Ray Blank responds sarcastically to

Blank has reason to be upset b/c the Buell was running around in 11th yesterday. Mid-Ohio appears to be a strong track for the Buell, but it was still a worrisome performance for a bike that is technically illegal.

I hope Blank is being genuine about the homologation specials. It appears likely that he is planning to torture DMG, but if he will focus on making modifications not allowed under AMA or WSBK rules (frame, suspension mounting, etc) these new homologation bikes could be used in international competition.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jul 18 2009, 12:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Blank has reason to be upset b/c the Buell was running around in 11th yesterday. Mid-Ohio appears to be a strong track for the Buell, but it was still a worrisome performance for a bike that is technically illegal.

I hope Blank is being genuine about the homologation specials. It appears likely that he is planning to torture DMG, but if he will focus on making modifications not allowed under AMA or WSBK rules (frame, suspension mounting, etc) these new homologation bikes could be used in international competition.
I didnt hear the tone of voice when he said that, but it is obvious his intent is to .... with DMG. I could see law suits coming once something is submitted and gets turned down. DMG has accidently opened Pandora's Box and if the Jap OEM'S feel like it, they can toy with DMG in the court sytems on collusion and antitrust charges just to name a few.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jul 18 2009, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I didnt hear the tone of voice when he said that, but it is obvious his intent is to .... with DMG. I could see law suits coming once something is submitted and gets turned down. DMG has accidently opened Pandora's Box and if the Jap OEM'S feel like it, they can toy with DMG in the court sytems on collusion and antitrust charges just to name a few.

I also think Blank is planning to use homologation bikes to create a media circus event that sours everyone on DMG and the AMA.

As far as law suits are concerned, they would have sued a long time ago if they could have. AMA/DMG are private organizations. They can make whatever unfair rules they feel like making. Unless the AMA has a Concorde agreement, there won't be any breach of contract if DMG change the rules.

Monopoly and anti-trust suits would be interesting (DMG are rumored to be buying ALMS), but they wouldn't be specifically related to the AMA. They might be able to get the courts to force DMG to sell the rights to AMA, but there is no guarantee Edmondson will depart as a result.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jul 18 2009, 11:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Monopoly and anti-trust suits would be interesting (DMG are rumored to be buying ALMS), but they wouldn't be specifically related to the AMA. They might be able to get the courts to force DMG to sell the rights to AMA, but there is no guarantee Edmondson will depart as a result.

The IMSA buyout rumor has been categorically denied, but who knows what will happen.

I would like to see the France family racket investigated for anti-trust lawsuits as it is now. I'm not sure of the rules, however, and don't know if it is even a possibility. They own tracks(ISC), run series, and apparently use their influence and money to subsidize and float sponsors to Grand-Am. I would sleep much better at night if they were knocked back some.

Race Sanctioning Bodies (just like the MLB, NBA, NFL, etc.) ARE monopolies, that is the point.

There is no legal recourse because they are blessed by the gov't to hold those monopolies. You couldn't run a sport otherwise. Hence, the congressional hearings on MLB PEDs.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jul 18 2009, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The IMSA buyout rumor has been categorically denied, but who knows what will happen.

I would like to see the France family racket investigated for anti-trust lawsuits as it is now. I'm not sure of the rules, however, and don't know if it is even a possibility. They own tracks(ISC), run series, and apparently use their influence and money to subsidize and float sponsors to Grand-Am. I would sleep much better at night if they were knocked back some.

Surely, the FIA scare you more than DMG?

The FIA is a club. A group of people who've appointed themselves as the global auto racing police. If you race in more than 3 countries they try to run your series or they sue you or they threaten to ban all manufacturers who participate in your sport.

They have no power but collusion.

The United States is lucky b/c we are big enough to have an international racing infrastructure within our own national boundaries. American motorsports have taken a nose dive in the last 2 decades, and I'm glad we have a company like DMG who actually know how to race for profit.

Unfortunately, DMG are responsible for some of the damage done to our national series' and they also know how to piss everyone off while sanctioning events. Personally, I can live with DMG if they protect American racing from FIA sanctioning.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Parc Ferme @ Jul 18 2009, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Race Sanctioning Bodies (just like the MLB, NBA, NFL, etc.) ARE monopolies, that is the point.

There is no legal recourse because they are blessed by the gov't to hold those monopolies. You couldn't run a sport otherwise. Hence, the congressional hearings on MLB PEDs.

Congress is holding congressional hearings about PED's b/c many of them are illegal substances. Many of MLB athletes and doctors should technically be prosecuted for using illegal substances or abusing prescription laws.

Obviously, Congress doesn't have to screw with baseball to police illegal drug use, but they wouldn't have a reason to irresponsibly expand their power if they simply enforced the laws they've already written.

Some sports have a de facto monopoly some don't. Motorsports sanctioning bodies have almost no monopoly power b/c nearly every series has drastically different rules/cars. However, there are some hang ups.

For instance, if the MIC broke away from the AMA, they wouldn't be able to adopt WSBK rules. Why? Because the AMA is the only FIM sanctioning body in the US. The AMA would have to sanction MIC competition if they wanted WSBK rules. MIC would be rid of DMG, but it is highly unlikely that sanctioning would go smoothly since the MIC would have crippled the AMA pro road racing.

I found the comments to berefreshing and hilarious.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Parc Ferme @ Jul 18 2009, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Race Sanctioning Bodies (just like the MLB, NBA, NFL, etc.) ARE monopolies, that is the point.

There is no legal recourse because they are blessed by the gov't to hold those monopolies. You couldn't run a sport otherwise. Hence, the congressional hearings on MLB PEDs.
Saying there is no legal recourse against these organizations is simply not correct. The players union sued the owners of MLB 15-20 years ago and won a huge decision against them for collusion.And dont forget Al Davis won an Anti Trust suit against the NFL

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jul 18 2009, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Surely, the FIA scare you more than DMG?

The FIA is a club. A group of people who've appointed themselves as the global auto racing police. If you race in more than 3 countries they try to run your series or they sue you or they threaten to ban all manufacturers who participate in your sport.

They have no power but collusion.

The United States is lucky b/c we are big enough to have an international racing infrastructure within our own national boundaries. American motorsports have taken a nose dive in the last 2 decades, and I'm glad we have a company like DMG who actually know how to race for profit.

Unfortunately, DMG are responsible for some of the damage done to our national series' and they also know how to piss everyone off while sanctioning events. Personally, I can live with DMG if they protect American racing from FIA sanctioning.

Sorry for the confusion Lex, your mention of the IMSA/ALMS buy-out brought out the sports car fan in me.

Yes, the France family does scare me more than the FIA, even though I don't see either as being more scrupulous than the other. If the Frances got a hold of Don Panoz' sports car racing assets, Grand-Am would be the only thing left of U.S. sports car racing. I cherish my trips to Road Atlanta, loving every second of the visceral spectacle that is prototype sports car racing. The Daytona version of the sport, Grand-Am, sucks the life out of it. Almost everything that is attractive about sports car racing is thrown out the window in favor of door-banging and sprints to the "checkers." I might never see a professional American sports car race again if DMG were the only game in town.

If the FIA were to somehow gain power, I would imagine road racing would retain the essential ingredients: technology, speed, aesthetics, variety, etc.

As for motorcycle racing, I want DMG to work. I am no more against them than I am the previous factory benefits. Also, The Frances know how to race stock cars for profit. They have yet to elevate sports car racing to a more professional level; They haven't gotten off to an auspicious start in motorcycle racing either.