I wonder the same thing, cause WSBK Yahmaha & Ducati seem to be the bikes to beat, AMA its Suzuki... Honda seems to just be in the hunt, but not the #1 bike... The 08 & 09 Superbike shootout, they gave the CBR1000RR the best bike. So is it the Rider, which I'd say is probably the #1 ingredience & then closely followed by bike & then tech support elements. I know DMG/AMA is trying to make SBK like NASCAR where HP, Tires, Fuel & everything equal. Not sure if that is working out well. The majority of the AMA fans aren't too happy with the changes. I have to come to realize, the spononsorship has dropped so that has some affect, but the races just haven't excited me like years past. Last few years, SBK was strictly a Spies & Mladin battling it out, but SuperSport & Formula Xtreme was always exciting. Not so much this year. I still think Buell need to be in SBK. I know Buell is trying to get its name out as a legitimate sport bike, but to put your 1000cc bike against the 600cc isn't saying a whole lot...

 

LOL----dude, the Buell is 1200cc against 600's.

 

I stand corrected, that makes it even worse!!!

 

In the August issue of Sport Rider the editors responded to a letter from someone defending the Buell. According to the editors the Buell has put out over 150hp on an AMA dyno while the 600s are in the 120 range. Also the Buell has over 80 ft/lb of torque while the 600s are in the mid 50 range.

An even bigger embarrassment was when the Daytona Sportbike class used a pace car and and rolling start at Laguna in front of an international audience. Even worse was when some of the riders about hit the pace car when it was entering the track during the race (again in front of an international audience). The DMG is a complete joke.

 

It is very joke-like at times. Supposedly officials added ballast to the Buell, but I think it's still not altogether fair. After Daytona I swore I wouldn't watch that class of AMA racing, but I enjoyed the competition at Laguna, and there were some crazy passes at Kansas (not my favorite-looking track though). Daytona Prototypes, or whatever they're calling it, could be worth watching next year, it's just weird right now having Nascar own the AMA ...

 

I have been trying to figure out how DMG expects to increase the fan base. I just read in Road Racer X about the Pace car incident & that DMG felt it was best to make the drastic changes @ one time v/s lil changes each year. There is some logic there, but 1. Buell & any bike for that matter should race with simular cc bikes. 2. Like most national racing intaties are the starting place for riders to progress to international racing. Not try to make it so different racers will go elsewhere. Yeah, NASCAR is an North American motorsport, but motorcycle racing has a more international fan base. So lets not try to see how much we can alienate the international scene, but promote it. I thought it was sad, Miller Motorsport dropped AMA this year.

 

No one rides a Buell competitively, because of the specific design challenges. It's like when Superbike used to be 750cc. They allowed 1000cc V-Twins to compete alongside to give manufacturers time to improve the technology. The Buell is an air-cooled engine. I'd like to see more advancement in that area as it's also used in aircraft engines...not much development there IMHO; the idea being 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

MMP dropping AMA could be for a number of reasons. Do you have any info on that?

Instead of a pace car, I would do a pace bike. Use something like a Goldwing complete with saddlebags and riding 2-up with yellow rotating lights and all.

I agree that AMA racing should be a stepping stone to Int'l racing, but the only way that's truly going to happen is if the FIM annexes the AMA unto itself. It is unfortunate that we don't have any "real" American representation in FIM.

 

Alright, I can't wait for Indy MotoGP. Despite a small grid of riders MotoGP has been close this year with some entertaining racing. With the teams beginning to announce who will be riding for them next year some guys are racing for their jobs. I hope that Colin and Nicky will make a good showing for the US. They've been improving lately but I still don't have much hope for either of them winning. I wish Spies would race at Indy since WSBK is off that weekend but I think he'll be in MotoGP soon enough.

 

I think Ben should at least stay WSBK for 3 years. If he wins it this year, then he will face a healed Haga for defense. 3rd year is a tossup.

 

Here is a exert from Road Racing X. “AMA Pro Racing has been a part of Miller Motorsports Park since the track opened in 2006,” said MMP Director of Racing Mitch Wright, “and we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship and some great racing during that time. It is most unfortunate that we were unable to reach an agreement with AMA Pro for this year’s event, but it was a business decision that had to be made. We hope to be able to have the AMA Pro teams, riders and officials back at Miller Motorsports Park in the years to come.”
http://www.roadracerx.com/news/ama-p...kend-canceled/

As it looks, I won't make it to Indy this year, went last year & it was AWESOME, except the rain shortened races. If I don't make I will be in front of the TV. I hoped Nicky could have held on last year to win the innaugural race, but he came up short on a valiant effort. This year, it will be Rossi, Lorenzo & Pedrosa... Stoner is out for 2 more races minimal. Hope he gets well & returns to form. It would be nice to see Spies race in Indy. I would say he would finish in the top 5... I say if he wins the title this yr and/or next yr & if a good ride is available move up...