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Kawasaki Suspends AMA Pro Road Racing Involvement
IRVINE, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2009) — Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. announced the company will not participate in the AMA Pro Racing road racing series in 2010.
“While we’ve always considered road racing an integral part of our sportbike development process, the realities of the current economic situation dictate the temporary suspension of our U.S. road racing activities,” said Bruce Stjernstrom, marketing director.
Kawasaki’s long history of successful road racing includes 20 AMA series championships. Among the many champions who have worn the Kawasaki lime green racing leathers are Reg Pridmore, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Miguel Duhamel, Scott Russell, Doug Chandler, Eric Bostrom and more recently Tommy Hayden and Roger Hayden.
“We expect to see eventual improvements in the general economic condition and Kawasaki will reevaluate its road racing position as we monitor those issues,” said Stjernstrom.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, utility vehicles and recreation utility vehicles through a network of more than 1,475 independent retailers, with an additional 8,000 retailers specializing in Kawasaki power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,300 people in the United States, with 400 of them located at KMC’s Irvine, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline,”Let the good times roll,” is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand has become synonymous with powerful, stylish motorcycles for over four decades. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.
Yet another casualty of DMG/AMA “Pro”. When will the bleeding stop?
Here’s hoping DMG will take notice and stop trying to turn what used to be a good series into the “NASCRAP of motorcycle racing”. First Honda, now Kawi. Next it’ll be Yamaha, Ducati, and maybe even Suzuki. I mean, why would the other manufacturers want to race when there’s no one else to race against? It’s happened in Canada already. Honda left a few years ago. Kawi’s now gone (along with the most winningest racer in Candadian history in Jordan Zsoke). Yamaha just announced that they’re pulling out. And Suzuki won’t be running a factory team. So the Parts Canada Superbike Series is a right off this year, and it looks like DMG’s NASBIKE isn’t far behind. Oh well, at least motoGP and Moto2 are looking promising this year. oh yeah, World SBK too. I really don’t think too many fans will miss AMA/Canadian Superbike…
Becoming a new rider in 2008 (June) and an owner of a Ninja ZX6R my interest in motorcycle racing started to grow. I anticipated being able to journey to some bike races in late 2009. 30K miles on the passionate express machine and on May 7th of 2009 a woman pulls into my path and lays me up in the hospital for 19 days. I’m out of work until August. I’m begining to feel like it’s time to get back on the machine and pick up where I left off (some how pick up and left off looks different now that I read it), I mean start thinking about going to some bike races on the bike (adventure). But considering that my brand won’t be participating, I too will suspend my interest in the AMA and I’m going to let them know it. I encourage all other to do the same, what ever manufacturer you choose to support!
I feel compelled to inform you (the AMA) that I will support the manufacturer of my choice and motorcycle “Kawasaki” in suspending any interest in AMA Pro Racing. This will be in effect until they “a Kawasake manufactured sponsored program” returns to AMA Pro Racing. I also urge DMG to do what is necessary to bring all manufacturer’s back to AMA Pro Racing and not allow a “spec” motorcycle to become a standard as NASCAR has allowed.