FIRST PERSON/OPINION: By David Swarts Earlier Wednesday an AMA Pro Racing contract employee wrote a post on his personal Facebook page in what seems like an attempt to put the recently-announced five-round 2014 AMA Pro Road Race schedule in a positive light, but the post is not supported by reality. “So…I’m looking at the road race schedule from AMA Pro Racing,” the post read. “I’m thinking that we should go back into the media guide and look at the number of events back in the day. From 2003 thru 2008 the average number of races held was 10 per season. If the 6th venue happens we are looking at about 12 in 2014. Simply an observation.” We must be missing something. Because here are the actual numbers for the 2003-2008 AMA Pro road racing seasons: In 2003, there were 11 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 18 Superbike races. In 2004, there were 11 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 18 Superbike races. In 2005, there were 10 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 17 Superbike races. In 2006, there were 11 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 19 Superbike races. In 2007, there were 11 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 19 Superbike races. In 2008, there were 11 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 19 Superbike races. That’s an average of 10.8 event weekends per season with an average total of 18.3 Superbike races per season, far more than the five AMA Pro road race event weekends that include 10 Superbike races on the confirmed schedule for 2014. (AMA Pro says that may increase to six road race event weekends and a possible total of 11 Superbike races.) For the record: In 2009, there were 12 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 20 Superbike races. In 2010, there were 10 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 19 Superbike races. In 2011, there were 9 AMA Pro road race event weekend that included a total of 14 Superbike races. In 2012, there were 12 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 20 Superbike races. In 2013, there were 9 AMA Pro road race event weekends that included a total of 14 Superbike races. The facts show that from 2003 to 2013, there were an average of 10.6 AMA Pro road race event weekends per season and an average of 17.9 AMA Pro Superbike races per season. Far more than the five (maybe six) AMA Pro road race event weekends and 10 (maybe 11) AMA Pro Superbike races announced yesterday. In my personal opinion, the post has made AMA Pro Racing look worse, not better. Going forward, let’s keep the discussion based on reality!