I thought this might happen..

Great idea. I can see many of the AMA tracks and many of the top privateer teams getting on board as the manufacters bring in the fans.


Gets my support.

This very likely could be a huge time in the history of motorcycle racing in the US, if things split but I am doubtful. This is most likely just a power play to get the DMG to give into the demands of the current players in AMA racing. If the MIC push heavily enough, and get the tracks, teams, sponsors and most importantly the riders behind them then they will force the DMG to their demands (likely the reason why the announcement).

The crap the DMG has been coming up with is so radical and coming from left field that there was no way the current teams backed by the manufacturers would have gone with it, let alone the guys that pilot the machines. Ultimately I think the DMG will run it, but will be forced to stick to a series that is similar to what we have now. What in the hell was the AMA thinking in the first place giving this over to the DMG?

MIC ALL THE WAY!!!!

They must have one thing..........

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I'm not that surprised the manufacturers aren't willing to go along with DMG's plan. It is untested and revolutionary.

But I'm really put off by the manufacturers insistence upon continuing the broken formula. Lack of competitive machinery has been part of the demise of the series. The AMA has little cash trickling in, and what's available isn't worth fighting over. I don't for one second buy the argument that the Japanese are developing technologies in the AMA (except for Suzuki inventing their wheel-sensorless TC system).

DMG are an advertising juggernaut, to spite them out of fear, and to jeopardize the racing system they've milked (while adding very little) makes me a bit angry. The Japanese are, in my opinion, hyper sensitive to every legislative change in motorcycling. They've been conditioned to be that way b/c of the competitive environment in WSBK.

The manufacturers know they have been running the AMA for the last half decade, they are content to divide the revenues equally amongst themselves and let the AMA stay in its current pathetic state.

I'm not particularly keen on DMG's changes, but I'm convinced it is one of the only ways out of the swamp the AMA has become. The manufacturers are more obsessed with their grip over the series than they are with creating a vibrant racing series we can be proud of.

Very good post lex; I agree that this won't necessarily move the sport forward. However, as far as something to be proud of, I doubt DMG would create such a series.

Either DMG will give in to the demands and the rival series will not happen after all. Or the two sides will go to war and the Frances will use all their connections and influence to get in the rival series' way. That's how it is with the sports cars, and I don't expect the Frances to admit defeat.

Bring a race weekend up here to Mosport. This is a fantastic track. The crowds would be gigantic.

gsfan,

Mosport is an awesome track (best in North America?). However, I think the walls are too close. It seems like turn 2 would be as bad as Turn 12 at Road Atlanta was.

Do you go to the ALMS races there?

I will blindly follow the OEMs. I don't want to watch the best talent in this country to run around on 600s.

I think this will be the main problem a manufacturer-run series will face: how will they get the privateers to come over and fill the grids? I expect DMG will subsidize teams and hand out sponsors, keeping the likes of Attack, Celtic, Rockwall, M4, et al.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 26 2008, 07:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I will blindly follow the OEMs. I don't want to watch the best talent in this country to run around on 600s.

I don't want to see it either, but I think it brings more venues into play.

I'm unconvinced that DMG actually care about rider safety, but reducing the bikes (temporarily I hope) to 600cc solves a lot of safety concerns held by the venue owners, insurance underwriters, and the riders themselves. The 600cc formula also consolidates the talent pool and attempts to put the riders on relatively equal machinery so the average fan can size the field up.

As a matter of serendipity, 600cc machines also outsell literbikes by leaps and bounds. It seems 600s are a good place to start attracting advertisers.

I'm a bit unnerved that little bikes generally mean little riders; however, DMG have stated they will cap power using a power-to-weight formula. Since nearly all manufacturers will be able to meet the formula, it seems that most development will come from improving bottom end.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jun 26 2008, 10:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>gsfan,

Mosport is an awesome track (best in North America?). However, I think the walls are too close. It seems like turn 2 would be as bad as Turn 12 at Road Atlanta was.

Do you go to the ALMS races there?

Great race track. Just back back from racing there two weeks ago. A vintage drive also lost his life driving there last weekend.

This place makes Road Atlants look like it has 1000 foot run offs.

I still do not see DMG bringing bike racing to the level Nascar is or what bike racing is in Europe. It cannot be done. Bikes in general have a bad rep from the media in the States.

Whatever series gets the press, it still will be just an article on SpeedTV's website and on The Speed Report.

Nascar does two things to series. Brings them to a level that no racing series as ever seen or kills them.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jun 27 2008, 12:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think this will be the main problem a manufacturer-run series will face: how will they get the privateers to come over and fill the grids? I expect DMG will subsidize teams and hand out sponsors, keeping the likes of Attack, Celtic, Rockwall, M4, et al.
That's a very valid point, but if the top teams, top bikes and top riders are riding for one series that is all I care about. And certainly there will be some privateers out there who want the chance to run against that type of talent. Why else does Joe Schmo line up on a current AMA Superbike grid putting a mere $20k into his bike?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jun 27 2008, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm unconvinced that DMG actually care about rider safety, but reducing the bikes (temporarily I hope) to 600cc solves a lot of safety concerns held by the venue owners, insurance underwriters, and the riders themselves. The 600cc formula also consolidates the talent pool and attempts to put the riders on relatively equal machinery so the average fan can size the field up.

As a matter of serendipity, 600cc machines also outsell literbikes by leaps and bounds. It seems 600s are a good place to start attracting advertisers.

I'm a bit unnerved that little bikes generally mean little riders; however, DMG have stated they will cap power using a power-to-weight formula. Since nearly all manufacturers will be able to meet the formula, it seems that most development will come from improving bottom end.
Reducing capacity does not make the racing safer. It's the same lame argument that was made for 800s. If anything, the formula could potentially be more dangerous due to reduced weight and higher corner speeds. You don't run into walls on straights going 190, you run into walls after tipping it over in a bend. As you said, it's a quick fix for insurance and suits. But in reality it does not make the sport any safer.

And I understand that the factories want to sell what they race and they sell a lot of 600s but that is not the point of racing. It is a great marketing tool, but should not be the focal point for creating rules and guidelines. What is happening in WSB has been great and whoever is making rules for the premier series in the US should have a long, hard look at adopting similar standards.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 27 2008, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That's a very valid point, but if the top teams, top bikes and top riders are riding for one series that is all I care about. And certainly there will be some privateers out there who want the chance to run against that type of talent. Why else does Joe Schmo line up on a current AMA Superbike grid putting a mere $20k into his bike?


Reducing capacity does not make the racing safer. It's the same lame argument that was made for 800s. If anything, the formula could potentially be more dangerous due to reduced weight and higher corner speeds. You don't run into walls on straights going 190, you run into walls after tipping it over in a bend. As you said, it's a quick fix for insurance and suits. But in reality it does not make the sport any safer.

And I understand that the factories want to sell what they race and they sell a lot of 600s but that is not the point of racing. It is a great marketing tool, but should not be the focal point for creating rules and guidelines. What is happening in WSB has been great and whoever is making rules for the premier series in the US should have a long, hard look at adopting similar standards.
good post Ooostin... i agree. this is going to be interesting to see how this plays out. the rights to promote & run the ama should never have gone to the dmg clowns. these guy's do not understand 2 wheeled racing enthusiasts. nasbike won't work.

I'll be there for the July 18th Parts Canada weekend. Dangerous....well some tracks in the US are also dangerous. The sport is dangerous...but people still do it. If the AMA or whatever wanted to go there then they would put some dough into safety I'm sure.

tw

Hello everyone. A new guy here, but longtime moto enthusiast.

DMG has assured that virtually every privateer will be running in their series by throwing money at them. $50k to win a Daytona Superbike race? $5k to finish 20th? I've been around club racing for years, and there are lots of guys that try to scrape a living chasing contingency money. DMG just blew that out of the water.

So, the OEMs may start their own series (I think it's all smoke at this point), but if there are any date conflicts, the fields are going to be small. All the non-factory pilots will be chasing DMG money.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 27 2008, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That's a very valid point, but if the top teams, top bikes and top riders are riding for one series that is all I care about. And certainly there will be some privateers out there who want the chance to run against that type of talent. Why else does Joe Schmo line up on a current AMA Superbike grid putting a mere $20k into his bike?


Reducing capacity does not make the racing safer. It's the same lame argument that was made for 800s. If anything, the formula could potentially be more dangerous due to reduced weight and higher corner speeds. You don't run into walls on straights going 190, you run into walls after tipping it over in a bend. As you said, it's a quick fix for insurance and suits. But in reality it does not make the sport any safer.

And I understand that the factories want to sell what they race and they sell a lot of 600s but that is not the point of racing. It is a great marketing tool, but should not be the focal point for creating rules and guidelines. What is happening in WSB has been great and whoever is making rules for the premier series in the US should have a long, hard look at adopting similar standards.

Im guessing the privateers would stay with DMG since the winner gets 50k and 2nd thru 20th gets 5k.That was the only positive about the new rules.Hell,i might even get me a 600 and see if i cant supplement my income.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 27 2008, 09:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Reducing capacity does not make the racing safer. It's the same lame argument that was made for 800s. If anything, the formula could potentially be more dangerous due to reduced weight and higher corner speeds. You don't run into walls on straights going 190, you run into walls after tipping it over in a bend. As you said, it's a quick fix for insurance and suits. But in reality it does not make the sport any safer.

And I understand that the factories want to sell what they race and they sell a lot of 600s but that is not the point of racing. It is a great marketing tool, but should not be the focal point for creating rules and guidelines. What is happening in WSB has been great and whoever is making rules for the premier series in the US should have a long, hard look at adopting similar standards.

DMG learned from DORNA's mistakes. The reduced capacity is being accompanied by the elimination of TC (hopefully DMG can make the ban legitimate), power to weight legislation that includes rider weight (not as much benefit from hiring horse jockeys), and the introduction of a control tire.

I can't say what you've predicted won't come to fruition, but it appears that development will progress quite differently than it has in GP.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hayden Fan @ Jun 27 2008, 09:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It cannot be done. Bikes in general have a bad rep from the media in the States.

I think it will be nice to have a major media player giving an alternate account. AMA will get network coverage. People will have the opportunity to see why sports bikes exist in the first place.