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AMA Pro Superbike
AMA SBK: VIR Fallout
As the story behind the VIR cancellation continues to come into focus, attention shifts to where AMA Pro Racing goes from here.
Seven-time AMA Superbike champ Mat Mladin(Photo: Evan Williams)
The cancellation of the AMA Pro VIR round continues to be a hot-button topic in the American racing community. After the news broke Monday, AMA Pro COO David Atlas spoke with media outlets. VIR then issued a second press release, attempting to deflect the blame that had landed on the track after the bad news.
On Thursday, Roadracing World editor John Ulrich delved into the topic with an editorial that reveals details of the disaster on the magazine’s website. Ulrich chronicled how the event was derailed when the track tried to take over promotion of the event during a bad economy and gives a timeline of contractual dealings between AMA Pro and VIR. A worthy read.
The VIR event’s demise showcases some of the current issues in AMA Pro Racing, specifically the money crunch the parties involved face and how they affect the events.
Suzuki sponsored the VIR event for years (at the rate of $100,000 per year to the track according to Ulrich), and just as importantly promoted the event to motorcyclists. One year, Suzuki gave away a free ticket, parking, and lunch to Gixxer owners to celebrate 20 years of the GSX-R. It’s hard for a track to buy that buzz to a captive audience but Suzuki was paying to do it.
People love “free” but they buy extra tickets, t-shirts, and cold drinks. If they have fun, they come back next year.
Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki all were paying rates in that ballpark and doing similar things to promote races. Even Ducati and Michelin bellied up to the bar and sponsored Brainerd one year.
On Thursday, Roadracing World editor John Ulrich delved into the topic with an editorial that reveals details of the disaster on the magazine’s website. Ulrich chronicled how the event was derailed when the track tried to take over promotion of the event during a bad economy and gives a timeline of contractual dealings between AMA Pro and VIR. A worthy read.
The VIR event’s demise showcases some of the current issues in AMA Pro Racing, specifically the money crunch the parties involved face and how they affect the events.
Suzuki sponsored the VIR event for years (at the rate of $100,000 per year to the track according to Ulrich), and just as importantly promoted the event to motorcyclists. One year, Suzuki gave away a free ticket, parking, and lunch to Gixxer owners to celebrate 20 years of the GSX-R. It’s hard for a track to buy that buzz to a captive audience but Suzuki was paying to do it.
People love “free” but they buy extra tickets, t-shirts, and cold drinks. If they have fun, they come back next year.
Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki all were paying rates in that ballpark and doing similar things to promote races. Even Ducati and Michelin bellied up to the bar and sponsored Brainerd one year.
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