Just got my December issue of RRW and noticed on page 3 the section on the changes concerning the races during BikeWeek. Interesting that the qualifying for the 200 will be seperated into the front row qualifying on Wednesday and the rest of the grid on Thursday.
It looks like the Factory teams finally got their way and are basically going to be seperated from the majority of the non-factory racers for qualifying. I would imagine with limited bikes on the track during that qualifying session that it's possible the times will drop also, therefore reducing the number of racers that will make the grid due to the lower times required by the cut-off percentage based on that faster time. Hmmm, looks like they may have killed 2 birds with 1 stone (segregated qualifying and less backmarkers making the grid).
you mean page 5? ;)
I guess you are right, that will cut a few people from the bubble of qualifying. I thought AMA is trying to FILL the grid, not the other way around.
Nonetheless, with the tire problems they been having, and some factories not putting full effort in superbike, maybe we see a privateer on the podium this year?
I guess I won't be dreaming of qualifying for the 200 now :D
QuoteI guess I won't be dreaming of qualifying for the 200 now :D
Don't quit dreaming now. Last years 200 only required a high 2:00 time at daytona to make the grid. On a 1k (which is mandated now), its not that difficult.
Really, it's nothing really new.
There used to be two heat races too determine the grid...The Arai Twin 50's. The grids for the 50's were determined by the qualifying and the 200's grid determined by the results of the two heats. But the front couple rows wouldn't change. The idea was to make the two twin 50's a real race, purse and all, but still make the guy with the fast time the pole guy.
if only we could get Kevin E. to put a nice pitch to CCE to make FUSA the premier racing org in the US.
Im sure CCE can promote a race event way better than ama & nascar tv did this year !!
But thats off topic, i just dont like the idea of the factories setting the rules !
The grids will still be full. Last year, during qualifying the qualifying times were usually well under the 112% rule anyway. Just making it inside of the 112% didn't mean squat.
QuoteThe grids will still be full. Last year, during qualifying the qualifying times were usually well under the 112% rule anyway. Just making it inside of the 112% didn't mean squat.
I didn't realize they had all 80 positions filled last year.
QuoteThe grids will still be full. Last year, during qualifying the qualifying times were usually well under the 112% rule anyway. Just making it inside of the 112% didn't mean squat.
not trying to contradict you, but from AMA website Ben qualified first at 1.48.376, which made the 112% at 2:01.38, and only 69 out of 72 qualifier qualified. It was pretty full, but not 80 people full... I guess a 65 people grid would be acceptable for AMA.
Yes, Daytona seems to have been loosing entries. In 1993 there were 105 of us trying to get the 80 spots for the 600 Supersport race.
And like Kevin said, being under 112% isn't good enough at the other tracks. Full grids of 40 to 44 racers has been pretty common. Daytona can run eighty because of the size of the place. There is room to pass, not that that makes life easier.
As for CCE making FUSA the top of the heap...
Would require an effort on their part to have good racers show up, be promoted, and have some decent rules enforcement. 2000 was very good for FUSA, and I think most of you missed it. It was big money, and the "unlimited superbike" class had two legs almost back to back. Cash awards for holeshots, etc.
The AMA has the "good" riders because there's money there and cameras, regardless of how poorly the AMA does of it.
It still comes down to the self promotion thing.
I remember FUSA in 2000. That is what got me interested in racing. And it kinda dissapoints to see FUSA has turned from that hoopla to now. Pocono was always a big deal, actually 1000's of spectators... I went to 4 FUSA races this year, and each of them looked like any other club race weekend. What happened to the big dealer expo they used to have at pocono, that was way cool...
I don't know if its going to be any different next year. I am just looking at FUSA races as a club weekend with different classes. It would be nice to actually be in a " pro" caliber race now that I made it here.
And more purse and pay deeper in the finishes is always better ;D
I hear the only reason F/USA is even going to exist last next year is cuz Suzuki is gonna prop it up with some money so they have a place to race their 750's
If you can't do a sub 2 at Daytona in the Superbike Class you do not deserve to be out there anyway! The pole for 600 was in the 52's.
QuoteIf you can't do a sub 2 at Daytona in the Superbike Class you do not deserve to be out there anyway! The pole for 600 was in the 52's.
I bet that particular (extremely expensive) 600 had darn near the same HP as my '02 GSXR 750 too! ;D
(just for the info, 2 minutes flat at Daytona with a 1:52 pole time would be apx a 107% cut-off)
I remember the first couple of years of F-USA. They felt like Nationals. Hell, we even had umbrella girls at Willow Springs. That was cool.
Only a few classes, lots of track time. Great race tracks.
Too bad they didn't make enough money to continue the concept.
Quote I bet that particular (extremely expensive) 600 had darn near the same HP as my '02 GSXR 750 too! ;D
(just for the info, 2 minutes flat at Daytona with a 1:52 pole time would be apx a 107% cut-off)
sub 2 I can do with my new bike. And so are a few AM's even. If the hotel is not so expensive I am going to stay in the spring and do the supersport race
QuoteI remember the first couple of years of F-USA. They felt like Nationals. Hell, we even had umbrella girls at Willow Springs. That was cool.
Only a few classes, lots of track time. Great race tracks.
Too bad they didn't make enough money to continue the concept.
ya it is too bad. I wish they go back to it though. now that I am in FUSA, I really want to feel like a national competitor ;D
Sorry, I guess I should have specified other tracks on than daytona. I'm sure part of the problem iwth daytona is the cost to go do it. 1000's absolutely inhale rear tires. You could do 2 extra rounds (at really cool tracks) for the cost of one daytona with hotels and your tire bill. Plus bikes seem to get destroyed in a crash there. Of course mine always get destroyed no matter where I'm at.
Grids were usually 40 riders with the bigger tracks at 44.
I ran the last 9 weekends of the season. From my experience this year, I can tell you there are some seriously fast privateers there almost all the way back. It makes it even more fun when every track but one is new to you.
Case in point, picture showing up at Laguna Seca and getting one practice session before qualifying. Talk about having to strap it on and then have your teammate bump you off the grid by 3 100ths in the last 10 seconds of qualifying. I must say it's an incredible experience to be able to go do and would highly recommend it. Just be ready to hemorage enormous amounts of cash from your wallet.
I would love to go race at Laguna. But seeing that I am on the east coast and getting to do a track day there isn't exactly that realistic, the first time I see laguna would be the AMA weekend I am going to sometime down the road. I would just hope that I qualify...
Other than that, I would have enough track time at daytona, vir and barber before my attempt, so I don't see qualifying, or even making the grid that difficult.
But just being there is great experience enough for me. To be an AMA racer, you know that was my goal when I started on the track. 4 years later, I am almost there! This is going to be a good year! very excited
But back on the original topic, I guess if it won't squeeze out a couple of guys from the grid, it is ok then, at least the factory wieners have one less thing to wine about.
Quote I bet that particular (extremely expensive) 600 had darn near the same HP as my '02 GSXR 750 too! ;D
(just for the info, 2 minutes flat at Daytona with a 1:52 pole time would be apx a 107% cut-off)
Yes, it was expensive, but the supersport spec ones behind it were in the 53's. And the riders were very, very, very good.
There is no cut off, that I know of, in FUSA.
QuoteI would love to go race at Laguna. But seeing that I am on the east coast and getting to do a track day there isn't exactly that realistic, the first time I see laguna would be the AMA weekend I am going to sometime down the road. I would just hope that I qualify...
And you want to feel like a national competitor?
Come on!
First, track days at Laguna, and there only are a few, require that you use stock exhaust.
Second, feeling like a national competitor doesn't have to do with the event; it has to do with the riders. Go to an FUSA race and try to beat Wait. Um, let's see...he raced a factory Ducati and a 500cc GP bike in the World Championship. Scott Greenwood has won an AMA National along with Eric Wood. Jesse Janisch is an up and comer, along with that Nick Cummings kid with all the cash. How about Jeff Wood? He's put a Supermotard bike on the front row against Chambon.
When I started out, Suzuki Cup was really big. So, the expert classes were like Nationals. Russell, Polen, Chivington, James, Hall, Harth, and everyone raced for good money. Seemed like the racing at Blackhawk was pretty star studded in 1993 with Honda money.
It's all what you make of it. Only see guys like Denning on his 4&6 bike, and Jensen, going out there and treating races seriously. Others are looking for points.
F/USA qualifying cutoff is 115%