So the biggest Prima Donna in the AMA paddock gets suspended for mouthing off and DMG is flexing its muscle and showing who's boss. I guess this wasn't unexpected since they run NASCAR as a tight lipped ship as well. I'd like to hear what Hacking said. (who wouldn't?) I have no doubt that he ran off his mouth about the Buell and DMG but it was probably DiSalvo whom he directed the spew of obsenities at. Just look at the transcript of the post-race interview. Although I respect him as a rider since he learned to stop crashing some years ago, I've always disliked his attitude when he thinks everyone should just pull over and let him by because his rightful place is at the front. That said, I've never liked the notion that professional athletes are prohibited from expressing their opinions. I think a permanent suspension is an extreme penalty. The idea that he *might* be reinstated if he makes an "acceptable" public apology to AMA Pro Road Racing strikes me as extremely arrogant on their part. Just collect the fine, put him on double secret probation with a strong warning against future outbursts, and move on. I hope he tells them to stuff it. Then there's the state of the Premier class in AMA Pro... DAYTONA Sportbike. Without Jamie, what do we have? A three or four way battle between the likes of Eslick, Herrin, DiSalvo, and Zemke. Eslick has shown some solid talent over the past couple years but seems to be benefitting from the rules even though no other Buell rider is. The only rider in the class I even like is Zemke. Funny that the Honda in closer-to-stock trim doesn't seem so competitive contrasted with the utter domination of WSS and FX this decade. I'm ambivalent about Herrin and DiSalvo. I'd like Eslick more if he was racing straight-up. I don't like Hacking. The rest are mostly unknowns. Not too exciting.
