Kawasaki, Honda & Yamaha Pulling Out of '09 US Racing?

[Crash Cash]

More in the continuing saga of DMG vs. the rest of the world in an interesting article on superbikeplanet.com at https://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Aug/080802d.htm

"None of the manufacturers are renewing existing contracts with riders, mechanics, sponsors or suppliers; nor are they writing new ones; and customarily this is the time of the season when hands are clasped and letters of intent are written."

I don't know why Suzuki isn't mentioned, especially considering Mladin's stated opposition to the DMG changes.

I also hear "Honda will announce its plans no sooner than September 1st and keeping its trap shut until then" at https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=33543

Soooo.... what do you think? 50-50 that the manufacturers will start their own series?

 

[wfooshee]

I was of the impression that the recently announced class structure was in response to the rather poor (to say the least) reception they got to their original announcement earlier in the year. First try had no liter bikes?!?!!??!

Now they announce they will have 2 liter-size classes and a 600 class. All called Superbikes, though. Yeah, that's much less confusing than the current structure. . . . . Anyway, their announcement included language that the class structure was something the mfrs designed and insisted on themselves. Also, it can't hurt that they commited to follow WSBK rules by 2011, I wouldn't think.

I don't know what to make of that article other than the factories simply haven't had time to finalize anything because the new "acceptable" announcement was so late in the current season. Their next-year planning is 6 months behind, now.

They can't make contracts before they know what will race, and that's still fresh news.

I don't think the factories are after their own series, but I think with the originally announced DMG class structure topped out with 600s that was a very real possibility.

 

[Randy]

It's all speculation at this point until contracts are signed or not signed.

I doubt the mfgrs would start their own series for '09. Just too much to do and not enough time to do it. Gotta secure tracks, promoters, write a rule book, etc.

I think it's just a matter of posturing and the factories telling DMG 'you will not dictate what will be done'. IMHO, factories are bluffing and DMG just might call the bluff.

Until something is announced, keep the guesses coming.

 

[Crash Cash]

I wouldn't be surprised to see several mfgrs to drop out. They've done it before. The interesting question to ask is DMG hated so much that they can organize a united front and all the manufacturers leave? Probably won't happen, but on the other hand it would make me happy. I don't like Daytona or DMG.

 

[Randy]

I wouldn't be surprised to see several mfgrs to drop out. They've done it before. The interesting question to ask is DMG hated so much that they can organize a united front and all the manufacturers leave? Probably won't happen, but on the other hand it would make me happy. I don't like Daytona or DMG.

Depends on the definition of 'drop out'. Do you mean not have a factory effort or not provide factory support to privateer teams? Suzuki could pump $12M of the $15M that they normally spend across 4 support teams and maybe stick Mat on one of them. They win by not having a factory effort and they win by getting the top rider on a bike at a $3M savings.

Why don't you like Daytona or DMG? They wrote a big fat check to try and fix something that is broken. Many bitch that things suck the way they are and now someone wants to come in and shake things up and everyone is up in arms. I bet the folks involved with the Grand Am series are happy they stepped in. Made a lot of people a lot of money and brought in a lot of outside sponsorship.

 

[Stephen]

Typical battling of the egos.& protecting one's empire.

The thing I don't like is the Daytona name applied to the classes. Who gives a rip about Daytona? One crappy track in the corner of Nowhere, USA? :angry2:

 

[Randy]

Typical battling of the egos.& protecting one's empire.
The thing I don't like is the Daytona name applied to the classes. Who gives a rip about Daytona? One crappy track in the corner of Nowhere, USA? :angry2:

Perhaps the Daytona Motorsports Group who sunk a bazillion dollars into buying AMA Pro Racing?

 

[ShawnKing]

The thing I don't like is the Daytona name applied to the classes.

Perhaps the Daytona Motorsports Group who sunk a bazillion dollars into buying AMA Pro Racing?

Really? You think that might have had a *little* something to do with it?

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Who gives a rip about Daytona? One crappy track in the corner of Nowhere, USA? :angry2:

Really, do you see it that way...?

My take is that Daytona is legendary -- even for motorcycle races (not mentioning the car stuff). Racing on the beach in the early years, International m/c races held there, pretty much the focus of the m/c world in early March, and manufacturers take it really seriously for success in the up-coming selling season.

Or..., did -- maybe all that'll be history....?

 

[Stephen]

So if someone owned Putzwankle Motorsports Group, I'm going to name the classes after my business because it bought it?

"Coming to you live, more Putzwankle 1000's followed by heat 1A of the Putzwankle 600's."

Please.........

I think they can do better than that........ like leavin' the friggin' classes alone.

 

[Randy]

If you spend a couple hundred million, yes, you can call it whatever you want. With all of the **** going on, the names of the classes are the least of their worries.