more outrageous DMG/Buell collusion

[gm2]

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

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

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jul/090715e.htm

...excerpts:

"Here is the press release from Buell regarding their 1125RR, (note second R in designation) a bike not road legal, yet somehow Superbike legal, as per DMG. Isn't it interesting how the Japanese manufacturers are knocked back to Superstock spec this season in Superbike, yet Buell gets to enter a full-on Superbike that isn't even street legal?

Buell will produce a limited number of 1125RR motorcycles for sale only to licensed professional road racers who will compete in the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike class.

from the DMG AMA Pro Racing application form required to enter a bike in the American Superbike class: AMA Pro American Superbike motorcycles must be street certified for use in the United States and be available at the time of competition from U.S. retail dealers. There must be sufficient quantity available such that any person wanting to buy one for racing purposes can do so in a timely fashion. ... Importation must be completed by June 1st of the current season.

Also from that application: Also, it is requested, but not required, that each manufacturer has available one additional street version of the homologated model for display and marketing purposes at each event.

And ...The motorcycle must be a 4-stroke production model with street-use certification in the United States.

Ducati USA's PR man, John Canton, confirmed, for those wondering, that the Ducati 1098R, which is the base for Larry Pegram's Superbike, and is on DMG/AMA's list of approved motorcycles, is street legal from the factory and comes with, you know, headlights and stuff."

[Spidey]

I don't understand DMG.  They're not idiots and know how to make a gizillion $.  So why does it seem like they're actively trying to kill AMA racing?  That's not just rhetorical flourish.  It seems like they're trying to kill it.  Would that serve their bottom line in some way that I don't understand?

[gm2]

it's all in the name of cost control and parity, remember?  like, purpose-built race bikes, only available to those who are going to run them in a superbike race.  that are not street legal.  from an american manu, that's just fine.


...i don't effin know.

[desmoquattro]

I'm tellin ya...no more right turns after 2009. I can see it now:

PRESS RELEASE
7 May 2010
AMA Superbike Races to be Held At Oval Tracks

After a season of analysis and deep consultations with riders and manufacturers, Daytona Motorsport Group, owner of the AMA Pro Racing series, has implemented new rule changes for the 2010 season to improve rider safety and produce riveting racing. Starting with the first race of 2010, all AMA races will be held at oval or semi-oval tracks in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

"Rider meetings in 2009 focused heavily on safety issues at current AMA tracks." stated DMG head Roger Edmundson at a recent press conference. "We listened to their concerns, and through careful analysis we determined that the elimination of right turns, which increases the predictability of race tracks and the consistency of racing, was the best approach to improve safety."

Other rule changes for 2010 include a one-make rule for the American Superbike class (vendor to be determined at a later date), mandatory pit stops, and increased fairing sizes to accommodate larger sponsor logos.

Leading rider Mat Mladin was not available for comment at press time.

[superjohn]

I've lost interest. When you have one make of motorcycle that is somehow legal in ALL classes. When you have rules formulas that aren't published, but decided based on the "production" bike that one desires to enter. When you have ruling that seem to favour or prejudice particular entrants, it all starts to look fishy.

I don't like the arbitrary rulings in Grand Am (Screwing Porsche for designing a motor that's fast and in spec)
I don't like competition yellows and inquisitorial penalties in NASCAR

I don't like DMG

I'm really not this cranky normally though.

[zarn02]

Just another reason I won't be needing to watch AMA.

[UberRacing]

Not following this cluster F gives more time watch to wsbk.....

[androgynous]

Not following this cluster F gives more time watch to wsbk.....

what he said

[Spidey]

Kinda off-topic, but since we're talkin' about DMG homologation rules . . .

Mat Mladin gave an interview to On The Throttle where he talked about how much harder it is to set up the DMG-era bikes because suspension changes take so long with the basically production bikes whereas the old superbikes were set up for quick changes.  It's something I never thought about, but is pretty interesting:

http://www.onthethrottle.com/content/view/240/1/

[zooom]

I'm tellin ya...no more right turns after 2009. I can see it now:

PRESS RELEASE
7 May 2010
AMA Superbike Races to be Held At Oval Tracks

After a season of analysis and deep consultations with riders and manufacturers, Daytona Motorsport Group, owner of the AMA Pro Racing series, has implemented new rule changes for the 2010 season to improve rider safety and produce riveting racing. Starting with the first race of 2010, all AMA races will be held at oval or semi-oval tracks in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

"Rider meetings in 2009 focused heavily on safety issues at current AMA tracks." stated DMG head Roger Edmundson at a recent press conference. "We listened to their concerns, and through careful analysis we determined that the elimination of right turns, which increases the predictability of race tracks and the consistency of racing, was the best approach to improve safety."

Other rule changes for 2010 include a one-make rule for the American Superbike class (vendor to be determined at a later date), mandatory pit stops, and increased fairing sizes to accommodate larger sponsor logos.

Leading rider Mat Mladin was not available for comment at press time.

now THAT was funny....good parody, even if it does come to fruition...


in all seriousness....I think the holes in their rules for Buell are the same holes that AMA had been harboring for the sake of an American manufacturer in an American series....look at the previously accepted XB-RR that wasn't a roadbike at all and had no homologation except for the 100 or so special orderable units for racing only they produced....I think the teams and manufacturers are not stepping up to scream yet as this bike hasn' hit the race circuit yet and the minute that bike scores a point, then you'll see the fur REALLY fly...because, as I said, the same thing happened a couple years ago with the XB-RR and it went nowhere and the whole thing was silently forgotten about as far as the run of things worth mentioning.

oh well, time will tell....

[Xiphias]

This could be interesting maybe next year - we could see a CBR1000R^4 or ZX10RR? Fair is fair - I'm sure that enough people one would pony up the cash to get one

[zooom]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/getVote.jsp?pn=uni0716

I want to see a Tron Light Cycle in AMA/DMG next year!

[gm2]

I want to see a Tron Light Cycle in AMA/DMG next year!

just tell Eric Buell that

[zooom]

better idea...Pegram should start running a Desmosedici, because I think that meets homologation requirements and would be a hoot to see running out there.

[gm2]

yeah, but it's not on The List.

oh yeah.. that's doesn't matter anymore apparently.