mustang6172 - 15 September 2008 03:54 PM

So is DMG going to do away with Factory Superbike?

Reguardless of what DMG wanted, they offered it.

The primary classes are Factory Superbike, American Superbike, and Daytona Superbike. Each of the classes has their own regulations and character. Secondary programs include the Red Bull AMA US Rookies Cup and Sun Trust Moto-ST, which will be added at select events. Time will be built into each race weekend format to allow for local special activities, fan-walks on pit road, extended pre-race rider introductions, and post-race podium celebrations, complete with public rider interviews for fans and private briefings for the press.

Factory Superbike is a new program, free from the constraints of attempts to balance the resources of the factory teams to those of private entries. Featured are liter class sport bikes, operating at the highest level of technology and performance. Plans call for full implementation of FIM World Superbike rules by 2011, but to ease the transition from current equipment, in 2009 Factory Superbikes will be prepared to the specifications agreed to in 2007 by the AMA Rules Committee and manufacturers.

Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha, have all requested use of those rules for 2009. The required Factory Pro license will only be issued to riders with a proven record of experience and performance at the top level of the sport. Other features of this new competition include single-bike qualifying, open tire selection, and unlimited testing. Factory Superbike will be the final race on most event weekends.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=6824&Page=1

Yes they are doing away with factory superbike. The offer from DMG was that each factory had to field at least 4 bikes, 2 had to be full kit superbikes and the other 2 did not. With Suzuki and Honda not even in the series and Kawasaki sitting on the fence that only leaves Yamaha. So with only one factory committed they can't very well run a four bike race. In any event I doubt Yamaha wants to spend the $ it would take to race factory superbike, they haven't been over the past few years.

fastnloose - 15 September 2008 01:22 PM

Odie, you need to back it down a tad. My sources tell me that EVERY track promoter has given DMG/Edmondson/AMA/whatever their commitment. This is not the sort of thing they do lightly or in the face of broken promises. This is the sort of thing you do because you believe him.

You don't see Miller or Laguna on the list. Yes they will have some "AMA activity" but that doesn't mean superbike racing. There was AMA activity at this weekends MotoGP round if you count the AMA Red Bull Rookies Cup.

Looks like the Miller and Laguna rounds will be replaced by Topeka and New Jersey.

Dirtymopossie08 - 15 September 2008 07:45 PM

American motorcycle racing needs to get as far away as possible from the France family and nascar.

fastnloose - 15 September 2008 04:18 PM

I repeat, you might want to back it down a bit. The promoters have had their say. ALL are on board with DMG. What do they know that we don't know? TONS!!!!

The letters of intent are not binding. They are filled with statements like “pending manufacture participation”. At least four promoters including Miller and Laguna Seca didn’t even sign a letter of intent, even though Edmondson told them yesterday was the deadline. Without the factories nine of eleven races have no sponsors. He can’t even fund the second Daytona race he covets so much.

The bottom line is either Edmondson removes the horse power restrictions on the 600’s (the cornerstone of his vision) or there will be two series next year. And unless the France’s open their check book, USSB will have funding and dmg will not. From everything I’ve heard or read about them the France’s hate writing checks, unless they get a bigger check from someone else first.

I have to admit though your choice of words is spot on. The future direction of American racing depends on whether Edmondson “backs it down“ on the horse power rule. We’ll find out in about a week when he starts leaking information to pro-dmg web sites.