Pro Racing Privateer Winning or podium???

[grasshopper]

I'm just curious, when was the last time a privateer rider in AMA pro racing actually won or podium finished a race. Pro racing here guys, against all the factory teams. What year was it? Who was it?

[tstruyk]

Eslick podiumed last year no?

[Super Dave]

My friend and mentor Dale Quarterley won the 1993 AMA Superbike race at Mid-Ohio.  In Supersport, Todd Harrington won the AMA 600 Supersport race at Road America, I believe.  1998?  Jim at http://www.4and6.com should know because he built the bike and worked with Todd from 1992 or so on.  Todd got like a third at Laguna later in the year? 

Recently, Robbie Jensen got fifth at Brainerd on his self built R6 at Brainerd in Supersport in 2003.  There's other things out there, but that's a decent list of some kind off the top of my head.

[Eric Kelcher]

Barnes 200 2007

[Super Dave]

Are we considering M4 and Attack private teams now?  I'm struggling with that. 

I know Dale greased the trailer hitch and drove his truck and trailer away from Mid-Ohio after the win.  Kind of blurry anymore.

[JBraun]

Can you really call Barney and Eslick privateers though?
Certainly they're not factory riders, but they both ride for well funded teams, and I would guess they collect a small salary.
I realize that some riders invest their own money into the team to get a ride, but I don't think that's the case with either of those two.

The best privateer showings I can remember as of late were Rob Jensen and Chris Peris who I believe were both in the top five a few times in 2005.

[JBraun]

I know Dale greased the trailer hitch and drove his truck and trailer away from Mid-Ohio after the win. 

That's what I'm talking about!

[Mongo]

My friend and mentor Dale Quarterley

That explains sooo much!

[Super Dave]

Careful, I'll send Shane Clark to your place.




I think that Barney and Eslick are paid by American Suzuki, but I can't say for sure.

[Spooner]

Yeah, I don't really call M4 'privateer'.  Still they aren't' on the same stuff as say Spies so its still impressive how well they do. 

Wasn't it Cory West leading Supersport at Daytona for a bit.  Looked like he crashed on a shagged out tire but I was freaking out seeing him run up front like that.  Still got top ten I believe..??

Wasn't Jensen torn down after getting a podium and they swapped his head or something crazy like that?  That dude is a freak of nature lol!  I would love to seem him run more AMA stuff.

[Super Dave]

Wasn't Jensen torn down after getting a podium and they swapped his head or something crazy like that?  That dude is a freak of nature lol!  I would love to seem him run more AMA stuff.

Yup. 

Would be nice, but he looses money.  More profitable to follow contingency money.

[grasshopper]

What Privateer guy (s) has the best chance of getting a podium finsish this year AMA road racing?

[Super Dave]

Well, what are you defining as privateer?  Which class?

[JBraun]

Yup. 

Would be nice, but he looses money.  More profitable to follow contingency money.

Uh-oh. Don't get me started on this again...

Really though, wouldn't it be great if the "premier" racing series in the US included all the best riders...

[grasshopper]

Well, what are you defining as privateer?  Which class?

I just want to know what person with a lot of talent to root for who doesn't have near the resources as the factory guys, satalite teams or heavily funded so called privateer teams.

I don't know, what is the least expensive class to run in AMA road racing. More than likely it's 600ss rite?

[Super Dave]

Hard to say, Nick.

A 600's power can be harnessed, but it isn't cheap to keep one running. 

A 1000 can make enough power that it spins in sixth on the banking at Daytona...stock...

But can you afford tires?

[Super Dave]

Then, does it include all the fast guys?

Again, who knows...

The AMA is a show. 

If one could "cap" the cost of running in the AMA, kind of a buy a ride gig, what should it cost?  $40k, $60k, $80k?

[grasshopper]

LOL!!! Dave we aren't talking about me here. I'm asking who the underdog with talent is to root for. The dude with less money. You won't ever see me on a 1000 cc inline. They scare me.

[Super Dave]

LOL!  I know that...

You asked which class is the least expensive to run.  They are all expensive.  I think supersport will be harder this year with more factory based teams.  Superstock seems to have limited entries because it's going away. 

[PaulV]

I like Scotty Ryan and the Safety First guys....:)

Definitley worth rooting for and all around good guys!

Oh yeah, didn't our own Tommy Mason, of Mason Racin Michelin tires, podium or win an AMA Superbike race as a privateer???

Paul
Polar-Optics
MW Ex 79

[grasshopper]

Is that a fact? When was that way back in 1942?

Sorry Tommy, if you read this, you know I love you man. LOL!!!

[Garywc]

would Chas Davies count as a privateer?
I will bet he will be on the podium this year

[Scotty Ryan]

I like Scotty Ryan and the Safety First guys....:)

Definitely worth rooting for and all around good guys!

Oh yeah, didn't our own Tommy Mason, of Mason Racin Michelin tires, podium or win an AMA Superbike race as a privateer???

Paul
Polar-Optics
MW Ex 79

Thanks Paul - I really appreciate that!!!!  As far as Tommy goes - I'm not sure what his best finish was in an AMA race - But I do remember hearing from Tommy himself, that he was in the top ten - I just don't remember where.... Tommy still goes really well on any kind of bike that he hops on..... So here's to Tommy - The best tire guy in the paddock - bar none!!!!!

[loc_dogg]

Mark Ledesma & Scott Jenson are good finishers. Mark was the first Honda rider to finish over Honda factory teams at one event that I know of.  RRSW HW class riders

[Bigsexy]

I thought Tommy put a bike on the pole at BIR back in the early 90's.
as for who to cheer for this year id say all of the MW guys could use a nice big fan club, i know of a few guys running
Scotty Ryan
Rob Oliva
Mark Shnettler
Matt Hall
Brian Hall
so ill be cheering for these guys. good luck to all. sorry if i missed you im sure there are more

[Mongo]

Last true one was probably Chuck Chouinard at Loudon, however there were extenuating circumstances like rain and none of the factory riders running.

[khanson]

Superstock probably has the best chance because nobody is in it this year.

Supersport has 18 factory or factory supported riders team riders in it this year....

FX has 12 factory or factory supported team riders in it this year....

[Scotty Ryan]

Super Dave, Meghan, Mike Riebe and myself are on our way to Topeka - and Dave thinks that it was 85'when Tommy put himself on pole at BIR. But something happened with the weather and they couldn't run the races. Just thought I would mention.

[scottg22]

2001 Chuck Chouinard finished 3rd in 750 Supersport at Loudon, then was disqualified because his valves were cleaned using a scotchbrite pad during a rebuild.

I won 600 Supersport that year at Loudon after the factory riders boycotted the race because the AMA wouldnt allow the riders a practice session before the race began... so the factory riders sat out the event.

Other so called Privateers have been on the podium in AMA since - including Eslick, May, Barnes, Attard and others... but I have a hard time calling them privateers with their salaries and semi's.

Scott Greenwood

[catman]

I will be routin for the youngest grenade launcher I saw go(fast foward)  at Daytona this year- a thrilling ride for scotty 727- catman predicts BIG FUTURE!

[Mongo]

Damnit, went with the wrong fast guy at Loudon - sorry Scott!  Your win is what I was thinking of and I agree on the privateer thing. 

[Court Jester]

I'll be rooting for Brian Hall. I have his bikes from last year and went up to speedtech this weekend to drop off my old beat down R1, and saw his 07's. They are cool. And anyone that can go out on their *own* bike and finish 14th in their very first AMA race is sure to make leaps and bounds with time. I wish them all the best, but that's my pick.
I'll be watching this year with a lot of interest.  

[racerhall]

thanks Mike but that wasnt my first time, only my first ama race last year that i finished
this year will be better, missed you at nesba over the weekend at blackhawk

[Court Jester]

I thought that was your first one. either way, still a hell of a job for not having a full team.
I had too much running to get done and not a huge nesba fan. i'll be at topeka and then at black hawk may 5th.

[Scotty Ryan]

I thought that was your first one. either way, still a hell of a job for not having a full team.
I had too much running to get done and not a huge nesba fan. i'll be at topeka and then at black hawk may 5th.

May 5th - BHF has a car thingy going on - no bikes until the 7th.... Take a look at their website....

[Super Dave]

Yes, Mike, the 7th.  It's a Monday.

[Court Jester]

5th, 7th, 75th. hell. i'd be willing to hang out for the weekend. i'll be there either way

[catman]

bettin on your not an accountant mike-but a guy with some great 2 wheeled jewelry !

[stk0308]

If we're going to call Barnes a privateer than Rapp winning the '07 200 tops the list as latest privateer.  Attack isn't a factory team, as I understand it.