| Author | Message | ||
     Duggram |
Any good reasons? Isn't he really out horse powered? | ||
| Sd26 |
Well, because he can. Out powered. Sure. Can he beat some riders. Yes. Here's the 2008 qualifying for Superstock. http://home.ama-cycle.org/prorace/raceres/rr/cres. asp?cls=hs&snct=P8200&type=q&year=2008 Here's the 2008 qualifying for Supersport. http://home.ama-cycle.org/prorace/raceres/rr/cres. asp?cls=ls&snct=P8200&type=q&year=2008 There's only about two seconds difference between the pole times. It would allow for some more on track time for set up and R&D. And I think that American Superbike is more uncorked than Daytona Superbike. The times I have above are from the 2008 track. I think they are running the bigger track for the 200 using both ends of the banking. I think for American Superbike they might be using the short track from 2008? I'm not positive on that. Lots of confusion on my end. | ||
| Slaughter |
The "American Superbike" class as it's now called really is going to be interesting. 1200cc for twins, 1000 for I-4s Lots of freedom to modify the engine. "Daytona Sportbike" would enable the bike to be raced in nearly stock configuration... while Moto-GT1 would be virtually the same configuration as Richie Morris Racing put out last year for the endurance racing (HP restricted to 130) He is racing American Superbike right? Could be really interesting IF he is going to race in a class that allows significant engine modifications for horsepower. | ||
| Sd26 |
I had heard some good rumors of modified 1125 numbers through a source, but they still wouldn't be up to 189HP legal AMA Superstock GSXR1000 engines from some of the past couple years. But if it handles better through the corners and changes direction better... | ||
| Slaughter |
"American Superbike?" The "American Superbike" class as it's now called really is going to be interesting. 1200cc for twins, 1000 for I-4s. That would be odd - there's no Buell contingency money in the class. Could be really interesting IF he is going to race in a class that allows significant engine modifications for horsepower but it would be weird to race a class with no Buell contingency money. "Daytona Sportbike" class would enable the bike to be raced in nearly stock configuration... while Moto-GT1 would be virtually the same configuration as Richie Morris Racing put out last year for the endurance racing (HP restricted to 130) - and would continue the endurance racing. Buell IS putting money into Daytona Sportbike and Moto-GT1 and Moto-GT2 | ||
| Duggram |
I forgot to mention that I saw the Latus team run against full-race liter bikes last weekend at Vegas. Of course the Buells were running stock engines with factory exhaust. Allan did well but Josh dropped out. They were down on power but could definitely hold their own and pass in the infield. Thanks for the replies. It's just what I'd like to see. | ||
| Elvis |
Do we really know that he's going to run Superbike? I'd LOVE to see it, but the story when he was at the tire test was he was testing a race-kit for possible privateer use . . . and that testing didn't go well and he ended up riding a sport-bike spec. bike. I don't know much about it, but I know that I've seen Buell riders listed for FX events in the past that they never ran. As far as I know, we haven't heard any announcements or sponsorship deals, and the bike will be down not only on power, but nearly all components would be very untested and unproven compared to the competition. . . . and while McWilliams is a great rider, there are a lot of other great . . . young . . . riders who will also be there. Just finishing in the top 10 would be a tough task . . . . . . but you got to start somewhere, so maybe - hopefully - it will happen. | ||
| Sd26 |
Higbee is listed on the official AMA entry list in American Superbike. That doesn't mean he will run it, but he has a number with his name on it. Could end up on a GSXR1000 for that matter. With the rules package and all, I think that Blake Young and Aaron Yates will be my fun guys to watch in American Superbike for potential winners. | ||
| Elvis |
I remember getting excited (last year? the year before?) when I saw Dan Bilansky and several other Buell riders listed for AMA Formula Xtreme . . . but they never raced. I suspect many riders and teams sign up and then hope they can pull together funding, sponsors etc. Unfortunately, that's probably what's happening here. And at least if I go with that assumption, I'll be pleasantly surprised if he is there . . . rather than being disappointed if he's not there. | ||
| Duggram |
It would be good to see some engine mods result from this. I'm sure they're going to keep some secrets, but some things have to leek out. I'm also hoping Latus (RSRacecraft- Ronnie Saner) and Dris come out with some stuff this summer so I can get things done next winter. And it will be fun just to follow our favorite brand in the big big time! (Message edited by duggram on February 02, 2009) | ||
| Budc |
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't Steve Crevier's 1125R running about 180-190hp in the Canadian Superbike Series last year? I know he started with a stock configuration but then ran a "hotter" setup later on. If Shaun has the same setup some people better be looking over their shoulders! BudC | ||
| Sd26 |
Well, Steve's bike ran in a Canadian dyno enforced series. There were even 600's in that class. I can't say that I have heard any numbers specific to how much power their bike had in that class. I wanna say they are limited to 180HP on a Dynojet dyno, but I can't remember. | ||
| Slaughter |
I'm trying to see if I can find out anything tricky happening on his second bike. I'm going to miss WSMC this weekend (new house - see other thread) - but may have dinner with them Sat night. I can't help but think he's got something up his sleeve: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/433490.html?1233844572 This is NOT the bike he's been racing out here at Willow... hmmmm... (Message edited by slaughter on February 09, 2009) | ||
| Elvis |
The highest horsepower Crevier put down was 150: http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_c ontent&task=view&id=1170&Itemid=219 . . . and that was with "unlimited" engine modification allowed (I believe they had to maintain stock bore and stroke, but otherwise were allowed to go crazy) Higbee would be more limited by the AMA Superbike restrictions, and it's a good bet at least some of the competitors will be over 200 HP. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but I'd say it would be optimistic to think he'd be much more than 160 HP going into it - even with a lot of support from the factory. Now Higbee is no slouch, so he could probably beat some of the field even at 160 HP . . . but, despite the rumors of roadracing in America's death, most of the big names are coming back and the Superbike field isn't exactly full of patsies. My hope is that Buell is working with Higbee and working toward a more competitive future Superbike effort . . . but I think it's overly optimistic to think he could be competitive this year. . . . if he even runs. He may just have put his name in but doesn't have the resources to run for all we know. Hopefully he will come out and kick some serious ass, but I think we need to be realistic and realize he may never run in Superbike and if he does, it will be very tough. | ||
| Rhinely |
Fill me in, cause I'm ignorant! What day is the best day to catch Buells racing at Daytona this year? | ||
| Sd26 |
I'd say Friday night March 6th during the Daytona 200. | ||
| Elvis |
I stumbled onto this blog: http://shawnhigbee.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/prepar ing-for-the-upcoming-roadracing-season/ Looks like Shawn is on his own and will be riding a basically stock 1125R in Superbike. Against some serious, serious competition, it seems like he is likely to have a very tough time. | ||
| Duggram |
Two weeks ago one of the Ducati SB teams rented my home track. The track owner rides a much modified GSXR 1000. He said the Ducati could pull him real hard on the straights. That same GSXR just blows by me on the straights. I ride a stock 1125. It'll be interesting to see what Shaun does at Daytona. | ||
| Slaughter |
This'll be interesting. Pitted for Shawn today at Willow. He's kinda tight-lipped about what he's going to do at Daytona... Daytona Sportbike is most likely (reading between the lines) The bike he's been running at Willow is still stock-motored except intake and exhaust. Suspension is new Showa Big Piston Forks - Penske rear. As expected, he dominated the Twins classes - like by 20-30 seconds in a 6-lap sprint. In the main event - Formula One - sponsored by Toyota (the BIG money race for all bikes elegible) - he came in 5th overall. DANGED good considering that he's up against the un-restricted litrebikes. Jeff Tigert won - and he's an HRC development rider - it was obvious that Higbee was able to stay with Tigert through the start and twistier sections... but Willow has such a long straight/fast section from turn 6, 7, 8, 9 - and the front straight to turn 1. It's going to be an interesting season watching him in AMA. RMR seems to be staking their campaign in the MotoGT1 classes... and it APPEARS that Higbee will be doing the DAytona Sportbike. Gonna be an interesting season. Dang, I suppose Sunny and I should have worked on the house today since we just got the keys 2 days ago but we painted this morning and then decided to go to Willow and help Shawn and Mitsu in the pits - and then broke away after his last race to throw on our last paint of the weekend... ...PRIORITIES! | ||
| Elvis |
I'm not 100% sure on this, but I think there are more engine mods allowed in AMA Superbike than WSBK, so the Superbike spec bikes could be putting out even more power than WSBK (I think that's why some teams were upset that Edmundson wanted to bring them closer to WSBK rules). I wouldn't be surprised if many of the bikes out there are WELL over 200 HP. On a track like Daytona against riders like Hodgson, Mladin, Hayes, Bostrom etc. I'd be surprised if Casey Stoner could put a stock 1125R in the top 10. Unless someone's got a lot of money, a lot of support, a lot of time, a lot of engineering expertise, and a lot of talent, AMA Superbike will be a tough nut to crack. Shawn's got the talent, but it sounds like he's short on the other variables for now. He can be sure we'll be behind him wherever he races. Realistically, Sportbike is the best place for any Buell racers at the moment (not just Higbee). The 1125R can still use a lot of development work and the competition in Sportbike should be enough to push it beyond it's current limits. And everything learned in Sportbike can be used in Superbike at some point when it's possible to find ways to get more power. | ||
| Slaughter |
Daytona Sportbike for a BUILT bike - MotoGT1 for endurance and HP/Weight limits. Gonna be interesting to see which class rules are re-written after this season. | ||
| Elvis |
I sort of expect to see the Buells start a little slow but gradually build through the season. The other bikes out there have been raced and refined in this sort of format for the past 20 years. Since Moto ST is horsepower limited, the work done in that series was likely focused much more on increasing durability and turning consistent laps than increasing top end. . . . so I see the Buells as starting at the beginning of their learning curve vs. the competition. The Buells will have much more room for improvement, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them gain ground through the season and eventually make things difficult for the competition. If it plays out that way, there may well be some restrictions instituted going into 2010 in which case the Buells may grow out of Sportbike and into Superbike. . . . though I think some additional work and support will have to be offered by the factory to make that leap. | ||
| Slaughter |
Correction: American Sportbike is the class and not Daytona Sportbike. Could be good for Al's advertising! | ||
| Firstbuell |
wait a minute! Al, izzat DMG American Sportbike class name a trademark infringement? | ||
| Elvis |
Just wanted to let everybody know that it looks like Shawn is getting his web-site up and running: http://www.higbee-racing.com/ It still looks like a work in progress, but he's been updating the blog recently with detailed notes and I think the people around here will find it very interesting reading. It looks like he really is making a grass-roots effort, and you can't get much more grass-rooty than the people around here, so pop by, check it out and offer him some support. | ||
| Slaughter |
Cool that he's updating the website!!! Gonna be interesting... and I am cornfused on the actual name of the racing class... it IS Daytona Sportbike, I may have mis-read or mis-remembered. | ||
| Al_lighton |
I dunno, couldn't care less if it is. We don't race, and I seriously doubt that their use of the name will cause us any damages. But maybe a bunch of people will hit our web site as a result of searching for something about AMA racing. That wouldn't be so bad. As long as some idiot lawyer on THEIR side doesn't start hassling ME about using THEIR name (that we had first), I'm not too concerned. If they do that, then I'll go do battle with them. Al | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Cool site! Hope he gets something going with some sponsors to jeep him running for the whole year!! Go Buell Racing!! | ||
| Smoke |
best luck Shawn!!!! tim | ||
| Doerman |
As long as some idiot lawyer on THEIR side doesn't start hassling ME about using THEIR name (that we had first), I'm not too concerned. If they do that, then I'll go do battle with them. We'll be right there behind you Al, armed with pitchforks and torches!} |
