2014 AMA schedule

[Gecko]

What year was that?

That was 2001. I was up there with a buddy Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We both had to work the next day so we never got to see the Superbike race on Monday. We did get to watch them practice though, but that's not quite the same thing. One of the memorable things from that weekend was that we stayed in the same hotel as the Haydens ... had breakfast in the lobby with Tommy and rode the elevator several times with Nickey. The ride back home to CT on the Aprilia Mille in the pouring rain on Sunday sucked big time ... I don't think I've ever been that wet in my life.

[oVTo]

I was there on Sunday too, and it was cold and wet. I brought my daughters to see their first motorcycle races and we were either under the stands trying to stay dry or in the stands watching them trying to dry the track. The only race on Sunday was sidecars, which was fun to watch. I went back alone on Monday (the kids had school) and the place was empty, no more than a couple hundred race fans.

[Jim]

I hope not. I was going to try this year but they dont accept yellow plate noobs

that means you're sandbagging.
FYI, they changed the 600 class to use green with red for number plates

[MaRce1o]

that means you're sandbagging.
FYI, they changed the 600 class to use green with red for number plates

So we going mean, lean, green now?

[a13x]

SX - Run by Feld Entertainment (massive corp, runs monster trucks and tons of other events)
MX - Run by MX Sports (Davie Coombs)
AMA Pro Roadracing - Run by DMG group out of Daytona Beach FL. No one at DMG works on any NASCAR stuff. Totally separate group of employees.
AMA Ohio - The National Organization that lobbies for laws and the like. Not involved in pro racing any longer.

I used to give AMA Pro the benefit of the doubt but I'm so over it and disgusted that I can't even talk about it anymore. There are a few good people there that care and know their shit but the organization is so bottled up by ineffective suits at the top it chokes the whole deal. It needs to GO AWAY.

[TTD]

I used to give AMA Pro the benefit of the doubt but I'm so over it and disgusted that I can't even talk about it anymore. There are a few good people there that care and know their shit but the organization is so bottled up by ineffective suits at the top it chokes the whole deal. It needs to GO AWAY.

While I agree with the AMA being completely out of running the races, I still believe the org is helping motorcyclists on other fronts - such as lobbying when motorcycle related issues arise.

I believe they should solely focus on doing that.

[Chippertheripper]

While I agree with the AMA being completely out of running the races, I still believe the org is helping motorcyclists on other fronts - such as lobbying when motorcycle related issues arise.

I believe they should solely focus on doing that.

They do provide insurance to smaller race orgs too.
Beyond that...umm...yeah.

[oVTo]

AMA lobbies for keeping public land out west open to for dirt bikes and fighting E15. They played a big role years ago when sport bikes were threatened with being banned, and they've fought insurance companies over covering injured riders. Usually they've had mixed results. One of the problems they have is the chicken and egg scenario. They have a limited ability to lobby effectively because so few people join, and few people join because the AMA isn't a very effective lobby for motorcyclists.

[a13x]

AMA Ohio - The National Organization that lobbies for laws and the like. Not involved in pro racing any longer.

I said that.

Worth noting that my sources tell me even AMA Ohio is in tough shape. Not very many paying members left and the overall member roll is pretty thin....

[butcher bergs]

Alex - Do you think the current state of AMA racing has resulted in AMA membership numbers falling off? Like a "one hand dirties the other" scenario where people are using an umbrella for anything with the label "AMA" in it.

Curious to hear your thoughts.

[a13x]

Alex - Do you think the current state of AMA racing has resulted in AMA membership numbers falling off? Like a "one hand dirties the other" scenario where people are using an umbrella for anything with the label "AMA" in it.

Curious to hear your thoughts.

Hrm. Good question.

No, I don't think US Roadracing's troubles have effected AMA the organization's membership. I feel it is more due to the AMA Ohio's management being out of touch with younger riders and their core constituents being an older demo. A issue that's facing the industry as a whole. That's about as concise an answer I can give, because anymore and I'm typing a friggin novel.

[Kurlon]

Hrm. Good question.

No, I don't think US Roadracing's troubles have effected AMA the organization's membership. I feel it is more due to the AMA Ohio's management being out of touch with younger riders and their core constituents being an older demo. A issue that's facing the industry as a whole. That's about as concise an answer I can give, because anymore and I'm typing a friggin novel.

You must be feeling weird already just typing that much without name dropping.

[butcher bergs]

Hrm. Good question.

No, I don't think US Roadracing's troubles have effected AMA the organization's membership. I feel it is more due to the AMA Ohio's management being out of touch with younger riders and their core constituents being an older demo. A issue that's facing the industry as a whole. That's about as concise an answer I can give, because anymore and I'm typing a friggin novel.

I mean, I have a 2hr layover on my way to Florida, so........




Do you think it's because the powers that be can't, won't or haven't found the way to connect with a younger demographic? I guess to ask the question another way, is the younger demographic too fickle to nail down when it comes to this very topic of membership and AMA Pro?

A comment was made in a similarly titled thread on WERA, that comment being that 'Mericans generally prefer stadium-type sports which, if true, presents its own challenges to promoting road racing of any kind in this country. I'd say there is some truth in that comment.

[Slowpoke387]

A comment was made in a similarly titled thread on WERA, that comment being that 'Mericans generally prefer stadium-type sports which, if true, presents its own challenges to promoting road racing of any kind in this country. I'd say there is some truth in that comment.

I believe this to be a very important factor. Today's society wants instant gratification in every possible way. Look at how technology is advancing at lightning speed. It seems that, at least in this country, people don't want to wait for over a minute after seeing the front guys go by to see them again. I really believe after they go by, once they are out of sight, people get bored and you have lost their interest. Stadium sports are in constant view, and even NASCAR pretty much is too. And to be honest, I too prefer to stay home to watch the races because I can see the front runners the whole time. So I think the very nature of these races is making it tough to keep today's "I want it now" society interested.

[tsorfas]

Motorcycles in general were always understood and loved by a small percentage of the total population.
I can't see motorcycle racing being any different.

I wanna say that road racing is probably on the bottom of the list with regular viewers of motor sports.
Motocross, dragster, even flat track seem to get more exposure and people being more familiar with.

I think road racing is something that if you don't do or don't know anyone who's doing it, it's very hard to understand and adopt and love.
NASCAR is simple. Motocross can be ANYWHERE. Formula 1 has definitely dropped over the year but it's still spectacular.

I wanna say that road racing is next to WRC internationally

[a13x]

Saying "Americans like stadium sports" is a cop-out.

[SVRACER01]

Saying "Americans like stadium sports" is a cop-out.

unfortunately hes on to something. i love watching road racing live, but i could see why people wouldnt be as interested since they only get to see a few corners at a time and then watch the rest of the lap on a giant TV.
a sport where someone can sit on their ass, drink a beer, and watch the entire event without missing anything because its all right in front of them will always be popular.
its sad really. but youre also right. its not the only reason the sport is struggling

[a13x]

I've heard that 'excuse' a million times Oxx. Yea is there truth to it? Sure. Hell I like watching SX in the stadium as well (though I love outdoor MX..) but my point about it being a 'cop-out' is that it becomes a excuse. If you are a promoter of races or marketing person in the m/c industry that utilizes racing as a platform YOUR JOB is to make people pay attention to what you want them to. THAT'S what marketing and promotion is. Figure it out.

I've had a few people in racing approach me about 'sharing my ideas' with them but I told them until they get serious and pay me for it they can pound sand. I've poured tons of time and money into supporting US racing (with success) but at the moment I'm a bit jaded. Not going to get into reasons, but they are there.

Working on a new project to help the cause but off in a different direction. We'll see.

[SVRACER01]

im in agreement with you. i can see both sides of the argument. its definitely a cop out when they seem to make no effort to promote or improve the sport. and i can also see why its hard to do so

[butcher bergs]

Saying "Americans like stadium sports" is a cop-out.

Those words weren't mine. I mentioned it because I could see truth in that statement.

IMO it all lies on the shoulders of the current leadership and nothing more.

[a13x]

Those words weren't mine. I mentioned it because I could see truth in that statement.

IMO it all lies on the shoulders of the current leadership and nothing more.

Yea I know those aren't your words man. All good.

[xsiliconkid]

OK, here's my take:
USA PRO motorcycle racing spectators are not dead....but they are in hibernation.... waiting for the product and marketing to aline. Let's hope it happens before hibernation turns to extinction.

Here's why it's not extinct yet .... but is on life support.
Last April's USA MotoGP- +131,000 spectators went through the gate over the three days with +61,000 on qualifying day.
A Great product marketed well is what 's required. Marketed well is the key.

AMApro racing
For a decade and a half now it has been messed with- we all know the history, enough has been said on the how and why*
The result, spectator eyeballs were lost, both at events and on television. It's all downhill from there.
THE PRODUct right now is better than it has been for years (we have all watched the Daytona 600 class) with great close racing. But it is far from being well sorted...
AMA pro racing has said the classes will change in 2015..but what is proposed is still missing the mark...what's needed.

If I was CEO of the organization
1. get rid of all the dead & manufacturer focused wood)
Product
1. Superbike *is* the Premier class and use World Superbike rule...Market the hell out of the teams/riders
2. 600 Class and use World SuperSport rules
3. A starter/ advancement class something like a 300 class
4. another supporting class like the XR1000 as a filler
Marketing
1 spend this year with a defined focused plan for 2015 and beyond.
2 go on the road to the stake holders, potential sponsors, financiers, promotors/ track owners, team owners etc just like any startup looking for venture Capital...The CEO has to do this with his new team...
Raise the required funds by midseason and market the new product for the second half of 2014.

Even with all this fixed and focused targeted marking it will take at least half a decade to recover...It's nature of the beast. Recovery lags well behind (just look at Indycar).

*The only point i want to focus on in the decline of AMA pro racing. Is a comment from the leader of the World's second most watched and successful sport , Bernie Eccelstone of F1. "The day the manufactures attempt to get their dirty grubby hands of running F1, draconian actions will be taken <shut it down> to keep them out. Their interest are not aligned to growing successful motor sport <entertainment> business". Example,AMAracing controlled by manufactures trying to make a "600 class" the premier class. Logic, we sell more 600cc bikes so let's push that in our racing... This was and is internally focused on their business... not what's best foe the sport.

[xsiliconkid]

I've heard that 'excuse' a million times Oxx. Yea is there truth to it? Sure. Hell I like watching SX in the stadium as well (though I love outdoor MX..) but my point about it being a 'cop-out' is that it becomes a excuse. If you are a promoter of races or marketing person in the m/c industry that utilizes racing as a platform YOUR JOB is to make people pay attention to what you want them to. THAT'S what marketing and promotion is. Figure it out.

I've had a few people in racing approach me about 'sharing my ideas' with them but I told them until they get serious and pay me for it they can pound sand. I've poured tons of time and money into supporting US racing (with success) but at the moment I'm a bit jaded. Not going to get into reasons, but they are there.

Working on a new project to help the cause but off in a different direction. We'll see.

I LIKE!

[Mr. Kurtz]

Where do we send our letters for the fan campaign to get Graham made CEO of AMA Pro Racing?

Somewhere, I heard an interesting idea on why NASCAR is so popular and motorcycle racing of all types isn't, at least in the US.

(Almost) everyone can relate to driving a car, especially around in circles. People get it, they can picture themselves being the guy doing it, and they understand how it works. Motorcycles, not so much.

[CBR929RE]

I disagree with one thing Graham said. World SuperSport rules are too expensive for a domestic support class. I think you still have to keep the costs low enough to let a privateer club guy enter and fill the grids. Sam Lowe's championship winning bike is on ebay right now for $110k. not sure how much of that is simply because of the title but the electronics on it are probably as much as a full Graves R6 bike. it would be tough to fill a grid of 20+ $100k bikes when sponsor money is very hard to come by.