| Author | Message | ||
     Bads1 |
That ain't gonna happen for sure. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Dennis - Yeah the same sort of thing was also mentioned MANY time regarding NHRA dragracing....specifically the PSB class They campaigned 2 suzukis, and some said 'why not the Buells? us army. us bike. makes sense' And I agree. | ||
| Trojan |
Seems that HMC will NOT be running KTM RC8R's in AMA SUperbike next year after all, leaving Fillmore without a ride. KTM say that a major sponsor has failed to sign up (or pay up) so they are no longer able to support a full effort in AMA Superbike for 2012. Shame really, and no mention if this affects the firms plans to enter WSB in 2013 either  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Based on how they were burning through money at Mid Ohio, I'm not surprised KTM can't afford to stay in the game during the current recession. | ||
| Trojan |
Based on how they were burning through money at Mid Ohio, I'm not surprised KTM can't afford to stay in the game during the current recession. Was it KTM or Hansen (HMC) that was burning through money? KTM are happy to race at world leverl in Moto3 and are fully supporting IDM (German Superbike) teams next year. I think their commitment to AMA always rested on the team brining sufficient sponsorship to the deal so that KTM were not paying the lions share of the bills. This obviously hasn't happened, and even big factories find it hard to race without a title sponsor these days I am surprised that they haven't decided to race with a smaller scale team rather than pull out completely, but who knows the real story? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think it was the KTM factory. It was their race tractor trailer setup (decked to the gills with chrome and blinking lights). So the factory was in it heavy, though maybe that same trailer does dirt bike duty also. There were mumblings about traction control systems on the RC8 worth more than many bikes on the grid also, but I don't know if they were true, or those were funded by KTM or some race team. Come to think of it, if there was a non factory race team there, I never noticed their name or logo. It was all "KTM". I'm oppressing my poor 11 year old... he wanted a KTM, and I'd have loved to find him one, but for the $$ I got him a blown up Kawasaki KX-80 to rebuild into a 100 big bore. So he is slumming with team green still...  | ||
| Bads1 |
The Traction control unit is about 30 grand on that bike (KTM) But that unit does much more then traction control also.Yosh uses the same on there bikes. I believe Yamaha the same. The Jordan bikes use the Bazzaz units for about 900 bucks but also have the rest of the Bazzaz stuff coupled to it to do everything including Fuel and air.Tuning etc. | ||
| Blake |
>>> race at world level in Moto3 How does Moto3, a minor support class, compare in the way of dedicated investment to a WSBK or MotoGP effort? I suppose Dorna could put on a scooter race and call it "world level". | ||
| Blake |
Dana, The hardware is just one cost item; the required full time track-side support is another. | ||
| Davegess |
Blake, I think any series running at a World Championship level is pretty serious and well funded. Moto3 won't be as well funded as MotoGP or WSBK of course but it is still a major race series and cost a lot of money. These are not guys in pop up campers and their Mom as umbrella girls (although a lot of Moms are not only there and some could pass for umbrella girls  . I don't know but I suspect that the cost of Moto3 is not far removed from the top level classes at various national races like AMA or BSB. | ||
| Slaughter |
If Moto3 is to replace the 125GP - the LEASE on the Aprilia 125 was about $125K per year... and that is JUST THE MOTORCYCLE. A 125 team could still be on the hook for well over $2.5M | ||
| Court |
   At least they looked good . . . . | ||
| Reepicheep |
Looked good and ran good. Made for some good racing too, at least when they were on their home track. | ||
| Bads1 |
At least they looked good . . . . They would have performed well also. | ||
| Svh |
Its a shame they left the series. I was really looking forward to them going the full season. | ||
| Xb9er |
no KTM in superbike this year? man that stinks. I liked watching them go head to head with EBR | ||
| Reepicheep |
Well, if a privateer campaigns one, then we finally *will* see one going head to head with EBR. Up to then, I wasn't sure if it was EBR vs KTM, or Geoff May vs Magneto Marelli. (Don't get me wrong, watching Geoff go against MM was fun too). | ||
| Trojan |
How does Moto3, a minor support class, compare in the way of dedicated investment to a WSBK or MotoGP effort? I suppose Dorna could put on a scooter race and call it "world level". 'Minor support class'? Running a competitive 125GP team probably cost around twice the budget of most WSBk teams (even the factory ones) because the lease costs were huge to get the best Aprilia/Derbi. Moto3 will be almost as expenisve simply becasue the KTM have gone their own way and built chassis and engines from scratch (although based heavily on 125GP chassis and exisiting 4 stroke MotoX engine technology). I would think that running an AMA Superbike team would be small change compared to a factory Moto3 team + supplying 9 other bikes on the Moto3 grid. The reason for pulling out of AMA is simply because the factory didn't want/couldn't afford to fund the project in addition to their world series comittments, so it rested on outside sponsorship to be a viable proposition. No sponsor - no racing. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I'm really looking forward to seeing the Moto 3 series run. The 125s were the last vestige of "traditional" 2 stroke racing. Who is fielding bikes besides Honda, Mahindra, and now it seems, KTM? | ||
| Trojan |
Who is fielding bikes besides Honda, Mahindra, and now it seems, KTM? There are going to be a lot of chassis makers building Moto3 bikes and using other peoples engines. Kalex are building frames for the KTM motor and will run between 6 + 9 bikes next year including the Aspar squad. FTR have built frames to house the Honda motor and will probably be used by the BQR squad. Oral engineering have an engine that will fit into existing Aprilia 125 chassis but it is unclear who will use this engine. Looks like it will be a busy test time for all classes in February | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"Well, if a privateer campaigns one, then we finally *will* see one going head to head with EBR." Why would it need to be a privateer? Last I checked, Geoff May was on a factory bike, right? So factory vs factory seems pretty fair and pretty 'head to head' | ||
| Court |
The fact that KTM is out speaks volumes about what Buell accomplished last year. Yes, Geoff is a " factory effort". But it's common knowledge that the "factory" is one persons retirement savings. Ballsy stuff thai few would have the confidence or guts for. Cool. See ya at Daytona. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"The fact that KTM is out speaks volumes about what Buell accomplished last year. " How so? | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Let me add, KTM being out of AMA racing says NOTHING about other teams and their accomplishments, just shows that KTM (factory) is heading a different direction with their racing program. KTMs decision to exit AMA Pro has zero to do with Erik Buell Racing | ||
| Bads1 |
Actually I may be wrong maybe right. KTM didn't get the sponsorship they worked maybe over a year to get. Then to have them not step up to the plate at or towards the time the season gets started(Which isn't really that far off). Now for them to find another sponsor which they may have tried and the time to secure it.... it may not leave enough time to get things together correctly. Which really sucks cause Filmore is a very talented rider and a blast to watch. But who knows something could arise... stranger things can happen. | ||
| Court |
Steve - well put. I'll shut up. Thanks. (Message edited by Court on December 02, 2011) | ||
| Slaughter |
Court... maybe I'm reading too much into your statement but do you think KTM is bailing BECAUSE of E B R? (Message edited by slaughter on December 02, 2011) | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"Good. Nice to have someone with your expertise and years in the racing business here to set me straight. Thanks for the clarification. Tell us more . . ." glad I could help you out Court, hopefully in the future you wont imply things like that again! "Court... maybe I'm reading too much into your statement but do you think KTM is bailing BECAUSE of E B R? " It does seem that his post hints to that. Its odd. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Shame KTM lost the sponsor. I was really looking forward to the racing. Both EBR and KTM had "thrown the gauntlet". Hopefully Filmore can pick up a ride. He is a gifted rider with grit and determination. Will spring ever get here?? I already have reservations for Daytona. | ||
| Davegess |
Geoff May was on a factory bike, right? Comparing EBR to ANY other factory effort is ludicrous. It is a couple of handfuls of really dedicated, talented folks in small building funded by one not very wealthy guys savings. I am sure the Amsoil deal goes a long way to pay the actual racing bills BUT the amount of money behind the whole venture, before you can had a race team to have to have a legal bike, is a mere drop in the bucket compared to ANY other MC company running in a major national racing series. The total corporate budget for EBR wouldn't cover the janitorial budget at KTM. |
