The “savior” of Superbike racing is now officially a sorry joke

We have secured the future of professional motorcycle racing in America. We have secured the legacy of the AMA name in professional racing for years to come. ~Rob Dingman, AMA president, announcing the sale of the AMA Superbike series to Daytona Motorsports Group in 2008

Remember how Rob Dingman called it a key part of his “new vision for the AMA”? Remember how great it was going to be when those geniuses down in Daytona Beach took over Superbike racing, with all that NASCAR expertise and all that France family money?

Nobody bows toward Daytona in awe much any more. Mostly, anyone who has anything resembling a life boat abandons this ship as fast as possible. 

Current champ Josh Herrin is fleeing for a Moto2 ride as fast as he can. It’s not hard to see why, since nobody could even see him win the title on television, because the last round was dropped from coverage. Michael Jordan Motorsports, the most hyped team to join the series in decades, is fleeing. Buell Racing is fleeing. Most of the other manufacturers are gone. It appears the series title sponsor, GEICO, has bailed. No television package has been announced.

And with today’s announcement of the 2014 Superbike schedule, with just five rounds over the course of six months and the hint of a possible sixth, presumably in conjunction with World Superbike at Laguna Seca, all doubt has been eliminated: all those who fled made the right choice.

Just consider a side-by-side comparison of before and after Rob Dingman, AMA Board Chairman Stan Simpson and the rest of the AMA Board of Directors “secured the future of professional motorcycle racing in America.”

Welcome to the no-name superbike series, now cleansed of those evil factory teams, as well as most sponsors. Welcome to the “new vision.” Unfortunately, the revolution will not be televised.