| Author | Message | ||
     46champ |
What I don't understand is how they can screw up road racing and continue to screw it up but, flat track racing seams to be recovering nicely from almost death 10 years ago and hill climbing is probably as big as it has been for 50 years. Anyone got an idea what is happening? They are all owned by DMG. | ||
| Trojan |
Flat track is (relatively) cheap to compete in, so is not as reliant on TV schedules and sponsorship that Road Racing needs to survive. Most of the competitors in Flat Track racing are 'privateer' entries rather than factory backed or supported teams. Most tracks (with the exception of the 'Big' mile events) are supported by local fans rather than the hoards of travelling spectators/TV audience that are required to make road racing break even. Flat track racing is much deeper ingrained into the US sports system than road racing, which is a relatively recent format for US audiences in comparison. Also, road racing costs a lot of money to stage and needs far more marshalls, track workers and other support staff. Racing popularity is also cyclical. A few years ago Speedway was on the ropes here in Europe and had become a very minor motor sport. With the inception of the Speedway GP series it isd now enjoying a resurgence and popularity that we haven't seen since the late 1950's over here. One word....Marketing. | ||
| Ljm |
I can't help but think that the parity issue is significant too, and not just because I am partisan. At each stop on the tour, there are local riders. They are always at the back of the pack if they finish at all, or even get to start. I think those are the people who draw in the large local crowds but their lack of competitiveness doesn't interest anyone from the hometown. The podium riders have obviously earned the right to be there, but the others below would also pull fans if they had a legitimate shot. | ||
| Trojan |
The AMA/DMG should take a lesson from Stuart Higgs who runs BSB (with an iron hand!). TV deal wrapped up until 2020 already! http://www.bikesportnews.com/news-detail.cfm?newst itle=Eurosport-agree-new-long-term-deal-to-show-Br itish-Superbikes&newsid=10746 (Message edited by trojan on October 18, 2013) | ||
| Rasta_dog |
It is staggering to see the depths that the AMA series has fallen into over the last decade. The still anemic economy and poor management by DMG could be a fatal combination. | ||
| Svh |
Apparently National Guard pulled its sponsorship and MJ Motorsports is no longer going to race AMA. Danny is looking for a ride and I am sure Roger is as well. Pretty big blow to this rapidly sinking ship especially if EBR is not going AMA racing next year too. 4 of the top 10 bikes gone. So far | ||
| Hughlysses |
Apparently it's still a rumor at this point. A couple of guys mentioned what sounded like a rant by Danny posted on Facebook yesterday, but I didn't see the actual post. Superbikeplanet says they have been unable to confirm: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2013/Oct/131026jord ansuzuki.htm If true, I suppose it's entirely possible the National Guard pulled out because of the current budget situation in Washington. | ||
| Bads1 |
To be honest Mj Motorsports or Gemeni is done. Both Jordan teams done racing. | ||
| Svh |
MJ went NASCAR if you haven't heard. Motorcycle team shut down. | ||
| Trojan |
Message from the AMA/DMG: Will the last team out please turn out the lights, feed the cat and lock the door behind you  | ||
| Bads1 |
MJ didn't go Nascar he just sponsored a car. His team as in both are done. They actually got word Thursday. However I wonder if some may turn up at EBR being they are located just blocks away from one another. Great talent in the Jordan camp. It would be a shame to see it not used. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It's official: National Guard is out of AMA as a sponsor and so is Jordan Motorsports: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/national-guard -ends-sponsorship-jordan-motorsports-out-of-ama-pr o-superbike/ | ||
| Svh |
Technically MJ didn't go motorcycle racing either. A team, Gemini, used his fame to secure sponsorships including from his brand and personal sponsors. | ||
| Bads1 |
Sam where are you getting your info from? | ||
| Svh |
An interview done with MJ years ago. He was essentially a figure head. He did have input on riders and such but he helped secure Gatorade and others. He even stated in the interview he has $0 in the team and if he ever had to use his money the team would end. Its a shame the team is folding and like you said I sure hope a bunch of those guys can land on other AMA or WSBK teams. | ||
| Classax |
I would be shocked if EBR was not in AMA next year, Eslick would be a great rider for the 1190rx he and the bike just click in terms of riding style. If they could get Hayden and send him and May to WSBK they could contend for the top spot in AMA with Eslick and the international press would eat up an American bike piloted by the little Hayden. Really good publicity. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Something was nagging at my brain the last few days and I finally tracked it down. An "official" EBR video was posted to youtube about a month ago featuring Cory West and Danny Bilansky riding 1190RS's on the twisties in Arkansas. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/713 493/722301.html Badgerbueller says in that thread we can expect to see Danny running AMA in 2014. Anybody know any more details? What's Cory up to for 2014? (Cory does post here occasionally; maybe he'll chime in.) I'm pretty sure someone posted that RS Racecraft was selling their 1190RS's, so I guess they won't be running EBRs? | ||
| Classax |
Hero/EBR need press like right now, in order to sell bikes. The 1190Rx needs to be a consistent top ten finisher or have a rider that dices for spots in the back. Eslick has proven to be an exciting racer on a bike with a great front end and brakes. The HERO EBR AMA team should be Eslick and Yates. West and Bilansky are great riders but not necessarily great RACERS IMHO. May can develop the bike best in WSBK but Hayden will ride to win races. EBR needs to sign at least one of those two, preferably Hayden if you can only get one. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Maybe AMA Superbike needs to blow up in order to get better. Get the huge budget factory teams out of the league, they just drove costs up to where they ruined racing. Get the EBR team there (which for all intents and purposes might as well be a privateer team with good factory support), and get some other privateer teams with good factory support racing as well, and maybe it will be fun again. | ||
| Classax |
Reepichhep- to be honest the problem is two fold. The big factory teams have made it worse but also the rider talent gap is too wide. Hayes,like Spies before him should have moved to WSK two season ago. Maladin started this big fish small pond trend and it hurts the sponsor picture of the sport when the champ is a comfy 6 or a push it 9 seconds better than the rest of the field. It becomes a parade and not a race at that point. Are the bikes different yes but Larry P. had the same equipment as the Joshes and routinely could only battle for a very distant 7th most of the season. LP and JH could have switched bikes every race and the results would have been the same. Guys have to find more pace to compete not necessarily more power. | ||
| Riohondohank |
Of course I am biased, but I believe Cory is a better rider than his results this year indicate. RSRracecfters suspension work was sadly lacking. EBR took over the settings on Cory's bike at the last race and Cory's result there speaks for itself. BTW Cory has a couple things he is working on for 2014, but nothing firm yet. | ||
| Riohondohank |
Not that it would have made a lot of difference, but if you think Larry's bike is the same as Josh's I have a bridge to sell you. The same goes for Cory's bike and the EBR factory team bikes. | ||
| Bads1 |
Sam when he said Zero dollars I think he means that he is not funding it personally and his company... which does BTW. Hes already been in East Troy this week. | ||
| Jaimec |
Hmmmmmmm... http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2013/Oct/131029d.ht m | ||
| Reepicheep |
*That* could be cool development. | ||
| Jaimec |
And SEVERELY impacts the domestic series. EBR: Gone. MJM: Gone. Josh Herrin: Gone. Geez, is there ANYTHING to stop the bleeding?? | ||
| Svh |
Only 3 confirmed races and no TV schedule adds to the bleeding as well. EBR isn't gone officially yet either. Maybe they continue AMA with a rider or 2 and do WSBK with MJM as a team with Geoff and Rog. That would be sweet. | ||
| Bads1 |
MJ and EBR?? NOPE!!! MJ is looking into possible Moto Gp. Sam your reading into Aaron Frank to much?? | ||
| Bads1 |
MJ has had huge ties with Suzuki since 2005. Suzuki cannot come out as factory team in GP in 2015. MJ?? Suzuki?? GP?? Its got a ring to it some how with Nike tied in | ||
| Jaimec |
Even with Hero's cash, I can't see EBR in both WSBK and what's left of AMAPro SBK. |
