Fontana Superbike Results

Re: AMA needs to reformat??

No, what we need is a whole-scale cooperative re-alignment involving the national championships, World Superbike, MotoGP, and the manufacturers. The goal should be promoting logical levels of competition based on product offerings, realistic racing program outlays by mfgrs, and an understandable, linear ascension program for riders.

In other words, increased spectator/participant participation to aid increased motorcycle sales, less costly racing programs to increase likelihood of new mfgr participation and more broad participation by existing mfgrs, and highly defined processes regarding how to begin racing (for adults and MOST importantly, kids) so we can expand the talent base.

How do we do it?

AMA, BSB, and All-Japan need to drop superbike all together and elevate superstock to the premier class. This way the national championships can actually be what they should be, which is talent feeders for World Superbike and MotoGP.

World Supers could then be the premier production-based racing series it wants to be, with the event calendar lengthened, and touching all continents and major motorsports markets.

World Superbike would then be a perfect talent feeder for MotoGP, and this makes sense as the 125/250 2-stroke class machines have less than zero relevance to MotoGP now.

Let's make some rules, too. Like, if you win the national superstock championship, you are automatically promoted to World Supers, and YOU HAVE TO GO!!!!

None of this squatting in the minor leagues by people who are satisfied being big fish in a very small pond.

I am withholding comment on the quality of the AMA superbike right now, I personally hope that the hondas, and Ducati get up to speed (not top speed) with Mladin and the factory Suzuki.

I do think that the 4 series don't offer much in excitement or variety right now. I would love to see some buells, or 750 ducs in the FX class, but it takes an effin amount of money to participate, much less compete in a pro level national series. So the riders look at the out of the box formula that gets them somewhat competitive with minimal investment in R&D and hand made parts.

I think that Superstock, and supersport, with an FX style bring your franken-cycle balls out modified bike would eliminate some cross over.

The factory teams would still dominate in each class, but it should tighten the competition some.

As for tires, the manufacturers should bring their supply of tires to the events and hand the keys to the trailers to the AMA race director so that all racers get access to the same tires, at the same cost as the factory teams.