Post by Mr Moto on Oct 25, 2006 21:48:29 GMT -5
AMA MOVES PERSONNEL AROUND: TRIES TO FIX WHAT THEY BROKE
AMA CEO Patti DiPietro is obviously trying to fix the AMA: by restructuring it. The last few months have seen a lot of changes, but very little difference in the AMA’s unfortunate history of making incredibly poor decisions.
From the unleaded fuel rule that killed two-strokes, to the unwillingness to change the rules to save two-strokes, to the gas rule disqualifications (and reversals) that made the AMA look inept, to the new Supercross/Motocross entry rules that made the AMA look elitist, to their unannounced, but in discussion, plans to make every AMA Supercross rider race a 250 four-stroke (yes, you read that right, the AMA brain trust wants both the super stars and the 125 East/West riders to race 250F’s—and eliminate 450s), to the incredibly stupid “Motocross” and “Motocross Lites” class names, to sending out a press release bad mouthing Honda for being unhappy about having to put a competitor’s name on the front of their factory bikes, to...the list goes on, but suffice it to say that the AMA has taken motocross down the wrong path many times. And, there is no relief in sight.
IS THERE RELIEF IN SIGHT?
Well, maybe Patti DiPietro can fix it. Here are some of the moves she made this week:
Doug Neubauer continues as Vice President-Racing and will oversee AMA's flat track, supermoto and off-road/cross country disciplines.
Ken Rogers, formerly AMA Pro Racing Director of Timing and Scoring, has been promoted to Vice President-Racing. Rogers will oversee AMA's road racing, motocross and arenacross disciplines.
Neubauer and Rogers will report to AMA CEO Patti DiPietro.
Steve Whitelock, formerly Series Manager for AMA Supercross/Motocross, has been promoted to Director of Supercross/Motocross. Whitelock will manage AMA's Supercross, motocross and arenacross disciplines and will report to Rogers. Rogers and Whitelock will relocate to AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.
According to DiPietro, these changes are the result of the AMA's recently announced restructuring plans. "We're placing all AMA racing properties under one umbrella and staffing ourselves to serve this model," said DiPietro. "The newly-formed positions of Racing VPs will each be responsible for directing a certain group of disciplines including both amateur and pro. This will not only help bring consistency and logic to each racing discipline but it will also ensure improved rider progression and overall series growth."
The changes follow on the heels of a number of sweeping changes made at the AMA with regards to rules making. Under the system announced earlier this year, separate rules making committees have been formed for each discipline. Additionally a standing racing committee has been created to oversee the strategic direction of AMA Championship Racing. The organization continues to be governed by a board of directors.
"This has been an ambitious year for our company yet our goals remain high," added DiPietro. "We've completely rebuilt the methodology for creating rules as well as how we manage our racing properties. These changes along with more to come, are all being made to better serve our members, racing fans, competitors, and sponsors."
AMA CEO Patti DiPietro is obviously trying to fix the AMA: by restructuring it. The last few months have seen a lot of changes, but very little difference in the AMA’s unfortunate history of making incredibly poor decisions.
From the unleaded fuel rule that killed two-strokes, to the unwillingness to change the rules to save two-strokes, to the gas rule disqualifications (and reversals) that made the AMA look inept, to the new Supercross/Motocross entry rules that made the AMA look elitist, to their unannounced, but in discussion, plans to make every AMA Supercross rider race a 250 four-stroke (yes, you read that right, the AMA brain trust wants both the super stars and the 125 East/West riders to race 250F’s—and eliminate 450s), to the incredibly stupid “Motocross” and “Motocross Lites” class names, to sending out a press release bad mouthing Honda for being unhappy about having to put a competitor’s name on the front of their factory bikes, to...the list goes on, but suffice it to say that the AMA has taken motocross down the wrong path many times. And, there is no relief in sight.
IS THERE RELIEF IN SIGHT?
Well, maybe Patti DiPietro can fix it. Here are some of the moves she made this week:
Doug Neubauer continues as Vice President-Racing and will oversee AMA's flat track, supermoto and off-road/cross country disciplines.
Ken Rogers, formerly AMA Pro Racing Director of Timing and Scoring, has been promoted to Vice President-Racing. Rogers will oversee AMA's road racing, motocross and arenacross disciplines.
Neubauer and Rogers will report to AMA CEO Patti DiPietro.
Steve Whitelock, formerly Series Manager for AMA Supercross/Motocross, has been promoted to Director of Supercross/Motocross. Whitelock will manage AMA's Supercross, motocross and arenacross disciplines and will report to Rogers. Rogers and Whitelock will relocate to AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.
According to DiPietro, these changes are the result of the AMA's recently announced restructuring plans. "We're placing all AMA racing properties under one umbrella and staffing ourselves to serve this model," said DiPietro. "The newly-formed positions of Racing VPs will each be responsible for directing a certain group of disciplines including both amateur and pro. This will not only help bring consistency and logic to each racing discipline but it will also ensure improved rider progression and overall series growth."
The changes follow on the heels of a number of sweeping changes made at the AMA with regards to rules making. Under the system announced earlier this year, separate rules making committees have been formed for each discipline. Additionally a standing racing committee has been created to oversee the strategic direction of AMA Championship Racing. The organization continues to be governed by a board of directors.
"This has been an ambitious year for our company yet our goals remain high," added DiPietro. "We've completely rebuilt the methodology for creating rules as well as how we manage our racing properties. These changes along with more to come, are all being made to better serve our members, racing fans, competitors, and sponsors."