Daytona changes

[the_weggie_man]

Ok, thoughts here.

I was taught very young to make changes systematically. never make two changes at once unless you know what the result will be. Making one change at a time will help determine which change helped.

So why does Daytona change the race track and AMA change the 200 class at the same time? Why didn't they change the track, leave the class alone and see what the result is? If the desired effect is not realized then make the class change next year.

The 200 being a Formula Extreme race is just not  cool. Superbikes are supposed to be the premiere  class. The 200 is supposed to be the premiere race in this country. Seperate them and you don't have what the race was meant to be.

I just don't agree with the wholesale changes being made without finding out the results of a single change.

[Protein Filled]

I agree with you Gordy, but I thought the reason the 200 got changed to a 600/FX race was because of a push by the speedway, not a decision by the AMA.

I think they took a lot of the prestige out of what is supposed to be not only the most prestiguous race in the country, but one of the top motorcycling events in the world.

[spyderchick]

Some of the rumor I had heard floating around had to do with tire wear. Thing is, they are allowed tire changes in the 200, so that didn't make sense to me.

I don't know, I'm done trying to make sense of stuff this week. It's been a week full of awful crash stories, and not too many victories. I'm just hoping for a safe, clean, exciting race.

[Baltobuell]

I don't think it was tire wear, I think it was tires blowing apart on the front straight. Spooky stuff.

[Steviebee]

Dont confuse the Issues with the Facts.


Politics.  

[Fat_Nate]

It was a tire wear/safety issue.  There is also writing on the wall that the superbike class will soon be a 600cc class . . .

[Old808]

The problem is that the potential consequences are not the same.  You can make small adjustments at a time to you bike and go marginally faster every time until you're happy.  But tires don't blow up a little less.  They do or they don't.

That said, I never felt the 200 should cont for the superbike (or any) championship.  It's a different game.  It should be more like what the Suzuka 8 Hours is.  All about bragging rights.

[WebCrush]

People forget that the 200 used to be an F1 race before they changed the premiere class to be SBK.  They was a lot of hubub back then too.

The track was redoing the infield but didn't want the AMA to run the big bikes in the 200 again as they feared competition would drive the teams to make sacrifices on safety (ie-tire choices) in order to win.  

When ever theere is an incident at the track, the track is blame for it and Daytona did not want to be in that position so they told the AMA to make it a 600 race or else they were gonna give the sanction to FUSA

[BERZERKER]

I think Dunlop may have had some input as well after thier exploding tire syndrome?

[cardzilla]

Ummm, anyone remember that Japanese Kawi Moto GP rider who had a blowout at over 200 MPH (2004 - Catalunya?)?  One of the nastiest accidents I've ever seen, how he walked away I'll never know.  Exploding tires and high speeds don't mix, that is definitely one reason.

Another reason is that there is a push towards 600's being the "superbike" class, although I don't think it will ever happen.

Yet another reason is that Daytona caters to Hick... err NASCAR and really doesn't give a rat's a$$ about bikes no matter what they say.  Anything to be a pain in the rear is better for them.

And still another reason is that Honda and the AMA are very close and scratch each other's backs regularly.  Honda has a year of extra development and a proven winner in their FX bike.  The other factories will have to play catch up and that alone will give Honda a huge advantage in the 200.  It's kind of like the Yankees, you either love 'em or hate 'em, but either way, you'll watch.  I've never ridden anything but a Honda, so Woo Hoo, Honda 1-2.

[the_weggie_man]

I really don't think Daytona ever thought of turning over the 200 weekend to FUSA. That would be the ultimate death stroke for the event.

Yes, I understand the tire wear/safety issues but it still doesn't explain making two changes to fix one problem.  The Dunlop tire tests proved the tires were running cooler and would not be a problem anymore.

I also understand Honda wants another 200 win, even if it's a tarnished one. When you look at the record book it won't say they and AMA were in bed on it.

The change from F1 to Superbike was pretty much the end of foreign racers coming over and the race becoming what it is today. It is now just another race in the series rather than the premier world event it once was.

Anyway, I just think they jumped too far ahead and made too many changes at once rather than making one change and getting a result. If it's not satisfactory then make another change. Progress slowly until you achieve the end result you want.

Then again, I guess if I had all the answers I'd be running the circus. And what a circus it is! ;D

[Super Dave]

I really don't think Daytona ever thought of turning over the 200 weekend to FUSA. That would be the ultimate death stroke for the event.

Yes, I understand the tire wear/safety issues but it still doesn't explain making two changes to fix one problem.  The Dunlop tire tests proved the tires were running cooler and would not be a problem anymore.

I also understand Honda wants another 200 win, even if it's a tarnished one. When you look at the record book it won't say they and AMA were in bed on it.

The change from F1 to Superbike was pretty much the end of foreign racers coming over and the race becoming what it is today. It is now just another race in the series rather than the premier world event it once was.

Anyway, I just think they jumped too far ahead and made too many changes at once rather than making one change and getting a result. If it's not satisfactory then make another change. Progress slowly until you achieve the end result you want.

Then again, I guess if I had all the answers I'd be running the circus. And what a circus it is!

Yes, if the AMA didn't make the race a FX race, the Daytona 200 would be in FUSA.  DIS is the promoter.  Follow the money.  FUSA would be happy to take it.

As for the NASCAR bashing...

This will be the 64th running of the Daytona 200.  That predates the Daytona 500 by quite a few runnings.  Daytona makes more money this week than they to the whole rest of the year.  Everyone knows that.

Blame the motorcycle industry for not recognizing anything.  Credit where credit is due.

The changes were going to happen to the track regardless.  It was their plan.  Superbikes got faster out of the box.  Do we think that all the tire manufactureres will be able to keep up?  

Yeah, it's two changes.  

I think it needed to be done.