WSBK: Where have all the American's gone??

stan · Post by **stan** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 5:45 am

Spent the day at Phillip Island watching SBK Qualifying and Superpole, man Troy Bayllis rocks.
New outright lap record (unofficial as it was set in Quali, not in a race) with 8 stiches in his elbow from a morning crash!!!

But we got to talking about some of our all time fav SBK races at the island, and most of them featured American riders, Doug Polan, Freddy Merks even Scotty Russel, and lets not forget the battles between Bayliss and Edwards

But today, i didn't spot one American in the field, do you think it is because the AMA superbikes are so good, your best riders no longer need to leave home to find tough compertition??

Tomorrows racing should be a cracker

stan

OW-01 · Post by **OW-01** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:39 pm

Was wondering the same thing. It's all politics, I expect after the trips to the U.S. this year that Americans will get back in the saddle. Most race teams are owned and sponsored by non-Americans, so, unless it benefits the sponsors or the manufacturers.........
Spies would have been a shoe in, but he wants to be king among the smaller pool, than fight with the best in the ocean. Plus, top AMA riders earn more here than in SBK.

stan · Post by **stan** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:31 pm

Spies is set for a moto GP future with suzuki if you beleive the rumor mill, but apart from him, who is the next big thing on the block?

Edwards is a veteran now in his mid 30"s, you have Puff Daddy and hopkins who have a while left at the top level, but without international exposure, your young guys will be out of the loop

The world supersport event at PI had Australians 1-2-3, with Corser and Bayliss 1-2 in the superbike. A youg talented Aussie is Russell Holland, currently in the WSBK, but we have no young guys trying to get in the 125 or 250cc GP field.

Hmmm Moto GP sarts up next weekend under lights in Quatar, time for a thread i think

stan

Post by **Hooligan** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:56 am

ama is boring.

djalbin · Post by **djalbin** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:24 am

stan wrote:Troy Bayliss rocks

Enjoy watching him race this season. This is his last year - he is retiring.

KontoBoy · Post by **KontoBoy** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:45 pm

One of the race mags had an interview with King Kenny who was complaining the the lack of Junior classes in the US made it hard to build a talented pool of younger riders, and that the AMA was so dominated by the manufacturers that the AMA classes were really for selling bikes, not training racers.

I kind on agrees but then I do see some club series, especially Susucki, that look like they are trying.

If you are lamenting the lack of US racers in Superbike, we in turn see quite a few talented Aussies here.

Kontoboy

owdamer · Post by **owdamer** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:20 pm

I read an article that said the top riders in AMA can earn far more money by staying put rather than coming over to compete in Europe.
I'd like to see some of your guys come over and do British Superbike and see how their results compare to Neil Hodgson & Chas Davies's efforts over there. Mind you, Finding out ama results is like learning brain surgery. The AMASuperbike website is terrible and Superbikeplanet is a bit brief.

pacer · Post by **pacer** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:08 am

Hooligan wrote:ama is boring.

Yup

stan · Post by **stan** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:30 am

I look at the results of AMA races and each race goes down to the wire, and the championship is never decided to almost the final race of the year.

A few have said "AMA Boring"...........WHY?????

stan

pacer · Post by **pacer** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:38 pm

I have tried to get into it. My problem is that too many of the tracks suck and the TV coverage sucks. The TV coverage could be just me. I know someone that won't watch MotoGP because he doesn't like the guy that is always saying "he is absolutely flying" (even if the guy is in 7th). Too many of the tracks are the same cone infested big oval infields, and never seem to have a nice flow to them. It just doesn't make me want to tune in. I must admit I have not tried to watch if for the last 2 years. Much like stick and ball sports I am more than happy to check out the highlights. The AMA has given up the reigns to some NASCAR promoters, so maybe there are good things in the future.

On a slightly different note I have the same feelings toward the U.S. Supercross. Boring. Motocross is still cool, at least the Lites because there is usually a fight for the lead. The best Motocross I have seen in years is the Canadian series. No domination and they show the whole field not the top 5.

Post by **Hooligan** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:20 am

pacer's feelings echo many of my own towards the ama.

the tv coverage, the lack of good tracks (there are a few, mind you), the dizzying array of classes and constant rule changes, all makes it a bit much.