The Canadian National Series is Hooped

[shmike]

Are we back to talking about the National series again?


It sucks to hear that things have gotten so bleak up there.

My hope is that once DMG finishes ruining racing down here, there will be a resurgence of professional racing in BOTH countries.

[Papa_Complex]

Yes we are, you fucker

I think I've said before that the guy behind our national series is also working with DMG. It's become a national sport up here to lay all blame squarely at his feet but with things coming apart so completely, on both sides of the border, it's more than I think any one man can be credited with. There has to be more going on here, and I don't think that the economy can be blamed for it either.

[Apoc]

So basicly, its the privateer racing league this year?

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by Apoc

So basicly, its the privateer racing league this year?

Sure seems that way. If Szoke wants to extend his record of consecutive Superbike wins, and he seemed to have no reason to expect that he wouldn't do so this season, then it's either going to be with another manufacturer or a solo effort. BMW seems to be the only factory team this season, with both rides already spoken for (Martin and Ferreira)

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by shmike

Are we back to talking about the National series again?


It sucks to hear that things have gotten so bleak up there.

My hope is that once DMG finishes ruining racing down here, there will be a resurgence of professional racing in BOTH countries.

Szoke should have been picked up by a US team years ago. Finishing top 10 on a Harley in Superbike? The dude is way more talented than half the AMA field. On a good bike, he could be a contender.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

Szoke should have been picked up by a US team years ago. Finishing top 10 on a Harley in Superbike? The dude is way more talented than half the AMA field. On a good bike, he could be a contender.

Unfortunately he has border issues (that shan't be discussed), so couldn't reliably get down there. Then there's McCormick, who has proven himself up here and is getting his chance to go big down south..... in a dead series. This kid could be the next Duhamel, making Canadians care about motorcycle racing again, but he's rising at the wrong time.

[karl_1052]

Well it looks like Szoke was fired, even thought he offered to ride for free this year.
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=39145
and the rebuttal
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=39155

I hope he jumps on a GSXR or CBR and buries Kawasaki this year.

[Papa_Complex]

What Szoke said is that he didn't offer to do it for nothing, he was told that was the deal and wanted to do the supersport series on his own dime, so that he could defend his title. I'm hearing that his contract was up for renewal this season and Welsh was signed until the end of the 2010 season anyway. Welsh is a good kid and a good rider (thought that my pictures were too expensive though ). He did better than I thought he could last season, after making a name by running his own racing effort on a shoe-string budget out of the back of a trailer before that, but he still isn't the guy who won 4 Superbike and Supersport titles in a row.

[karl_1052]

Finally good news!!!!!!

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Feb/100202colin.htm

They might be pushing him out!

One a related note, this is his letter to a privateer who races an R1.

Matt:

Thank you for your two letters sent during December relating to Yamaha’s participation in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship and your racing plans. I understand that you are upset about these recent events, and I cannot provide any assurances that the YZF-R1 will be eligible for Pro competition in the 2010 Parts Canada Series.

Your second letter suggests that these issues are somehow personal for me. I can assure you that this is not the case; in much the same way that Yamaha’s withdrawal for 2010 is not a personal matter either.

I represent a number of companies that fund the series, both in terms of overall organization, event structure and television coverage of the Canadian national road racing tour. Our future plans and directions are set during meetings of a management group made up of these companies’ representatives, and I then explain the plans publicly – these decisions are not solely by me, nor are they arrived at in a casual manner.

When you question my concerns regarding privateer competitors, I would like to make it clear that I was referring to 600cc class racers – we have far more competitors using R6 equipment than R1, and these existing 600cc riders were not affected by this recent decision regarding the R1 and Superbike Feature class.

I have spoken at length to several individuals on you summary sheet, so you might want to chat with them or call me directly. I will be sure to show both your letters to the parties involved with reaching the Yamaha R1-related ruling.

If there is any change in the policy for 2010, we will announce this update via the website, as per usual.

Colin Fraser

Link: http://www.cherrypickerracing.com/fo...get=last#89102

[Papa_Complex]

Actually I post on that board and my name was one of those on Matt's letter to Colin