Road Atlanta AMA stuff

[Jeff N]

Ben Spies' voice register went up a bit, no?   Damn, but that was a nasty off. Great comeback from the last row restart, though.    He's still got a chance, however, as he's done well at Laguna the past couple of years. But I think Mladin's on a roll. I wish I could be there.

The 600SS race was fantastic. That Columbian is showing some mettle and Laguna will be a track he's seen before, but Roger Hayden and that Josh kid put on a good show a couple of months ago.

Damn, maybe I'll put in for a couple of days off and see what happens.

[DogBoy]

Great stuff all weekend at RA. Supersport race rocked and this end-of-season showdown between Mladin and Spies could be one for the books. How much harder can these two push each other? Be great to see a repeat of the second Fontana race this year where they were neck and neck for the last several laps.

[bogthing]

Yeah, Supersport was a great race, F/X okay, Ducati on the podium again. Superbike is just a plain bore, it's tiresome watching the race for second, third etc. Went down to Savannah instead of the track Sunday, and it was just as well, results were predictable.

[Mr Sunshine]

WHERE'S THE GOD DAMN SPOILER TAG IN THE SUBJECT?  

[stk0308]

So Dunlop is confirmed at the 'spec' tire for superbike?  Total crap!

[LicketySplat]

WHERE'S THE GOD DAMN SPOILER TAG IN THE SUBJECT?  

lol

Spoiler: Mladin or Spies won the SB race!

[Mr Sunshine]

So Dunlop is confirmed at the 'spec' tire for superbike?  Total crap!

And where did you see this?

[stk0308]

And where did you see this?

Well, one tire manufacturer out of the multiple brands that are participating in the AMA Superbike series that weekend couldn't manufacturer a tire that would positively last the entire planned race distance.  So, they asked the AMA to shorten the race.  Normally that kind of control of a race is for those that pay the most, so I guess we know where the AMA priorities lie.  The only reason I can see why the AMA would cave to a manufacturer and shorten a race to save the manufacturers ass was if said manufacturer was controlling the series.

[Mr Sunshine]

I finally found a thread on the WERA board about it.

Pretty freaking lame if you ask me.

[LicketySplat]

It was either that or have their riders pull out of the race entirely, a la Indy F1 two years ago. If the tire's not safe under the conditions, the tire's not safe under the conditions, and kudos to Dunlop for acknowledging it. Given a choice between an Indy-style fiasco, going ahead and risking major injuries on a track that's already unsafe, or shortening the race, if I were the AMA, I know which one I'd choose.

Which is about the first time I can think of where I've agreed with an AMA decision  

[Mr Sunshine]

I think it is total bullshit and if Dunlop can't make a tire that can go the distance (which they knew about and it was why Miquel slammed into the wall) then they should tell their riders the deal and the riders can go out with that knowledge.  They can pit stop if they need to get a new tire.  

This is not fair to Pirelli or Michelin or Bridgestone.  What now when Michelin comes up to them and says "Hey we have a problem and our tires can't go the distance. You must shorten the race ala Dunlop style or we will bury your organization in court."?