Spoiler Superbike 1. Thoughts on DMG.

[derby]

And Matt Mladin, don't get me started on him. I heard him say at Daytona how after Ben leaves he'd probably retire because he likes the competition. "I could probably stay here and cherry pick the class forever, but that's not what I do, that's not who I am." Uhmm, yes it is what you do, it is who you are. I understand the money aspect of it and recognize he made more money racing here than Casey Stoner did, but really at what point did his racing spirit die? What ever happened to wanting to face the best riders in the world? When do you decide that you are done persuing world titles and find a comfy little niche in a national level series? Matt loves to talk himself up, but he failed miserably when he raced GP's with Cagiva and never even bothered to try the world superbikes series, yet he talkes like there is no competition in those series. I can't wait for Mladin to retire. I bet he goes back to Australia and then cherry picks the local club racing series just to feed his ego.

here is a good article about mat (one t) and his early career, including his days at cagiva and his thoughts that they should've put him on a superbike instead of throwing him into gp:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/f004.htm

i think he may have lost a little fire between nicky leaving and picking up spies as a teammate. i truly believe that if ben hadn't beat him two years ago, he would've already retired.

fwiw, he's in his mid-30's and makes millions a year racing 11 rounds in the US and, because of the schedule and the logistics, can spend more time with his wife and daughter.

suzuki pays him VERY well to race in the US. more money than he'd make in worldsbk.

his decision to race here really makes sense if you look at it from the standpoint of providing for his family.

 

[TWF]

Berto -> <- Zoran

at least Berto has nice paint job

 

[Holeshot]

which is correct.which Roger and most will not admit.
reason I like Rogers proposal for factories to feel up grid with 4 riders.that way you have full grid of first class riders and bikes.
size of bike is not important.commitment to class is.
if you have 600's as premier class but half of it is just like now with privateers with no budget(like you)it will do nothing that is not there now.so,you need full grid of first class riders on first class equipment.

And here's some math for you: if 2 teams leave and 2 stay, that's 8 riders in DMG from two teams competing for the "win". Possibly.

so is 1/2 a grid of factory efforts enough?

 

[Zerox]

which is correct.which Roger and most will not admit.

It's obvious, nobody has to admit anything. There is a former World Superbike racer in AMA, who is so good that he once won five WSB races in a row, and is now beating up on poor privateers in 600SS. What's up with that?

Put that guy on good equipment against other fast riders on good equipment, let's get it on.

 

[Zerox]

And here's some math for you: if 2 teams leave and 2 stay, that's 8 riders in DMG from two teams competing for the "win". Possibly.

so is 1/2 a grid of factory efforts enough?

They'll piss and moan, threaten to take their ball and go home, but they'll toe the line sooner or later. Just like in WSB after the spec tire into, when some of the factories ran away and hid, but they came crawling back eventually.

 

[TWF]

of course not.
if factories don't want to race there is nothing you can do about.
right now they picking and choosing classes instead all be in one and leave other classes alone.

 

[NoQuarter]

That was a good interview. DMG is going to be very successful! I'm looking forward to AMA '09.....finally, an end to the AMA Superbike boredom. The best riders competing in one class, bring it.

Mladin is cracking me up, at first when DMG took over he was like "I will race whatever bike Suzuki tells me." Then he's like "wah wah wah they're taking away my equipment advantage."

Q. Why does Yoshimura Suzuki currently have "an equipment advantage"?

A. Because they fucking worked for it.

Do you simply not like motorsports? Is the idea that one team can be better prepared than the competition so objectionable that the only way to achieve "entertaining" racing is to dummy down the influence of the teams to the point that the only deciding factor is the rider? The "human" element? What a joke.

The WWF guys thought they could go in and create a "more exciting" version of football than the NFL with much the same hype and bluster as these DMG guys are spouting regarding the AMA. How long did that crap last?

 

[TWF]

It's obvious, nobody has to admit anything. There is a former World Superbike racer in AMA, who is so good that he once won five WSB races in a row, and is now beating up on poor privateers in 600SS. What's up with that?

Put that guy on good equipment against other fast riders on good equipment, let's get it on.

right,and this is not guy Matt called second class rider.

 

[Holeshot]

The WWF guys thought they could go in and create a "more exciting" version of football than the NFL with much the same hype and bluster as these DMG guys are spouting regarding the AMA. How long did that crap last?

REALLY good point Dave.

 

[TWF]

Then he's like "wah wah wah they're taking away my equipment advantage."

and not only one,all factories also.they don't want to start from nothing again.
they want to stay with 1000's.they all know they are not beaten because of rules.

 

[ZIM]

Go Bostrom!!

 

[Zerox]

The WWF guys thought they could go in and create a "more exciting" version of football than the NFL with much the same hype and bluster as these DMG guys are spouting regarding the AMA. How long did that crap last?

Oh shit! An XFL reference! Who can forget He Hate Me?

 

[DaineseDan]

A buddy of mine just emailed me this. Regardless of how you feel about DMG, ya gotta admit this is pretty funny:

"Chancellor-elect Edmondson's a first-rate orator, as they all are. Goal One of aspiring despots is to sound reasonabIe, convincing us "he's our guy!" and uniting the hoi polloi. You, me, and NASCAR Mommies everywhere in lock-stepped solidarity. We will march the evil Yoshimura Suzuki back into the sea! (directions to the ocean will be provided for those who left school in 3rd grade to drive a towtruck)

I believe with great conviction that the new Chancellor's master race plan is American motorcycles subjugating the European and the Asian, once absolute power is consolidated. "Surrender your advantage at the door, foreigner!" becomes the rallying cry. Heroic Buells with riders from Anytown, USA repelling the desmodromic dogs and sneaky rice-burners. THOSE BASTARDS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR, GUYS!

Selling an 848 on Monday, 24 hours after it's been whupped but good by a domestic on TV, should make for good theater at Sports Center.

Pass me a malt liquor, would ya? And quit hoggin' those Moonpies. Mom always said I was the best kisser."

 

[RichK]

Q. Why does Yoshimura Suzuki currently have "an equipment advantage"?

A. Because they fucking worked for it.

Do you simply not like motorsports? Is the idea that one team can be better prepared than the competition so objectionable that the only way to achieve "entertaining" racing is to dummy down the influence of the teams to the point that the only deciding factor is the rider? The "human" element? What a joke.

The WWF guys thought they could go in and create a "more exciting" version of football than the NFL with much the same hype and bluster as these DMG guys are spouting regarding the AMA. How long did that crap last?

Great post. If you want to see what a few years of NASCARization has done to sportscar racing, look at the Grand Am series (run by the same DMG). They dumbed down sportscars to be ugly, slow monstrosities that are "equal". There's lots of fender-bangin' "action". There are some of the world's best drivers in these cars, yet the grandstands are EMPTY. TV ratings are non-existent.

 

[Robert R1]

Q. Why does Yoshimura Suzuki currently have "an equipment advantage"?

A. Because they fucking worked for it.

Do you simply not like motorsports? Is the idea that one team can be better prepared than the competition so objectionable that the only way to achieve "entertaining" racing is to dummy down the influence of the teams to the point that the only deciding factor is the rider? The "human" element? What a joke.

The WWF guys thought they could go in and create a "more exciting" version of football than the NFL with much the same hype and bluster as these DMG guys are spouting regarding the AMA. How long did that crap last?

Dave, to me, there's 3 types of racing fans.

1. The hardcore. The ones who care about the total package. The equipment + team + rider. They understand that dominance does occur in the sport when the 3 factors combine at the highest level. Instead of complaining they appreciate the dynasty and look to see who can dethrone them.

2. The crash and thrill junkies. Who want to just see everyone fighting for the leading with spectacular crashes. The background stuff doesn't matter. They just want to see the end presentation on Sunday.

3. The socail butterfly. Wants to goto the races because it's the "cool" thing to do and impresses people. Picks up a couple of buzzwords and names to make sure he/she is part of the conversation but that's about it. oooh's ahhhh's with the rest of the group.

It's easy to pick n' place people into the groups and trying to argue as 1 against a 2 or 3 is wasted effort.

Overall, I hope the DMG idea of turning racing into a circus bombs and we can get back to it quickly.

 

[Zerox]

There are some of the world's best drivers in these cars, yet the grandstands are EMPTY. TV ratings are non-existent.

That's how the AMA is now.

 

[RichK]

That's how the AMA is now.

True!

But at least there's the hardcore fanbase that appreciates road racing at a top level. If DMG could tweak the current Superbike series so that all the manufacturers put in the same effort as Suzuki (and Yoshimura), it could be a truly great series.

One class of 600s and one class of 1000s would be a good start, so that the manufacturers aren't spread so thin.

I wonder what it is that keeps Honda, Yamaha & Kawasaki from putting in more effort in the largest market in the world?

 

[NoQuarter]

True!

But at least there's the hardcore fanbase that appreciates road racing at a top level. If DMG could tweak the current Superbike series so that all the manufacturers put in the same effort as Suzuki (and Yoshimura), it could be a truly great series.

One class of 600s and one class of 1000s would be a good start, so that the manufacturers aren't spread so thin.

I wonder what it is that keeps Honda, Yamaha & Kawasaki from putting in more effort in the largest market in the world?

You answered your own question... those 3 mfg's have been putting in effort and winning titles... in Supersport and FX. 4 classes is obviously too many and confusing for most non hardcore fans. The buy-your-own championship situation is clearly lame. BUT, is the Suzuki domination of the one class really the main reason attendance and tv ratings numbers are down? Do Supersport races get twice the tv ratings? In the past few years it's easily been twice as "exciting" in terms of who might win.

 

[AFM535]

right now they picking and choosing classes instead all be in one and leave other classes alone.

Yeah, if you look at the podium results from all 5 races this weekend, there's nothing really surprising. We all know which teams are gunning for which championships with which riders, and we know the real competition is only 1-3 riders deep behind each of those front runners.

The fact that BBoz is in supersport is goofy, and no one seems to really care, since there are too many classes. Why should a guy with his resume be willing to run around in what should clearly be a support class?

If you took the best riders from all 4 classes and put them in 1 grid, twice in a weekend, I have to believe you'll have better superbike racing, regardless of engine displacement. Factories will either step up or step out.

 

[RichK]

BUT, is the Suzuki domination of the one class really the main reason attendance and tv ratings numbers are down? Do Supersport races get twice the tv ratings? In the past few years it's easily been twice as "exciting" in terms of who might win.

Yeah, that's a great point too.

IMO, the last time road racing of any sort was consistently popular in the US, with high TV ratings, 3 hour waits to get out of racetracks, etc., was when CART was in its heydey in the mid-90s.

I think interest waned when it was no longer "big time" racing. The manufacturers pulled out for various political reasons, which in turn made the sub-sponsors leave (Pioneer puts radios in Hondas, so they left when Honda left, etc.), which in turn lost the big name drivers.

That lack of "big time racing" feel meant that there weren't big billboards in town, the races moved to smaller TV channels, it was just a downward spiral that was precipitated by the manufacturers not putting in the effort.

The AMA could re-gain some of the people who visit MotoGP each year if they gave the manufacturers a reason to go full-bore in the Superbike class, more guys like Hodgson had a reason to come over, and the Superbikes remain the beasts they are.