<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Apr 8 2009, 09:43 AM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Do I need to remind you?: No coverage, no real superbikes, a quagmire of a class appropriately named "Daytona", alienated manufactures, alienated venues, alienated riders, and most dastardly, alienated fans.
No you don't need to remind me, but you need to realize most of those would have changed whether DMG came in or not. Edmondson already said they ran the numbers and they couldn't continue running live coverage b/c the advertising dollars weren't there. He seemed to be speaking about the manufacturers advertising budgets during the recession. It was gone anyway, that's part of the reason the AMA was sold.
Real superbikes were probably going to be gone as well for cost cutting measures. Also, I somewhat reject the notion that real superbikes are gone. The third party manufacturers can still develop new prototype parts, but they have to sell them to everyone. Obviously, the equal access rule make prototyping less profitable for the third party parts suppliers (since most own their own team). The manufacturers can still work with the third party manufacturers to make prototype parts, they parts just have to be approved by DMG. If DMG starts holding up parts, I serious problem will arise.
The class structure is an obvious reason to hate DMG. Lack of a true 600cc SS class is killing the AMA right now. However, I pointed out in another post that the manufacturers were posturing like they wouldn't run DSB and that's why Edmondson ruined SS. I am angry about it, but until he can get the manufacturers to pledge support for DSB, SS will probably remain a rookie class.
Yes, DMG have also alienated riders. I've already said Edmondson treats people like business inputs. His compassion is present as long as it is helping the sport run smoothly and generating revenues.
Fans? They control themselves. Loss of SS and FX are almost unbearable, but when you look at how bad the financial situation was in the AMA (so bad the manufacturers agreed to sell it), you have to grit your teeth and bare it.
Things will improve when the money comes back. Hopefully, they will find low cost ways to improve performance in the middleweight classes. Real SS needs to come back as well.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>However, you still fail to see the difference in business approach between Dorna and DMG. Dorna have failed (or maybe haven't tried) to nascarize their series. DMG is clearly trying to use the nascar business model! (Do you deny this point?)
Yes, I have been whining loudly about GP b/c Ezy took something at the height of its appeal and flushed it down the toilet because he let the MSMA decide that lower displacement would help create more safety.
Probably the worst mistake ever made in the history of motorsports.
Yes, MotoGP, DMG, WSBK, etc etc all use the NASCAR model. Mainly because there is only one model for professional racing in this day and age---make the sponsors foot the bills. Doesn't matter who's running the series, they all need the same advertising dollars.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Ok, let me clarify to you, the fear is NOT that they will expand the sport and bring in new sponsorship money, that is a good thing! The problem is so far it looks like to get to this "vision" they have compromised the premier class and dumbed it down (which has its pros and cons but ironically they have not achieved what they wanted) and have made a contrived class in Daytona which everybody except those proposing it and benefiting from it can see its mockery.
They have achieved the holy grail of motorcyling. Remember that Edmondson almost made a huge error at the beginning by attempting to eliminate 1000cc bikes altogether. The manufacturers fought him and thankfully they were able to keep SBK (though I would have liked to have seen FX take over the premier spot).
The manufacturers run SBK but they must comply with restrictions in equipment and the eligible equipment list format.
SBK is exactly what we would have expected this year if everything had remained exactly the same. The bikes are half as expensive and slightly slower to alleviate safety concerns, yet not one thing has changed in the competitive environment.
Best of all; however, is the new cost reduction incentives that should allow things to change slowly but surely in the future. The other manufacturers now have a reason to take on Suzuki.
It is amazing that so much bloodlust has lead to this result in SBK. It is the most equitable change in motorsports history, imo.
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