Josh Hayes, Superman!

[mjrydsfast]

Congratulations to J.H. for the remarkable beat down he put on everyone this year. I noticed at N.O. he won by 9.1 seconds over Ben Bostrom. My question for the masses that know the rules of AMA and technology better than I:
Is Josh really that much better than Ben Bostrom and the rest of the field? I'm surprised given Ben's past accomplishments that he's that far behind in the points race and even to let someone gap him by 9 seconds. I've heard (Mike) Jordan complain in the past that the rules suit the factory bikes a great deal more in the AMA but given the caliber of the two riders, I'm surprised to see it this far apart. What next? Hayes to Moto GP or Ben to the Old Folks, sorry, Hippie's Home?

 

[EastBayDave]

Congratulations to J.H. for the remarkable beat down he put on everyone this year. I noticed at N.O. he won by 9.1 seconds over Ben Bostrom. My question for the masses that know the rules of AMA and technology better than I:
Is Josh really that much better than Ben Bostrom and the rest of the field? I'm surprised given Ben's past accomplishments that he's that far behind in the points race and even to let someone gap him by 9 seconds. I've heard (Mike) Jordan complain in the past that the rules suit the factory bikes a great deal more in the AMA but given the caliber of the two riders, I'm surprised to see it this far apart. What next? Hayes to Moto GP or Ben to the Old Folks, sorry, Hippie's Home?

I think Hayes should have been in Europe years ago...

The Yoshimura/Suzuki bikes have won what, 30 of the last 32 seasons? They have also been known to cheat more than anyone else. More cubic dollars go into the Yosh bikes every season than any other team, & it has been like that since the late 70's...

 

[russ69]

Josh is a very solid rider. The competition in AMA superbike is not that strong this year. Josh has done a great job but Bostrom has not shown much speed lately.

 

[Roadstergal]

It was a bit sad in the interview when he mentioned how he'd love to move up, but no good teams will invest in a 38-year-old when there are all these young kids around. I'd love to see him move to the world stage, but he's likely stuck in AMA.

 

[kevin 714]

I think Hayes should have been in Europe years ago...

The Yoshimura/Suzuki bikes have won what, 30 of the last 32 seasons? They have also been known to cheat more than anyone else. More cubic dollars go into the Yosh bikes every season than any other team, & it has been like that since the late 70's...

please to link where they were caught cheating?

It was a bit sad in the interview when he mentioned how he'd love to move up, but no good teams will invest in a 38-year-old when there are all these young kids around. I'd love to see him move to the world stage, but he's likely stuck in AMA.

only because he turned down a WSS sport ride a few years ago for the factory yam team in wsbk. if hayes wanted to go to the world stage, he only has himself to blame.

 

[JO EBRMC]

please to link where they were caught cheating?

Beat me to it.

 

[kevin 714]

Beat me to it.

yep. all the constant cheating accusations were really just that they had two world class riders destroying the field. first it was they had secret TC, then when they legalized TC and everyone thought they would lose, they didnt.

now nicky hayden, theres a cheater lol

 

[JO EBRMC]

yep. all the constant cheating accusations were really just that they had two world class riders destroying the field.

You knew I was going to point out their budget that dwarfed everyone else's as well.

 

[LongGoneJohn]

I do recall Mladin's bike having an illegal rod or crank a couple years back.

Doesn't matter, that's not the point. Right now the Yamaha is the best bike with the GSXR a close second. The difference is the factory Suzukis don't have anyone to ride them. Blake young is too busy watching the Packers or something and their new-flopping-wonder has been no where.

Herrin was coming around on the R1 to push Hayes, but got hurt. Next year you'll see two Yamahas up front again, but it won't be an all Hayes show.

 

[Map8]

Shit. Every big team was caught cheating at least a few times in the last couple of decades in AMA. Calling out one team is ridiculous without noting other DQs over such a long period of time.

I don't remember Hayes getting a legit offer from Parkalgar Honda. IIRC, they put him on the bike for three races and basically said "bring some money if you want to come back." Hayes was still being strung along by U.S. Honda at the time. He took the AMA Yamaha superbike offer (not WSBK, Kev) and then Honda pulled out of AMA.

For the OP, yes AMA rules have changed and its cheaper and slightly easier for everyone to build a competitive bike. However, having the right personnel are still the big part of the equation in a successful team. Hayes is kicking ass because he's a great rider with a great team.

 

[kevin 714]

You knew I was going to point out their budget that dwarfed everyone else's as well.

of course. but hey, spending $$ isnt cheating. just because they paid mladin a shit load ofmomey doesnt mean they were cheating.

and yes antarius, I do remember some sort of issue in the first DMG year where mladin, but not spies, had a bike issue.

 

[kevin 714]

Shit. Every big team was caught cheating at least a few times in the last couple of decades in AMA. Calling out one team is ridiculous without noting other DQs.

I don't remember Hayes getting a legit offer from Parkalgar Honda. IIRC, they put him on the bike for three races and basically said "bring some money if you want to come back." Hayes was still being strung along by U.S. Honda at the time. He took the AMA Yamaha superbike offer (not WSBK, Kev) and then Honda pulled out of AMA.

yes I meant to write factiry yam ama. thanks for pointing that out

 

[sidewazzz]

please to link where they were caught cheating?





only because he turned down a WSS sport ride a few years ago for the factory yam team in wsbk. if hayes wanted to go to the world stage, he only has himself to blame.

Beat me to it.

Maladin and co were dqed for an illegal crank or something allong the lines. They were also caught with tc when it wasnt legal yet.

Hayes wasn't offered anything in wsbk.

 

[Go2Trackdays]

When WSBK was at Miller, didn't the AMA run the same exact course?

I looked at the laptimes and I think Josh would've been in the Top Ten.

Congrats Josh on the National Title... 32 race wins, tied with Miguel Duhamel

 

[JO EBRMC]

Maladin and co were dqed for an illegal crank or something allong the lines. They were also caught with tc when it wasnt legal yet.

The crank issue was really suspicious and sort of a bullshit inspection that wasn't handled according to the rules.

They were "caught" with TC but TC wasn't against the rules, wheel speed sensors were and they didn't have those.

 

[louemc]

I don't follow AMA racing at all, but...isn't Josh Hayes, the one that had all the electronic ( traction control) management, turned off? If so..he is my Super Hero.

 

[Map8]

The rule was OEM crankshafts. Here is one of many postings on the 2008 Yosh crank controversy.

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=34489

Yosh was definitely pushing the limits of the rules, if not cheating.

The TC issue was ridiculous because Yosh was just better at working around the rules about electronics than the other teams. Yosh was dominant because they had the whole package: budget, talented riders, talented crew, good management along with support from the U.S. distributor and Japan. TC or a slightly modified crank wasn't going to make the difference, it was the whole effort that lead to their domination.

 

[TTTom]

Hayes is without a doubt the class of the AMA field and I think he'd be in the top 10 in WorldSBK but yeah, not many opportunities likely to open up for a 38 year old.

Beyond him the talent pool is pretty thin. Eslick can ride the Buell, Roger Hayden finally got a win but after that there isn't anyone that looks to have any big upside potential in Superbike right now.

 

[sidewazzz]

The crank issue was really suspicious and sort of a bullshit inspection that wasn't handled according to the rules.

They were "caught" with TC but TC wasn't against the rules, wheel speed sensors were and they didn't have those.

There was also an instance where they convinced ama or whom ever that their tc was an engine management system and not tc.

 

[RaptorFA]

Well Josh got DQ'd in 2009 after winning the Daytona 200 for an illegal crank, right? But I digress...

Don't want to take anything away from what he has accomplished this year. It's a shame he isn't getting more oppurtunities on the world stage. I really think he could compete well there. The talent pool is a bit shallow in Superbike right now, but I have hopes that Josh Herrin will step up and challenge on the Sister bike, that the Buell will continue to improve, the Jordan Suzukis will continue to develop and that Blake young will step it up a bit more next year as well. I'm not sure that there is anyone in Daytona Sportbike that can move up and set things on fire in Superbike yet. As good as the racing is in that series, you would think so...

Josh may be 38, but I have to think he is the pre-season favorite for next year right out of the gate!