Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Let’s call a spade a spade here. Dunlop’s tactics are “bush league” and their behaviour undermines, yet again, the ability of AMA Superbike racing to breakout from its “bush league” status.

I wish, so badly, that AMA Superbike racing could become a “big league” sport because I believe it can be a great show. However, it continues to undermine its credibility at every opportunity. The AMA needs to either commit to “doing things the right way” to improve the sport or just stop trying because they’re only make things worse.

“Big league” racing series act swiftly and severely when one participant attempts to stifle competition, they have officially sanctioned test days were all teams can attend, they have dedicated professional safety crews that follow the series, they ride on tracks that don’t threaten competitor’s lives, they have categories that make sense to the consumer/fan.

Do the right thing, Mr. Barrick. Ban Dunlop’s tactic, buy the dates from Dunlop and conduct “official” tests for everyone.

As for Dunlop, their view is so short-sighted it’s frightening that this “expenditure” made a business case and that someone had the gall to present it to Dunlop management. The $800K it cost them would be better spent in the R&D lab. Or perhaps this move indicates that Dunlop has no answer for Michelin’s moving target and they have no idea of how to produce a tire with competitive grip that stays intact, now or in the future.

I am ashamed to be fan!

Terry Barratt
Oakville, Ontario, Canada



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Isn’t it about time that we place the blame exactly where it should be, not on Dunlop–they are only doing what any profit-minded company should do kill their competition– the blame should go directly on the AMA! Once again the AMA in their infinite wisdom has decided to take something that they obviously know nothing about, competitive racing, and screw it up a little more again.

No one team, motorcycle manufacture or tire manufacture should be allowed or have the ability to buy all the test dates available. It would be like Honda telling the racing world that we own the Suzuka facility and because of that if you don’t race Hondas in the 8-hour you can’t race here. It just wouldn’t happen, they’re smarter than that, they know that competition breeds success and in turn brings more people to the sport.

The AMA should stop pretending to know what they are doing when it comes to racing and get out of the direct regulation of the sport and just be a sanctioning body allowing the use of the name for a fee. The sport should be run and regulated by people from the racing world, past racers, officials, safety communications people, people who live, eat and breathe motorcycle racing. People who know that racing is not always a fair playing field, that is what racing is all about trying to get the best out of what you have to work with, within set parameters, not a lopsided advantage.

North American motorcyce racing should not become a cookie-cutter sport similar to World SBK or some aspects of NASCAR, that is not what the sport is all about. It is about being the best!

This is just my opinion but I believe there are more people out there that feel this same way. Isn’t it about time that we as consumers of the product both as spectators, racers, track owners and manufacturers let the AMA know enough is enough?

Tom Beatty
Motorcycle enthusiast and former WERA racer
Castalia, Ohio



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I used to be a guy who bought an even mix of Dunlop and Michelin. I’d like to thank Dunlop for making my choice easier. Next week’s pending ST tire purchase will now be Pilot Roads. May have to order up some new Pilot Races for the track bike, too. Dunlop has DQ’d themselves with their unsportsmanlike behavior. Shame.

Regards,
Roger Albert
Owner, OnRoad OffRoad Cycles
Austin, Texas



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I was on the fence as to what tire to use for club racing and track days this season. Jim Allen and Dunlop have made the choice for me. It is cowardice. Looks like Walt Schaefer and Tom Masson will be collecting my money for new Michelins this season. I hope Michelin supplies E-Boz with the best tires they can make.

Clayton Potter
CCS/FUSA, WERA, CRA Expert
Bellevue, Nebraska




FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I would like to start out by stating my position on Dunlop tires even before the buyouts or the tire failures. I have never liked a Dunlop tire. I have always thought that they needed substantial improvement over a Michelin, or Pirelli.

I recently bought a new liter bike with Dunlops on it. I bought new Michelins out of pocket, and gave away the Dunlops (obvious reasons), two days after purchasing the bike. I guess in that sense I have already boycotted them. I will NEVER buy another Dunlop tire.

The tire test buyout is just a downright shady deal. They gave no “heads-up” as to their intentions. As I say again, a shady deal. They knew what they were doing, and they still did it. It is bad business practice. It is bad for business, period. Dunlop will reap what they have sown on this one. Do you think all the other tire makers will stand for this in the future? I do not.

Michelin, Pirelli, and now Bridgestone will continue to receive my business in the future. I will make it known that in addition to Dunlop’s poor quality, riding characteristics, and build, I will NEVER own another Dunlop tire or product.

To all the teams running everything but Dunlop this season, in AMA, All-Japan Series, or whatever season you participate in, I wish you all the best of luck out there. The best tires and teams will prevail, and I can almost bet they will not be on a Dunlop tire.

Jason Sherrill
Kanagawa, Japan



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I don’t understand everyone thinking of Dunlop as the Evil Empire just because they want exclusive testing without Michelin looking over their shoulder. Dunlop has every right to spend their own money on testing if they wish and invite whomever they want. If Suzuki were testing/developing a new 600, would you expect them to invite Honda to come and watch? Hell, no.

It’s business, competition. I see people complaining, saying that last year everyone was invited to these tests, etc. Well, there wasn’t anyone on a Michelin last year that was a threat. E-Boz should take it as a compliment. Michelin can afford to have their own tests if they want. The only reason they’re invested in the AMA so heavily this year is because they (along with Dunlop) got screwed in World Superbike for next season.

All these people writing in saying they’ll never buy another Dunlop. Give me a break.

Ryan Cilley
Peterborough, New Hampshire



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

After my previous post, several people reminded me that it is normal for a tire company to hold private tests. This is very true. That is what Dunlop does at Daytona in August and December each year. No one would ever expect a company to invite a competitor to a private test.

The test dates that Dunlop has bought with the sole intentions of preventing Michelin, Pirelli, and others from participating in were TEAM TESTS.

These are tests that the individual teams schedule and share the costs with all the teams that participate in the test. They have not been limited to the brand of bike or brand of donut on the bike in the past.

Perhaps we will see one of the bike manufacturers (like Ducati) buy all of the test dates at all the tracks next year, and exclude everyone that is not on a Michelin-shod Ducati from testing.

Think that would stir up some shit at the AMA?

Of course, I fully understand Dunlop’s concern. Since they have been the sole participant in AMA racing for so long, they never had to develop a competitive, or even reliable tire, as the winner would still be a Dunlop.

Now, with Michelin coming to play, Dunlop is faced with the reality that they have won their last championship in U.S. motorcycle road racing.

I also predict that in two years, Dunlop will be begging for someone to give tires to like they are in MotoGP, and Jim Allen will have to actually treat privateers with respect and hope the Michelin and Pirelli guys ran out of tires for the event.

Dunlop’s unethical practices like the rain tire debacle in 600cc Supersport a few years ago with the Pirelli MT60s and the “special rain set-up” on Miguel’s bike come to mind. (remember Jim Allen attacking the Pirelli guy?)

Dunlop’s attitude, as represented by Jim Allen, has disgusted me and a lot of other people for a lot of years, and I hope it bites them in the ass. Specifically, the pocketbook area.

Regards,

Mark Lewellen
Ozark, Missouri



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Isn’t it interesting that there has been no response from Dunlop, and not a single word in favor, or with some sort of understanding or explanation of the justification for Dunlop’s move? Where are all the Dunlop people?

I suppose they could be in the laboratory, formulating a response that can withstand the pressure better than their latest compound could at the track. I am sooo happy that I decided to purchase a set of Pirelli Diablo Corsas this summer for my Ducati. They are great all weather performance tires, if anyone is curious. Check the article in the January issue of Roadracing World.

The way the reponse to this buyout of track dates is going, we may just have to refer to this company as Dumblop from now on.


Andrew Victor Nabagiez
Los Angeles, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I can’t believe how much of a fuss people are making over “Dunlop’s Move To Squash AMA Tire Competition”. Business is business and sort of like war: “All is fair in love and war”. Dunlop found a little loophole and took advantage of it to gain a bit of an edge. Not unlike discovering a new tire compound or construction and filing a patent in order to monopolize the advantage for as long as possible. Dunlop discovered that it was possible, within the current rules structure, to do what they did and I do not blame them. Next year the AMA will, hopefully, revise the rules in order to prevent this type of situation from recurring and life goes on.

David Zuiker
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I thought about trying Dunlops this year. Not any more, unless Dunlop decides to play fair. Having ridden for 30 years and currently owning four streetbikes and one racebike I won’t ever be purchasing a set of Dunlops again. Let’s all join Melissa and vote with our wallets. There’s always another vendor at any club race and they’re usually cheaper to boot.

Mike Atlas
CRA #26
Plymouth, Minnesota



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I am outraged at this “legal” but unsportsmanlike attempt by Dunlop to hurt the very competition that the AMA series needs when the competition of the other series is increasing so greatly. MotoGP, by the quality of the riders on top teams and WSBK, by creating the one-tire rule (which I think is great). If this hurts the Michelin runners’ chances at any of the tracks this year (and it will) then a big thank you to Dunlop for hurting what would otherwise be great racing and entertainment throughout this racing season.

I know Roadracingworld.com is on point on this issue and will be trying to reach Eric Bostrom, Ducati, and the other teams involved for comment and I’ll be checking your website hourly for these reports. As a fan, I want to know how Michelin is going to combat this unsportsmanlike conduct of Dunlop and also what the AMA will do about it.

While I wish no harm to any rider I hope Dunlop tires continue to implode–this move has made one less road bike that will ever wear Dunlop Flubber.

Shelley Gruber
Lithonia, Georgai



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Dunlop’s ill-advised decision deserves the criticism it’s receiving. However—-as is often the case—-everyone (at Dunlop) is being painted with the same broad brush. I have great respect for Jim Allen; I’d hate to see him flamed because of someone else’s decision. Unless, of course, it was his decision. Can Roadracing World enlighten us? And, I, too, am going to vote with my wallet.

Reg Kittrelle
Scotts Valley, California



See related posts:

1/8/2004 Updated Post: Dunlop Buys Up AMA Team Test Dates, Excludes Non-Dunlop Teams

1/12/2004 AMA Director And Dunlop Vice President Buckley Personally Arranged Buyout Of AMA Co-op Team Tests To Stifle Competition