The AMA hasn't been much for years....

J

johnne507

Joined May 2008

10 Posts | 0+

Sun City, Arizona, USA

Discussion Starter
• Jun 1, 2008

• #1

Hey Race Fans,

I've followed motorcycle racing for 5 decades (I was an acceptable privateer on both dirt and pavement for a while.) I've been on tracks in Europe and here Stateside - as a both a racer and a spectator. There is such an unbelievable difference between the US and other demographics in popular participation. The paddocks and the parking lots abroad are more interesting than the racetrack and the races are here in the U S of A.

I attend at least 2 'bike nights' a week here in the Valley of the Sun. It is mostly pathetic!

Motorcycling is a fringe hobby here!!! And it is populated now mostly by fat Baby Boom-ers on rhinestone encrusted butt jewelry!!!! (I do love what I see among the 'custom sport bike' crowd and the 'Stuntahs', though!)

American motorcycle road racing will never be much as long as motorcycles are a fringe hobby in the States. If we see $10 per gallon gas like is seen in Europe more bikes may hit the street, but I doubt it. Fuel economy-types do not mix well with throttle jockies!

DMG is in for a rough road if they think they can market AMA road racing the way NASCAR is marketed, or Supercross is marketed for that matter.

Motorcycle road racing is for purists. I'd make one class "run what ya' brung"! Then we'd see who wants to go racin'!!!!!!!!!!!!! And we'd also find out who just wants to sell bikes, huh? I'd make another class bone, box stock. Then we'd really find out who can, and will, hang it out and ride!

The current and new AMA racing situation is just deplorable!

My $00.02....

j

 

M

mylexicon

Joined Mar 2007

8K Posts | 2K+

Texas

• Jun 2, 2008

• #2

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (johnne @ Jun 1 2008, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Motorcycle road racing is for purists. I'd make one class "run what ya' brung"! Then we'd see who wants to go racin'!!!!!!!!!!!!! And we'd also find out who just wants to sell bikes, huh? I'd make another class bone, box stock. Then we'd really find out who can, and will, hang it out and ride!

Preach on brothaman. The AMA should definitely have a stock class that actually attempts to maintain stock machinery. Give em just enough mods to make it safe, then let em race.

 

Arrabbiata1

Joined Apr 2008

7K Posts | 3K+

Out of Nowhere

• Jun 2, 2008

• #3

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jun 2 2008, 06:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Preach on brothaman. The AMA should definitely have a stock class that actually attempts to maintain stock machinery. Give em just enough mods to make it safe, then let em race.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ May 22 2008, 12:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I want to watch people racing bikes that I don't ever want to ride. That was the appeal of 500cc GP.

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

T

Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

• Jun 2, 2008

• #4

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jun 2 2008, 06:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Preach on brothaman. The AMA should definitely have a stock class that actually attempts to maintain stock machinery. Give em just enough mods to make it safe, then let em race.

isn't that called superstock?

 

P

phleg

Joined Nov 2006

2K Posts | 0+

North Wales

• Jun 2, 2008

• #5

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jun 2 2008, 06:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Preach on brothaman. The AMA should definitely have a stock class that actually attempts to maintain stock machinery. Give em just enough mods to make it safe, then let em race.

Do I spot a contradiction?

 

T

Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

• Jun 2, 2008

• #6

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Jun 2 2008, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Do I spot a contradiction?

Nah man you can't race with lights and centre stands, but removing them is barely a big deal don't you think?

 

Arrabbiata1

Joined Apr 2008

7K Posts | 3K+

Out of Nowhere

• Jun 2, 2008

• #7

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Jun 2 2008, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Do I spot a contradiction?

He has been known to make one or two from time to time

 

P

phleg

Joined Nov 2006

2K Posts | 0+

North Wales

• Jun 2, 2008

• #8

Won't these new AMA regs force the riders over here?

If so, try not to stain yourself at Cadwell.

 

Arrabbiata1

Joined Apr 2008

7K Posts | 3K+

Out of Nowhere

• Jun 2, 2008

• #9

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Jun 2 2008, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Won't these new AMA regs force the riders over here?

If so, try not to stain yourself at Cadwell.

Larry Pegram over the mountain

 

P

phleg

Joined Nov 2006

2K Posts | 0+

North Wales

• Jun 2, 2008

• #10

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Jun 2 2008, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Larry Pegram over the mountain

I'd be more interested in seeing 'Elbowz' trying his stuff over here. Showing us how superior AMA is.

= I am aware this could very well backfire on me.

 

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mylexicon

Joined Mar 2007

8K Posts | 2K+

Texas

• Jun 2, 2008

• #11

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 2 2008, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nah man you can't race with lights and centre stands, but removing them is barely a big deal don't you think?

Thank you.

What are these clowns on about?

 

M

mylexicon

Joined Mar 2007

8K Posts | 2K+

Texas

• Jun 2, 2008

• #12

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Jun 2 2008, 10:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

The AMA runs a plethora of classes and in the past the AMA has always supported the amateur.

I think the AMA needs both. The premier AMA class should be something horrifying, everything else should be run what you brung spec series.

 

K

KawZX7R

Joined Jun 2008

69 Posts | 0+

USA

• Jun 3, 2008

• #13

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jun 2 2008, 05:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The AMA runs a plethora of classes and in the past the AMA has always supported the amateur.

I think the AMA needs both. The premier AMA class should be something horrifying, everything else should be run what you brung spec series.

DMG "may" be able to make superbike racing less fringe than it is, afterall, look what they did do with nascar.

I saw absolutely nothing wrong with 600 supersport.

To the op: you probably remember Formula USA then? Definately the original "run whatcha brung" series, one of my personal favs

 

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tlrwinder

Joined Nov 2007

87 Posts | 0+

RalNC

• Jun 6, 2008

• #14

Even if the Daytona Group takes over, I think we still need a 'Superbike' Class. Hell, didn't the basis for world sbk come from an american setup back in the 70s?? when they were running steel-tube framed Kawis and Hondas with 1000-1100cc engines??

Not to speak down on Australian Superbike, but isn't it about the same as AMA's Superstock racing class? I know it costs boatloads of money to get works Showa/Ohlins forks and rear shocks, factory kit engine internals, prototype swingarms, etc.......hell, if they =just BAN traction control by using an across-the-board engine management system, go to a one-spec tire and let them go at it!!

Will it be worth watching without a true Superbike class??

 

Mr. Shupe

Joined Mar 2006

1K Posts | 71+

US

• Jun 8, 2008

• #15

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kawzx7R @ Jun 3 2008, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>DMG "may" be able to make superbike racing less fringe than it is, afterall, look what they did do with nascar.

If DMG successfully takes the sport into the mainstream, which it hasn't come close to doing with its sports car experiment, it will likely be with long races interrupted by numerous pace car periods. The Bikes will be crawling behind the pace car after completing a short green flag run. Most of the field will come down pit road and the crew chiefs will be talking to pit reporters about lucky or unlucky breaks with the yellows.

If the sport becomes more popular, great. But could you stand the contrived NASCAR entertainment stench?

 

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mylexicon

Joined Mar 2007

8K Posts | 2K+

Texas

• Jun 9, 2008

• #16

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jun 8 2008, 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If DMG successfully takes the sport into the mainstream, which it hasn't come close to doing with its sports car experiment, it will likely be with long races interrupted by numerous pace car periods. The Bikes will be crawling behind the pace car after completing a short green flag run. Most of the field will come down pit road and the crew chiefs will be talking to pit reporters about lucky or unlucky breaks with the yellows.

If the sport becomes more popular, great. But could you stand the contrived NASCAR entertainment stench?

I don't think DMG are trying to make motorcycle racing mainstream. I think they realize there are plenty of motorcyclists who don't watch any form of motorsports; furthermore, there are many American fans of other moto racing series who don't watch AMA.

They are trying to appeal to those two groups.

Sportbiking has never been mainstream in America and it probably never will be.

 

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mach_man

Joined Sep 2006

135 Posts | 0+

• Jun 21, 2008

• #17

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jun 8 2008, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If DMG successfully takes the sport into the mainstream, which it hasn't come close to doing with its sports car experiment, it will likely be with long races interrupted by numerous pace car periods. The Bikes will be crawling behind the pace car after completing a short green flag run. Most of the field will come down pit road and the crew chiefs will be talking to pit reporters about lucky or unlucky breaks with the yellows.

If the sport becomes more popular, great. But could you stand the contrived NASCAR entertainment stench?


Ignorance is bliss, is it not?????

You guys are trying to compare two completely different types of racing and make them all one series.......Come on.....When was the last time you saw a pace car out for in a bike race......

When was the last time you hit something in your car doing 60mph? How about 160mph? If you think stack car racing is so easy, then go do it and prove how easy it is. Comparing the new AMA rules to the Nascar rules is rediculous and short sighted at best.

 

Mr. Shupe

Joined Mar 2006

1K Posts | 71+

US

• Jun 22, 2008

• #18

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (machmanzx10r @ Jun 21 2008, 04:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ignorance is bliss, is it not?????

You guys are trying to compare two completely different types of racing and make them all one series.......Come on.....When was the last time you saw a pace car out for in a bike race......

When was the last time you hit something in your car doing 60mph? How about 160mph? If you think stack car racing is so easy, then go do it and prove how easy it is. Comparing the new AMA rules to the Nascar rules is rediculous and short sighted at best.

Where did I say stock car racing was easy? I was commenting on authenticity; Sports v.s. Made-for-TV entertainment.

Pro wrestling has its difficulties too...