Does ROC have to be at Daytona.

[a13x]

Just curious.

It seems to me that Daytona really isn't considered a very good roadracing course. Guys from Mat Mladin, to CCS Expert Champions, to Newbie Novice have all stated the same things it seems at point. Daytona isn't all that fun, is mostly a goofy horsepower track, and the main reason people race there is because of the 'historic name'.

While I can see the marketing value for Honda to win at 'The Daytona' so they can sell more bikes to Johnny Public... I don't see as much value in having the ROC there since it's not like club racing pulls in the big spectators anyhow.

Personally I'd rather see the ROC at a track that is a true roadracing track. Barber? VIR? Even Road Atlanta? (taking weather and similar location into account). Shoot even Homestead.

Has this been discussed before? I apologize if it has. I couldn't seem to find it.

[Super Dave]

Been covered many times.

ROC is a big event.  Most tracks can't handle the density that is necessary.  

Road Atlanta hosts the GNF.  

And most tracks do have dangerous areas.  For an AMA Superbike, Daytona has challenges as a liter bike is spinning in 6th gear on the banking.

Weather plays a role too.  

If it were always about HP, then even in the AMA, the guys that had the fastest trap speeds would always win.  Recognize that although Mat Mladin wins many, many races, his trap speeds seldom are the fastest;  he wins by race craft, set up, and by executing the whole course efficiently.

Have you raced at Daytona before?

[TommyG]

How did it work out for everyone (from both a business and racer standpoint) when it was at homestead?

[Protein Filled]

From what I remember people saying, Homestead was a low turnout. I guess that is what happens when you put a national event like that all the way down at the farthest point from most people in the US...

The other thing to note from what I remember, is that pretty much the same people who always do well at Daytona did well down there, regardless of it not being a horsepower track. I guess rider skill does have something to do with this after all!

[LMsports]

Heartland Park is centrally located and has 20 million dollars of upgrades. I think that is as good a place as any.

[Super Dave]

Now that is a good one...

SCCA run offs will be there.  Centrally located.  Weather might be hairy in October though...

[TommyG]

HPT gets my vote too! ;D

[a13x]

Nope. I've never raced at Daytona and my interest in it is pretty small. The thought of riding my bike on the revlimiter for 30 minutes doesn't entice me much, even though I feel I'd be in the running for some AM National Championships next season.

Ed Key said he was surprised he didn't blow up any engines on his SV this year there. Said it normally happens everytime he rides at Daytona. That's just not a option for myself.

Isn't just a 'oh poor me and my little bike' question. I was reading how one of the Section8superbike experts (on a big Ducati) decided not to race after doing practice. Basically was 'Eff that track'. (just one example out of many).

What's wrong with exploring the Barber option. Weather. Good track. Logistically can handle it. etc etc.

[Super Dave]

You don't ride Daytona on the Rev limiter that long.  Road America is a longer track and it has three straightaways.

Personally, I don't like Barber.  I've met Mr Barber on several occasions, but I don't think the course is as good as VIR, Infineon Raceway, or Heartland Park Topeka.  

I don't think you get out of fourth gear on a bigger bike at Barber.  I raced it on a small bike when I was there last year.

[Super Dave]

What's wrong with exploring the Barber option. Weather. Good track. Logistically can handle it. etc etc.

No power in the paddock, tighter track so the density is limited.  Someone needs to chime in about the time when Barber had 1400 entries.  Was messy as I remember.

[a13x]

You don't ride Daytona on the Rev limiter that long.  Road America is a longer track and it has three straightaways.

Personally, I don't like Barber.  I've met Mr Barber on several occasions, but I don't think the course is as good as VIR, Infineon Raceway, or Heartland Park Topeka.  

I don't think you get out of fourth gear on a bigger bike at Barber.  I raced it on a small bike when I was there last year.

Yes but you are added in tracks that aren't options. That doesn't help the argument and shouldn't be used as comparisons. You could say Misano is faster than Daytona but what's the point of that? Misano, much like Road America, isn't a option for ROC do it's moot to bring it up.

[Super Dave]

Is VIR an option or not?  Weather usually isn't so bad in October.

The SCCA run offs will be held at Heartland Park in 2006 in October.