Something to save AMA Racing?

[protondecay123]

http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20110726/m2/MobileArticle.action?coverPage=1&articleId=96269&mobileWeb=true&lm=1311728087000

I like the idea of AMA racing becoming more "homogulated" with the Grand Prix series so there is better integration of US racers into MotoGP.

[DogBoy]

Save it from what? A spec series that doesn't attract more than one manufacturer?

More bullshit from Cycle News. The article even says the speculative proposal isn't workable. And its unlikely to make a better feeder program for US racers to GP. Moto2 doesn't even do a good job of sending riders to GP now.

[mugwump58]

Marc will be along shortly

[Kneescrubber]

Save it from what? A spec series that doesn't attract more than one manufacturer?...

Agreed. Ezpeleta et al need to get their shit together before investing in some cockamamy scheme here. I'm sure he thanked them all for their proposal then  'd them as he was leaving.

[Blunder]

I take exception to the opening statement. AMA racing at an all time low? Given the past two years I'd say it's on the upswing. The Superbike and Daytona Sportbike races have been very entertaining and at most tracks they draw the biggest crowds of the season.

[falcofred]

I take exception to the opening statement. AMA racing at an all time low? Given the past two years I'd say it's on the upswing. The Superbike and Daytona Sportbike races have been very entertaining and at most tracks they draw the biggest crowds of the season.

I agree, there has been some real close racing this season and last, but if attendence is up as you say, why fewer venues? What happened to Road Atlanta and Virginia International Raceway?
We only have one race in the Southeast at Barber. Does anyone know why the DMG and the managment of Road Atlanta and VIR couldn't agree on a deal?

[Blunder]

I agree, there has been some real close racing this season and last, but if attendence is up as you say, why fewer venues? What happened to Road Atlanta and Virginia International Raceway?
We only have one race in the Southeast at Barber. Does anyone know why the DMG and the managment of Road Atlanta and VIR couldn't agree on a deal?

It's linked elsewhere here, but John Ulrich, a man who has opinions and bandwidth to express them, has a pretty good take on the VIR situation.

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=45288

I think DMG, or whatever they're called these days, has done a good job lately. The racing is compelling and the teams seem happy with the way events are run.

As for the fewer venues? It's the economy. It's hit everyone. This year is the first year I've ever missed a motorcycle race at Laguna Seca and I was there when Cal Rayborn won the first MC race back in the day.

[Mr Sunshine]

Wanna same AMA racing?  Go buy a new bike and go to your nearest race event and watch.  Do that every year (well a new buy every other year is ok) and that'll be your part in saving AMA racing.

[protondecay123]

Wanna same AMA racing?  Go buy a new bike and go to your nearest race event and watch.  Do that every year (well a new buy every other year is ok) and that'll be your part in saving AMA racing.

I guess the question behind this is why does the AMA racing series do such a poor job of having it's racers advance to the highest level of competition ie  MotoGP?

[DogBoy]

How do you think the decisions are made to advance riders to MotoGP?

[mugwump58]

Step 1: Win a Spanish National Championship

[Blunder]

I guess the question behind this is why does the AMA racing series do such a poor job of having it's racers advance to the highest level of competition ie  MotoGP?

What interest does the AMA have in furthering the careers of its riders? Most of its success stories are guys in their mid to late 30s. Hardly attractive to MotoGP types. AMA riders have to shine in their early 20s to garner interest. Ben Spies is now 27, but he was spectacular when he dethroned Mladin for 3 years in a row. Josh Hayes is what, 37, 38 years of age? Nobody is going to look at him and the AMA has no interest, especially financially, in seeing him move on.

[heinee]

I guess the question behind this is why does the AMA racing series do such a poor job of having it's racers advance to the highest level of competition ie  MotoGP?

It's not AMA's job to raise the riders to go to MotoGP. But if you want to see who might, and it's a really big "might", you'll need to look at the younger riders starting to make an impact in AMA pro roadracing, i.e Cameron Baubier (sp?) and maybe JD Beach.

But without any financial backing, chances are very, very slim they'll make it.

[stk0308]

I guess the question behind this is why does the AMA racing series do such a poor job of having it's racers advance to the highest level of competition ie  MotoGP?

Because after the Lawson/Shwantz/Rainey era, and up until recent, there was no financial gain to be had going international if you were very good in AMA.  See Mat Mladin.

[stk0308]

It's not AMA's job to raise the riders to go to MotoGP. But if you want to see who might, and it's a really big "might", you'll need to look at the younger riders starting to make an impact in AMA pro roadracing, i.e Cameron Baubier (sp?) and maybe JD Beach.

But without any financial backing, chances are very, very slim they'll make it.

Cameron is a perfect example of how being American is a handicap in the GP world, espcially when dealing with sponsors.  He did very well in the Red Bull Rookies cup, and he got one year to prove himself in 125GP.  He didn't do any worse than some who were kept around, but he was dumped after one year.  Hence, he's back in AMA.  Hell JD Beach actually won the Red Bull championship in 2008.  He's flattracking and flogging a half assed Kawasaki effort in AMA superbike now.

[DogBoy]

Jake Gagne won the MotoGP Red Bull Rookies Cup, too. Americans have won several races and championships in the series that was created specifically to develop MotoGP talent but none were given real chances. And its not like they didn't make connections. I believe JD Beach lived at Casey Stoner's Monaco apartment while he was in Europe. As STK mentioned, young riders are finding better opportunities in the US as many have for almost two decades.

There are Americans in Europe. Among them are Josh Day who was AMA Supersport champion in 2009. He just won the European Supersport race at Silverstone. Joey Pascarella has had top five finishes in the Italian 600 championship. I think Austen DeHaven has run a couple of 600 races in Europe, too.

Its all about money in this economy. Nearly every rider on the Moto2 grid has to bring personal money or sponsorship or they don't get to ride. There isn't value for big sponsors in putting an American rider in Moto2 (no manufacturers gain exposure from Moto2) and Moto2 has hurt World Supersport. Thanks Dorna.

[protondecay123]

Well with Dorna bringing three MotoGP races to the US by 2013 one would think that they are intent having American racers be competitive in the series to keep attendance up. Wasn't that at least a portion of the reasoning of the BBoz LCR Laguna Seca debacle? He basically admitted that the bike was too much for him.

[Mr Sunshine]

Well with Dorna bringing three MotoGP races to the US by 2013 one would think that they are intent having American racers be competitive in the series to keep attendance up. Wasn't that at least a portion of the reasoning of the BBoz LCR Laguna Seca debacle? He basically admitted that the bike was too much for him.

He never said that.  And he had only those 3 practices on the bike before the race. It takes time to get used to a totally different bike.

[Mr Sunshine]

I think Austen DeHaven has run a couple of 600 races in Europe, too.

Yes he raced in the Italian Supersport Series on a R6.  Just couldn't quite find the right setup for it.  At Laguna he ran in Daytona Supersport.

[JonS]

He never said that.  And he had only those 3 practices on the bike before the race. It takes time to get used to a totally different bike.

He may not have said it point blank, but he sure implied it. I almost didn't believe my ears.