FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Holy sh-t, I think you’ve forgotten something: You’re still getting the Big Mac–selective and preferential rule enforcement. Same sh-t, different owners. I just hope they don’t go back to killing and paralyzing people at Mickey Mouse tracks designed for cars. 

Chuck Ergle 

CMRA ex-racer 1988-2008 

Dallas, Texas

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Great article about the rulebook issues in DMG/AMA Pro Racing. Don’t know if or when they are ever going to get their act together, but as a long time fan who’s been attending two races a year since 1983 (Road America and Mid-Ohio), I won’t be spending any money or attending any AMA Pro Race event until they do.

Tim Carroll 

Harrisburgs, Pennsylvania

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I was very pleased to read this editorial–not because it is a pleasant topic but rather because I feared that the success of Mr. Ulrich’s team (congratulations on that, by the way!) would cause blinders as to what is happening in that arena this year.

I’m sorry to say that I have nearly given up on ‘AMA Pro Racing’. While the racing may be close, the series and organization are (in my eyes) a joke. Last year I was happy to see that for the first time in many years there will be a national within a very reasonable driving distance (2 hours to NJMP compared to about 6 hours to VIR), and I cannot possibly imagine attending.

Thank you for the editorial. It adds fuel to the fire, but throwing a stick on a burning city shouldn’t cause too much damage.

Gary Hilliard 

Dover, Delaware

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thanks for speaking up. Hope the retribution is either slight or non-existent. Expected more from Al.

What is the reason for not grabbing the World Superbike rulebook, and printing an AMA logo on the cover?

Surely this would lead to a greater transfer of talent in both directions. If the American series was on par in both pay and rules, we could use the “American experience” as a lure for talent. Neil loves us. Chaz loves us. Michael is getting there. They get great support from us, and seem to respond in kind.

I have no doubt Erik wants to do well on merit, not because of exemptions that make him a pariah.

I understand what AMA/DMG set forth as their goals, but the approach leaves something to be desired…

I spend a good portion of my meager earnings attending races at Daytona, Barber, and as of last year, Indy.

Larry Harlen 

Lynn Haven, Florida

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

The major problem with officials at motorcycle events is a total lack of training and certification. The AMA purports to be the premiere racing series but as far as I know there is no program in place to train and certify the tech officials, cornerworkers, race officials or riders for that matter. Officials are not tested on their knowledge of the rules nor are they trained to uniformly enforce the rules. If such a program is in place I have not heard of it. Officials would have badges or uniform patches that would state what area of certification they have satisfied as example, pre-tech, post-tech, race director, flag marshal etc.

It’s the same situation in club racing. The tech guys are generally volunteers, the flag people may not have ever seen a cornerworker station, and the club President usually makes all the calls, none of them may be even remotely qualified to hold that position.

This is where NASCAR does a much better job, they try to insure the cars are legal before they even get to the track, they are there to help a team field a legal entry. Pre-tech inspection is not there to catch cheaters, or just do a quick safety check but it’s set up to replicated post-tech so the teams have a good idea what the requirements are.

I hate to say this but the AMA is really just a big club race with a just a few professional teams. It was only a few years ago they were holding races in parking lots (road racing at Pomona). Not much has changed.

Russ Schaeffer 

Palmdale, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

My, it has been a while since I’ve felt compelled to write to Roadracing World. The recent First Person/Opinion from July 19th begs a response. It begs a response from several audiences actually but I can only give mine. Simply put, what will AMA/DMG management do to rectify the situation with rogue employees? Inaction from the self-titled premier road racing org in the US would lead me to believe they stand behind their employee’s decisions. Not only are the employees suspect, but through their actions so is the AMA/DMG rulebook. I fear this winter will be another blustery one between teams and The Org.

Phillip Williamson 

Lake Mary, Florida

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

All I can say to this article is “Bravo”

That makes sense to me now. A Big Mac is a Big Mac. There should be no difference.

Also, I have a hard time understanding why Mr. Buell has not commented on the whole fiasco about the 1125RR at the Mid-Ohio round.

If he was told to do this by AMA Pro Racing, why hasn’t he said that? Why is he letting everyone think he got away with something illegal?

Maurice Thune 

Chino Hills, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Cory Stem here- Just wanted to let you know that even though I may not fully agree with everything written in your “AMA Pro Racing and the Big Mac Theory,” I do appreciate the manner in which you bring your valid complaints. I know you and I grind for whatever reason from time to time, but Roadracing World still has my respect for at least being fair, unleveraged news and opinion rather than just a vehicle lobbing bombs at whomever has tickled a nerve just for the sake of web page hits. Roadracing World never takes words out of context nor twists them around like a political spinster. That shows integrity, professionalism in the journalism field and just plain respect for others around you. Thank you to you and your team. I know the state of racing is not very healthy in the USA right now, and that it has been on dialysis for years. It will not get better without constructive criticisms from experienced professionals and needs everyone’s help and support to make the changes needed to breathe life back into it.

Cory Stem 

Ridetime! High Performance 

Phoenix, Arizona

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

July 19, 2009 I read an online article written by John Ulrich of his “Updated First Person/Opinion: AMA Pro Racing and the Big Mac Theory” and somewhat consent with him, however, dissent to some of the areas he focused on. I cannot define any particular areas in this letter to the editor since the process of competition is prevailing as each member of a racing circuit defines new ways to achieve almost any results. It’s sad to say the members of a racing organization should come together and define the true meaning of debate by appropriate appeals and petitions.

A racing circuit organization may think they own the rights to the racing circuit in question; however, the judicial proceedings are up the known words in any rule categorized racing circuit. That said, the same applies to race teams where each race team is a separate organization and competes against another race team where the political infrastructure of a race team is not set by a racing circuit per diem though by adhering to circuit regulations as needed. And the amount of team members outside the hot boxes, how to walk or talk, and so-forth should be left unanswered by a racing circuit organization since the fin-line of competition is not determined by strict enforcement of a social business function interaction.

Joseph Tinger 

Nanuet, New York

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Major kudos to John Ulrich for his obviously passionately-felt, but nicely dispassionately-stated, expose on the capricious application of the AMA/DMG rulebook. For whatever (i.e., unknown) reason, I had always held Al Ludington in reasonably high regard. For some pretty clear reasons, that level of regard is now seriously diminished. The man sounds like a real martinet. 

Keith Souter 

La Verne, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Kudos for posting the confrontation between Johnny Rock Page and Al Ludington regarding the blue flag controversy at Mid-Ohio. Although from watching on TV I hated that Page held up Yates in the final laps of the race, (when Page was obviously NOT racing against a nearby opponent) Page was doing what the rules said to do, he held his line, although in all honesty it wouldn’t have hurt for him to have a glance over his shoulder and see that he could let Yates by without allowing an opponent to pass him (Page) for position. I love journalism when it is presented in an “It is what it is” fashion. How far we have fallen in AMA road racing. I’m surprised you still invest your time and money in such a fiasco. Hopefully in the future there will be some much-needed, substantive changes in the way road racing is conducted and sanctioned in America. Thank you again for your honesty and integrity. 

Stan Simmerson 

Durham, North Carolina

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

After seeing the video of Al Ludington I had to say something.

I’ve been around quite a few years and I can tell you that the place the Josh and Aaron caught Johnny Rock Page was probably the worst spot for that to have happened at Mid-Ohio. Sure didn’t see Aaron say much about it afterwards probably because he knew it was just a bad situation that just happened.

I’m not sure what was going through his (Al’s) head at the time of the little meeting in the tech barn but he was flat over the top. I don’t believe he could have been anymore disrespectful to someone if he had tried to be.

Johnny gets kudos for keeping his cool. I sure don’t know if I could have done so.

I’m also pretty sure no official should ever talk to a rider like that and keep his job. More so when he doesn’t even know the rulebook correctly.

Johnny didn’t do anything wrong other than be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Al on the other hand, needs at the very least apologize to Johnny for being an —hole.

Greg Esser 

Metal Works 

Pompano Beach, Florida

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thanks for running this video. This is most damning evidence of the AMA/DMG organization’s incompetence to date. Granted, Johnny Rock is a perennial backmarker and at times I’ve wondered why he keeps at it. But in this case he’s absolutely following the rules as they are written and this particular rule is a good one. Ludington himself has been a major let down. I think most people held him in very high regard during his years with Honda. His performance this year as a DMG goon has destroyed all that. Our idols have feet of clay as they say. And in some cases brains of clay. I’m a long-term fan of the sport but this year I boycotted Infineon and encouraged others to do so. What an absolute disgrace. Thanks for your voice of sanity, John, and for your courage in speaking out. 

John Alfonso 

Richmond, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thank you for posting the recent article and video.

~https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=37389~

~https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=37409~

This truly shows the state of AMA Pro Racing and where it is headed. I guess it is “time for some vindictive teardowns” of AMA Pro Road Racing.

Michael Schmidt 

OMRRA #314 

Gresham, Oregon

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thanks for showing that vid of Al Ludington and Johnny Rock Page, man that Ludington is one a–hole, if I was Johnny I would have slammed that prick for talking to me like that, what does he think gives him the right? Does he think he is talking to someone with less rank in the armed-forces? (even then I wouldn’t take it). We are all involved in the sport of road racing, we should all be friends, no one deserves to be spoken to like that, I think the AMA should fine that official.

I am an ‘A’ grade (the closest to Pro we have) rider here in Australia, I have been racing in the National Superbike class since ’94, I have also qualified and finished in World Superbike races at Phillip Island. It is very hard for a Privateer to completely get out of the way of approaching lead, factory riders, I have been in this situation many times, for sure we want to get out of the way! We are riding inferior equipment and tires, and we obviously have poorer riding abilities as we are not on a factory bike! If the approaching leaders cannot get past, maybe they are not as good as they think they are! I got the blue flag too late in Turn One at Phillip Island (’97 I think), I held my line, Yanagawa tried to ride around me (guess he didn’t realize how fast a rider with 50 less horsepower could get around the corner), Foggy backed out, Yanagawa crashed trying, nothing was said, nothing should have been.

One rider that lapped me a lot and never said ‘boo’ about it was Anthony Gobert, in fact, Ant would give me a wave or a close fly-by to say g’day on his way past other riders; Peter Goddard would think it OK to bump you on the way past and Marty Craggill would expect you to move over for him in an ‘untimed free practice session’!

In the ’90s I was riding a stock ’91 model ZX7 (ZXR750J in Oz) against full FIM Superbikes, I would have to make one pair of tires last the whole race meeting, without us privateers there would only eight factory bikes in the race, hardly going to draw a crowd. I digress, it is not in the interest of a lapped rider to hold up a lead rider, or spoil the show, should there be an incident when trying to pass a ‘lapee’ it was not done on purpose and everyone’s response to that rider should be more understanding of what they have to go through.

And racing officials should never speak a racer in that way, if I ever come back to the States to race again, and should I run into that prick, he will get a piece of my mind! And to Johnny Rock Page, keep it up dude, take no sh-t, I’m with you all the way.

John Orchard #89 

Reservoir, Victoria, Australia

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I just watched the video of Mr. Ludington and Mr. Page. It brings to mind one word, “Honor.” Roget’s thesaurus defines honor as: Respect, esteem, nobleness of mind, virtue, fairness and two more columns of synonyms. It is a word I learned the true meaning of while stationed in Japan. My martial arts instructor explained it as the driving force of the Samurai and the Japanese people. 

As a licensed racer since 1983 I was appalled by the verbal assault Mr. Page received as result of his on-track action. It is not important if he blocked or not, which he did. Was it intentional? I don’t know. Was he following the actions as has been taught by countless track and race instructors? YES! I have been told and have told every new racer or track day rider, that when you are on the track you hold your line, no matter what you may think is happening behind you. I have heard Dale Quarterley say at every riders’ meeting for years for the GTU riders to hold your line and the GTO bikes will find a way around you. I have told every beginning track day rider that has asked me about riding on the track that the most important thing that you can do is be consistent and stay on your line. Don’t think for the riders behind you, if they are faster then they will find a way around you. 

I have re-watched the incident in question several times now and it is clear that Mr. Page did in fact get in Yates way. Was it done on purpose? Hard to know the mindset of Mr. Page. I have raced at Mid-Ohio many times in the AMA EBC Endurance series and that section of track is a one-line area. There are not many options going into the carousel when a faster rider is behind you. It is printed in every rule book; AMA Pro, CCS, WERA and every other racing book that I have read that it is the responsibility of the passing rider/driver to clear a passed rider/driver. 

Having said that, it is not the block, planned or not that really upsets me. It is the lack of professionalism exhibited by my longtime friend Mr. Al Ludington. There is no excuse for a person in his position to address a rider or for that matter, anyone in such a dishonorable way. The explicit gutter language has no place when addressing a person when they have made a mistake. Pointing a finger in Mr. Pages face and telling him “You are not it!” is a disgrace. If Mr. Page or any other rider is going to be chastised then it should be done in a professional manner in a private setting. The vulgar trash talk dishonors Mr. Ludington and the agency which he represents. If it was up to me I would terminate Mr. Ludington’s employment effective immediately.

Mr. Page’s actions were honorable during the verbal tirade. He kept repeating he was holding his line the best he could. I applaud his self control. I am afraid that if Mr. Ludington had stuck his finger in my face I would have not been so honorable, especially after the verbal assault.

When all is said and done a man’s honor is the true measure of who he is and how he lives. Without personal honor you cannot honor others. The AMA/DMG is a governing body for the organization and control of the races. They are not Big Brother even if they try to act like they are. Actions like that dishonor all racers Past, Present and Future. This is just another nail in AMA/DMG’s coffin. 

Ralph Daugherty 

Knoxville, Tennessee

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I just watched the video with Johnny Rock Page. First reaction – wwwooowww, Al Ludington is definitely a joke for an official. Where the F@#$ does this guy come off talking to someone that way? If it was Aaron Yates giving JRP the business, maybe I could understand a little bit. But, a race official doing it, what a joke. This guy is supposed to be a professional. The roles looked completely reversed in the video – with JRP being the calm, collected voice of reason and Ludington flying off the handle for something that didn’t even happen to him. What an idiot. AMA PRO, DMG, Nascar – whatever you want to call them – definitely needs to step in on this one. If they don’t respond in a disciplinary way to this video, what left of the respect people hold of AMA PRO will be gone. In no way should a professional business tolerate this type of behavior. Threatening to take a racer’s bike away (or not passing it in tech) is not professional. If it weren’t for guys like JRP, there would only be about 10 guys on the grid. What a show that would be – not at all.

Edward Jay 

San Bernardino, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I am horrified at the JRP video. Liked or not for a racer to be ridiculed by an AMA official and subsequently suspended is for me the last straw. God speed in getting our boys to WSB or an alternate series. I have attended many AMA events and have always been respectful of what JRP stands for. The successful realization of a dream. Competing for the podium or not any series would be lucky to have a guy out there banging the drum to say….GO FOR IT. Manufactures, Parts vendors, the AMA everybody benefits, because he is out shaking hands, accessible, positive and connecting with people. I happen to choose a different brand…however I am confidant that more than a couple bikes, helmets, leathers, tires and track days have been purchased by JRP fans after they discover his story!

I am ashamed and can mourn the dreams of the AMA riders and to watch WSB (get ’em Ben) and MotoGP for signs of American Pride in top level road race competition.

With sadness…

Brandon T. Barrett 

Napa, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I had expected a bit more interest and follow-up in the blue-flag incident involving perennial backmarker Johnny Rock Page at Mid O in the trade news. Especially due to the dubious nature of Mr. Page’s video / audio capture and its timing which appears to take the discussion with Al Ludington out of context.

Though I applaud any effort to bring the sport into the mainstream, I fear that Mr. Page appears to be more interested in self promotion rather then promoting AMA racing. Worse, he may be using his media circus for potentially nefarious purposes when it suits his needs by not having the full conversion that occurred and has become a viral video. Clearly something precipitated Ludington’s unprofessional blow-up, and unfortunately (or conveniently) was not released. Only Page, his cronies, and Ludington know what transpired and hopefully we find out the full details.

No excuse can be made for Ludington’s captured comments, but folks are overlooking the fact that Page appeared to be prepared with rule quotation, reiterating his belief he held line (I don’t believe he did) as well as an inappropriately calm demeanor given the situation. A bit too tidy when someone is disparaging you me thinks. It would seem that common sense dictates Ludington was possibly set up. If so, Page is only damaging the sport in an attempt to absolve himself of desperate riding and the wrong reaction just to get some more air time.

I would think this topic is possibly a good candidate for reader letters and opinions. As well as allowing Mr. Page to give a realistic response to the events that occurred. Unfortunately now that Ludington is the bad guy, he has effectively had a hush order placed on him.

Specifically I would like Johnny’s take on why he appeared to tighten his line and hammer the gas in a vain attempt to stay with Josh Hayes though he had no chance and should have had expectation that another rider would have been on Josh’s line in pursuit (a faster line then a slower guy like Page). For the record, changing throttle is not part of holding line as the intent is to allow passing riders to estimate your trajectory (you could see the gas up and power wheelie trying to stick with Hayes). Yates was clearly blocked in what looks to be an attempt for more air time / self promotion. He was no longer riding his race after the pass. Rather, he could get the SpeedTV clip and say “look at me everyone….I’m a big boy and can hang with Hayes for about 10 feet..how’s my hair….”.

Again, Al’s comments are shameful not to mention disrespectful to privateers. No excusing it. But there is more to this story and I believe the AMA realizes this by rightly sanctioning Johnny for not being within the intent of the rule. I believe more folks should look critically at this situation to see all sides and possible truths. I find Johnny’s behavior questionable at best. Taken in light of wanting to have celebrity in the absence of the talent to race at the pointy end, he may choose to take any means to get there irrespective of what it does to the sport.

Keep up the good work!

Eric Harper 

Folsom, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

OMG. I just watched the Johny Rock Page tech vidio and I can’t believe that is how Ludington would act under the vail of authority. As if your editorial wasn’t damming enough, that vidio should be enough to get Al fired! If not for ignoring the rulebook as you glaringly pointed out for his general demeanor and verbage when talking to the AMA public!

I have known he was an jackass since his early days with (Dave) Sadowski but I really thought all those years with factory teams and then a high-profile job with the AMA would have mellowed him enough, not so. +1 on the get rid of AL Ludington band wagon.

What a stud JRP is to stand up to the AMA official and quote the rulebook! His stock went through the roof in my book.

Will Eikenberry 

Little Rock, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Is it just me or did the AMA’s “clarification” on the blue flag confuse the hell out everyone else as well? I understand intent, but to say that “The intent of a specific rule will override a competitor’s interpretation of a rule. The intent of a rule will be determined by AMA Pro Racing.” That is even more ambiguous than before! This is what allows Al (Ludington) to be able to go off on people like JRP and others who they don’t deem “the show.” Most of these grey area rules are covered in the riders’ meeting (s), and any new “clarifications” should be, um, I don’t know”¦clarifying? If you have to ask additional questions after a “clarification” to the extent of “Um, what the hell does that mean?” Then it wasn’t a clarification! AMA needs to pull their head out and state clearly”¦blue flag, you’re about to be passed. You will get blue-flag X corners before leaders are near you”¦be aware. Or tell the riders what they want them to do”¦Blue flag, you get it X corners before leaders arrive”¦do XYZ action. This “intent” and interpretation is what has NASCAR scared, and they’ve got the system down. AMA really needs to pick it up, or turn it over to someone who can do the job. Hey”¦weren’t we (the racing community) saying the same thing two or three years ago? The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I’ve really been trying to take everything, the changes to bikes, rules, procedures, etc. with a wait-and-see attitude, but this is getting ridiculous. At this point, I’m hoping for a break-away series and/or will just be watching WSBK and MotoGP from now on. Hell, even BSB has a better series right now, and I can only watch some of those races on You Tube. AMA is becoming a hassle to watch, and even more of a joke of a series with every race and “clarification” from DMG. They need to worry about what their “customers” think. Do they really think that if Mladin, Hayes, Bostrom, et. al. leave to other series or race in a break-away, that they will still be able to claim to be the premier series? Hell as it is right now, I have more fun watching CMRA races than AMA.

Ronnie Reyes 

McKinney, Texas

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Let me get this straight: The AMA seems to be acknowledging that the “first part” of the rule — “Do I ride my line or move off it”–can cause a conundrum for a rider, and they’re stating that adherence to the “second part” will be interpreted by officials with respect to safety. OK, fine and good.

But while not defending Johnny Rock Page’s actions, (or past statements, or HIS intent or “interpretation”) if safety is the desired result, what did he do that was UNSAFE?

B.J. Worsham 

LRRS #31, Rider Rep 

Old Westbury, New York

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I’m a casual racer and casual reader, and in watching the fur fly over the Johnny Rock Page/Al Ludington shenannery at Mid-Ohio, it dawned on me that there is a relatively simple solution to all of this, if the AMA is willing to implement a new procedure. As DMG is pretty well known for regular (daily?) rule changes, I doubt that it’d be an insurmountable task.

First and foremost, as a fan, JRP getting in the way of (most notably) Josh Hayes and Aaron Yates and (less notably) a portion of the rest of the field during the Mid-Ohio Superbike race sucked”¦I think that just about anyone watching figured that lapped traffic would eventually play a role, but it would have been nice to see things shake out differently. C’est la Vie – such is racing. Secondly, however, and more to the point of the Ludington video that later surfaced, is that insofar as the letter of the law is concerned, JRP was within the description of what he was supposed to do when shown a blue flag”¦that is, hold his (obviously slower, as he is in the process of being lapped) line through the turn so that faster riders can get around him. To be clear, the only specific action detailed in the AMA rulebook is for the slower racer to maintain their line.

Insofar as the “spirit” of the law is concerned, the slower racer is also “supposed to” try to make room for the faster traffic where possible, but let’s face it”¦had JRP tried to get out of the way, binned it, and taken out one or both riders in the process, nobody would be defending him for following the “spirit” of the rule”¦they’d be crucifying the guy for not obeying the most basic rule of racing – that you hold your line through a turn when being overtaken. As such, Ludington’s rant was based on very little from the start, and when he went off on his tangent to suggest that he would fail a rider during tech inspection because of a disagreement outside of his official jurisdiction, he essentially threatened to grossly abuse his authority for the sheer purpose of intimidating a privateer that he didn’t feel “belonged” on the circuit”¦irrespective of the fact that JRP qualified within the AMA’s cut-off rule. Any disciplinary action dispensed was well-deserved.

However, it is also clear that the viewing public (and DMG officials) prefer that lap traffic’s role in deciding race outcomes be minimized, and as such the ambiguity of the existing blue-flag rule is problematic. So, here’s a suggestion”¦why not simply pull potential lappers off the track two laps prior to race end? It sounds complicated, but really it shouldn’t be all that difficult. At five to six laps before the finish, have race control compare the average lap times of the lead racers against the average lap times of the back of the pack. If there is likely an intersection between the two within the last 2-3 laps of the race, indicate to the affected racers at the back of the pack that they are to head to the pit on their next lap. Scoring for those racers is frozen as of that lap, so position isn’t affected, and they are shown a flag as they come across the finish line (maybe a blue flag with a white dot to indicate that this is their last lap due to blue-flag status), along with their pit board being designated with a blue insignia of some sort.

As such, on the third-to-last lap, they are made aware that this will serve as their white-flag lap, and they ride at the usual pace for the remainder of that lap, heading to the pits at the next opportunity. This gives them time to be clear of the leaders and alleviates the risk of one rider “holding up” the field or another trying to get out of the way, binning their bike and taking out a race leader in the process. Additionally, it prevents the accusation that a rider would hang at the back of the pack for television exposure waiting for the leaders to come zipping by them”¦they wouldn’t be on-track for the TV time. Also, even if the leaders have caught up to lap traffic at the time, any incidents that might occur prior to the cutoff are minimized because there would be 2 full laps of clear track for the leaders to make up for it.

In short, it solves all the problems that people have with lappers, with a minimal cost in terms of financial outlay (something that rider-to-pit communication systems and corner spotters do not offer), and at a total cost to back-of-the-pack riders of 2 laps of their race”¦which is unfortunate, but negligible.

Hoping to see an equitable solution.

Matt Nelson 

CCS/ASMA 

Tucson, Arizona

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Since DMG has made clear their utter and complete arrogance and incompetence in regards to the sport of professional motorcycle racing, and it has lost all appeal to me and many other fans, is there any hope for the future (if there is one)? What were the terms of the DMG/AMA deal? Will the AMA road racing series ever revert back to AMA or does DMG own it for keeps, do they have to sell it? After they run it into the ground and there’s nothing left is there any possibility of somebody else picking up the pieces? Perhaps you can be arrogant if you’re not incompetent or you can be incompetent if you’re not arrogant but the combo really sucks and it’s even worse when you throw in a helping of delusion.

All racers should wear microphones and be accompanied by a camera crew for their own safety from here on out.

Jonathan Umfleet 

OMRRA 

Newberg, Oregon

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

What an incredible piece of video that epitomizes the current state of DMG and AMA Pro Racing! I just finished e-mailing AMA Pro Racing requesting the immediate resignation of Al Ludington and a formal apology from him to Johnny Rock Page. Let’s see how far that flies. It’s ironic how in the pre-race interviews Aaron Yates was stating how difficult it was to pass at Mid-O, but apparently Al Ludington thinks a lapped rider should just “get out of the way” no matter what the consequences. I wonder what the conversation between the two would have been like if Rock Page would have attempted to “get out of the way” and collided with Yates? Probably Ludington verbally abusing him for not holding his line. 

John Pearson 

Chula Vista, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I just watched your video on Johnny Rock Page getting his ass chewed by DMG for holding his line. I re-watched the race several times and the leaders just caught him in a crappy spot. I know that track and I think he did OK. I think DMG needs to give Mr. Page a formal apology and Al Ludington needs to be shown the door. They gave Hacking a ton of crap for spouting off about the Buell then they act like this! Do as I say, not as I do kind of thing. Classy. With regard to the pace car, I personally would not be out on the track with one. I nearly crapped my pants watching the Laguna race when they all came over the hill to find the car out there. Motorcycle racing is about standing starts, we all know that! The racing is better but the extra baggage is almost too much to watch. I just don’t feel like supporting DMG. 

Al Campbell 

USGPRU/CCS #49 

Willis, Texas

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

One of the most disgustingly unprofessional things I’ve ever seen. Ludington should be fired immediately. The threats of retribution alone should be enough, sure gives credence to your previous story about him using “jokingly” open threats to other crews.

Kyle Kirschenmann 

Knoxville, Tennessee

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thank you for your efforts in enlightening all of us to Al Ludington’s tactics. I saw this morning he has been suspended by the AMA proving once again the power of the pen, or keyboard.

Dan Sheehy 

Houston, Texas