Honda out of DMG/AMA Superbike 2010

[protondecay123]

Article link below.

Does anyone understand what is going on with AMA Superbike?

https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=38149

 

[Randy]

It could be interpreted one of two ways...

1) Honda is sick of the ******** of the new AMA/DMG regime and are bailing out

2) Financial times are tough, Honda is cutting back on funding, Honda is blaming DMG

There were meetings last week with DMG and the brass of each of the 4 Japanese manufacturer's offices in the US. While the details of those meetings were not disclosed, I have very good reason to believe that DMG came crawling back with their tail between their legs begging for additional manufacturer support. By the nature of this, I'm guessing Honda didn't give them what they were looking for. In fact, just the opposite.

 

[Warchild]

Concur with Randy's observations.

AMA Pro Racing under DMG has been an abysmal joke all year, and highly embarrassing to the rest of the world. Some of the **** they have pulled this year is unbelievable. They are SOOOOO lucky someone didn't get hurt/killed on the Laguna Seca incident.

DMG is about as ****** up as a soup sandwich..... what they are experiencing now is called "karma".

Yet, we all lose as spectators and fans.

 

[Auburn]

Concur with Randy's observations.
AMA Pro Racing under DMG has been an abysmal joke all year, and highly embarrassing to the rest of the world. Some of the **** they have pulled this year is unbelievable. They are SOOOOO lucky someone didn't get hurt/killed on the Laguna Seca incident.

DMG is about as ****** up as a soup sandwich..... what they are experiencing now is called "karma".

Yet, we all lose as spectators and fans.

AGree. Besides they have to pay for MotoGP.

 

[MotorToad]

It could be interpreted one of two ways...1) Honda is sick of the ******** of the new AMA/DMG regime and are bailing out

2) Financial times are tough, Honda is cutting back on funding, Honda is blaming DMG

Times are tough, for sure, but Pedrosa will still have a bike, Rea will still have a bike, and probably even Stuart Easton. IMO American Honda is telling DMG to piss up a rope.

 

[Randy]

It could be interpreted one of two ways...1) Honda is sick of the ******** of the new AMA/DMG regime and are bailing out

2) Financial times are tough, Honda is cutting back on funding, Honda is blaming DMG

Times are tough, for sure, but Pedrosa will still have a bike, Rea will still have a bike, and probably even Stuart Easton. IMO American Honda is telling DMG to piss up a rope.

Unless you're into their financial records, there is no way to know how budgets were impacted for the 2010 race season, but, when your worldwide production is down 50% year over year (source) , there will be cuts. So, I would assume that Honda had the decision to cut a little bit out of all of their racing programs or cut some of them out completely and reduce the impact on the other (world stage) programs.

However, with AMA/DMG being an easy scapegoat, it's easier to imply that the decision was based on the AMA/DMG situation rather than financial hardship.

 

[Auburn]

However, with AMA/DMG being an easy scapegoat, it's easier to imply that the decision was based on the AMA/DMG situation rather than financial hardship.

+1

 

[wfooshee]

So how many factory Hondas were in Superbike? As many as two?

I think that answers the financial vs. dealing-with-DMG question.

 

[protondecay123]

I feel lucky that Indianapolis is only about 2 1/2 hours away. Who knows I may be making a trip in late May to Toole, UT for WSB?

Also I was reading on another board that DMG/AMA is looking at a Harley XR1200 class. Edmon saying something about having to tap into that resource to increase interest in racing. I've road with some Harley guys and go to Sturgis on the odd numbered year. There are a lot of Harley riders, but I have not seen a lot of interest in roadracing from them. Do any of you think that this XR1200 class will fulfill Edmon's vision?

 

[pmspaul]

So how many factory Hondas were in Superbike? As many as two?
I think that answers the financial vs. dealing-with-DMG question.

From the perspective of doing business with Honda as a dealer, I'd say financial and DMG is making the decision easier.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Also I was reading on another board that DMG/AMA is looking at a Harley XR1200 class. Edmon saying something about having to tap into that resource to increase interest in racing. Do any of you think that this XR1200 class will fulfill Edmon's vision?

Depends-on what his vision is...? If it's to be the ultimate dictator of U.S. motorcycle roadracing (no matter how small those events are...?) -- maybe?

I've heard he also plans on a 250 Ninja spec. class (maybe they'll run 'em with the XR1200s -- that would be somewhat competitive... ).

The AMA used to have a "Sportster" spec. class -- pretty boring for the spectator. That type of racing -- where all bikes are, essentially, equal -- is great for the racers involved (lots of competition for them). (untill the cheating starts.... )

 

[Randy]

Also I was reading on another board that DMG/AMA is looking at a Harley XR1200 class. Edmon saying something about having to tap into that resource to increase interest in racing. Do any of you think that this XR1200 class will fulfill Edmon's vision?

Depends-on what his vision is...? If it's to be the ultimate dictator of U.S. motorcycle roadracing (no matter how small those events are...?) -- maybe?

I've heard he also plans on a 250 Ninja spec. class (maybe they'll run 'em with the XR1200s -- that would be somewhat competitive... ).

The AMA used to have a "Sportster" spec. class -- pretty boring for the spectator. That type of racing -- where all bikes are, essentially, equal -- is great for the racers involved (lots of competition for them). (untill the cheating starts.... )

I got it from a good source that DMG, during their recent barrage of meetings with the manufacturers HQs in the US, were proposing different spec classes to each of them. The Ninja 250 class is not likely to happen. They were also pushing them to build $40K purpose built superbikes - an obvious response to the backlash received from the Buell fiasco mid/late season. This was not very well received.

I have to disagree with the statement that the Sportster class was boring for the spectator. I saw quite a few of these races and there were many times where there would be a group of 10-12 bikes in the lead pack lap after lap after lap with many lead changes taking place every lap - it was some great racing. Not real fast, but, close nonetheless.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I have to disagree with the statement that the Sportster class was boring for the spectator. I saw quite a few of these races and there were many times where there would be a group of 10-12 bikes in the lead pack lap after lap after lap with many lead changes taking place every lap - it was some great racing. Not real fast, but, close nonetheless.

I guess I agree with your disagreement -- I think it depends on the track?

Big, wide-open, long straight-away race tracks can be 'brutal' for watching slow bikes (imo). Slow bikes raced on something like a go-kart track can be exciting!

Racing 50s can be fun (but, not too much if the straight's too long.... :huh: ).

But..., slow bikes and racing are kinda at cross-purposes -- don'cha think...?

 

[Randy]

I have to disagree with the statement that the Sportster class was boring for the spectator. I saw quite a few of these races and there were many times where there would be a group of 10-12 bikes in the lead pack lap after lap after lap with many lead changes taking place every lap - it was some great racing. Not real fast, but, close nonetheless.

I guess I agree with your disagreement -- I think it depends on the track?

Big, wide-open, long straight-away race tracks can be 'brutal' for watching slow bikes (imo). Slow bikes raced on something like a go-kart track can be exciting!

Racing 50s can be fun (but, not too much if the straight's too long.... :huh: ).

But..., slow bikes and racing are kinda at cross-purposes -- don'cha think...?

Yeah...definitely depends on the track. I remember seeing a couple of fantastic races at Daytona. It's a big long track, but, you can see the whole way around. Quite a few of today's stars cut their teeth in that class. Haydens, Yates, Bostroms, Pridmore, etc

 

[reddog]

The "good old boys" at DMG have screwd the pooch!! They have turned AMA road racing into a joke. It would seem to be a case of

diminishing returns. Why stick around and play here with all the DMG ******** when they can spend money anywhere else. BSB, World SBK

Moto GP. These series seem to be run by people who are a little more... I think the word I am looking for is Stable. From a Corporate stand point

this seems like a no-brainer

Reddog

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

It's a shame to see what appears to be the slow end of American track racing in larger classes. Ironic how many years people complained of AMA management of racing these classes -- I think some would take the AMA management back in a heartbeat.

 

[Crash Cash]

Honda considers racing very important and is the most serious about it of all the Japanese bike companies. It's how they got started. They don't tolerate any screwing around or unfair rules.

They're there to compete on an equal and fair basis, and obviously DMG hasn't been doing that, so they're history. I saw this coming a long time ago, when the Buell crap started.

 

[Randy]

I'm still not convinced on the unfair competition. Prior to his crash, Cardenas, on an inline 4 Suzuki, was tied with Eslick on the Buell for points and had more wins.

The new homologation special Buell, which was a clusterfuck in and of itself, wasn't exactly setting the world on fire.

I still honestly think it's a funding issue being blamed on DMG.

 

[Auburn]

I'm still not convinced on the unfair competition. Prior to his crash, Cardenas, on an inline 4 Suzuki, was tied with Eslick on the Buell for points and had more wins.The new homologation special Buell, which was a clusterfuck in and of itself, wasn't exactly setting the world on fire.

I still honestly think it's a funding issue being blamed on DMG.

I agree, it's a funding issue and DMG is just the red herring to blame for their financial issues.