Another interesting article....

[Super Dave]

Tez is going to be on the bike, and there isn't a better canidate for the position, because this is two friends having fun trying to go AMA racing, not MJ trying to win the championship, he could just go hire Maladin or Bostrom (or your favorite fast guy here)to do that...every one will learn what they need to sooner or later, so lets hope its sooner and hope that MJ can at least let the people who won't put the money into motorcycle racing know that there is a legit sport here that deserves more sponsors than its getting now, this can only help all of us in the longrun. Right?

Ok, I though we weren't officially talking about who's riding the bike...
 ;D

But this all still begs my original question...

So, my question is:  Are the teams, the motorcycle industry, and the AMA ready?

FBF was sponsored by DKNY.

Roberts had Nordica in the late 80's.

I saw a cruise ship line once.

Dale Quarterley made the comment to me once about outside sponsorship in motorcycling was hard because the whole system was so "family oriented".  

Some of you may not like NASCAR 'cause it's got four wheels, but look at the fact that it is a whole industry built upon itself that actually employs drivers, crew chiefs, crew members....and PR people, team owners, adminstrative assistants, truck drivers, machinists, etc...  I'd like to be able to go to someplace like 4&6 and say, "Ok, let's do this, and I'll use your PR people."  That's how this should be, but it isn't.

I like what MJ is doing in motorcycling.

The sponsors he's getting...those are coming in because of him not because AMA Pro Motorcycle Road Racing is so cool and marketable.  If he should decide to leave, do you think those sponsors would stay and try to work with another team?  Do you think that MJ will be impressed with AMA Pro Racing after being involved with the NBA and MLB?

[Aprilia_RSVR]

Hey Mike, what is your screen name on this board?

The dealer I bought my Aprilia from, sold a 996 to Jordan a couple years ago.  Had other people pick up the bike for him.  Dealer only talked to him by phone.  Said Jordan haggled over price just like anyone else.

My opinion?  Welcome aboard.  Wish he was actually racing.  Where else can you compete with a MEGA-STAR and win?  Bring that MotoGP to us Mike!

[motomadness]

In my opinion, Tez doesn't have to go out there an win races, not a single one.  I am hoping Tez goes out there, runs as fast as he can, and let everyone he races with and everyone watching from the pits, TV, or reading about him in the media somewhere, that he deserves to be there and to be respected amongst his peers in racing.  I also hope that there is a year two, three and beyond.  It's probably what is needed to grow the sport internally and externally.

Wish everyone well, I'm off to Daytona to take it all in first hand.