Prove he was?? You do it for me with this statement:
garyb425 - 29 April 2008 11:04 AM
Roberts had the backing of American Yamaha in '78 when he went to Europe, but was not a 'factory' rider.
What do you mean "not a factory rider"?? Then what do you call it?? You're splitting hairs here. Just because he wasn't sponsored by Yamaha Europe?? I guess because N. Hayden got over to Europe with the help of American Honda, he was not a "factory" rider either.
Roberts was a two time GNC champ in '73 &'74 and reigning F1 champ in '77. You're telling me he didn't have Yamaha's full support when he went to Europe in '78?? You're high.
Cecotto and (i can not remember his name) received the full factory kits... it was not until mid-78 when KRSr started getting the best the factory had... Goodyear was still giving him costomer spec tires until about mid-season... when the Goodyear racing big wig found out he freaked and immediately started sending developemental tires to KRSr...
this is coming from KRSr own mouth, but, i am typing it, so, it probably is all just made up, right Joe?
What frustrates me the most isn't that DMG is changing the series but how radical those changes are.
Why couldn't they have just started by cutting the series down to 3 categories, real superbikes, DMG superbikes and 600 Supersport. They could still run Moto-ST as a separate series or even in conjunction with the AMA race weekend if they wanted to.
Shift the team ownership to "private" ownership instead of direct ownership by the factories and then even out the equipment through the rules.
The reason this wasn't an option, imo, is it would leave Buell to contest the "non" premier class and they (DMG) desparately want them in the top category.
There will still be a wide gulf between the haves and have nots. How many privateer teams will be able to hire their own engineers, suspension specialists, data specialists, etc..... The top teams will still be the top teams, they will be able to get better/bigger sponsorships and that money will allow them to do some of the things the factory does now while the privateers and second tier teams will still not be able to afford it.
I talked to both Kenny and Kel Carruthers about it too, but that was over 20 years ago. Apparently they were unaware they had the full force of Yamaha behind them.
Shift the team ownership to "private" ownership instead of direct ownership by the factories and then even out the equipment through the rules.
What frustrates me is the number of people who seem to think this is easy. The series doesn't have a title sponsor, one that would be announced at every event, how are they going to find people to spend MORE on a team that may or may not get TV exposure?
The reason this wasn't an option, imo, is it would leave Buell to contest the "non" premier class and they (DMG) desparately want them in the top category.
Have you taken a look to see how competitive Buell has been in MotoST?
Cecotto and (i can not remember his name) received the full factory kits... it was not until mid-78 when KRSr started getting the best the factory had... Goodyear was still giving him costomer spec tires until about mid-season... when the Goodyear racing big wig found out he freaked and immediately started sending developemental tires to KRSr...
this is coming from KRSr own mouth, but, i am typing it, so, it probably is all just made up, right Joe?
If you are going to be a smart guy about it then yes, it could be all made up. Did he tell you this himself or are you rehashing from your admittedly poor memory an interview you read? Why should I believe you or anyone else on the internet? Let's see some documentation in the form of links or scans.
I check all my facts at the AMA website before I start spouting off.
Try to find much of ANYTHING on '78 on the net, other than who won. I couldn't even find the final points standings to see who the other 'works' Yamaha rider was in '78 (I think Cecotto is correct, seems like the other was Wil Hartog but he changed teams a couple of times and I can't remember definitely if it was him).
Joe, you checked the facts on the AMA site and it said Roberts was a factory Yamaha rider in '78? What link?
Where's the part where it says he had factory support? I know that he won '78-80, was third in '81, 4th in '82 and second in '83 - I didn't need that to tell me it (not even sure it said it there, I remember that time).
When I say he had support from American Yamaha, he received some monetary support and they bought his bikes. Kel modified them in his garage and off they went.
I think Cecotto (as LJB said) and Hartog were the factory Yamaha boys.
The reason this wasn't an option, imo, is it would leave Buell to contest the "non" premier class and they (DMG) desparately want them in the top category.
Have you taken a look to see how competitive Buell has been in MotoST?
That is where the ECU's come into play. Like I said before the teams already assume there will not be a "spec" ECU for the class or even a model. Like I said in another thread, if you read the interview with the two DMG officials on the SOUP site there is no doubt they are only concerned with attracting the Harley crowds just like the NHRA has done. And just like the NHRA they will what ever it takes to make Harley win. The NHRA has even added weight to the aftermarket "Buell" engine bikes because the factory Harleys aren't winning.
