AMA Fontana [sigh]

[zenjim]

So much on and offline discussion has been about how the AMA/ DMG has just screwed the pooch and really ruined American racing. We hear about manufacturers pulling out, smaller grids, etc. and we think we realize what's going on. But for me it wasn't until I went to my local "AMA EVENT" race at Fontana this weekend that the reality hit home. There's just nobody there. OK, historically motorcycle racing doesn't have big crowds (in the US) and that's always been kind of cool in a way because you can hang with riders, crew, etc. At Fontana, Suzuki was the only manufacturer that had a tent with bikes and stuff in it. If you don't count the food vendors, there was maybe 5-10 other vendors - most in smaller tents. And I'm counting the AMA and the Auto Club. There's just not much to do when there are no races. No Metal Mulisha stunting, no slutty women in skimpy outfits, no cool parts to check out or bikes to gawk over, etc. And the grids were so small. Lap traffic was hardly an issue in Supersport. It was just a real reminder of how devastating the economy has been. The racing was fun - that's what it's all about, and I can't imagine not going. But boy the "vibe" really rings hollow. I like riding to all the west coast events at Laguna, Infineon, Miller, etc. They're the highlights of the year. Hooking up with my friends, hanging out and watching races has always been so much fun. You can get a much better view on TV, but you can't touch the atmosphere at the track.  Now there doesn't seem to be much...
It kind of feels like I'm not looking forward to it as much. I'm really surprised at how much I'm bumming about this. I think because I always look forward to it so much. And the ticket price was the same as last year!

[kopfjäger]

Watching on TV, I thought the races were good.  

Great race for Larry on the Ducati.

[mitt]

Sad to read your post. 


mitt

[gm2]

i wasn't there but the general industry & rider feeling after fontana was that the series is finally headed back in a more somewhat-positive direction.  i guess that just boils down to a general better feeling about AMA Pro Racing.

[zooom]

WELL...some of what zenjim is saying is ringing forth in not just the AMA.... according to a couple WERA racers I know...the grids are shrinking a bit there too due to the overall economy hit

[Blackout]

That track at Fontana looks like shit. Compare and contrast to the tracks in WSBK and Moto GP with lots of elevation changes, good run off areas, jam packed grandstands etc. AMA blows even without Mladin and Spies running away with every race.

[Jester]

That track at Fontana looks like shit. Compare and contrast to the tracks in WSBK and Moto GP with lots of elevation changes, good run off areas, jam packed grandstands etc. AMA blows even without Mladin and Spies running away with every race.

A lot of American tracks are like that though, just the lay of the land.  Its not as if we have a ton of investors trying to build 200-300million dollar facilities for top flight racing series.

[zenjim]

That track at Fontana looks like shit. Compare and contrast to the tracks in WSBK and Moto GP with lots of elevation changes, good run off areas, jam packed grandstands etc. AMA blows even without Mladin and Spies running away with every race.

That's all I could think of when I came home to watch the WSBK at Portimao! Brand new track, fresh asphalt, smooth like a billiard table. And an intersting design with elevation changes, etc.  Sweet! I've ridden Fontana and (like Willow Springs) it's not the smoothest track out there. But I've got my hopes up for Chuckwalla. It's a brand new track in Desert Valley, near Palm Springs, CA. I believe it's opening next month and I'm doing a track day in May there. Fingers crossed...

[Turf]

I'm finally feeling good about ama, racing is actually good. I'm watching the replay of the supersport race now. There were 30k or so people at NJMP last year, think it has more to do with the area than anything. Everyone was walking around and we're more than happy to talk to you. I had lunch with Pegram, talked for an hour or so with Eric Buell (who's full of ideas but slightly annoying) Got to meet Earl Hayden, was staying in the same hotel as Bostrom and talked to him....most importantly I got completely lit with Kevin Schwantz who showed me the watch Rossi gave him and them promptly left with the bar maid. They are finally on the right track but it's going to take a while for people to get 'dude ama sucks' out of their head. The first two races this year have been great and most of the last year were good.

[zenjim]

I gotta hang with you next race!