Just wanted to know anyones thought on the rumor that was started durring the FX race that speed played on tuesday, about the Superbike class switching to 600's.
Yeah DMG looks to be making some fairly radical changes. I'm gonna wait to form an opinion on it though, because it seems like everything is still flexible. Going to be interesting though, that's for sure! Personally, my main concern right now is the plan to eliminate the supersport class which, IMO, provides the best racing for the fans right now. Hopefully they decide to keep it, or their proposed rule/class changes result in racing that is equally as competitive. Time will tell...
I'm with Nick on this one... I couldn't care less what they do now that they've killed SuperSport. To me it's incredible that the manufacturers have (seemingly) completely rolled over on the death of their bread and butter "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" class with the best racing action in the World. Maybe this is my ignorance talking. Maybe they sell more 1000cc bikes and I should go away. -Tom
If you follow all the news the manufacturers are not happy at all with the AMA proposals. They want to keep 1000 cc SuperBike as this is the class that leads to the most sales. Follow the news on www.superbikeplanet.com among others Some of the suggestions I head in years past was keep SuperBike and FX (600) for the pro riders and for top level racers riding the full year on SuperBike or FX don't get to race superstock and supersport (which would be on basically stock 600 & 1000 cc machines respectively). The idea would be the "lower" classes allow a place for newer racers to get their start.
NASCAR --gets my vote. But it is cool to see privateers fight it out with the big boys. On another note, what does everyone think of switching to a single 'official' tire manufacturer? Soon we won't have to worry about brand choice, we'll all be running Goodyears!
Re: NASCAR I agree with much of the above opinions and if you read Mat Mladin's comments about all of this he seems to have most of it pegged. In the past Dunlop used to give not so good tires to the "rest of the field" in AMA. "Rest of the field" means, non-factory riders. i.e. privateers and smaller teams. WSBK (the Flammini brothers) original concept on what people today are calling control tires was really their control of the tire manufacturers. i.e. Michelin had to support a fair portion of the grid if they chose to support anyone. Not just one racer on the best tire they could make. The original proposal was if 2 tire manufacturers support anyone they must provide enough tires of equal caliber to at least two thirds the field and the second supplier the same. That way every one is covered and if a 'customer' chose to change at a particular venue they possibly could. If three suppliers, then each of the three would provide enough tires for nearly half the grid, for the same reason. Michelin and Dunlop hated this and pulled all support which left Pirelli and what appears like a control tire. Which it isn't. Its tire control or a quarantee of equal equipment. If you look at the top teams in AMA SuperBike they are all essentially getting the same Dunlop tires so they are essentially on the "same tire". Regardless, a 600 superbike class will be more dangerous at most tracks, not safer. why? Because the need for more corner speed, where the concrete, tire, hay bale etc... walls are the issue, and crashers will hit more hard stuff because of the higher speed. Never good. The 1,000s, because of their power, cut better lap times with squaring corners off, picking up the bike and the throttle, so when they crash it is usually at corner exit (not entry or mid-corner) where they'll go more down the track and not at mid corner like a 600 would be more likely to go. The example is MotoGP. Now they are on 800's and the corner speeds are higher when compared to the 990's. No reason this will be any different. What I find curious and odd about DMG doing this. They have stuck with fire breathing 358 cid V-8, push rod engines putting out about 830 hp (really) while essentially no car manufacturer builds these today. Why not keep the fire breathing 1,000 cc motorcycle? It doesn't add up or mesh with the concept. DMG mentions Suzuki, specifically Yoshimura Suzuki dominating Superbike for several years and this is why they want to revamp the rules so much. Well, that may be so but so have some other manufacturers in the past. Everyone else just has to catch up. Besides, Spies will go to MotoGP and Mat will quit riding AMA superbike because he won't have competition there in 2009. So its up in the air again.
I wonder who they get their consulting from. They have to be talking to some racers or race sponsors.
Re: NASCAR If DMG could only see your point and excercise patience. Look how long Suzuki and Mat Mladin have been together. I'm sure he's had much developement with the big Suzook; that, with Mat's masterful riding, would explain why Suzuki Superbike team does so well. I can't believe it's the bike alone or we would see all 3 Suzooks on the podium every race (no offense to Tommy).
Re: NASCAR Sparky Next year you will be able to get the same bike that Mat Mladin will be on, ware this year you could not even if you had $$$$$$. Now you can go to your local m/c dealer and get a race bike that will have a chance (with the right rider) to win a race. That is my point.
I'm confused now. I scroll up and only see "I can't wait" from you. Now you're making points? What point would that be? You're in favor for the DMG proposals of American Superbike and Daytona Superbike?
+1 i think this would be a better solution than just to get rid of the class all together. it will be interesting to see what happens
Dropping 1,000 cc Superbike doesn't make sense in relation to the rest of the world WSBK, BSB, etc.... If Ben Spies didn't have his background in 1,000 cc AMA Superbike with his titles, then he wouldn't have his present WSBK ride; and, we all know he should be in MotoGP. Once again that is a completely different animal. I'm still waiting to see what will happen with Kawasaki in MotoGP.