Wow...this doesn't sound like it's going in the right direction!

[Ducati23]

Should be interesting to see how things develop over the next 8 or 9 months.

It sounds like Mladin  and the other big time AMA boys are not taking much of a shine  to Roger & DMG's vision or direction.

My guess (speculation only - no facts to support) it'll likely be some sort of a compromise for the first year or two. Then it will gradually become two wheeled NASCAR. Put no stock in this, I could be way off the mark, but similar stiuations in MGP, WSC, BSB and other series have had similar shakeups.

Sounds like there are rumblings that the big players could pack up and leave at least for a short period if they don't find some common ground. It seems like any new leadership would take the hardline initially then gradually back off until a viable position is reached, but sometimes serious errors in judgement are made and the results are not what is planned or hoped for. 

Manufacturers want to sell product. Racing is a popular way to reach the intended audience. Even Triumph and BMW are going that direction. It's hard to know what will really happen but it should fun watching. 

[kl3640]

Should be interesting to see how things develop over the next 8 or 9 months.

It sounds like Mladin  and the other big time AMA boys are not taking much of a shine  to Roger & DMG's vision or direction.

My guess (speculation only - no facts to support) it'll likely be some sort of a compromise for the first year or two. Then it will gradually become two wheeled NASCAR. Put no stock in this, I could be way off the mark, but similar stiuations in MGP, WSC, BSB and other series have had similar shakeups.

Sounds like there are rumblings that the big players could pack up and leave at least for a short period if they don't find some common ground. It seems like any new leadership would take the hardline initially then gradually back off until a viable position is reached, but sometimes serious errors in judgement are made and the results are not what is planned or hoped for. 

Manufacturers want to sell product. Racing is a popular way to reach the intended audience. Even Triumph and BMW are going that direction. It's hard to know what will really happen but it should fun watching. 

I agree with your prediction, while also agreeing that it's pure speculation at this point.

Honestly, motorcycle racing tends to be followed more by general motorcycle fans (at least in this country), where as NASCAR tends to attract fans in general, much as any sport would, regardless of personal involvement in that sport.  Many, many people watch watch pro football but have never played organized football at any level.

By the same token, I know many, many people who don't know the first thing about automotive mechanics or technologies, who couldn't tell you what current models of cars are trendy, etc, but who nonetheless follow NASCAR closely.

My (purely speculative) prediction is similar to yours, which is that AMA road-racing will come to be akin to what NASCAR is to automobile road racing: a different type of sport altogether from other forms of car/motorcycle racing; a form that can be enjoyed by the masses for pure entertainment value while offering little to the die-hard motorcycle enthusiasts who follow the new technology and want to see it showcased.

Essentially, they'll be picking the lowest common denominator type of sport-motorcycle and focus on just creating good entertainment for the masses while not really focusing on a series that rewards broad technical innovation (certainly NASCAR awards technical innovation, but only within the narrow confines of their homologation requirements), and perhaps not even a diverse skill set on the part of the riders.

In other words, they'll prioritize whatever form of entertainment that they can still get away with calling "motorcycle road racing" while appealing to the largest possible market in order to make the sport as successful as possible as a business (read: "Profitable" in an absolute sense).

I actually think that it will work for them, but I fear what it will do to the sport for American motorcycle-enthusiasts; much like now, where we have to look to Europe for a true non-production based road-racing series of any prestige, we may someday soon have to do the same for production-based series.

[Ducmarc]

i would think that the France machine has been standing up in the tower at daytona for years think what a waste of a venue. you look out front thousands of bikers spending millions you look in the infield hundreds of bikers packing their own lunches then they study it in Europe thousands of fans filling up tracks . they have to be thinking of bringing that to life here they don't care about bikes or racing they care about money if they strong arm the right sponsors buy enough air time they will make as big as nascar. their no dummies .if you want a sponsor and you want to race you'll run the bike of tomorrow with the buell motor and that's that. their not here to play around their like walmart it's their way or the highway.think of the meeting .mister lowes or mister home depot sponsor our bike series or get the hell out of our nascar garage.  i think i even bloged this when France Jr died.

[kl3640]

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=32890

Interesting how, when serving his purpose, the Riders Safety Committee is suddenly important...I thought that just a couple of days ago it didn't even exist, according to R.E.?

[Super Dave]

Ever been interviewed or quoted?

[Mongo]

Ever actually read what RRW posts?  The original posting about the RSC quoted Roger directly.  This is a direct post of his press release.

[Burt Munro]

Surely you don't think that RRW might have an agenda, do you??   (cough, cough)

[Mongo]

Posting word for word an interview and then a press release shows an agenda? 

Wow.

[Super Dave]

I don't think all Roger's cards have been shown.  I don't think many people know enough to be comfortable.  I'm sure that's true for all the club racing organizations too.  I'm sure some might be thinking they should sell, buy others, align with someone, etc.  Lots of reasons to be unsure.

[Mongo]

What's that got to do with the RSC that didn't exist one week and is being worked with the following week?

As for uncertainty, not sure about Kevin and Eric but we know what we're doing next year.  Going racing.

[CCS]

Yes, we will be racing next year, just as AFM  CRA, MRA, etc will be.

Being realistic, we have room for just about any motorcycle made, regardless of whose rules it fits under. Our job is give the racers somewhere to compete, something to compete for and the experience to move on as their skills progress. We are not worried about what happens to the AMA classes, we have enough to do to getting our own series together and doing the best job we can for our racers regardless what bike or size they choose to ride.

Just as we have in the past, we will try to work with AMA Pro Racing to make things as easy as possible for our racers who want to move up and race with them. That is what we do, isn't that right Mongo?

[StumpysWife]

It's really hard to be open minded about this when it looks like there will be nothing resembling the series in place now, and I think that's sad. 

However, if the goal is a better show, I think it's more fun to watch heat races than qualifying sessions.  I think I'd rather burn up tires and fuel in heat races, too.   And, I'm very curious what carries more corner speed--a 1000cc or 600cc--if there's a difference at all when talking "superbike" 600s and the "safety" factor.  Bottom line is I don't like the argument that toning down 1000s or concentrating on 600s makes racing any safer.  Airfence and proper track runoff without walls makes racing "safer".    I don't think the wall cares if you fall of a 1000 or 600cc bike. 

I can't believe we have to make a whole new model for this to work as the series is not completely broken as is.  But I'm not the one with deep pockets either.  But if I did, I sure would like someone to show up for the show I paid for. 

No, I don't think he's shown his cards, but what he has shown can be perceived as a pompous attitude and a lack of respect for those who ultimately demand respect in this field.  Unless his plan is that no show is complete without a villian, than I believe, that, yes, as of now I don't like where things are headed.

Heather