| Author | Message | ||
     Henshao |
yes I really crashed. but at least only my bike, and my heart, are broken | ||
| Riohondohank |
http://m.crash.net/wsbk/news/217661/1/ebr-racing-a t-assen-despite-manufacturer-bankruptcy.html | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well, damn! Finally, some good news! | ||
| Riohondohank |
Of course Cory is now unemployed as far as his promotional work for EBR, but I am unsure what this does to his China Championship racing. | ||
| Classax |
The WSBk thing as we suspected has been supported all along by the principle sponsor, namely Hero. Pegram brought his own team and Foremost with him so... I'm not surprised since the race budgets are set yearly, but the question is, like the rest of who operate EBR's, will they suddenly be left out in the cold without access to parts? The more I think about the more I hope and pray Polaris might be willing and able to save the day. Not going to hold my breath. Now it will be critical that they team performs. Your basically riding each race to prove you deserve a shot at the next one now. | ||
| Jaimec |
Why Polaris? The engines were originally built by their competitor, BRP?? BRP was all set to buy Buell lock, stock and barrel from Harley before their egos got in the way. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
Henshao , it is good that YOU walked away in 1 piece from the crash....... | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm sure that was part of it. But the fact is nobody in the business world (including Hero and BRP) is going to touch Buell or EBR without including some kind of "mafia loan" type deal. Why wouldn't they? They are buying it, they should have total control. It would be like us buying a Buell from a dealer, under the condition that we can only ride it when we call the factory and they give us permission. Safe in theory, I'm sure everyone at the factor would want me to ride every chance I get. But why would I sign up for that? Hero let an R&D arrangement and a solid racing marketing campaign develop into a partnership. Who knows if the current breakdown was because they were at the point where they felt the need to get control if they were to continue investing, or if something else happened. But it was probably inevitable no matter who was providing the huge capital needs EBR no doubt had. This is business, nobody gives money for nothing. | ||
| Nobuell |
I would expect that Hero would want the WSBK effort to at least temporarily continue. Dropping out would be a lot of international egg on their face. Which would be contrary to why they are there in the first place. Regarding the previous comment regarding Ducati and KTM etc not getting podiums in AMA, it a moot point. The other factories mostly elected not to race is the US series based on their corporate goals and most do very well where they do race. | ||
| Ebmachine |
Team Manager Larry Pegram responds to news that American manufacturer EBR has filed for bankruptcy. Larry Pegram has spoken following reports on Wednesday that Erik Buell Racing (EBR) has filed for bankruptcy and is ceasing operations. The news sparked questions about the imminent future of Team Hero EBR as the WorldSBK paddock convened in Assen on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Round. “For Team Hero EBR, nothing has really changed,” Pegram stated. “We are going to be racing this weekend and we plan to continue for the season. All indications are that we are going to be able to do that. “There is obviously some restructuring and financial stuff going on in the USA, but we are over here in Assen and getting ready for a good weekend.” Asked whether completing the 2015 season with two bikes – for Pegram and team-mate Niccolo Canepa – is genuinely feasible, Pegram replied: “We are confident that everything is okay; we have got some assurance with that and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.” Opening practice at Assen for the World Superbike class will commence at 11:15am local time (GMT +2) on Friday. http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2015/Team+Hero+EBR +statement+following+EBR+closure | ||
| Rubberdown |
I'd like to see the race funds used to create severance for the now unemployed rank and file of the company. won't happen,different money and all.screw the racing effort and help the screwed. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well, the story is true. Canepa and Pegram are running in FP1 at Assen. Live timing up now: http://www.worldsbk.com/en/Live+Timing+Extended I hope it's a good weekend for them. They'll probably get a lot of coverage just because of the receivership business. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
""...screw the racing effort and help the screwed."" ????? These are real people working for the racing team , as well ..... | ||
| Rubberdown |
Yes, I would included them with the rank and file as well. The international racing expenses must be huge. It's not like the racing results are helping anybodies career. Spread any money around and let them seek new opportunity. (Message edited by rubberdown on April 17, 2015) | ||
| Nobuell |
I doubt the racing budget money is within EBRs control. Most likely the money is from the sponsors of the team and has been allocated for that application and most of it is likely from HERO. The WSBK race team could very well be a separate company entirely. It is a HERO team using an EBR bike just like other non-manufacturer teams are using bikes made by various manufactures. I am sure that it is a very costly endeavor. Hopefully they have a bunch of spare parts with them. | ||
| Rubberdown |
You're right. I just feel bad about the whole situation and would like to see folks get some bucks to help them seek other opportunity. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have huge appreciation for all EBR employees, and great compassion for the struggles they no doubt are suddenly up against. But if you didn't know that taking a job for EBR carried some significant level of risk of sudden job loss (like any other job at an entrepreneurial start up), you weren't paying attention. | ||
| Nobuell |
I would love to have had folks concerned about my future job prospects during various times in my career. It is sad that folks lose their jobs, but that is how business works. Hopefully it will be a short vacation for them and EBR will resume business. Some folks here sound a bit bitter (myself included). I understand since this is the second time around to be faced with the prospect of low resale and only the support of diminished dealers. I did not have an EBR bike but I spend a lot of money with EBR for race parts. Now that supply may dry up. Many of the race parts cannot be purchased from another company. Little things like the chain rubs on an EBR chain drive swing arm may not be available. I setup my track bike using many EBR parts assuming they would be around for support. I do not have an EBR bike but have spent thousands of dollars on the 1125R track bike. Those thousands could have been spent on another bike with assured support. I know many of us are in the same boat. | ||
| Court |
The company may be forced into receivership but, trust me, Erik Buell's character is unflappable and we are not the only folks with deep concerns for everyone involved. I've been around d Erik for the better part of 30 years . . through ups and downs . . . have been and continue to be amazed at his emotional investment in anyone who have ever, recent or long past, worked with him. It's a tough time right now. This was literally an unexpected rug pulling. There are a host of options. For the time being my hopes, prayers and concern is with all those involved. I've worked with many of them over the years and, like most the folks here, they are my friends as well as Elves. Court | ||
| Henshao |
I have said to my friends for a long time, if I won the lottery there are two firms I would invest in. Labiche Aerospace and Erik Buell racing | ||
| Hughlysses |
Results at Assen today were disappointing. Canepa improved his time slightly from FP1 to FP2 but lost dropped several positions as other riders improved more. Even making Superpole is in jeopardy at this point. I can imagine all this turmoil here is causing them some mental issues, even if they have been promised support for the rest of the season. (Message edited by Hughlysses on April 17, 2015) | ||
| Henshao |
Well I'm pretty sure they can't afford to crash and we know Canepa was really wringing that bike's neck last week. | ||
| Henshao |
Mined a facebook gem from last week. Something we had been discussing before the late unpleasantness. "EBR" We will not at this time [be pursuing a MotoAmerica team] as we have only sponsors for WSBK. WSBK is such a radically different world. Our bikes in that class have 40 more HP than stock (205rwhp), and yet are 20 down on the field. The top bikes in that class are damned close to MotoGP bikes, and so, so far from what the public can buy. Like · April 8 at 1:41pm" | ||
| Vagelis46 |
Good qualifying for EBR in Assen ! 17th , not bad ... looking good for points in the races ... | ||
| Mako |
super pole 1 assen 7th place for canepa | ||
| Hughlysses |
SPOILER ALERT- Canepa 15th and Pegram DNF in race one. DNF's for both in race 2. Looks like Pegram retired after 7 laps but Nic almost made it to the end. Crash, maybe? At lest they made points in one race. (Message edited by Hughlysses on April 19, 2015) | ||
| D_adams |
Kinda hard to get excited about this after EBR being forced into closing. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Despite assurances the WSBK will be able to complete the season, I imagine it put a damper on Nic and Larry's weekend as well. I'd be very surprised if either of them was able to give 100% after last week's announcement. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
More DNFs??? | ||
| Vagelis46 |
1 point for Canepa + 1 DNF 2 DNFs for Larry ... Ain't life a bitch ? |
