Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki's Mat Mladin and Tommy Hayden (Photo: Brian J Nelson) » More Photos

Professional Teams

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An ultra-deep Superbike field would require more than just four or five two-rider factory Superbike teams as the potential contenders. The spec tires and tighter engine restrictions are intended to create an environment where sponsor (rather than solely manufacturer)-backed professional teams could emerge, which would be necessary for the overall vision to become a reality (and this just happens to be a vision shared by Edmondson as stated at the introduction press conference).

Making sure teams like Michael Jordan’s (particularly Michael Jordan’s) have a realistic chance of succeeding could be a boon for the series, both in terms of the competitive environment and potential marketing opportunities.

And if well-heeled prospective team owners saw an opportunity to compete, they would be more likely to join the party as well.

Flex Jim France’s NASCAR-tattooed muscles, and perhaps some bigger, more mainstream sponsors would follow suit.

Points System

The current system is out of step with the rest of world and rewards consistency over victory. This must change.

I’ve long wondered why the current system exists as it does and the best explanation I’ve heard is that paying points deep into the field helps to spread out the prize money and gives low ranking team proof of results, helping them secure sponsorship.

Actually giving them a true opportunity to secure race wins and championships as laid out above is a much better way of pointing them in the direction of potential sponsors.

It’s time to start aiming bigger. Scrap the current points system and flat-out adopt the FIM system.

Building Personalities

The AMA Superbike paddock is full of eccentric, entertaining, and charismatic personalities -- ready-made heroes and villains just waiting for a primetime audience. It’s time to let the world know. The above mentioned magazine television program is just one way of supporting this goal.

Another small step that the AMA actually introduced this season is the much more permissive number plate regulations. Small yes, but a wise move. Just wait, you’ll see NASCAR-styled hats, t-shirts, and stickers based on the new plates such as Mat Mladin’s Aussie-flavored ‘6’ and Spies’ groovy collection of ‘1s’ soon enough.

Again, there is a lot of overlap and interconnectivity linking the concepts behind this vision. One super-powerful Superbike class that demands nearly all of the media attention will make it much easier to promote personalities with zero need to explain to local television programs that this guy competes in one class and that guy rides in another.

Lure Ducati Back into the Fold

Figure out how to fairly fit Ducati’s 1200 into the new Superbike regulations. The Italian manufacturer attracts its own audience and brings some much needed glamor, credibility, and contrast to the paddock.