MotoAmerica Announces Class Structure, $1 Million Prize Fund For 2018

[thedub]

MotoAmerica has announced it is making changes to its class structure for the 2018 MotoAmerica Series with the addition of three new classes and the realignment of two others.

Kinda sounds to me like it will be harder for local club racers to wildcard in the 600 class. But I think that's actually what they want; more season long entry commitments.
It will be interesting to see where the Twins class goes.

 

[Slow Goat]

No more SuperStocks and $775K of the $1M goes to the SuperBike class.

Hmmm.

 

[thedub]

No more SuperStocks and $775K of the $1M goes to the SuperBike class.

Hmmm.

They are trying to lure in more factory involvement.

 

[berth]

So, quick question here.

Is a Stock 1000 motorcycle legal for the Superbike class? Or is there some other mechanism keeping Stock 1000 riders out of signing up for a SB race?

Similarly, whats so special about Supersport bikes that would keep locals out of the races?

Do they have more than 2 Superbike teams (and Larry Pagram) for the SB field? Or is it just going to be Josh, Cam, Roger, Tony and Larry?

The Twins is a nice gateway series in to racing I think.

Oh, maybe not:

Over 600cc up to 850cc 4 stroke 2- cylinder

There go all the Hondas.

And, I dunno, SV650s against FZ-7s?? is that even fair?

 

[black cx]

So, quick question here.

Is a Stock 1000 motorcycle legal for the Superbike class? Or is there some other mechanism keeping Stock 1000 riders out of signing up for a SB race?

Similarly, whats so special about Supersport bikes that would keep locals out of the races?

Do they have more than 2 Superbike teams (and Larry Pagram) for the SB field? Or is it just going to be Josh, Cam, Roger, Tony and Larry?

The Twins is a nice gateway series in to racing I think.

Oh, maybe not:

Over 600cc up to 850cc 4 stroke 2- cylinder

There go all the Hondas.

And, I dunno, SV650s against FZ-7s?? is that even fair?

Electronics and $$$$ parts

 

[thedub]

Is a Stock 1000 motorcycle legal for the Superbike class? Or is there some other mechanism keeping Stock 1000 riders out of signing up for a SB race?

It sounds like riders will only be licensed for one or the other.

Similarly, whats so special about Supersport bikes that would keep locals out of the races?

It's more difficult to have to qualify against the top 600 supersport riders than the other superstock riders.

Do they have more than 2 Superbike teams (and Larry Pagram) for the SB field? Or is it just going to be Josh, Cam, Roger, Tony and Larry?

The current Superstock 1000 riders/teams will all be in the Superbike class as the new Stock 1000 class is meant for racers with little or no current 1000cc experiance at the National level.

 

[Map8]

The twins rules look more like superbike mods than supersport mods. I really thought we would see something closer to supersport or superstock rules for this class; just modifications for suspension, intake and exhaust along bodywork and swapping handlebars for clipons. These "superbike" twins could be expensive bikes to build. If it costs as much or more to build and campaign a twin as it does to run a 600 supersport, I'm not sure how about this class. I like the idea but I'm taking a wait and see approach to the execution. FZ-07s can go heads up against SVs. KTM has a SuperDuke 800 twin on the way and there may be a few Ducatis eligible for that class. Don't know what the hot ticket will be but it won't be cheap. Then again, pro racing never is.

The 2017 and prior 600 Supersport rules were more open with regard to mods and electronics than the 600 Superstock rules. There was no way a 600 superstock bike could compete with the Graves Yamahas or Ulrich's Suzuki so the great majority of racers chose 600 superstock. The new rules may or may not help. Rob will weigh in on this with more detail I'm sure.

There have been at least seven bikes racing the MA Superbike class: Hayes, Beaubier, Elias, Hayden, Wyman, Herrin and Gagne. Pegram hasn't race Superbike regularly for a few years though he did substitute for someone at Road America this season, IIRC, complete with an AARP patch on his leathers. :laughing It appears MotoAmerica are trying to force teams like ADR, TOBC, Latus Motors, Chris Ulrich's Suzuki team with Jake Lewis and other 1000cc Superstock racers into the Superbike class. I don't know if they will allow the new 1000cc stock bikes into Superbike as grid fillers but I doubt it as they want that new class to be a stepping stone to Superbike.

I'm still digesting the rule changes and need more info before forming an opinion. The 1000cc superstock and 600 superstock classes consistently offered really entertaining racing and those two are the most impacted by the new rules. The KTM RC Cup races were pretty damn good, too but that class has also been replaced.

 

[thedub]

The twins rules look more like superbike mods than supersport mods. I really thought we would see something closer to supersport or superstock rules for this class; just modifications for suspension, intake and exhaust along bodywork and swapping handlebars for clipons. These "superbike" twins could be expensive bikes to build. If it costs as much or more to build and campaign a twin as it does to run a 600 supersport, I'm not sure how about this class. I like the idea but I'm taking a wait and see approach to the execution. FZ-07s can go heads up against SVs. KTM has a SuperDuke 800 twin on the way and there may be a few Ducatis eligible for that class. Don't know what the hot ticket will be but it won't be cheap. Then again, pro racing never is.

Yeah, it's gonna be a who-can-spend-the-most class.

 

[FourThreeSix]

Supersport has been toned down to closer reflect STK600 it looks like. The internal mods are scaled back quite a bit. I think the grids will stay the same.

The Twins class looks like it'll be a money class. Haven't seen any model exclusions, but based on the rules currently a Ducati 848 is still eligible to race.

To be continued...

 

[scootergmc]

I haven't seen an FIM homologation list for twins.... anyone?

 

[stangmx13]

notable mods for 2018 SS that 2017 STK600 couldnt do:
- cut the head, grind the valves, and polish the combustion chamber.
- lower weight limit and Ti bolts allowed
- wheel speed and lambda sensors can be added to be used with the ECU control strategies
- 7 sensors of data logging allowed, but no IMU unless originally fitted
- any brake discs as long as diameter is the same + any master

the head work should be worth a little HP, but it wont be expensive because no cams and no other work.

the ECU and sensor stuff doesnt change much since the '17 R6 already had all that in STK. but itll keep the other bikes as competitive as they have been in SS. only OEM or Kit ECUs are allowed, so itll depend on who can make the best flash anyways.

 

[berth]

Yeah, it's gonna be a who-can-spend-the-most class.

I didn't think the American racing was in a position where folks were looking for more places to spend money and race. I actually thought they were going in the opposite direction.

It looks like the prize purse is $75K per weekend. Still two SB races per weekend, right? 10 events, 20 races, $750K for SB?

 

[stangmx13]

I didn't think the American racing was in a position where folks were looking for more places to spend money and race. I actually thought they were going in the opposite direction.

It looks like the prize purse is $75K per weekend. Still two SB races per weekend, right? 10 events, 20 races, $750K for SB?

ya its a genuine concern about the Twins class already. ive already seen MA officials having talks w/ ppl in the paddock about it.

the purse doesnt work exactly like that. season entrants can sign up for Premier status. they promise to field rider(s) for the entire season, have hospitality, look professional, all that stuff. and in return, they get a guaranteed purse no matter where they finish the race. the guaranteed purse this year for SBK is $2000 per race. i expect that amount is going to increase for next year. thats already a SBK tire budget per round. any more is going to be awesome for them.

all in all, guaranteed purses are a good thing for our sport. position-based payouts, championship payouts, and even tire contingency ALWAYS benefits the teams that need it the least, the ones already winning. subsidizing the smaller teams helps them a lot more than the larger teams and keeps the grids fuller and stronger. Dorna is doing the same thing in GP and WSBK.

 

[berth]

the purse doesnt work exactly like that. season entrants can sign up for Premier status. they promise to field rider(s) for the entire season, have hospitality, look professional, all that stuff. and in return, they get a guaranteed purse no matter where they finish the race. the guaranteed purse this year for SBK is $2000 per race. i expect that amount is going to increase for next year. thats already a SBK tire budget per round. any more is going to be awesome for them.

Per race? Or per weekend? It is still 2 SB races per weekend, right?

Cuz thats $40K over 10 rounds, that's a pretty penny for just showing up ($20K ain't nothing either). I mean, if I have to drop some up front dollars to get a logo'd easy up, some matching shirts, an ice chest and some sodas, and have my sister hand out stickers and flyers, then yea, that's just free money.

I completely get your point about how high purses pay those that already have the budgets. But at the same time, there needs to be some incentive to perform, otherwise it just sounds like a subsidy than a purse.

I harken back to the Toyota 200 at Willow, which had a huge purse for the race, and paid, like $1000 back to, like 30th. Now, I have no idea what a day of club racing costs, but I'd like to think its not $1000, or just so. Basically an end of year party where there's no reason not to come, just try not to blow up your bike or crash out of the race.

Mind, I've never been able to suss racing economics. I know someone once mentioned folks pay for teams because they like to host guests at races (and having a team gives them better access), vs just publicity and advertising.

 

[Map8]

Hayes, Beaubier, Elias, Hayden all likely get win or podium bonuses from their teams that dwarf any purse MA can offer. And guys at that level don't need any motivation to perform. Subsidizing the rest of the grid is better for the health of the series than lumping more money onto already well-funded teams. Those top teams and their backers benefit from a healthy series so the subsidy structure is a win all around.

Remember that none of the factory teams bothered to show up for the Toyota 200 even with $50k to win out of $200k purse and the race in their own backyard. The factory teams aren't motivated by purses.

 

[stangmx13]

"hand out stickers and flyers" :laughing

im spending 4k+ per weekend for STK600 w/ a barebones crew. no one can race SBK for anywhere close to that. and if they are doing it shoestring like me, they cant qualify for Premier. most of the Premier teams have a big rig and a crew of 10-20 after all. MA's meager subsidies are reducing the bottom line a little, but they def are NOT making it a money making prospect and they def are NOT removing any incentive to win.

the subsidies are MA realizing that the racers and teams are the product. NFL/MLB/NHL/NBA players get paid whether or not they win. MA racers should as well. most pro athletes prob have win bonuses and if all MA racers were paid, they would too.

everyone out there wants to win because they race, not because of the $$. ~10 guys in the whole paddock are bringing home salaries racing motorcycles. for the rest, getting checks in the mail for purses and subsidies are just an amazing surprise that helps you to get to the next race. i paid my damn mortgage w/ my purse checks!