Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

DIRT TRACK Executive summary of AMA dirt track racing five- ear Ian 1997 Introduce event evaluation procedures. Objective: Formalize an improved dialogue between AMA, promoters, riders and teams aimed at continuous qualitative improvements at the Grand, ationallevel. Introduce AMA National Hot Shoe Series. Objective: Short term, to consolidate professional events below the Grand ational level and lay groundwork to eliminate Pro-Am racing. Long term, to create more activity, greater racing opportunities for riders and smoother training and transition to the Grand National level. Test pavement racing at the Hot Shoe level. Objective: Gain experience and information relevant to the possible introduction of paved venues at the Grand National leveL teams to fully amortize current equipment while we attempt to identify the powerplants that will drive Grand National racing beyond the year 2001. 1998 In 19.98 we will begin to introduce more substantive changes, based on a strong consensus that theAMA needs to return to a system of graduated licensing in its professional dirt track program. We will eliminate Pro-Am racing as we currently know it, and introduce a new entry-level pro£essionallicense, similar to what we once called the Novice class. Novice riders must be at least 16 years old and have documented experience in amateur competition. Racing rules will provide that Novice riders compete and earn advancement points in either of two classes: either 250cc twostroke singles or 350 to 600cc four-stroke singles. We believe that market forces should determine the future of these classes. If both are popular, then both can prevail. If one or the other emerges as the class of choice, then appropriate decisions can be taken later. 1999 With year three we can h,illy phase in three classifications of professional license. ovice riders earning sufficient points will graduate in 1999 to a Junior license, and will move to larger machines based on an entirely new engine formula. Let me add here that over the next few months we hope to find better nomenclature. Frankly, we are using the terms "Novice" and "Junior" simply because. we haven't thought of something better. We will welcome any suggestions. This will be the year where we O'eate the laboratory for development of future engines. The Junior level will introduce a new class for 1000cc twins. Most manufacturers are currently producing twin configurations that will be eligible for this class. Because the engines are large, some rules will be applied to limit performance. For example, engines will be carbureted and a limitation will be placed on carburetor size. Technical rules will be finalized during the coming year so that riders, dealers and team owners will have more than a year to prepare for the class. While the engines must be based on cataloged factory components including cases, cylinders and heads, the rules will allow for liberal developm~nt. Stroke and bore can be changed, enabling tuners to take engines up or down to the 1000cc limit. Purpose-built cha sis conforming to current dirt track rules will be allowed. Wheel and tire restrictions may be prescribed to limit performance, and we are considering the application of a claiming rule in this class to keep development and spending within reasonable limits. At this point I need to explain how the curren t 883 class will be affected. The 883s have been it successful experiment in that we have learned a lot about the potential of a ser.ial-production engine in dirt track racing. However, the class is not growing. Maintaining stock machines has proven more costly than we had hoped, and enforcement to stock rules has been a costly and contentious nightmare. Furthermore, 883s as a potential spec powerplant for future Grand ational machines would only take us further down the· one-brand road. Consequently, with 1999 the 883 class as we know it will be eliminated. This engine, however, will be eligible for development as a 1000cc Junior engine. Also, in year three the National Hot Shoe Series will begin to provide racing opportunities for all classes, including Novice, Junior and Expert. All licensing levels will be allowed to compete in a 600cc class, though we may need to exclude the upper echelon of Grand National competitors. Juniors and Experts will be eligible to compete in the 1000cc class. At this stage the National Hot Shoe program should become an arena for abundant activity, giving promoters large fields of riders and giving riders opportunities for a lot of racing. For example, Expert and Junior licensed riders owning both a 600cc single and a big twin could enter both classes. We think this fertile playground of experimentation will be where we begin to identify the Grand National engine' formula of the future. 2000 No radical or fundamental changes will be introduced for year four of the plan. This will be a year for observation, continuing experimentation and evaluation. We will focus on refining equipment rules to keep the 1000cc class exciting and competitive, and we will begin to create a concept of the next generation Grand National engine. At this stage I expect the AMA will need to convene a team of experts from factories, teams, riders and officials to guide the process. Depending upon circumstances depending on whether we believe we have learned enough from the lOOOcc class, and considering the quality of Grand ational equipment and competition, by the year 2001 - we will decide Make commitment to retain current Grand National equipment rules for five years, Objective: Control costs, protect current investments and amortize cost of equipment during a period of orderly transition to new equipment standards. Continue sliateglc planning process with emphasis on marketing. Objective: Improve level of professionalism, improve teamwork among AMA, tearns, promoters ana riders toward mutually beneficial marketing objectives, attract a new generation of fans to dirt track racing, generate more commercial support, expand coverage on television. 1998 Eliminate Pro-Am program. Objective: Improve environment to create a more controlled and logical transition from amateur racing to entry-level professional racing. Introduce professional "Novice" class. Objective: Begin process toward three-level licensing system, create better ,threshold to professional racing career. Continue strategic planning process with emphasis on grass-roots develop- ment. . Objective: Find ways to increase the amount of dirt track racing among amateurs at the local level, attract more young people to dirt track racing, identify and disseminate to clubs and promoters success techniques for improving amateur dirt track racing programs throughout the nation. 1999 Introduce ~lonal"Junior"class on new formula featuring 1000cc engines. Objective: Complete three-level professional licensing system, create '1aboratory" to identify and develop future Grand ational power plants, eliminate "spec class" and integrate 883 into 1000cc class, encourage multiplicity of brands. ConsoIid8te V8rious professional Hcenslng levels and new engine formula within NatIonal Hot Shoe SerIes. Objective: Tum Hot Shoe Series into a rich field for rider and equipment development, improve opportunities for both riders and promoters. 2000 Evaluate changes. Objective: Provide stable period to evaluate the program and finalize equipment standards for new-ge.neration Grand National racirig. 2001 Introduce ~ Grand National equipment rules per decisions made during years 1999 and 2000. Objective: Revitalize professional dirt track racing at its highest level, stimulate multiple-brand participation, increase the availability of competitive equipment, find ways to control costs. whether it is time to phase out the current 750cc powerplants in favor of a ,different formula. But that decision is five years away, and we have a lot of work ahead of us to implement the plan and to pursue the other tasks of the strategic planning project between now and then. So what does the AMA need to revitalize prof~ssional dirt track racing, to take it to a higher level of prestige, to improve profitability, to enhance its entertainment value? We need a community-wide commitment to the idea that change is called for. We need to accept the idea that change is inevitable whether we manage it or not. And ~e need to recognize that if we do not manage l:hange according to a deliberate plan, it likely will be unmanageable. fN

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