posted October 14, 2003 08:22 AM
I remember when we tried to start a united voice among riders several times. The problem was always breaking ranks. If you're not "one united voice", it doesn't work. I think in all cases, it was the factory riders not uniting with us. Therefore, it doesn't work. Until that happens, the AMA can and will do whatever it wants...
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posted October 15, 2003 03:02 AM
Why is it that riders are able to pull together in Europe, but not in the States? I refer to the famous riders boycott in years gone by...
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posted October 15, 2003 06:24 PM
Because they run a superior program to ours in every way. There are far more "factory level" type riders over there. There is more equality in the relationship between rider and sponsers. There rider reps have strong credibility and power of a united "voice" with the riders. They stand together much more. The tracks are superior, as are the promoters. Then again, they can also profit more, as well as have far more to lose, so they listen to the riders and such. Here, we have such a minor number of us overall, that are extremely passionate about our sport. Over there, it's a lifestyle. They live it on such a much larger scale than we do.
Here, we have far fewer factory riders and/or factory supported riders. The AMA continues to have a complete dictatership over the riders, and somewhat, the sponsers and race tracks. Where is the united voice??!!!
Unfortunetly, we can't even begin to compare our sanctioning body to European led entities. And I absolutely hate saying it, but I lived it and I feel it's true. I was an AMA & FIM Pro for 12 years. There were only a handful of people that seemed to show obvious respect to us, the riders, in the AMA. It seems to me that nothing has changed much since I stopped racing professionally in '90. After I got back from Suzuka in '88, it was a shock to my system. They (FIM) treated ALL the riders with so much respect in Japan, I just kinda became disenchanted with our organization. here. After a few more years, it was like, whatever, tell it to the hand, I got better things to do with my life now...
It's like when they decided to get rid of the 250 class. How in god's name is that possible? Think of the history! Think of the greatest riders on the planet who came up on 250's. Ok, sorry guys but I'm rambling and could go on and on.... But god-damit I love this sport and I've invested all of my adult life into it; as a hobby, a profession, a career.
End note - One united voice can change things. All the factory riders need the support of their sponsers, and the support of the privateers and vice/versa. Once that is agreed to, the AMA will no longer be the dictator of a sport that I love so very much. They won't be racing for purses that anyone other than the winner, would barely be able to pay his tire bill with, let alone all his individual and/or team expenses. If I remember right, Rich Oliver and I made more money for our 20 something place finish at Suzuka, than we would have if we won a AMA National.
We would not be racing at tracks the riders continue to bitch about and continue to be maimed and/or killed at. But we have no united voice, so how can things change? The answer is in that question... I could go on with a redelk worthy spiel, but I won't.....For now.
posted October 15, 2003 06:36 PM
one serious disadvantage the AMA, and the sport of racing in general, has compared to europe (imho) is population density. it HAS to be considerably easier for the european events to fill a large venue with spectators than it is here, simply cause there's more people nearby to attend. this of course shoudltn effect the specific issue of respect for riders. then again, maybe it does. maybe the sponsors feel themselves more improtant here because of that reason, and thus hold more power over the sanctioning body. just a thought.
one other thought regarding the respect for riders, a couple respected people have written that riders tend to have a pretty lousy attitude. certainly not all, but more than there shoudl be. holier than thou kinda stuff. that sure aint gonna help.
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posted October 14, 2003 02:04 AM
posted October 15, 2003 06:24 PM
