Friday, March 7, 2008

Guest Response: AMA Selects Daytona Group for Pro Racing

It's a wonder that after 25 years of running roadracing, and flat track into the ground the AMA finally woke up and decided it was time to get rid those those cycle sports. Gone are the days when the average dirtbike riding kid (or adult for that matter) knows the name of even one RR or FT star. Do you? I don't. Ever since the AMA blundered into the golden goose that is Supercross, the AMA abandoned RR, FT, and to some degree motocross. For the AMA to sell to the people that control the tracks was a no brainer.

It's Official - AMA Selects Daytona Group for Pro Racing

It's official, the AMA is selling virtually all the Pro Racing properties (everything but SuperCross and ArenaCross) to the the Daytona investment group led by Jim France of NASCAR and ISC, and Roger Edmondson, President of the Grand American Road Race Series. Here is a video of the Daytona press conference and here is a complete transcript.

I think this is good, for a lot of reasons, but I wonder how it will affect the National Promoters Group that has worked so hard to build outdoor MX into the first-rate show that it is today. I suspect they will be fine, but it's probably a difficult time for them right now. This is a big day. More later...

Update: The National Promoters Group has issued a press release in support of the AMA sale. The language of it indicates to me that they were pretty much left out in the cold on this deal. But I have to think the Daytona Motorsports Group will rely heavily on NPG to keep doing what they've been doing, which is work to better outdoor MX. One thing I don't think will happen – I don't think DMG will try to kill off outdoor MX which what it often looked like the AMA was trying to do.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

What Happened to the AMA Road Racing Sale?

No news today on the supposed sale of AMA Pro Racing Road Race properties to the Daytona-based investment group. I checked both Cycle News and the AMA website for info and got nada.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

AMA About to Sell Pro Racing?

Cycle News is reporting today the sale of the road racing properties of AMA Pro Racing will be announced tomorrow. The reported buyer is a Daytona, FL investment group led by Jim France, president of International Speedway Corporation.

While the France family has its detractors, there is very little downside to this purchase if it happens. Given the state of the AMA, aligning motorcycle racing with arguably motorsport's most successful business model can only be a step up. Plus, the France family has shown a decided interest in and understanding of the need to maintain a healthy grass roots involvement through their "Come Home to NASCAR Dirt Track" promotion effort.

It was earlier reported that all the racing properties -- including motocross, supercross, ATV, and offroad -- would be sold as a unit. this no longer appears to be the case. Not sure if that's good or bad. Professional Motocross could benefit from a business model like NASCAR. For more on this topic see AMA Motocross Is Not NASCAR, The Cost of Inner Conflict, and The Nonprofit Professional.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Guest Response: Which Helmet Is Safest?

After reading the Sunday, March 2nd, Muddy Waters blog titled "Which Helmet Is Safest" I did a little research to find out the AMA's position and recommendation on safe helmets, and helmet testing. Boy did I come away surprised. So much so, that I feel compelled to hijack this thread away from helmets and onto the AMA's part in helmet safety. I went to the AMA rule book for help, here's what I found.

E. Competition Apparel
It is the sole responsibility of the rider to select a helmet and apparel which will provide appropriate protection. The AMA does not endorse or certify any manufacturers or products. The rider must rely on his own judgment in the selection of any helmet and apparel for durability and safety.

I was surprised to discover that not only has the AMA not been at the forefront of motorcycle helmet safety but their involvement has been almost been non-existent. In over 80 years that the AMA has been in existance, they have played almost no part in helmet developement. In fact at this time they are soliciting for DONATIONS to fund a US study. The helmet study is expected to only cost less than $6 million of which the Feds will pay half. The question that comes to mind, as why didn't the AMA fund this study years and years ago? Why doesn't the AMA use some of the pile of money they collect from sanctioning Supercross to fund such studies?

Unless I have it all wrong, I thought the mission statement of the American Motorcyclist Association is to "protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists while serving the needs of its members."

If the AMA isn't taking action or funding studies to protect the motorcycle riding public, what good is the AMA? Frankly, I am astounded at the inaction of the AMA on an issue that affects all riders, racers, and parents of riders and racers. So what have they been doing all these years? I'm not really sure, but it doesn't really seem like they have been serving the needs of its membership.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Opposing the Wholesale Closure of Public Lands

This note comes from my friend Robert Bergman in Phoenix, AZ, via the TMSuzuki Yahoo! Group. Advocates for Access to Public Lands is sponsoring a petition to fight the California Wild Heritage Bill S-493, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, and other such wholesale closures of public lands. Take a minute to add your name to the Public Lands Petition. Also be sure to check out the BlueRibbon Coalition, one of the leading public land access organizations in the country.