FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Kudos to Team Hammer owner John Ulrich for having the balls to stop the bullsh-t complaints with all of the a–holes that seem to always have a problem with privateers. As a long-ago privateer team owner, I am well aware of the cost of racing, and practicing. I don’t remember ever being invited, at any cost, to participate in the closed factory tests. I do however, remember many factory rider complaints about the backmarkers(backmarkers make up 93% of the Superbike field at Daytona by the numbers) and how dangerous it is for the factory teams. I will also say that I have heard a lot of gripes from non-factory people about backmarkers–mostly spectators who have never had the balls to turn a wheel on the track. I also did not see any of the factories nor sanctioning body (AMA) offering to sponsor a track day prior to any events for any racers on their bikes. I did, and do hear factory team personnel complaining about the speed differences and hazzards posed by the backmarkers. I need to consult Harvick and Martin about those dammed backmarkers, as they have a much higher sustained average lap speed, and as we are all aware, the consequences of a crash or mistake by a “backmarker” are MUCH more dramatic, witness this last Sunday afternoon last lap “backmarker” problem. Come to think of it, I don’t think anyone in NASCAR can even spell “backmarker” let alone bitch about it. After all, if it was just a race with the factory riders only, the last place guy would still qualify as a backmarker. Mark Lewellen Ozark, Missouri FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Factory Riders Banned From Team Hammer Events! To Team Hammer, THANK YOU! Privateer teams like mine need every bit of support we can get, and this is a huge boost of support towards keeping our smaller budget teams in the AMA paddock as much as possible. Your Thursday practice days make the difference for new AMA talent to gain the valuable set-up time needed for moving up the grid. Darren Murrey Owner, DMD Racing, LLC Tacoma, Washington FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I’ve spent several years wondering and questioning my inquiry to the AMA on their actions and publishing their response on a website as a good thing or bad thing. Especially after the understandably irate call I received from John Ulrich after Vanderslice’s e-mail made the rounds. I’ve come to the conclusion that it was the right thing to do to bring it to light. I’m an outsider (just a fan) but even I could see there is no logic to killing Thursday practice. The fact that you were lied about by the AMA (or as MV put it “¦presumptuous statements made”¦”) and that the internet article spread like wild fire and caused you some consternation goes with the territory you occupy as an insider, journalist and AMA critic. We are known by our actions and yours as well as the AMA’s are evident. I will continue to support my local racers and I’ll continue to watch what you and the AMA do from the outside. Mark Webster (AMA Dupe) Sand Springs, Oklahoma FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I have been following along the last couple of weeks regarding the AMA rules change and subsequent issues surrounding it. I also just read that Team Hammer is banning factory teams. I say good! I had a chance to race at Road America in 2004 with the AMA and I had never been to Road America before. I will say that had I not had the Thursday before I feel I would not have been able to qualify that weekend. I think its great that you offer a day before a race weekend without all the stress for a privateer to gout and find his groove before the weekend. Keep up the good work. Sean Edgett CRA #23 Minneapolis, Minnesota FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: While the decision does not effect me directly, I applaud it. AMA Racing (and the world in general…) needs more people with the mettle to speak plainly and bluntly when necessary. Steve Bem AHRMA #84 Dundas, Ontario, Canada