If the Sepang tests mark the season kickoff for MotoGP, the Daytona tire tests are the unofficial start for the American motorcycle roadracing season. The top riders of the AMA American Superbike and Daytona Sportbike classes gather at Daytona International Raceway, and prepare for the start of the coming season.
The intrepid folks over at OnTheThrottle were at the Daytona tire tests, and posted videos of both the American Superbike and Daytona Superbike sessions, and gave us permission to put them below, for your enjoyment:
Ben Bostrom still enjoying himself.Ducati 848 Evo,like it.They never should build a sport twin bigger than 900cc.
Then I saw something that caught my eye. The tyre warmers,wet/mixed conditions.How important is the tyre warmer generator rule going to prove to be in GP this year ? Time will tell.
I am still floored by the fact that there will be a 2month hiatus after the 200 until the next race of the season. I swear the AMA is dying a slow and horrible death.
The manufacturers are dying a slow horrible death. Motorcycle sales in the US are down over 50% since 2005. The yen has appreciated considerably against the dollar which is really bad for business b/c Americans have fewer dollars to spend during this recession and their dollars are less powerful.
The AMA has relied entirely on the manufacturers for everything from racing equipment to track sponsorship, but that has changed out of necessity and due to new ownership. Whether or not the AMA goes down with the manufacturers is up to the fans. AMA is basically using World Supersport tuning rules for both classes with homologated equipment to reduce the cost of various components. The state of tune is not that bad.
Sadly, DMG is a curse word amongst racing enthusiasts, and the bad brand is limiting the AMA's ability to attract fans and sponsors.
Looking forward to the Daytona 200, but I'm disappointed the race isn't attracting more international participation. Daytona Sportbike specification is supposedly quite easy to achieve and relatively inexpensive. The 200 is still a prestigious race even if it's not what it used to be. Imo, DMG should have spent money on the purse instead of lighting the track.
The Daytona 200 turned into the sideshow. The beach party is now the main event. I don't think the AMA made the right choice by giving in and moving the race to nights, but that's the way it is. From my understanding, AMA Superbikes are still much below WSB standards.
Things are better but with Honda, Aprillia and Kawasaki (even with a new bike) holding out, it's clear we are still quite far from healthy. Unfortunately in this multi-media age, not much has moved forward in 20 years. The AMA is not pushing this exciting sport. It's the best kept secret in America. We need Wiki-leaks to leak something to the press so someone will take notice.
Last year was much better for the DMG/AMA circus with their new management in charge. I think this year will be even better with the improving economy and the rising popularity of scooters with the younger generation over here.
Motorcycle racing will still be the "red headed stepchild" of racing here in the USA but as long as a two wheeled race of any kind is within my ability to attend there will be at least one fan there.
PS: Apologies to you red headed stepchildren out there. No offense intended. :-)
even though I was really against the dumbing down of the Superbike specs and the idiotic class name changes, the racing is much better. But IMO that is also down to Mladin/Spies moving on because Mladin still cleaned up in his final year.
That being said, the shortness of their yearly schedule - Superbike only runs 15 total races over 8 rounds - is insane.
The manufacturers are having a tough time because despite the economic strife they continue to build $16,000 sportbikes. In this day and age few of us can afford that luxury. If they had been a bit more prescient with their projections they would not be in this mess. At least in the US their marketing campaigns are far too closely tied to sport and track success which leads them down the one dead end street. Had they been wiser earlier and modified their approach to building and marketing bikes they certainly could have faired a lot better.
The AMA and the DMG debacle compounded this mess by turning fans and manufacturers alike away from the domestic racing scene. Kind of ironic considering how much they rely on track success to sell bikes. The AMA wanted to break the Yoshimura stronghold and dumbed down the rules and that maybe helped make the series more competitive. Or not, the series was more competitive last year due to the absence of Mladin. Was it more affordable? Not according to the Ducati tech for Pegram I spoke to, who said they had to build bikes to spec specifically for AMA/DMG whereas previously they were getting World Superbike handmedowns for much cheaper. Sounds like a false economy the rule tinkering.
But more seriously, the AMA has done an abominable job of managing itself and the sport. Selling to DMG has ruined the brand. They need to buy back and take control of the series and do a much much better job of marketing itself as an organization and the racing they promote. They need to start with grass roots public outreach to local biker clubs and get fans excited about club and national racing again. It will take time and money, so they need to build membership, and that means better marketing, outreach, etc, etc. Round and round it goes. Looks like they made a good start with the new hires at the end of last year, but there is so much work to be done
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Comments
Enjoyed that
Ben Bostrom still enjoying himself.Ducati 848 Evo,like it.They never should build a sport twin bigger than 900cc.
Then I saw something that caught my eye. The tyre warmers,wet/mixed conditions.How important is the tyre warmer generator rule going to prove to be in GP this year ? Time will tell.
Still can't believe March then May for race2
I am still floored by the fact that there will be a 2month hiatus after the 200 until the next race of the season. I swear the AMA is dying a slow and horrible death.
In reply to Still can't believe March then May for race2 by Muggsly
The manufacturers
The manufacturers are dying a slow horrible death. Motorcycle sales in the US are down over 50% since 2005. The yen has appreciated considerably against the dollar which is really bad for business b/c Americans have fewer dollars to spend during this recession and their dollars are less powerful.
The AMA has relied entirely on the manufacturers for everything from racing equipment to track sponsorship, but that has changed out of necessity and due to new ownership. Whether or not the AMA goes down with the manufacturers is up to the fans. AMA is basically using World Supersport tuning rules for both classes with homologated equipment to reduce the cost of various components. The state of tune is not that bad.
Sadly, DMG is a curse word amongst racing enthusiasts, and the bad brand is limiting the AMA's ability to attract fans and sponsors.
Looking forward to the 200
Looking forward to the Daytona 200, but I'm disappointed the race isn't attracting more international participation. Daytona Sportbike specification is supposedly quite easy to achieve and relatively inexpensive. The 200 is still a prestigious race even if it's not what it used to be. Imo, DMG should have spent money on the purse instead of lighting the track.
Daytona
The Daytona 200 turned into the sideshow. The beach party is now the main event. I don't think the AMA made the right choice by giving in and moving the race to nights, but that's the way it is. From my understanding, AMA Superbikes are still much below WSB standards.
Things are better but with Honda, Aprillia and Kawasaki (even with a new bike) holding out, it's clear we are still quite far from healthy. Unfortunately in this multi-media age, not much has moved forward in 20 years. The AMA is not pushing this exciting sport. It's the best kept secret in America. We need Wiki-leaks to leak something to the press so someone will take notice.
Improving...
Last year was much better for the DMG/AMA circus with their new management in charge. I think this year will be even better with the improving economy and the rising popularity of scooters with the younger generation over here.
Motorcycle racing will still be the "red headed stepchild" of racing here in the USA but as long as a two wheeled race of any kind is within my ability to attend there will be at least one fan there.
PS: Apologies to you red headed stepchildren out there. No offense intended. :-)
PSS: Thanks for the video link David. Enjoyed it.
In reply to Improving... by SV650Nut
I have to agree
even though I was really against the dumbing down of the Superbike specs and the idiotic class name changes, the racing is much better. But IMO that is also down to Mladin/Spies moving on because Mladin still cleaned up in his final year.
That being said, the shortness of their yearly schedule - Superbike only runs 15 total races over 8 rounds - is insane.
Poorly managed
The manufacturers are having a tough time because despite the economic strife they continue to build $16,000 sportbikes. In this day and age few of us can afford that luxury. If they had been a bit more prescient with their projections they would not be in this mess. At least in the US their marketing campaigns are far too closely tied to sport and track success which leads them down the one dead end street. Had they been wiser earlier and modified their approach to building and marketing bikes they certainly could have faired a lot better.
The AMA and the DMG debacle compounded this mess by turning fans and manufacturers alike away from the domestic racing scene. Kind of ironic considering how much they rely on track success to sell bikes. The AMA wanted to break the Yoshimura stronghold and dumbed down the rules and that maybe helped make the series more competitive. Or not, the series was more competitive last year due to the absence of Mladin. Was it more affordable? Not according to the Ducati tech for Pegram I spoke to, who said they had to build bikes to spec specifically for AMA/DMG whereas previously they were getting World Superbike handmedowns for much cheaper. Sounds like a false economy the rule tinkering.
But more seriously, the AMA has done an abominable job of managing itself and the sport. Selling to DMG has ruined the brand. They need to buy back and take control of the series and do a much much better job of marketing itself as an organization and the racing they promote. They need to start with grass roots public outreach to local biker clubs and get fans excited about club and national racing again. It will take time and money, so they need to build membership, and that means better marketing, outreach, etc, etc. Round and round it goes. Looks like they made a good start with the new hires at the end of last year, but there is so much work to be done