Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
One of the comments on Krop's site suggested partnering with the X-Games. I think that is an excellent idea for the US series visibility and growth with a younger generation. I would also encourage them to include an electric class a-la IOM TT.
Joined Jun 2007
3K Posts | 309+
UK
This is great news....and I believe they should follow more of an CEV type of approach....and they should add an Electric class like the TT.
I do worry though that unless they work to transition out the old never gonna move to MotoGP racers in the series then we might not get any new real talent come through to jump to the world stage (GPs or World Supers) from the USA/Canada for another 5 years or more....
I also feel that all USA GP riders should all be encouraged to sponsor a team in this new series....so Nicky should be looking to create and sponsor Team 69 at all levels of racing this new series, but he should not hire his brothers to rider for him....KRJR, Colin E and Kevin S should do the same....
I do worry though that unless they work to transition out the old never gonna move to MotoGP racers in the series then we might not get any new real talent come through to jump to the world stage (GPs or World Supers) from the USA/Canada for another 5 years or more....
I also feel that all USA GP riders should all be encouraged to sponsor a team in this new series....so Nicky should be looking to create and sponsor Team 69 at all levels of racing this new series, but he should not hire his brothers to rider for him....KRJR, Colin E and Kevin S should do the same....
Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
That's a GREAT idea and the timing couldn't be better. Colie and Nicky should be the broadcast voices of MGP in the USA AND be HUGE presences in the AMA paddock. Throw in a Team Biaggi a Team Stoner for some flavour and you'd have a great start.
I'd like to see: Moto3; Moto2; WSBK/EVO; and 'lectric as classes.
Moto3 and 2 for serious talent development; WSBK/EVO for the premier class and 'over-the-hillers'...
Joined Jun 2007
3K Posts | 309+
UK
I dont think Biaggi or Stoner would ever create a team in the America's.....they might on the world level though...
Will Nicky and Colin and other Ex-GP Americans riders create teams?
Probably not....but we can hope....
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 508+
USA
AMA has been such a poorly managed series for so long, its going to be hard to get a TV deal, sponsors, and tracks on board with the series. It would be great if they could get COTA on the schedule, but I am sure the cost to run a race there is very high. they also need a rule book that is fair to all the makes at all the class levels.
Joined Mar 2006
1K Posts | 71+
US
This is wonderful news. Xmas has come early. Some observations:
-Will ISC-owned Road Atlanta and VIR work with the new series?
-Moto 2 and Moto 3 seem like a bad idea for US teams. Supersport and superstock 600 come with potential manufacturer support, since the factories want to use US racing to sell bikes. Nobody is selling Moto 2 or 3 bikes to the public. US teams aren't going to attract Spanish and Italian sponsors the way CEV and world-level teams do. But US teams could realistically expect support from the factories whose products they represent on the track. Forget the Moto 2/3 idea and run supersport. Maybe a class for small bikes like the Ninja 250 and little CBR would be an alternative to Moto 3 (or maybe just the XR1200 series).
-Will ISC-owned Road Atlanta and VIR work with the new series?
-Moto 2 and Moto 3 seem like a bad idea for US teams. Supersport and superstock 600 come with potential manufacturer support, since the factories want to use US racing to sell bikes. Nobody is selling Moto 2 or 3 bikes to the public. US teams aren't going to attract Spanish and Italian sponsors the way CEV and world-level teams do. But US teams could realistically expect support from the factories whose products they represent on the track. Forget the Moto 2/3 idea and run supersport. Maybe a class for small bikes like the Ninja 250 and little CBR would be an alternative to Moto 3 (or maybe just the XR1200 series).
Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
I really question the "race Sunday - sell Monday" doctrine in 2014. This 50s-60s era strategy just doesn't fit today when cruisers, tourers, standards, dirt-bikes and almost everything else out-sells sport bikes in the USA.
The goal of the AMA/FIM/KRAVE should be: 1. Bums in the seats; 2. broad access TV contract; 3. promoting US talent to the world stage.
I do to think that pandering to a tiny sport-bike market will help achieve these goals.
The goal of the AMA/FIM/KRAVE should be: 1. Bums in the seats; 2. broad access TV contract; 3. promoting US talent to the world stage.
I do to think that pandering to a tiny sport-bike market will help achieve these goals.
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 508+
USA
with MotoGP and world SBK making 3 stops in the US drawing in the majority of race fans, its going to be hard for the AMA to draw those same fans back out for a smaller event. from a marketing perspective, is there really a benefit for the manufactures to get involved?
I think the XR1200 series works, not only is it a cheap series to run in, the brand loyalty of harley davidson is second to none. of course one might ask is it a good series to develop young riders with? I have actually read more articles on this series, because its covered in a wider range of media publications.
I think the XR1200 series works, not only is it a cheap series to run in, the brand loyalty of harley davidson is second to none. of course one might ask is it a good series to develop young riders with? I have actually read more articles on this series, because its covered in a wider range of media publications.
Joined Nov 2013
76 Posts | 7+
Straya
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
I dont know Hollywood. Depends on what you consider working. The sport bike crowd leaves to go home when they run the 1200's as the last race of a weekend, and the Harley guys are not there to begin with. i stuck around and watched it once. At first it almost comical how slow they are, i lost interest in the race in about 5 laps. Somethings just were not meant to be raced.
Joined Mar 2006
1K Posts | 71+
US
That is not the exact strategy DMG followed.
This formula was followed before DMG. The factories/distributors believed in it too. What DMG did was run off most factory support with its technical changes.
What's the advantage over Moto GP and WSBK? I cannot say for sure, but it certainly gives a brand another chance at success. For example, Suzuki is not likely to find glory in Moto GP soon (if ever). Success in American national road racing would be good exposure for sport bike buyers.
Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
The question to ask when 'designing' what classes to run is : what do we want to get out of this gig? Please/pander to the factories; please/pander to the fans; prep talented youngsters for international competition... just make shitloads of cash!! Each outcome requires a different strategy. It will be interesting to see which direction they take.
Joined Mar 2006
1K Posts | 71+
US
That is a tough question. I would say pander to the factories. The Japanese factories made the US racing scene. Their leaving is what made it so sorry the last few years. Factories also drive rider advancement...
It's better than keeping DMG at the helm, but I'm not optimistic. The decline of Superbike racing is directly correlated to the 1000s, and the new 4-stroke MotoGP regulations. The 1000s are too expensive to prep for racing, and they are much less spectacular than GP prototypes.
Unless KRAVE do something innovative (hint: not performance balancing), AMA SBK will continue to decline.
First thing I would try to do is sell/give rights to a mobile carrier. If people can watch on their phones at the track and on-demand, the sport will be in position to gain viewers.
Unless KRAVE do something innovative (hint: not performance balancing), AMA SBK will continue to decline.
First thing I would try to do is sell/give rights to a mobile carrier. If people can watch on their phones at the track and on-demand, the sport will be in position to gain viewers.
Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
