Geoff May and a factory ride

[khanson]

mmmm.......I think that would be 4 & 6 in 600 Supersport.


Getting back to outside sponsorship.  Most companies won't spend 500k or whatever it costs for the amount of the exposure AMA racing gets just from people at the track and speed channel.

Thats why you have to generate outside the sport promotional events and media coverage.

[TZDeSioux]

mmmm.......I think that would be 4 & 6 in 600 Supersport.

.

Kevin.. actually that would technically be Scott Greenwood at NHIS in 2001 in 600SS.  :P

[G 97]

Kevin.. actually that would technically be Scott Greenwood at NHIS in 2001 in 600SS.  :P

I thought the factory boys boycotted that race.

[TZDeSioux]

I thought the factory boys boycotted that race.

You are correct sir! That's why I said.. "technically" :P

[OmniGLH]

mmmm.......I think that would be 4 & 6 in 600 Supersport.

Wasn't that like 12 years ago?

[Thingy]

I think that we all agree that Geoff is a good guy, and fast.

However, bottom line if Henry is right, Geoff will get a factory ride.

Until Geoff gets that factory ride, it sounds like Jim knows what he is talking about....

[hdpromos]

Bill, if that is your take on what has gone back and forth here between fourandsix and me, you have got it wrong. It has nothing to do with getting a factory ride or not. It was his initial comment "Geoff although a good rider and finished well in Superbike standings this year did not have any really impressive races at the pro level"! That is where we disagree, plain and simple.

HD

[motomadness]

One thing no one has really stated is that, what is the desire for a late 20's, 30 something, 40 something, plus when it comes to racing.  Do any of the people in these age group really want to try to build a race career from scratch to a professional level that gets AMA attention.  I would say most have such delusions of grandeur, but at the same time would settle for having the reputation of Larry Denning, Robert Jensen, or Shawn Conrad.  Whenever these guys show up to our races, all of the local guys and gals treat them like the Mladins, Bostroms and Haydens.  

If we can really get our club-base minds around that, they WE can make OUR championship more likeable to outside sponsors.  But it can't be about the one or two guys that are tearing it up.  It's got to be about the entertainment value of all the races on the card.  This is bring sponsors within reach of the Janischs and the Youngs, so when they make the leaps that they truly have the potential to make, they've got more significant backing.

On the subject of Geoff May.  I think he is a talented privateer that doesn't get enough respect.  At VIR, he was running in like 3rd position and Freddie Spencer didn't say a word.  It was almost like he assumed Geoff was a lapper on the first 2-3 laps of the race and didn't deserve comment.  Brian Drebber definitely saved the day on that one, but it was still too little in my opinion.

I'd say let's make the club level racing, America's premiere entertainment.  It's more local and offers more entertainment outlets for Joe and Jill racer and their fans.  The question is can the dollars to spent in so many ways?  Probably not, so we've got to think regionally and act regionally.  Create strict boundaries and blitz the companies.  Most regions have 10 rounds, that would likely offer a lot of opportunities for attractive marketing programs.

Not one comment.  I thought I'd repeat it just in case the discussion wanted to get back on track.

[Thingy]

Bill, if that is your take on what has gone back and forth here between fourandsix and me, you have got it wrong. It has nothing to do with getting a factory ride or not. It was his initial comment "Geoff although a good rider and finished well in Superbike standings this year did not have any really impressive races at the pro level"! That is where we disagree, plain and simple.

HD

I guess I was just trying to link it to the original topic of this thread, which asks why he has not gotten a factory ride.  

It sounds like you both agree on the fact that  "Geoff ... a good rider and finished well in Superbike standings this year..."  Where you disagree is "...did not have any really impressive races at the pro level"

I agree with Jim.  Geoff did well, was very consistent, etc.  However, in the context of the thread, "really impressive races at the pro level." I don't think he did.  An impressive race would have been him finishing ninth but only being 30 seconds back at the end of the race.  That might have earned some looks.

Again, I am taking anything away from Geoff.  It just sounds like you and Jim have a different idea of what is 'impressive.'  I believe that Jim is taking the viewpoint of a 'factory.'  And if the factories were 'impressed', they would be looking at him for a factory ride.  They aren't.  )Although, as stated earlier I think that other things factor into getting a ride like who you know, how much money you have, and how old you are.)

No big deal, we can agree to disagree... and with so many factors and opinions, it is bound to happen.

[fourandsix]

Wasn't that like 12 years ago?

Wow it has been a long time , actually it was 96 . I guess were going to have to get JJ , Jessie or Jason on the box in 05.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Wow it has been a long time , actually it was 96 . I guess were going to have to get JJ , Jessie or Jason on the box in 05.

     Hmmm......Seems awful suspicous to me that all your riders names start with the letter 'J', must be some type of conspiracy. :o ;) :)

[khanson]

It's no longer Safety First Racing.  We are simply going by the code name "The J-Team"   8) 8)

Maybe Mr. T could be our mascot and just become Mr. J.


Getting back to another point.  It will be interesting to see if other good riders with good results will get any rides i.e. Jake Holden and John Haner.  Jake finished several times inside the top 10 in Superstock and beat E-Boz at Mid-Ohio.

Those wanting to compare results with riders go to www.amaproracing.com and look up 04 overall results in the class at VIR by rider name.  It shows every result this year at every race.