The sad state of US racing

Just sitting here after a great game of golf. Then coming home to watch Vale just kick .... Then watching a wonderful 600 bike race from Laguna Seca. Kicking in the pause button so I don't watch commercials, then watching the true ama champion Mat Maladin kick some more serious .... I started to think about the people that the ama is truly throwing a .... into. The top of the list is the Jordan team. He has no dog in this fight except he likes/loves motorcycle racing. Now his team is starting to hedge into the top 3-4-5. Then Zemke, both Bostroms, Hayes and all the rest that thought they were in the best place to get experience and move up to World racing. Now we have this wonderful unorganzation known as ama/dmg maybe MIC. Nobody has contracts, nobody but the elite few, know where they are going.
As a racer and fan today is a sad day in USA racing the end of an era. An era might even be to short of a time frame. The end of modern QUALITY USA racing.

The nascarization of motorcycle racing is here.

A sad day.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Loose Rod @ Sep 28 2008, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The nascarization of motorcycle racing is here.

I never thought I would ever see that.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Loose Rod @ Sep 28 2008, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>...

Then Zemke, both Bostroms, Hayes and all the rest that thought they were in the best place to get experience and move up to World racing.

...


The end of modern QUALITY USA racing.

...

1. Zemke, e/b Bostrom, Hayes had no intention of going (or returning) overseas. They've all been happy to run around on tracks with orange pylons in the US for years. The only one who's made any attempt at getting out of AMA SBK is Spies.

(EDIT: just to clarify, I'm talking about recently. <u>Prior to '08</u>, Zemke, Hayes, etc. have expressed ZERO interest in moving. Even Spies had to be "convinced" to move on)

2. Define "QUALITY USA" racing because AMASBK is a joke and has been for years. Go pick up any Cycle Week or other pub from the last 5 years and read any editorial on AMA SBK. They're ALL negative and were so before anybody knew WTF DMG was.

It's funny how people have bitched about AMA SBK for so long, but now that the crappy series is going bye-bye, everybody wants to slam on the brakes.

Edmonson was right when he said race fans have the comfort zone of a gnat.

Are you kidding....can you imagine Zemke racing in WSBK? Not that he'll ever make it there, but still that's like putting a little guppy into a tank full of piranhas, he'll get tore up and eaten alive.

Spies does what his mommie tells him to. Now are you kidding with your supreme euro slime mentality that to tell us we have no racers?


Stick around for edmonsons series. Taxicab racing on 2 wheels at best.


A gnat.

Parkurcar
The only thing I was bringing up was the sad state of affairs the us racing scene is in. Who is fast and who can win is besides the point.

Below me.


And shinya go away what'd he get today an 8th and 2 of the 3 US derelicts beat him.

Livin' on the other side of the world now I haven't really followed ama sbk as much as I used to. Was checking their site recently and saw ancient Miguel's still posting reasonably good numbers. Didn't he rupture a spleen or kidney or something late last season? He's like franken-Francophone. Hats off to one tough little ...... with real class - a lot of young riders could learn how a grown-up racer should behave.

EDIT: check out this little gem: www.motorcyclingmag.com/Racing/Profile-Inherit-the-Wind.asp
good article, if a couple of years dated.

[quote name='Mick D' date='Sep 29 2008, 07:36 AM' post='156500']
Livin' on the other side of the world now

So are you riding pillion on the wife’s 125cc now. And by the way try pronouncing “Watthana Nakhon”

we need a forum on here for AMA

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Loose Rod @ Sep 28 2008, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Spies does what his mommie tells him to. Now are you kidding with your supreme euro slime mentality that to tell us we have no racers?


Stick around for edmonsons series. Taxicab racing on 2 wheels at best.


A gnat.You are an ...... I am an American too and your calling Mladin the best LOL! He is a washed up racer that only stays in the US because that is where he can win. Do not judge DMG just yet. They way the AMA has been run the last couple of years has been horrible too. I am not making any judgments untill I see the DMG series and the new USSB series in action. Spies was on a sunday drive in that race, he did not need to try at all, but it was amazing that talent he has passing people on the outside going into the andretti hairpin!

The AMA/DMG relationship with manufacturers is as dysfunctional as can be. No one wants to be apart of it. Manufacturers were content to continue running the show. A change needed to be made. But NASCAR on two wheels is not the answer. I don't understand what is so difficult about adopting SBK rules. Am I mistaken or did BSB just do that? But what a dumb idea that is, why follow the template used to make Superbike racing the most exciting it's been in quite some time.

As far as riders go, Hayes has been talking about going to Europe since 2007. Same goes for Zemke. Disalvo grew up racing 125s in Spain and I know he's dying to get back (even if he doesn't have it). The Bostroms had European aspirations, Ben had his chance and Eric's never came. Ben got lucky and took advantage of it, Eric made a good living in the states and had a couple wildcard rides along the way. Besides, at 34 and 31 (?) I don't think either are too keen on leaving Las Vegas/NorCal.

And Zemke will ride WSBK and he won't set the world on fire because it is some American based Ducati team run out of Italy. This sounds all too familiar, Renegade Koji Honda 2005 anyone? It will be a couple 1098s off the showroom and that's all the budget will afford. He will be as respectable as one can be for riding a Superstock spec bike in WSBK. Hayes will go to WSS. I've no idea how he'll do. Disalvo? He'll go somewhere outside the US. Boz Bros? I think the family business might turn into a full time gig.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Loose Rod @ Sep 28 2008, 06:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Just sitting here after a great game of golf. Then coming home to watch Vale just kick .... Then watching a wonderful 600 bike race from Laguna Seca. Kicking in the pause button so I don't watch commercials, then watching the true ama champion Mat Maladin kick some more serious .... I started to think about the people that the ama is truly throwing a .... into. The top of the list is the Jordan team. He has no dog in this fight except he likes/loves motorcycle racing. Now his team is starting to hedge into the top 3-4-5. Then Zemke, both Bostroms, Hayes and all the rest that thought they were in the best place to get experience and move up to World racing. Now we have this wonderful unorganzation known as ama/dmg maybe MIC. Nobody has contracts, nobody but the elite few, know where they are going.
As a racer and fan today is a sad day in USA racing the end of an era. An era might even be to short of a time frame. The end of modern QUALITY USA racing.

The nascarization of motorcycle racing is here.

A sad day.

Why are you giving spoilers to the superbike race without posting it into your title first?
I didn't know the outcome yet so you ruined it for me.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JohnnyKnockdown @ Sep 28 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Why are you giving spoilers to the superbike race without posting it into your title first?
I didn't know the outcome yet so you ruined it for me.
This has to be a joke post.......like it mattered anyways.....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Goldwing @ Sep 29 2008, 08:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So are you riding pillion on the wife’s 125cc now. And by the way try pronouncing “Watthana Nakhon”


Nah, TZM150 fun and all I need on the Island, but I did notice in another thread that someone (maybe Babelfish??) suggested my wife's Honda Dream tyres as the new control tyre for MotoGP. Slow corner speeds way down (SAFETY) and last for a whole season (REDUCE COSTS) doesn't that cover Izzy's requirements?

DMG offered the big 4 everything they wanted.....the manu's pulled out at the end.....I won't judge DMG until next year and the product has some races.....judging anything before then is just pure speculation and rediculous......

and comparing this to nascar????I think you need to stretch a little further.....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Sep 28 2008, 09:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The AMA/DMG relationship with manufacturers is as dysfunctional as can be. No one wants to be apart of it. Manufacturers were content to continue running the show. A change needed to be made. But NASCAR on two wheels is not the answer. I don't understand what is so difficult about adopting SBK rules. Am I mistaken or did BSB just do that? But what a dumb idea that is, why follow the template used to make Superbike racing the most exciting it's been in quite some time.

As far as riders go, Hayes has been talking about going to Europe since 2007. Same goes for Zemke. Disalvo grew up racing 125s in Spain and I know he's dying to get back (even if he doesn't have it). The Bostroms had European aspirations, Ben had his chance and Eric's never came. Ben got lucky and took advantage of it, Eric made a good living in the states and had a couple wildcard rides along the way. Besides, at 34 and 31 (?) I don't think either are too keen on leaving Las Vegas/NorCal.

And Zemke will ride WSBK and he won't set the world on fire because it is some American based Ducati team run out of Italy. This sounds all too familiar, Renegade Koji Honda 2005 anyone? It will be a couple 1098s off the showroom and that's all the budget will afford. He will be as respectable as one can be for riding a Superstock spec bike in WSBK. Hayes will go to WSS. I've no idea how he'll do. Disalvo? He'll go somewhere outside the US. Boz Bros? I think the family business might turn into a full time gig.


They have Supermoto. I know Ben really likes it. They both come from a motocross background. They are a bit old to go back to that, but Supermoto in the US is an old mans racing series. Ward/ Henry (until his accident).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Noodlerizer @ Sep 28 2008, 07:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You are an ...... I am an American too and your calling Mladin the best LOL! He is a washed up racer that only stays in the US because that is where he can win. Do not judge DMG just yet. They way the AMA has been run the last couple of years has been horrible too. I am not making any judgments untill I see the DMG series and the new USSB series in action. Spies was on a sunday drive in that race, he did not need to try at all, but it was amazing that talent he has passing people on the outside going into the andretti hairpin!


And Mr rizer let me return the compliment, youself should be considered an ......

Nowhere did I make the statement the Maladin that he is "the best". I said he kicked ... and he did.

I'm sure he will be tending the tomatoes and maybe selling airplanes with Hannah next year. it is over for him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Loose Rod @ Sep 30 2008, 09:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And Mr rizer let me return the compliment, youself should be considered an ......

Nowhere did I make the statement the Maladin that he is "the best". I said he kicked ... and he did.

I'm sure he will be tending the tomatoes and maybe selling airplanes with Hannah next year. it is over for him.

I thought Mladin was returning to Oz to run our SBK series which is equally ...... up and dysfunctional as any ...... up series anywhere.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (machmanzx10r @ Sep 29 2008, 05:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>DMG offered the big 4 everything they wanted.....the manu's pulled out at the end.....I won't judge DMG until next year and the product has some races.....judging anything before then is just pure speculation and rediculous......

and comparing this to nascar????I think you need to stretch a little further.....

You are correct that we should watch before we judge. However, Edmondson didn't give the factories everything they wanted. Factory superbike was arguably set up to fail with one race per weekend, prize money aimed at privateers in daytona superbike, and a 1000cc class more attractive to grid-filling privateers in the form of American Superbike. The factory class would have looked like an afterthought with pitiful grids (single digits?).

As for not comparing this to NASCAR, I don't see DMG not adopting NASCAResque race control strategies. I never thought I would see competition yellows, lucky dogs, and regular pace-car-luck in sports car racing, but Grand-Am did that and more.

Roger has already mentioned the possibility of rolling starts and longer races...

Every time the factories came back with a new rules package, Edmonson would give in. It ranged from SBK rules to leaving the status quo.

I do not think rolling starts would be a good thing for racing....I much prefer the traditional standing start.....nor do I think the races need to be longer.....I also don't think there will be much if any corelation between the way a nascar race is run and a motorcycle race is run.....two completely different styles of racing.....