Danny Eslick, Buell, and Richie Morris Racing Follow Up

While over the w/e Danny Eslick romped the field in

both of the Fontana AMA Daytona Sportbike races, the

talk around the internet--and I am sure at the races as

well--has been the 'extra displacement' that the Buell

has been allowed compared to the 600cc inline-fours. As

a result of all this consternation, one--or two--things have been

overlooked.

One of those is the talents of Danny Eslick. While all the

nay-sayers seem to focus on the 1125cc +/- that the Buell

is allowed, the fact still remains even a sled has to have a great

rider. Not taking away anything from any of the other great

riders that have been running the class this year.

And the second, for sure, is the motorcycle. And I am here to present you

with some shots of the Bruce Rossmeyer/Richie Morris Racing-Geico sponsored

Buell. Now of course as these shots were taken in September 2008 at the

Indy MotoGP race, the make-up of the bike is most certainly different per the

difference in class rules from last to this year. And the paint job is definitely

a lot brighter and more eye-appealing overall. Just my opinion mind you.

But nonetheless, you get the idea of what the machine is like and looks like

that is setting the world-or at least the AMA Pro Racing Daytona

Sportbike-class world, on fire. And those like myself, and many of you,

who still follow it in spite of the way that the DMG group

has managed to put it on it's head.

There is also a link that I wanted to add to these shots as well, that the good people

over at http://www.roadracerx.com/ ran a story on the team today. And it is a VERY good

article with the outlook of the genius behind the bike on what his and their perceptions

are to all of the bruhaha---did I spell that right??---that has transformed this wonderful

world of U.S. or AMA Road Racing into a very intense discussion no matter the side you

chose to stand on. Mr. Morris also talks about their other rider, Michael Barnes, who has

been racing motorcycles on at least this continent for at least as long as I can remember it.

The guy has an intense enthusiasm about racing and can also ride just about darned anything,

and has, on two wheels. I posted the shot of Mr. Barnes on #34 M4 Suzuki GSXR-600 that

I took of him last year at Road America. This was during the rain practice on Friday that

w/e and back in turn 10. Also the same corner I shot the pic of Danny Eslick from the w/e

post. Here is the link to that story:

http://www.roadracerx.com/features/between-the-races/between-the-races-richie-morris/

....and another.....

http://www.roadracerx.com/features/tuesday-conversation/tuesday-conversation-michael-barnes/

So no matter which side you choose on the size of the displacement versus the amount of

cylinders you are allowed or the make of the motorcycle that you will be allowed to run in

any given class as designed, you at least have to take the time to enjoy and respect those

that can and will find the way to win. Be it the immense talents of Mr.'s Eslick, Barnes, and

Morris at this moment in time, or be it the lines between the rule book, the fact still remains

it all has to fit together perfectly before it becomes a true and complete puzzle.

Danny Eslick Wins Fontana Race 1 AMA Sportbike

For those of you still following the DMG-operated AMA
Superbike....errrr........Pro Racing Series this year will be
hearing a lot of this name this year. Danny Eslick, aboard
the Richie Morris Racing Harley-based Buell 1125 just
minutes ago won race one at Fontana, CA., in the Daytona
Sportbike class. This is called such since the NasCrash heads
of the DMG-Daytona Motorsports Group-took over running
of our beloved AMA Superbike Series. But that is another story
for another time.

Danny Eslick is the reason for this little post. The above shot of him
was taken at Road America in June '08. He was aboard a Matsushima
Suzuki GSXR-600 at the time, and this was the old existing FX-formula
extreme-class under the old AMA-operated Superbike Series. The class was
for the most part mini-supersports-almost mini-superbikes on steroids.
But Mr. Eslick, who comes from a dirt track background, managed to win
the first Fontana round by over 2.5 seconds. On a Buell no less. Heck, he was
running right up at the front if not leading for the better part of the Daytona 200
until the insides of the Buell trying to run at 160+ on the banks at Daytona rattled
the radiator and fairing brackets loose. But that's another story altogether now as well....

Congrats to Danny Eslick, and to Buell, for being able to put together an impressive run
against some formidable talent. With the shorter races now for the remainder of
the schedule, we probably won't be seeing any other mechanicals because of vibration.
Which is good. This kid has talent and I think with this class structure being what it is
(please see AMA rules at http://www.amaproracing.com/ ) for that list to be better to understand it.
But that being said, keep an eye and ear out for more Danny Eslick sightings.
I'm sure they will be there!