Kawi says goodbye to AMA

[caeman]

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1/5333/Motorcycle-Article/Kawasaki-Officially-Out-of-AMA-Road-Racing.aspx

snippet from the article:

With Kawasaki out of the mix as well as Honda, that leaves only Suzuki, M4 Suzuki and Geico Suzuki, Graves Yamaha, as well as Larry Pegram on a lone Ducati and presumably the Jordan Suzuki team. How many bikes that will total is unknown at this time, but it’s definitely not many when spread between two classes. Things are shaping up for as weak of a grid as we’ve seen in decades for AMA Pro Racing.

The Suzuki Road Racing series!

[KZ-Rob]

Sad for all. When any race series becomes a one or two horse show, fan lose intrest fast. Ask NHRA, or NASCAR.

[caeman]

This is where multi-class racing like the Rolex Sports Car series is nice. You may know a certain car is going to dominate in a given class, but you still have 3 to 4 other classes to keep things interesting.

[LoDownSinner]

Last season was actually the closest racing fans of the AMA had enjoyed in years.

[aprilmaybe]

Last season was actually the closest racing fans of the AMA had enjoyed in years.

There weren't too many fans watching though.

[LoDownSinner]

Actually, the numbers were about the same as the previous seasons.

[CaptCrash]

Wouldn't it be great if this were all DMG's fault? Unfortunately the problem is the economy. There's just not the dough around to throw in all directions. Hopefully things will turn around and we'll see NEW Suzuki's (not just graphics updates) winning again.


*disclaimer--as a old, old school Suzuki guy I'm impressed Suzuki is so wonderfully ruthless in thier ownership of AMA and now AMA/DMG racing. A little distressed that Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki are so willing to cede the crown. Kawasaki has a GREAT tradition in Superbike and I'd love to see them compete again.

[LoDownSinner]

It seems that prior to the DMG buyout the classes were structured so that each manufacturer would win a championship. Suzuki had Superbike locked up, Honda pretty much owned formula Extreme, and Kawasaki and Yamaha went back and forth on Supersport and Superstock. That may not be the case, but it certainly seemed that way for several years.

[caeman]

I would place some of the blame on the DMG. Yes, money is tight, but if the OEMs really like what was going on, they would find a way to make it work. But, they have shown open disapproval of the DMG.

So, money is tight. "Hey, we don't like the DMG, so let's cut racing this year. Maybe the DMG will bankrupt and the MIC can form its own series." is how I imagine some conversations behind closed doors.

[CaptCrash]

So, money is tight. "Hey, we don't like the DMG, so let's cut racing this year. Maybe the DMG will bankrupt and the MIC can form its own series." is how I imagine some conversations behind closed doors.

So. Money is tight. Let's stop racing...and then spend even more? Remember the MIC is the manufacturers. If the MIC starts a series it's going to be with Honda, Harley, BMW, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki money.

One of the very delicate calculations here is manufacturer funds. Where do they want to put thier money?

Suzuki's GSXR marketing plan is completely built on "Owning the Racetrack" they're not going anywhere 'cause they're getting what they want.

Yamaha, if they want to push "race proven" have WSB to lean on. Their success is international in nature. They have no need for racing in the US.

Honda...well is there really any other racing than MotoGP for Honda--it's where they put their money and their mouth.

Kawasaki? What's to lose by thier backing out? They simply save money, keep Jason Britton on ZX-6 and call it a win.

[LoDownSinner]

Yamaha, if they want to push "race proven" have WSB to lean on. Their success is international in nature. They have no need for racing in the US.
They also seem to be holding their own in MotoGP...


Honda...well is there really any other racing than MotoGP for Honda--it's where they put their money and their mouth.
LOL!!! Except they treat their riders like crap, and the last two World Champs they've had on the roster have jumped ship. Pedrosa's results have come a bit short of his attitude and expectations.


Kawasaki? What's to lose by thier backing out? They simply save money, keep Jason Britton on ZX-6 and call it a win.
And then there's that Ricky Gadson guy, he's been doing fairly well on the drag stip.

[caeman]

James Stewart rides a Kawi 450 dirt bike, yes? Or did.

EDIT: Okay, looks JS is on a Yami now, and Reed is on Kawi.

[CaptCrash]

They also seem to be holding their own in MotoGP...


Yes, and they've had trouble linking the M1 to the R1 except for the crossplane. AND if you're looking for race on Sunday, sell on Monday, then Ben is your boy.


LOL!!! Except they treat their riders like crap, and the last two World Champs they've had on the roster have jumped ship. Pedrosa's results have come a bit short of his attitude and expectations.

Here's the deal: where have they been constantly spending the dough? MotoGP. They even feature it in their company feel good spots. They're not much of a force in WSB and haven't been on the AMA radar in a big way. Hence, they seem content to work on MotoGP.


And then there's that Ricky Gadson gay, he's been doing fairly well on the drag stip.

Does Ricky know this? Oh the difference one letter makes...

BUT look, Gadson and Britton are...Drag and Stunt? Urban? Not roadracing that's for sure. Makes sense for Kawi to put thier dough where it's most effective...which wierdly, isn't American RoadRacing.

[LoDownSinner]

DOH!!!! Well, drag racing is kinda gay, but I didn't mean to rag on Ricky. I mean, a drag race is just what gets you to turn one, where the real racing starts. :mrgreen:

[CaptCrash]

DOH!!!! Well, drag racing is kinda gay, but I didn't mean to rag on Ricky. I mean, a drag race is just what gets you to turn one, where the real racing starts. :mrgreen:

Having grown up around San Francisco...drag racing, to me, conjures many odd images...:shock:

[WoodstockJeff]

DOH!!!! Well, drag racing is kinda gay, but I didn't mean to rag on Ricky. I mean, a drag race is just what gets you to turn one, where the real racing starts. :mrgreen:

You have to be careful when posting from an iPhone with its auto-correct-for-what-we-know-you-really-meant-when-you-hit-space feature... it will get you into trouble every time you try guy-bashing! :slap: