Jeremy McWilliams

I was just looking over some races from last year and saw Jeremy McWilliams rolling around on a Buell at Laguna Seca last year.

1496:attachment]

He ran in the AMA Formula Extreme Series. What a sight to see a former MotoGP guy on an American bike, it was a bit of a thrill for me since I had the privilege of seeing him at the track. So I got to thinking, wouldn't it be great to see more manufactures in MotoGP... I was a fan of the Petronas in WSBK and I admire the effort by Ilmor, but I would like to see others try to make it, like say MV (I know they are running a WSBK and AMA team) and Triumph among others. What do you think? What are some of the obstacles or reasons why they don't mount an attempt to market their bikes at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing? (Besides the obvious reason of money). If Ducati can do it, why can't the other small/tiny manufactures do it? Would it be a waste of time and money for them, or could they get their brand out there? Just a thought.

Waste of time for any small manufacturer other than Ducati. Look at KTM, they make some of the world's best MX bikes and very, very competitive 125cc and 250cc World Championship bikes but look how wrong they got it when they teamed with Team KR. They had to pull out mid season because they couldn't afford making those mistakes anymore. And this is a brand that is small, but by no means a boutique manufacturer. They have resources. Same sort of story applies to Aprilia's adventures as well.

Unfortunately I think it will be a while before any new manufacturer steps up to join to series for a prolonged period of time. Hopefully BMW will figure something out in the next five years and get their feet wet but I have my doubts.

Last year at Road Atlanta,I asked a Triumph rep if we could expect to see the 675 in FX or Supersport since it had done so well in the 600 shoot out and he didnt hesitate with a big NO.Said they simply cannot afford to go racing, even in AMA.Unfortunatley, he who spends whacky money,usually wins.As for Buell,they cant build a bike that will last a race.They are technological midgets in the world of racing.I dont see them in Gp anytime soon.

Buell can't even make it on the AMA grid. (Properly)
How do you expect them to make it to MotoGP??

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Apr 5 2007, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Waste of time for any small manufacturer other than Ducati.
Interesting. Maybe I should have asked, if there were to be another brand to ever make a serious or a revisit run in MotoGP, which would it be and why?

Examples:
KTM
Aprillia
Buell
Truimph
BMW
MV
Etc, Etc.

I didn't see Ilmor coming until it got here, so its not that far fetched in my opinion that some other enterprise might make the attempt. Food for thought, eh? What do you think? There is always room for innovation or crazy attempts, anybody remember that guy on the twin in the 2000 season? (What was his name, sounded like Dutch or something, orange bike).

It comes down to marketting. Gp championships are huge weight in the marketting world of the big 4 japanease factories and of course Ducati who thrive mainly on racing. But i would say that grand prix championships arn't a large concern for the average buell or triumph owner. So an attempt at seriosu racing would call for a large, expensive and risky change of company image. Unless a very wealthy company fancy showing off some engineering skills (BMW please)

Jurgen Van Der Goerberg?

Buell HD will never join motogp as they are only interested in doing a one make series I think it's called dirt track. The XR 750 is the most successful race bike ever? It'd look pretty stupid if an XR750 couldn't win an XR750 race!!

No it's got to be BMW, they have the technology and resources plus they did make a motogp bike with Jeremy Mcs input although it never raced.
The other european manufacturers don't want to spend all that money just to come last.

It'd be nice to see Aprilia back and now they are owned by the Piaggio group who knows?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Apr 5 2007, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Interesting. Maybe I should have asked, if there were to be another brand to ever make a serious or a revisit run in MotoGP, which would it be and why?

Examples:
KTM
Aprillia
Buell
Truimph
BMW
MV
Etc, Etc.

I didn't see Ilmor coming until it got here, so its not that far fetched in my opinion that some other enterprise might make the attempt. Food for thought, eh? What do you think? There is always room for innovation or crazy attempts, anybody remember that guy on the twin in the 2000 season? (What was his name, sounded like Dutch or something, orange bike).


Triumph would join if they could find a Kawasaki race bike to copy.

Thats how they launched their streetbikes. Would be a laugh if they copied an H2R

Pete

i think we can certainly rule out Triumph - despite my love for the brand they just don't have what it takes - the truth is that, far from the Triumph of old, they have been left behind by the other manufacturers and their first 'sports' bike for years which has even come close to what's on offer from Japan is the 675.

The 675 may well be a good road bike and it may do ok in Supersport but non-factory teams and privateers will be the extent of Triumphs involvement in racing (unless they are bought out by a larger firm like every other British Engineering Company.) having officially retired from Racing in 2004.

In 'recent' years, only moderate success in the TT and only one victory in BSS (albeit one of the best and most emotional race win I have ever seen) despite having some quality pilots and the might Val-Moto behind those riders, just about sums it up.

Triumph have found their niche in the motorcycle world - cafe racers, tourers and to a degree, Supersport and certainly for the forseeable future, so it shall stay.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Apr 5 2007, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Triumph would join if they could find a Kawasaki race bike to copy.
Comedy! Uh, Kawasaki race in MotoGP?

I kid, Kawa, I'm plenty glad they're in the series.

But it really is too bad about Triumph. Their new 675 is beautiful. Kinda like a Brits version of a 1098 Ducati. Triumph has some racng heritage, don't you think they might want to revisit it?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (baldylocks @ Apr 5 2007, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i think we can certainly rule out Triumph - despite my love for the brand they just don't have what it takes - the truth is that, far from the Triumph of old, they have been left behind by the other manufacturers and their first 'sports' bike for years which has even come close to what's on offer from Japan is the 675.
True, but the Brits have love for racing (or em I wrong). Last I checked you have about 8 WSBK rounds on the Island. I would think they could fit it in their marketing plan outside the cafe-racers. Or em I dreaming with my heart.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Apr 5 2007, 11:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>but the Brits have love for racing (or em I wrong). Last I checked you have about 8 WSBK rounds on the Island. I would think they could fit it in their marketing plan outside the cafe-racers. Or em I dreaming with my heart.

yeah we have love for it - but while the the history books are full of fantastic racing and other sporting achievements - that's exactly what they are, history

Buell in Motogp? I certainly hope not. They cannot seem to manufacture a decent road bike, I seriously doubt they can muster the engineering prowess to manufacture a Motogp racer. I may seem harsh, but I have actually tested Buells on several occasions. Eric Buell has several radical and new ideas, however that doesnt always translate to effective or efficient. They do handle very well and offer the kind of cornering confidence I have never experienced before. The brakes seem to turn to cheese after a few miles of corner carving (although a buddy of mine who is an ex pro-racer says I was probably using the brakes too much and too little throttle), and the engine is the usual Harley made crap. Also one of the lightning's I tested blew up the tranny leaving me stranded on International Speedway Blvd. All of this for a bike that retails for about $4000.00USD more than my GSXR. It is a nice wish my friend but I would prefer to see a company who actually builds a good product try to go racing than a company who turns out garbage. I actually forsee a time when Chinese motor companies will produce a Motogp machine. That's my prediction.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ogunski @ Apr 5 2007, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Eric Buell has several radical and new ideas, however that doesnt always translate to effective or efficient.
Yeah, I hear you. But it's interesting that you mention Eric Buell, who I think is an innovator of sorts. He reminds me of, dare I say it, Britton. And this is one reason why I think Mr. Buell might be crazy enough to try. The bike is pretty cool on the cornering (believe it or not, it was picked as the top 50 bikes to corner well, and it was #1!) The bike is all innovative, breaks, fluids in the frame, ergonomics, and twin with a belt; so they are a company that thinks outside the preverbal box. They did mount an effort to get onto the AMA series (and you may remember, under a lot of protests by the other teams perhaps thinking they would be a threat) but once they found that the bikes were not reliable enough to make the finish, all the protests died down. I’m not so sure the man in charge would think it that far fetched, if only to put their bike on the international racing map. Who knows?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Apr 6 2007, 12:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Mr. Buell might be crazy enough to try.

I read a good article on Eric Buell in Racer X magazine a while ago.

I think it was shortly after they managed to get their bike into Formula Extreme (?) or something like that and they kicked some ... and upset a few people

from the sounds of it Jumkie might be right - maybe he is just mad enough to have a go - the problem is that 'the box which he isn't thinking in' is a tried and tested box full of the best motorcycles in the world.

who knows tho.........................

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (baldylocks @ Apr 5 2007, 08:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I read a good article on Eric Buell in Racer X magazine a while ago.

I think it was shortly after they managed to get their bike into Formula Extreme (?) or something like that and they kicked some ... and upset a few people

from the sounds of it Jumkie might be right - maybe he is just mad enough to have a go - the problem is that 'the box which he isn't thinking in' is a tried and tested box full of the best motorcycles in the world.

who knows tho.........................

They did manage to get the bike in, under false pretense.The cc's they were allowed {1200+} were based on the bike being air cooled and when it showed up it was oil cooled.There were protests filed and they kicked no ones ....I would have to dig up records to be sure but i dont think they have had a top 10 to date and have about a 80% failure rate

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Apr 5 2007, 02:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>anybody remember that guy on the twin in the 2000 season? (What was his name, sounded like Dutch or something, orange bike).

Not sure which you are asking for Amigo Here’s the 2000 MotoGP Manufactures:

APRILIA
HONDA
MODENAS KR3
PATON
SUZUKI
TSR-HONDA
YAMAHA

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (baldylocks @ Apr 5 2007, 05:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>yeah we have love for it - but while the the history books are full of fantastic racing and other sporting achievements - that's exactly what they are, history

500cc + MotoGP History Championships per Country

Year - AUS - SPA - GBR - ITA - USA - RHO
1949 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1950 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1951 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1952 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1953 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1954 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1955 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1956 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1957 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1958 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1959 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1960 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1961 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1
1962 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1963 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1964 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1965 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1966 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1967 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1968 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1969 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1970 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1971 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1972 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1973 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1974 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1975 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1976 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1977 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
1978 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1979 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1980 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1981 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1982 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
1983 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1984 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1985 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1986 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1987 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
1988 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1989 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1990 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1991 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1992 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1993 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
1994 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
1995 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
1996 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
1997 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
1998 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
1999 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
2000 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
2001 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
2002 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
2003 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
2004 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
2005 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
2006 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0
Total - 6 - 1 - 17 - 18 - 15 - 1

Summing it up:

500cc + MotoGP History Championships per Country:
AUS = 6, ESP = 1, GBR = 17, ITA = 18, USA = 15, RHO = 1.

Great Brittan has not gotten one since 1977, but “fantastic racing and other sporting achievements” is right cause still second to it Locks!

Like I've already written the 2000 rider on the orange bike was Jurgen Van Der Goorburgh on a Rizla Honda V twin.

KTM have a good chance to get into the bigger class.. they need more time... Aprilia well... big money problems... there are talks about BMW and Benelli but I doubt they have what it takes.. Buell... no chance...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (baldylocks @ Apr 5 2007, 07:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think it was shortly after they managed to get their bike into Formula Extreme (?) or something like that and they kicked some ... and upset a few people
the only ... they kicked were their own. the thing is junk.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Apr 5 2007, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Interesting. Maybe I should have asked, if there were to be another brand to ever make a serious or a revisit run in MotoGP, which would it be and why?

Examples:
KTM
Aprillia
Buell
Truimph
BMW
MV
Etc, Etc.

I didn't see Ilmor coming until it got here, so its not that far fetched in my opinion that some other enterprise might make the attempt. Food for thought, eh? What do you think? There is always room for innovation or crazy attempts, anybody remember that guy on the twin in the 2000 season? (What was his name, sounded like Dutch or something, orange bike).
i would love to see all of tthe above compete but i think the only one likely is bmw. man i miss the cube, i saw it at donny in 02,it was a fckin animal,lacony was a hero to ride that edwards said it made his championship winning wsb bike feel like a girls bike i just fell in love with it,it sounded like a thunder storm going around the track.
ive expressed my fears with the sport becoming americinized but mabe it will bring backers in with enough money to encorage all serious bike builders to race.