VOL. 51 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 16, 2014 P95
different enough that we'll consider them
separately.
RETURN TO (RELATIVE) GLORY
When it comes to raising the profile of
the U.S. domestic roadracing champion-
ship, the bar has been lowered so much
that at least some marginal improvement
is eminently and immediately attain-
able, although not necessarily enough.
A substantial uptick is required, but for-
tunately, there's a significant amount of
low-hanging fruit and KRAVE has already shown
itself savvy enough to reap it.
The particular composition of the KRAVE team
of motorsport heavy hitters is vital–from multi-
world champion Rainey to long-time Team Roberts
manager Chuck Aksland, to marketing guru Terry
Karges, to entrepreneur Richard Varner, along
with the subsequent (and impressive) set of hires
that includes Paul Carruthers, Roger Elliot, Tom
Moser, and John Church. Combined, they bring a
rare degree of specialized knowledge to the table
along with a track record of success. Perhaps just
as importantly, they demand respect and the ben-
efit of the doubt. These are men people
want to believe in and want to see suc-
ceed.
That's critically important because a
blind buy-in from key industry partners
could go a long way in deciding how
things will play out, both in the near and
the mid-term.
Former series owners DMG (Daytona
Motorsports Group) similarly boasted
deep-pocketed backers, motorsports
marketing expertise, and lofty ambitions.
However, its inability to parse the nu-
ances of Superbike racing, respect its history and
accurately determine what lessons learned from
NASCAR might be applicable, and which might
only serve to muddy the product and alienate the
existing fan base, got the venture off to a disastrous
start. The series absorbed some serious blows
right from the beginning and the paddock was left
reeling from the loss of multiple keystone squads
and big-name riders.
Subsequent decisions only further entrenched
the bad blood and even a long string of positive
developments weren't enough to turn things back
AMA Superbikes
was arguably the top
national Superbike
championship in
the world and drew
quite a few top-level
foreign riders, most
notably the series'
winningest rider,
seven-time AMA
Superbike champ
Mat Mladin (6).
