AMA Superbikes from Daytona (SPOILER!!)

[wfooshee]

National Guard Jordan Suzuki rider Jake Zempke swept the weekend, with Suzukis and Pegram's Ducati up at the top. Yamaha's Bostrom and Hayes showed up for the second race, something they would not have been able to do in previous years, and Daytona has only had 1 Superbike race.

Comparing manufacturers is difficult in this field, though, since it's mostly Suzukis, a few Yamahas, a sprinkling of Ducatis, and one each Honda, BMW, Buell, and Kawasaki. The lack of factory support for Honda and Kawasaki has definitely thinned the field. Also makes paying points to 20th place kind of goofy, since there less than 30 bikes entered.

The lineup aside, I found the racing to be exciting, with both Jordan bikes riding sideways most of the time, lots of lead changes in the first race, and a VERY good finish in the second race.

 

[squeezer]

I've always liked Jake. The guy seems to have this infectious happy face on all the time. I really thought his career was pretty much over. So, it was totally awesome to see him take the first two races of the season.

I noted what Greg White said about his off-season too -- that Zemke had really focused on conditioning and came into the season the lightest he's been since he was 16 years old. He worked for this.

I'm still not sure if I'm going to spend a lot of effort following AMA racing this year, but I have to admit that it looks interesting. The Yosh and Jordan zukes, Pegram's Ducati, Hayes and Bostrom on different Yammie teams -- they all seem like they have a shot at this. Maybe the zukes of Hopper and Ulrich too. It could be fun.

 

[Bugnatr]

Maybe the zukes of Hopper and Ulrich too. It could be fun.

I wouldn't hold out much hope for the Hopper, never could figure out what teams see in him.

Must admit it was good racing.

 

[MotorToad]

I'm really stoked for Zempke. He's a great rider and a good guy in the paddock, too. Secretly, though, I'm hoping Yates wins all the races that Bostrom and Hayes don't win.

I'm kind of surprised with Bostrom being with Pat Clark... whatever that is. This guy's whipped so much ass for Yamaha on the R6 it's not even funny. I know they're going with the young kids on the 600s but ****, the guy's earned a factory seat IMesHO.

I'm so glad to have Mladin gone it's not funny. Finally we can have national level riders in a national series, and maybe the best of them can get international rides. It sucks that it took the worst sanctioning body in all of history (which coincidentally ruined the bikes) to make this happen, but I think we might have some good racing this year.

I don't know how Hopkins is going to pan out. Everyone's making a big deal that he's on the team that got him started, but the sad thing is this team is the last one that's provided him with a bike worth a damn. I think he might have forgotten how to ride in the meantime.