He sounds excited about getting Taylor onboard. On a side note. BSB have a round at Assen this year. The Supersport teams have decided not to attend. Because of this, it sounds like the BSB supersport guys will run one of the support races at WSBK round at Donington. Be a bit of coverage for Taylor and the team on the world stage.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Wilski. Good for Knapp. I've only met him a few times, and he's down to earth.

Sack, Still no ride for Tommy pg24

http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20120306?pg=73&pm=2&u1=texterity&linkImageSrc=/cyclenews/20120306/data/imgpages/tn/0073_lzyyba.gif/#pg23

He says he had an offer from BSB but his heart would not have been in it. He has a family so thats understandable. Also says he was not being picky about money in the AMA he just wanted a good ride. I got the impression he would ride for free if it came to that. Says he is still hopeful he can find something this year. Would have been cool to see him back on a Kawasaki especially if it turns out to be a good ride.