ama liscense info

[r6_philly]

You might want to go back and actually read the rules for an AMA SB license.

You need to hold an AMA PRO license for a full year AND collect 200 points on the AMA points scale as well.

somehow I think exceptions will be made, and grids will need to be filled...

[G 97]

I think the AMA changed the licensing requirements in 2002.   One use to be able to obtain an AMA Pro-Expert license with out having to be a club expert for a full year as long as you had the required amount of advancement points or finishes.  

They also use to have a Pro-Sport licence that would allow you to race in the now defunct Pro-Thunder class.  Club amateurs were even eligible.

As was previously mentioned in order to obtain an AMA Superbike license you need a Pro-Expert licence with the corresponding advancement points.    

In the end exceptions are, can be, and have been made.

Basically just about any club expert can obtain an AMA Pro-Expert license as long as you have $250.  Qualifying at 112% is not too difficult either.  


Honestly with all of the Yamaha and Suzuki money available out there a lot of the fast guys don't even bother with running the AMA.  Why spend $1000 or more to run one AMA race and basically win nothing and go broke when you can chase the money and take home $5,000 or more in a weekend in contingency.  Jeremy Toye makes some good comments with regard to this in the Feb issue of RRW.    

[Super Dave]

Bingo.

Mladin's purse was like $4k for the Laguna win.

The next weekend, Denning took home $8k from Yamaha alone at Blackhawk.  Not a bad pay day.

Where are you Lightnin' Larry?

[ahastings]

You might want to go back and actually read the rules for an AMA SB license.

You need to hold an AMA PRO license for a full year AND collect 200 points on the AMA points scale as well.

I was just referring to the fact that you don't need to be an expert for a year to get an AMA expert license. I know there are additional requirements to get a superbike license.
     It is true for fast experts it probably isn't worth it to run an ama race money wise except for "prestige". I talked to one local fast guy who is a Summit regular he told me the same thing . He just chases the Honda contingency and made over 40000 last year in that alone. Said AMA wasn't worth it.

[WebCrush]

But AMA purses a lot better, sometimes paying WAY back into the grid.  

[G 97]

But AMA purses a lot better, sometimes paying WAY back into the grid.  

Better than manufacturer contengency money? Hardly.  Not if you are a fast guy.  Reference Denning, Junge, Jensen or Conrad on this, then get back with us all.  

I agree the AMA pays out farther down but getting $50 after spending $1,000 hardly makes sence. Come to think of it I got a wopping $0 for 18th place in 750 Supersport.  The week after I got $50 bucks for second in GTU CCS.  

[WebCrush]

If you're talking about front runner, sure, but unless yer top 3 or 5, you don't see any funds coming your way (the exception being VP which has an odd payout schedule)

When did you run in 750ss, cuz last year was the first year their was purse in the SS classes.

But I think, for instance, 20th place in a Daytona support class pays out $250, and only gets better from there.

[ahastings]

here is the purse I found listed for several of the rounds for 03 for the support classes.

1. $1,500
2. $1,200
3. $900
4. $700
5. $650
6. $600
7. $525
8. $475
9. $425
10. $400
11. $375
12. $350
13. $325
14. $300
15. $275
16. $250
17. $225
18. $200
19. $175
20. $150

Pretty poor considering the entry fee is $250 for the first class and $125 for the second class. And these are supposed to be the best riders in the country.

[WebCrush]

250 for the first entry?

only if you don't pre-enter.


From my AMA entry sheet here:

175 first pre-entry, 100 each additional.

Daytona is 5 bucks more

Payout seems better at Daytona: http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/scripts/NewsInsert.asp?insert=5464

Lower for Road Atlanta, the same as what you posted:  http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/scripts/NewsInsert.asp?insert=6029

But who knows, maybe purse will be up for 2004?

[Super Dave]

somehow I think exceptions will be made, and grids will need to be filled...

Superbike fields were full to capacity, except maybe Daytona.  Guys were qualifying inside the time, but only so many riders make it.  So, that won't work as a reason.

As for purses getting better...

Historically, they have deteriorated.  The first AMA national that I raced in was in 1988.  At the riders meeting, there was a big stink raised about how the Superbike winning purse was less than the 250 purse from ten years before.

In the early 70's, the 250 class paid $2500 for a win.  A TZ250 cost $2500.  Weren't they $20k+ lately?  

The AMA is not interested in getting road racing moving, just continuing to as they do.  Teams too, for that matter, the ones that have the in's.

[MELK-MAN]

Bingo.

Mladin's purse was like $4k for the Laguna win.

The next weekend, Denning took home $8k from Yamaha alone at Blackhawk.  Not a bad pay day.

Where are you Lightnin' Larry?

He and Robert Jensen would call each other.. "where you goin..ok, ill got to that other place.." :) and both did very will with Yamaha money.. THat is "club" racing.. is there more money than in AMA?

[Super Dave]

Bingo.

Mladin's purse was like $4k for the Laguna win.

The next weekend, Denning took home $8k from Yamaha alone at Blackhawk.  Not a bad pay day.

Add on that ULGP money, contingencies, etc.  How many tires would you need to abuse at an AMA National to be competitive?  Certainly not as many at a Yamaha weekend.  

Costs about $70k to do an AMA season correctly anymore.  I think Larry and Robert are pulling in more than that in Yamaha money.  Don't have to tear the bike down every weekend either.