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Why DMG's making all the right moves (seriously)

2.7K views 37 replies 23 participants last post by  xdonniedarkox  
#1 ·
I've seen a ton of complaining about DMG's handling of AMA racing on all the boards for a minute now. I understand there is a certain amount of inertia but I think you guys aren't giving it a fair shot.

First off, I love having the rules tailored to make the Buell competitive. That is such a clutch move. Somebody at DMG is smart enough to have figured out that one reason motorcycle roadracing has suffered from a lack of popularity is that none of the bikes have been American. The non-hardcore fan public is going to love seeing a Buell win races this year. They're not going to care about the technical stuff. Having a competitive American motorcyle in the hunt is going to attract fans, that's all there is to i.t

Regarding safety car issues to make the race more competitive, well, yeah it's bullshit but they've been doing that for years in NASCAR and look at the popularity of NASCAR. Sort of the same issue as using a dyno and restrictor plates--make the racing more competitive...what's the problem with that? Doesn't anyone remember how garbage and boring AMA Superbike racing has been the last few years? DMG understands that people want to see men racing each other on competitive equipment, not one manufacturer running away every race. And nobody wants to see a race where you know from the beginning who's going to win, but that's what we had the last 3 years (one of 2 guys, anyway).

Finally this thing I just saw on youtube about Hacking being suspended and all of that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCPctYu0txgfeature=player_embedded

It would not surprise me ONE BIT if that was staged. DMG is ****ing smart. They know fans LOVE controversey! Look at all the NASCARtards with their "favorite driver" stickers, etc.. It's all because of the perception of personal conflicts between drivers and emotion in the race.

The rolling start at Daytona: OK, I agree, that was retarded.

But seriously, I think there are some absolutely genius folks at DMG behind all of this. Maybe all of you don't want the NASCAR-tards infiltrating the ranks of the fans of our "pure" sport, but look at it this way...maybe it will lead to some live race coverage!!!

Go DMG!!!
 
#4 ·
kangaroo, I love ya brother, but I'm 100% serious. I'd much rather see our sport go mainstream than die off in the USA, and I do think we were headed in that direction.
 
#5 ·
I wont say they are making all the right moves.. but they certainly are shaking things up. The biggest problem with DMG.. is its premier class.. (SBK) is still be dominated by the same rider on the same bike.. race after race after race.

Racing in the other classes was alot more competitive and fun to watch already. I do understand why they want Buell to succeed. And considering a 600 still turned the fastest lap in the SSK class.. who's to really complain that the Buell is that much of a cheater bike.

Dropping out of the Miller round in Utah is horrible though. I dont care what it takes to make that round work. They should definitely be there. That could have been the biggest racing weekend in the US this year.
 
#8 · (Edited)
On a professional level where millions of dollars are concerned. Its all about money. In in that sense, YES professional racing should be entertainment. If its not.. then the fans will not support it.. and if the fans dont support. Where do those millions of dollars come from?? The millions of dollars required to support the organizations, teams, sponsors, televised events.. doesnt just fall off a tree. Even the Superbowl suffers a serious lack of fan support when its a 2nd half blowout.. who watches the 2nd half when the game is 34-7 at halftime?

If youre truly a fan of good sportbike racing. Come out to your local track and support local club racers like myself. Its good racing and its $10 bucks a day to watch and walk through the pits. You will see more action up close than you ever could at a professional race.. and you can meet/talk to all the actual racers. Hell you might even learn a thing or too..
 
#11 · (Edited)
DMG won't make any changes based on "constructive" criticism from internet chat boards, the only way they'll have to concede is if the fans don't show up and their revenues drop. Then they'll run a new format or look to make the changes that their marketing people say will work. It's pointless to comment on it now in hopes of making it what we want. If you don't like the racing, don't watch it/buy tickets to see it. They won't be seeing any of my time/money.
 
#12 ·
I don't mind the Buell racing. But here is my concern. What does it say about American Motorcycle Design when one of our most powerful road racing bikes (the Buell 1125R) compares to the bottom end of powerful Japanese sport bikes (600cc class)?

And some people might see Buell winning and jump on over and say "Yeah, America is coming back and spanking the international competition!" But then they'll realize that the bike is fighting hard against bikes with half of the cubic displacement and down only about 20HP. And what will they say then?

If Buell (an in a way HD) wants to up the ante, they need to follow the steps of BMW and build something similar to the KTM RC8. They can source a motor that can run with the top International bikes, they just need to design a chassis and really fight them head-to-head. Or even if they don't want to fight the liter bikes, build a good chassis and toss a smaller, race-inspired twin, and take on the 600cc's head-to-head, not head-to shin.

I don't see it being the "savior" of motorcycle racing in America. But if they can somehow bring in enough fans to pay the bills at the end of the day, then you can't fault them for trying...
 
#13 ·
Do we really want to be compared to and associated with MOST Asscar I mean Nascar fans. Also the Suzuki's dominance over the past few years was the RIDERS not the bikes, hence Suzuki did shit in wsbk the past few years and Ben is winning on a Yamaha now. So now the pace car will come out to SLOW DOWN the talented riders so the slow ones can keep up. Maybe they need to find new talent not hold it back.
 
#15 ·
On a serious note, the chances of motorcycle racing going mainstream in America. NASCAR-style, is very low. Try to look at what is being sought. The activity itself, motorcycling, is a small niche unlike NASCAR. It is also considered a "different" form of activity from mainstream activity. The market is considered a pleasure activity vs. the mainstream activity of having to drive everyday. You have a marketing system of products that are not going to produce the fanbase you see there on a precentage basis. NASCAR runs off of Chevy, Ford, Chrysler and to a degree Toyota. It changed from the men-oriented racing to the family-oriented racing entertainment. Hence the differing sponsor decals over time. Is it possible to have that type of fan loyalty base for Yamaha or Honda or Suzuki or Ducati even Buell. Very doubtful.

So going to the racing itself, meaning make it more appealing by having closer finishes? The past 3 years we've had the closest racing in the past since Bostrom and Hayden won the AMA Superbike. I don't think that has caused more people to come out. Now they major complaint was that it was more the bike than anything else. Looking at it from Sears and Laguna for Motogp, attendance has been going down for years even with Rossi showing up since the first Motogp event. And Sears point has always held steady through good and bad times. Even Daytona, most of the riders during bike week don't know that the racings going on. You have that other HD crowd roaring into town and then roaring out. Will they come out to the races more now that Buell is winning? My bet would say probably not.

NASCAR's Roger has been a total basket case as long as this AMA transition has been in the works. I doubt if he is doing this for publicity's sake. Even though that would be the hope. First he ramrods everyone with a take it or leave it attitude. So everybody left. Then having realized that he starts to whine like oh golly gee nobody is being reasonable and they're being so stubborn. But nobody bought that either and the only team staying turned out to be Yamaha. Then the track owners started getting pissed at the silly drama and said WTH is going on? And we have just recently heard MMP is out this year. Probably the best track in the whole US out. Why??? I have a sneaking suspicion that R. Edmondson was at it again with all these one-way demands. Probably at the cost of WBSK time or respect or whatever.

I don't see this getting better in terms of racing or racing entertainment. I doubt giving advantages to one team over another so they get more face time is a good thing. Seeing Eslick beat Hacking was at first, :rock Then I found out that their bikes have almost twice the engine capacity...I'm like WTF :rant. No wonder Hacking was pissed... I doubt this will bring up the numbers as Roger envisions. :fact
 
#16 ·
i just hate NASCAR its like the pro wrestling of racing, and i dont like the way they are changing the AMA so i will not be going to mid Ohio for the first time in 5 years.
 
#18 ·
Yeah I just googled some shyt on both riders.. definitely two different people. Weird that they are both about 17 years old though and are AMA pro level.

Something must have happened to Robert Wilkey.. I cant find any info on him after the 2006 season.. Hope nothing bad happened to him, was a good kid.. this is the last thing I can find:

http://www.ccsracing.us/news/old/0706-0906.html

8.27.06 > Amateur Rider Robert Wilkey Clinches Shenandoah Track Record <

CCS Amateur Rider #119 Robert Wilkey is the new track lap record holder at Summit Point Shenandoah in West Virginia as of Sunday, 8/27/2006.

Wilkey donned race slicks for the first time in the Unlimited GP and 750 Superbike classes and subsequently bested the previous record several times, previously set at 1'30.667" by Ryan Patterson, finally ending the day at 1'29.599". Wilkey set his fastest lap time in the 750 Superbike class where he started near the back of the second wave and caught front-runner Bryan Bemisderfer in less than 4 laps passing him in the chicane on the front straight to take the overall lead for the final two laps.

CCS Race announcer Griff Allen told the crowd that "not since the mid-80's have they seen an Amateur rider tackle the Experts like Wilkey has been the last few race weekends."

Wilkey went 9 for 10 on the weekend, outdistancing most of the Amateur field in all but the final race where mechanical problems forced him back to a 2nd Place finish. All-in-all another outstanding weekend for the very talented young rider.
 
#19 ·
give em a minute

I can't stand Nascar or Wrestling either. Staged BS gets old quick. The Apparent lack of professionalism by DMG since they took over is not encouraging. The One thing that gives me hope is that they will start losing enough money and reconsider the heavy handed approach they used this last year.
 
#20 ·
I can't stand Nascar or Wrestling either. Staged BS gets old quick. The Apparent lack of professionalism by DMG since they took over is not encouraging. The One thing that gives me hope is that they will start losing enough money and reconsider the heavy handed approach they used this last year.

+1 to that, It's pitiful if you look back at the history of the series and the 200 in particular at what's happened to it. It's embarassing. DMG needs to take a look at WSBK and see how to promote an exciting series
 
#23 ·
I don't think the fighting is fake. Hacking has despised that little POS since they were on the same team a few years ago and didn't mind voicing it. I wish he'd just deck that SOB and get it over with.
 
#25 ·
So Grey Ghost do you still think DMG is making all of the right moves?

I would agree that the rule changes have allowed other manufactures to be competitive. In Superbike Ducati and Yamaha have both won races. Matt continues to be dominate but I think Ben Spies' success in WSBK is just proving that Matt is one of the greatest racers in the world.

The safety car continues to be a horrible idea that could have cost racers their lives last race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm-wYkIRCxU

Now they are doing more than "bending the rules" for Buell. The have pretty much said to Buell, "hey bring any bike that you can" with their new 1125RR.

http://superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jul/090715c.htm

http://superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jul/090715d.htm

I dont disagree that something had to change from the past few years, but why not just adopt the WSBK rules. That has been the most exciting racing in the past few years. Their formula works very well.
 
#30 ·
As far as Hacking goes, DiSalvo was a pud ass whiner back in the day when he raced a 250 2 smoke. I remember having to listen to him whine like a little girl in the pits one time I pitted up next to him. Alien racing back in the day...lol. I guess things haven't changed much.

To be honest, I had high hopes for the DMG/AMA deal. Even drove my happy a$$ down to Daytona this year for the 200. The whole race under the lights deal was awesome. When they set the time machine to remove 3 laps from the race they should have removed the gas from the bikes that pitted during the laps that "disappeared". Better yet, get a timing system that works. That was one of the biggest disgraces in racing. Pretty much gave the race away and SCREWED Hayes. He crashed out trying to make up enough time to nullify the stop he had to make that the other guys were given with no time lost.

A Buell is still a Hardly Movinson on the inside, you can build a 200k bike, put one of the greatest riders of our time on it, and it still loses or breaks every race. Scott Russell, VR1000, 1996?

I have to agree with the earlier statement, rolling starts are full on Liberace gay.

NASCAR- The special olympics of racing. Let's not emulate them. Fan base or not. There are some towns in Indiana that have a big attendance at lawn tractor racing. I guess we should put mower decks on the Buell to ensure a bigger turnout on race day?

WSBK has it right. The supersport series is just as good if not better. I watched a guy totally stuff another rider on the last lap, almost causing a crash, and they were high fiving and messing around on the parade lap. That's what the sport needs! Let the action on the track bring in the fans, not the drama in the pits. This WSBK season has been a barn burner! I can't wait to see every race. Even if the suberbike race sucks, the SS race is always awesome.
 
#31 · (Edited)
I know it's been said but I'm gonna say it again. If a company can't pull their ass out of the stone age and build a bike that can compete against everyone else's modern bikes then they need to stay home until they can, not bitch and moan about it until some pencil pushing desk jockey who's never even seen a motorcycle except when looking out the windshield of his minivan makes up some new rule to water down the sport so they can feel competitive. DMG has made a disgrace of the AMA.
 
#32 ·
I agree that world SBK has been getting better and better over the last 2-3 years, but let's not forget that just a couple years before that WSBK was in ral bad shape with manufacturers leaving and it was essentially the Ducati cup with no other real factory supported teams.
This gives me some hope that the AMA will come out the other side of this a much stronger organization with much better product
 
#33 ·
Regarding safety car issues to make the race more competitive, well, yeah it's bullshit but they've been doing that for years in NASCAR and look at the popularity of NASCAR.

The safety car in NASCAR is used among racers that are in CARS.

Motorcycles and cars on the same track do not mix. Period.

MotoGP uses cars as "safety vehicles", but they never, ever put the cars out on track in front of the bikes or even with the bikes, except for a formality at the beginning of the race, when the cars are behind all the bikes, and immediately pull off the track when everyone has gone away safely.