Why AMA road racing will never be big time...

[Jeff]

I watched some Snow-Cross racing again yesterday.  Crowds seemed around the same size as a club race, but TV coverage... Weird...  

The competition of it was awesome.  I really enjoyed watching it.

[Super Dave]

I watched some Snow-Cross racing again yesterday.  Crowds seemed around the same size as a club race, but TV coverage... Weird...  

The competition of it was awesome.  I really enjoyed watching it.

If you were involved, you might notice that there are some really complex rules in it.

I worked with some teams and coming up with fuels to meet the specifications, and it isn't easy.  There are absolutes.

Back to Ed...

 

[Super Dave]

Gosh Dave....

Take a deep breath.....

We're not saying that it is the ONLY reason he wins.  I'm just saying that his size is an advantage.

His size is an advantage in as much as Mladin's size is a disadvantage.

Doesn't change the outcome.  No one at the regional level, wants to sit down and actually beat Ed.  

But Ed doesn't apply to AMA road racing as he doesn't do that anymore.  I don't think his body will let him race for that kind of duration.  Anyway, he's got an excellent program going as he has.

The origin of my concern is that there is a playing field of excesses that make AMA Pro Road Racing generally boring to watch.  Talk about rigged?

Again, who would have picked anyone other than Mladin to win the Superbike race at Daytona?  One may want someone else to win, but the playing field is just designed to be boring.  

Ok, what happened at the NASCAR race?  If they were bunched up at the end, at least there was something that happened...

[G 97]

I didn't see the NAPSCAR race but let me guess.....someone was running away with the race and NAPSCAR threw a caution flag about four laps to go for a hot dog wrapper on the track. That bunched everyone up and someone else drafted past at the line for the win.

I don't think they make any bones about it.  They call it a competition yellow and they throw it for the sole purpose of bunching everyone up.  That's not racing.  I don't let it bother me anymore.

I just tune it all out and relegate myself to the fact that the overwhelming majority of the people in the US could give two cents about motorcycle racing.  Heck most of my dealers aren't even aware.   Until that happens you can forget about the sport growing.  

But on the off hand you ever convince a sports bar to tune a couple of TV's to a motorcycle race the place will generally get into it - confirmed from the oohs, awes and holy sheets you will hear.  

[Dawn]

Doesn't change the outcome.  No one at the regional level, wants to sit down and actually beat Ed.  

Bullshit....

My pocket book says otherwise.....

[StumpysWife]

Doesn't change the outcome.  No one at the regional level, wants to sit down and actually beat Ed.

Brian Lacy may take issue with that statement.   ;)

[spyderchick]

But on the off hand you ever convince a sports bar to tune a couple of TV's to a motorcycle race the place will generally get into it - confirmed from the oohs, awes and holy sheets you will hear.  

Yeah, we were at a Champs one time when Speed was still SpeedVision, we asked them to change the channel to watch 2wheelTuesday, and they said they couldn't. We were watching 12 screens of the golf channel and there were all of 8 patrons in the place. Nice. Maybe if we went racing with a ball...

oh yeah, it does take balls to go racing.  ::) ;) :P

[the_weggie_man]

Team Testicle? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[spyderchick]

Team Testicle? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

LOL...I am so surprised that hasn't been used! ;D

[MZGirl]

LOL...I am so surprised that hasn't been used! ;D

Ball Sac Racing is pretty close.  Especially when they refer to each other as "the nuts in the sac."   :o

[Super Dave]

Brian Lacy may take issue with that statement.   ;)

And he should...

And you recognized it.

Brian does a pretty darn good job.  

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Ed's biggest advantages are in his hands and in his head.  You're just reinforcing the fact that everyone is lookng at the machine as the only reason for his winning.

OK, Dave.
Let's do the math.  Ed weighs 120 lbs.  I weigh 250 lbs.
Ed's SV weighs 300 lbs.  Mine weighs 375 lbs.
Ed has 90-100 Hp.  I have 71 Hp.
Ed's combined weight advantage less than me is 205 Lbs, and he has a 20-30 Hp advantage.

Now anyone who's seen Ed race knows that he is one of the best riders ever to compete.  We also know that his knowledge of bike setup is superb.  Lately, I've had the chance to find out just how deep his knowledge goes.  The man is a genius.

But you're saying that his small size and magnificent motorcycle should not be considered.  Big guys have just as good a chance, right?  Maladen is tall, and he can beat Duhamel.  So I guess you're telling me that Ed's 205 lb. weight savings over me is not an advantage.  Neither is the 30 Hp that he has over me.  If I can just get my bike set up well and grow some balls as a rider, I could beat Ed like a red-headed stepchild, right?  Is that what you're saying, Dave?  That's what you told Dawn.

Sorry to point this out, Dave, but you're WRONG!
Add 410 pounds to Ed's race weight and subtract 60 Hp from his motor.  Now I'd have the advantage over Ed that he has over me.  If you send Ed to the grid on a 710 lb, 40 Hp motorcycle, I'm pretty sure I could beat him, reguardless of his skill or suspension tuning ability.  Hell, I could beat you too.  Don't believe me?  Show up to Blackhawk on a Road King with one plug wire removed.  Spend all the time you want setting up the suspension.  If you can turn better lap times than me, I'll buy the beer.

I watched Jesse and Ed race at MAM.  It was the best CCS race I've ever seen, matching the final Edwards-Bayless WSB duel.  On the last trip down the straight, Ed OUT-MOTORED Jesse to the line like his engine had died.  It was obcene.  Jesse can ride, he weighs what Ed does, and you were setting up his suspension.
You're full of $hit, Dave.  I love ya, but I've gotta call you on this one.  I think you owe Dawn an apology.