AMA Out Of Place
Fifty years ago, AAA was in the business of auto racing. An organization best known for trip ticks and roadside towing decided to leave race sanctioning to the pros. It's time for the American Motorcycle Association to do the same. The AMA is a great lobbyist and works tirelessly for the rights of riders all over the country. They are wonderful promoters of grassroots motorcycling. It's a group filled with honest, hardworking and good-hearted people. Unfortunately, they just don't know what to do with the pro racing arm of the empire. NASCAR never should worry again about open-wheel racing, and sports car racing is dead. There's another form of motor sports that NASCAR should fear: Superbike road racing. It could be-and should be-the next big thing, if anyone would allow it. The personalities are more interesting in Superbike racing. The access is more open. The action is more thrilling. The racing is more competitive at the front. People get geeked up when Tony Stewart bumps somebody with a fender, and they rise to their feet every time Dale Jr. makes a pass. That's nothing compared to Superbikes. Guys dragging knees and elbows at interstate speeds while cutting around concrete curbs is something to see. When's the last time NASCAR has had a lead change four times on the last lap? It should be easy to sell for the AMA, but it stays outside the mainstream. The AMA is content keeping it a niche sport with a cult following. The racing may be major league, but th business looks too much like club racing; SCCA on two wheels. Why the manufacturers put up with it is the biggest mystery. For all the money Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson and Ducati have dummped into it over the years, one would think they'd want more of a return on their investment. Ultimately the makers are in the business of selling bikes. Dealers crow about Monday sales after an event comes to town. Imagine the volume they'd do if the races were on network TV or if ESPN dropped highlights in SportsCenter. A crowd of 50,000 or more will show up at Mid-Ohio this weekend. How many would show if a little promotion and effort went into it? It's time for the AMA to pass the torch. The teams and riders need to be racing for real money and a large points fund, not the Crackerjacks they're getting. They need to be doing it in a truly professional environment where the focus is on Superbikes and only Superbikes. Whenever and whoever figures it out, look out NASCAR.
What do ya think?
Fifty years ago, AAA was in the business of auto racing. An organization best known for trip ticks and roadside towing decided to leave race sanctioning to the pros. It's time for the American Motorcycle Association to do the same. The AMA is a great lobbyist and works tirelessly for the rights of riders all over the country. They are wonderful promoters of grassroots motorcycling. It's a group filled with honest, hardworking and good-hearted people. Unfortunately, they just don't know what to do with the pro racing arm of the empire. NASCAR never should worry again about open-wheel racing, and sports car racing is dead. There's another form of motor sports that NASCAR should fear: Superbike road racing. It could be-and should be-the next big thing, if anyone would allow it. The personalities are more interesting in Superbike racing. The access is more open. The action is more thrilling. The racing is more competitive at the front. People get geeked up when Tony Stewart bumps somebody with a fender, and they rise to their feet every time Dale Jr. makes a pass. That's nothing compared to Superbikes. Guys dragging knees and elbows at interstate speeds while cutting around concrete curbs is something to see. When's the last time NASCAR has had a lead change four times on the last lap? It should be easy to sell for the AMA, but it stays outside the mainstream. The AMA is content keeping it a niche sport with a cult following. The racing may be major league, but th business looks too much like club racing; SCCA on two wheels. Why the manufacturers put up with it is the biggest mystery. For all the money Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson and Ducati have dummped into it over the years, one would think they'd want more of a return on their investment. Ultimately the makers are in the business of selling bikes. Dealers crow about Monday sales after an event comes to town. Imagine the volume they'd do if the races were on network TV or if ESPN dropped highlights in SportsCenter. A crowd of 50,000 or more will show up at Mid-Ohio this weekend. How many would show if a little promotion and effort went into it? It's time for the AMA to pass the torch. The teams and riders need to be racing for real money and a large points fund, not the Crackerjacks they're getting. They need to be doing it in a truly professional environment where the focus is on Superbikes and only Superbikes. Whenever and whoever figures it out, look out NASCAR.
What do ya think?
