Al Ludington Confrontation

[superbikeeric777]

JRP, YOU ARE THE EPITOME OF THE TRUE RACER AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTSMAN, AND AL LUDINGTON WAS AN UNPROFESSIONAL TOOL. YOUR RIGHT ABOUT HOLDING THE LINE, YOU READ THE RULE BOOK, AND ANYONE WHO'S BEEN TO A TRACK EVENT KNOWS EVEN AS A SPECTATOR YOU HOLD THE LINE. DOESN'T HE EVER WATCH SPEED TV AND WHAT THE COMMENTATORS SAY?

[twowheelflyercr]

I've been in this situation.......If you are so great,why didn't you blow by me?

[MerlinxPV]

Once a tool, always a tool, Al you used to say the same bullshit when you were DuHamel's mechanic,, glad you're gone, sorry it took so long.

[TheAMGLover]

Al Ludington is a fckn idiot and should never be part of management again...

[sacarmyvet]

The AMA is a JOKE!!! Well it's not AMA any longer but it's DMG and still a JOKE!

[yourandy]

Al YOUR WRONG BLUE FLAG=HOLD your FUCKING line "Getting out of the way" is way MORE dangerous I"ve been their.... AL YOUR a DOUCHE....

[TheIndianDoctor]

@yourandy Absolutley correct. I have been there too AND cause an accident trying to "get out of the way." The faster more experienced riders are smart enough to go around you, as they assume you WILL hold your line.

Luddington got reprimanded for that BTW.

[JasonMaximHall]

It is virtually impossible to get out of the way in S bend sections. The safest thing to do is hold your line so that the passing rider does not have to second guess the slower rider's moves.

Remember that race bikes do not have the benefit of rear view mirrors either.

Al Luddington has clearly bitten off more than he can chew with his new role. JRP is 100x the man that Al Luddington is.

[randog69]

what an asshole , plz shoot yourself dick in orange blouse

[ffmedic9926]

This man is very unprofessional, In any venue this man was wrong in how he dressed him down like that. The use of profanity was uncalled for and looks as if this guy just did not like this man. The rider never raised his voice or cursed...Nice race offical maybe we should put him in charge of somthing important like taking out the trash because he lacks the skills to deal with situations like that one.

[BenderJG]

Wow what a scumbag, I bet he throws rocks at old people and puppies too. His outburst was the most clearcut example of whats become of, and is wrong with AMA/DMG series. JRP did exactly what racers are told to do at every riders meeting and I see no fault with his actions. I've seen this type of behavior before from a certain asshole while cornerworking up at Louden years ago, any coincedence it was from former rider Asshole Migual D.? They'l never get anymore of my money. Irogant A-holes.

[conekiller13]

AMA= American Monkey Association. DMG has turned American motorcycle road racing into an international laughing stock. I can't wait untill the orginazation folds and sombody picks up the pieces and bases a new system of WSB rules.

DMG= Dumbass Motherf.......Goons!

[ProfessorIgor]

blue flag means be aware that you're about to get lapped, hold your line, do NOT move out of the way unless it's ABSOLUTELY safe and possible. Mid-O has no hiding places to pull over. I have known Al a LONG time, and he is wrong on this.

[elian0580]

Rock is 100% correct on this one, blue flag means hold your line. AMA is not like it use to be; times have change unfortunately for the worst. Lets hope with this recovery we can get rid of some "bad blood"(Rules and procedures). In the other hand we have Moto GP and World Superbike to look forward to some amazing racing. Go Spies!!!

[vpreggie]

Your'e being lapped JR; meaing someone's going significantly faster than you.

Move the frig OVER, lapper-scum.

[OCSecretGirl]

Wasn't JRP in last place? Who was he racing? Just wondering what happens if DMG decides to not run the AMA series at all? What happens to all those people? What do the fans do that look forward to the racing? Please educate me on the fact there are 100s of people in racing making their living from just that. Fans love the sport why kill it? DMG is here to stay why jump on the band wagon and kill the sport?

[y2ksquidracer]

Unbelievable idiots! DMG is a freaking JOKE! Al Dummington should get FIRED! I will never go to another AMA race again. I went to Infineon this year and it was a JOKE! I went to the MotoGP race and the AMA made a joke of themselves there too!

[drw1926]

I guess he held his line. ; )

[onesaintsfan]

AMA sucks all the way around anyway. Whats it matter

[rockyr74]

idiot showed his colors when he clearly said "fkd up the SHOW". I don't want a GD show, I want to see racing and backmarkers are part of that. Piss on DMG / AMA / NASCAR idiots. Courtesy should have compelled JR to move over, but he doesn't deserve to be browbeat like this.

[sprtbkgrl]

Couldn't help myself... FYI... "The Show" is common terminologly used in professional sports. Example: making it into the MLB / NFL / and yes the AMA, is referred to as "making the show." Al isn't for everyone & it may not have been his place to say it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't worth saying. JRP took the term "traffic" to literally. Besides, Al is the least of the AMA's problems right now.

[savardr6]

Al, you don't know what you are talking about. GET RETIRED old fart.

[WORLD2OOO]

If JRP can't figure out how to race with the fast riders (after they've lapped him), regardless of how the rules are written, he should stick to club racing (or Daytona Sportbike).

(Sorry about multiple posts, reached character limit)

[WORLD2OOO]

The fact that someone surreptiously recorded what was supposed to be a private conversation should not change the fact that JRP ruined a great race between two great racers. Backmarkers have been getting out of the way in AMA, WSBK, MotoGP, WERA, 500, 250 and 125 (not to mention 350, 50 etc) GP, Endurance, Supersport, Superstock and MX and SX for years.

[WORLD2OOO]

Al Luds is trying to get JRP to see what's going on and JR(I held my line)P refuses to understand that he's a perennial lapper. Move over you turtle-slug!

[WORLD2OOO]

JRP has a history of holding up races. He needs to get with the program and move over and let the fast racers through. I've been at Mid-Oh for the last 15 AMA races and have also attended races at Indy the last 2 years and seen WSBK at Misano. Mid-Oh is 80-90% a one line track (as are most AMA SBK tracks) and if lappers don't move over the racing will never be close.

[WORLD2OOO]

GO AL! If the AMA race directors are too stupid to see what's going on and say something, at least someone with a set of stones should straighten out JRP.

I am no longer a fan of the AMA, I am a fan of Roadracing and am embarrassed to watch the series go down the tubes (i.e. 2009 Laguna fiasco). AL is at least trying to give the series some legitamacy. He's also forgotten more about racing, wrenching and riding than most of the posters here and JRP have experienced.

[elephantcup]

Here's a glimpse into why AMA/DMG racing is imploding. To this moron Luddington, it;s all about "the show", sponsors, and money. It's so fake. What these NASCAR (DMG) morons don't realize is that it's not about the "show" it's about racing. If they just let people race and didn't get so hung up on "the show" it would be more real, and people that know about racing wouldn't think it's such a joke. I used to watch every AMA race, this year I haven't watched ONE, it sucks so bad. F**K NASCAR.

[holley4bbl]

Yates a class act? He drop kicked Anthony Fania after crashing out of the 2004 Daytona 200!

[gixxer1kdude]

i agree that he should have moved out of the way and not "held his line"....but i bet JRP is faster than anybody who's posting on here...just my two cents

[JLUnlimited]

Both points are valid. But I would have moved. .

[dirkdiggler13]

Ludington is a douche who needs to read the rulebook. Page is a career back marker, but he absolutely did what he was supposed to do. He should've knocked Ludington's teeth through the back of his head for talking him down like that. Even Yates said that Page did what he was supposed to do, and that he wouldn't have won the race anyway.

[justinandsuzanne]

The AMA is on its way down the shitter, it isnt what it used to be. And JRP needs to retire and go make more "look at my awesome house" movies. He is a disgrace to racing.

[billdaugherty]

ALSO!, it'd be really nice if the AMA spent money & energy putting together a commercial for the series that doesn't look & sound like it was put together by a high school audio/visual department. And if the guy leading the race is such a stud, why does ANYBODY need to "get out of the way"? I mean, don't you usually have to pay to have competitions thrown? And what usually happens when people find out that sort of thing is going on? The rule doesn't say "get out of the way".

[netjustin]

Yates is not the star of any show, and even if he was/is, it's up to him to make a clean pass on a rider that might be slower than him. AFM has more of this racing spirit than the AMA, apparently. And the top class excepted, they don't even offer a cash purse!

[urudufusmisrael]

THANKS FOR POSTING THE VIDEO AS WELL!

image + voices + movements = video, speaks for 1,00000000000000 words.

[urudufusmisrael]

DMG/AMA = DaMaGe AMA.

i did not agree how JRP somewhat got on the gas hard when Hayes & Yates came by.. BUT Al's professionalism .. i mean hes no small fish ... this guy represents the entire "series" in ways around the media-racers-teams-fans ...

no wonder ... our "premium race" series still at club-racing levels of *media* compared to the world.

[gregfbp]

Both of them should "agree to disagree" over a beer".

[ccsargent]

One more point on this...it is the AMA rules for qualification that allow back markers to be a part of the racing...the rule allows racers that are within 108% of the fastest time qualify...this insure lots of slower riders on the track. JRP didn't write the rules, but he was following them. The AMA should take a look at its rulebook and make some positive changes so we can discuss the great racing instead of this crap.

[ccsargent]

The argument is about "rules" vs. etiquette...the rules do not dictate that a back marker must move off of the race line...smart riders generally do it to avoid exactly what happened here...

JRP didn't break the rules, but he also didn't do the right thing...To avoid this in the future the AMA should change the rule to "Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to move off of the race line when it is safe to do so, to avoid impeding faster riders."

[gixxerguate]

Who the F... is that old, over-the-hill, Viagra poping, just for men, a-hole?

JRP is a racer; he made a minor mistake that is blown out of proportion by a f@ggety ass punk prick.

[OCSecretGirl]

I think it's gixxerguate who is the over-the-hill guy.  Are you kidding JRP "made a mistake" go blow your boyfriend.

[gixxerguate]

Hey OCSecreGirl

GET A LIFE!!!

And a gender while you're at it.

[Natronmeansbizness]

Didn't see the race...so who knows if Page actually held his line or what. However, anybody who's raced (and I have) can tell you that what Page is saying is true. You hold your line and let the overtaking rider make the pass..."getting out of the way" can cause wrecks. Last thing I'd want is some slower guy trying to "get out of the way" by swerving right or left when I'm coming up on him fast. Who knows if he held his line or not though...that's the question.

[fugginkevin]

Luddington's right.. Page belong's in club racing. Not in our nation's premier road racing series. Obviously this doesn't take into account DMG's totally fucking up the entire series and steering it towards the "All-Harley" invitational.

Hopefully next year the manufacturers create their own series, and return American Superbike racing to it's rightful place. One where only the best riders on the best equipment battle each other.

[MoralsFading]

Al was suspended. Move on. He apologized and acknowledged he did not act in a professional manner.

There are two sides to everything, and if you really think AMA is that bad, just move on and quit whining like little school girls.

[ExWERA312]

As a former WERA expert I agree with JRP. When being passed by the leaders 'hold your line and allow them to pass' is exactly as JRP puts it. The point is to do nothing unexpected, allowing the leaders to cleanly pass . I also point out the position on the track, a one-line section of multiple turns in a row. JRP is going slow in relation to Yates but he was going as fast as HE could. To change your line in the middle of a turn while going as fast as one can is not an easy thing to do.

[EJ25RUN]

Actually, i have heard the WERA people like the way their series is run much better. AMA was something worth watching back before 2006.

[vdub18t]

Two words: "That's racing". Back markers are part of the equation of going fast/winning. Sorry. Putting this much consternation over a race is ludicrous. Last I checked, riders have to PAY the AMA to race. This means Als job is partly funded by the racers. More professionalism should have been demonstrated from Big Al in speaking/correcting someone who helps pay your dang salary. Lesson learned. JRP, next time, just let the fast boys by. Then everybody is happy, no one gets fired.

[trackdayrider]

MM is green with envy everybody knows he wanted to be the one to stick it to the AMA and JRP really did it

[yellowGwing]

When it states " Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass" that means DO NOT USE THE WHOLE TRACK!!!! DO NOT GO FAR OUTSIDE, TOTAL INSIDE APEX, AND BACK TO FAR OUTSIDE! if this idiot was a real professional he would know this! What do you think the part about ALLOW them to pass means?

[operationnorthwoodz]

Big Al got fired for this video. That's every racer's wet dream to get tech inspectors fired. I bet Mat Mladin is jealous.

[tas9195]

obviously some people don't know what a race line is. JRP was pushed off of the race line and got back on the race line when he could. Yeah he should have stayed to the outside and let yates through but he followed DMG I mean nascars rules. So for that he cannot be blamed. If they would have left the rules alone this would not have happened.

[code1080racing]

Thanks Scooter: Holding the line and not closing the throttle or swerving off of his existing line is what kept Yates in the "show". If Yates had set up a pass and JRP had left his line to "get out of the way", Yates could have hit him. Yates is a Veteran Pro Racer and is more than capable of putting a pass on a backmarker. JRP should have gotten a pat on the back for staying in his line and not getting tangled up with anyone else.

[nsr80rocketboy]

After watching last year's parade at MO, this vid does it for me. I'm done with AMA racing.

Racind is not supposed to be about "the show", it's supposed to be about men and their machines getting around the track as fast as possible. There are many hindrances to going fast, and a slower backmarker is just part of the problems you have to solve in order to win.

[uberdisco]

The same one you were, he held the racing line and the first rider got around him. Yes it looked like he closed the door on them cause that was the line he was on. The racing line. Not some imaginary line that goes straight, or magically out of their way, he stayed on the line he was racing on.

[dumpwheeler]

Very professional official? NOT!

[operationnorthwoodz]

AMASSCAR is frakkin PROFESSIONAL! JRP should hire a real lawyer and SUE for breach on contract, just like every driver should fight every traffic ticket.

[code1080racing]

I see alot of comments here about how JRP is at fault. I watched the incident in question a few times and saw JRP hold his line in a twisty section of track. The reality is, without mirrors or a spotter on the radio, JRP had no idea how many people were behind him and did the right thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Factory teams are the best riders out there and should be able to put a clean pass on a backmarker with no problem. To top it off Al Ludington should be fired for this.

[scootermannn]

Code: I agree with you. Twisty section at race pace = hold your line.

[ccsargent]

The AMA rule book says "vii. Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be

overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the

faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be blackflagged

at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing." Section 7.14

Most riders do move, but the Mid-Ohio track does not have much room to move.

[uberdisco]

For those that dont know and think they do know what the rules are. You are to HOLD your line!!

"Section 7: Race Rules And Procedures 7.14 Flags / Lights vii. Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be blackflagged at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing."

[uberdisco]

What kind of douche bag are you? Serious, No great riders come from Australia, What about Troy bayliss, Troy Corser, Mick Doohan, the list goes on. Get your head out of your ass!!

[Goatie65]

Errr Race bikes don't have mirrors. If you move of the line to someone through, what if there is another bike about to lap the guy coming through? Whammmmmm! Bent bikes, hurt riders. That's why there is a rule "to hold the line" in bike racing in the US, Europe and even down here in Australia (where the best riders in the world come from). The onus is ALWAYS on the overtaker...he can see!

[crazyeddie999]

JRP is part of the show and followed the rules. What else is there to say? Live by the rulebook-not everyone elses twisted interpretaion of it such as "get the F*CK out of the way" Thats just plain stupid.

Al is an ass. It aint the first time he has demonstrated a less than professional attitude at the track

Hey Roger E. Ya think you can make a real racing series instead of a soap opera?

I opted to not take my family to RA this year cuz I want to see REAL superbikes.

-Wood

[gforces]

It's not suppposed to matter what Al, DMG, or JRP says...if it's right there in the rulebook..., right? Seems to me Yates didn't want to change HIS line to overtake despite what the rulebook says. If it were the lapper's responsibility to get out of the way then within a few laps you'll have most everybody just constantly checking over their shoulders which, to me, is a recipe for disaster.

If I were required to do that, I'd just rather not even race as I'd just be filler.

[Lungbutter69er]

Al Luddington stepped square on his pecker right there! What an imbecile! JRP aint the fastest guy on the track but at least he had his facts straight! Frigging DMG can burn to the ground as far as I am concerned. Turned the most productive series on the planet into the laughing stock of the motoring world! I only wish it had been Roger Edmundson burning it down instead of Al! FDMG!

[lanhet51]

If I properly understand what some posters are saying, we should either tell lappers to get the fu## out of the way even when they are doing precisely what the rules tell them to do, or get rid of them altogether and run 6 bike races. Al Ludington had the right to disagree with JRP but not as an official since that was outside his field of responsibility. In any case, he has had a good master when it comes to backmarker bashing, the king of them all, the original sponsor lackey, Miguel DuHamel.

[kingobikes]

Al, you're an idiot. Having passed many riders in the past it's up to me to pre-plan my pass. If your rider is so good, he should have passed easily.

If JRP had moved out of the way and took out one of the riders, what kind of argument would you have had after?

You're a moran.

[R1Kyle]

JRP is right, he is part of the show, you do not have racing without racers, even lappers. The AMA has become a large joke because of actions like Als.

Hey Al shut up and do your job and let the riders do there's, your one wheel in the cog not the whole Cog.

[ValiRossi]

JRP's not that bad of a rider. I think he has finished on the lead lap in the past and almost did in this race. Which is not easy. DMG waded into his world and got embarrassed big time. Also that part of the track is so mickey mouse you can't get out of the way. Look at the Hacking Eslick episode.

[Smackwater]

I'm siding with Ludington. Its simple - the Blue Flag really means "There's a race here and you're not in it!"

[lanhet51]

BTW, why were JRP and his bike in the tech inspection garage post race? He was surely "invited" by Ludington who had no grounds or right to do so, just another case of AMA/DMG bullying. JRP being good with the media stuff obviously grabbed the opportunity to put Ludington in hot water. In the end Ludington got suspended for "detrimental conduct". Does that mean JRP's suspension for racing according to the rules will be lifted? Another proof that AMA/DMG is loosing it. Very ugly...

[txg356mt]

Putting opinions and emotions aside....an AMA "OFFICIAL" should act, portray, and instill professionalism. This is a professional road racing association after all. Al didn't exhibit any of these qualities and let his emotions take over. Management class 101 here Al.

[stimacsays]

JRP is my hero! Way to keep your cool and not punch Al in the face. I think I would have.

[ArclightX]

Seriously, make damn sure no one bullies you into taking down this video.

Being absolutely serious here. A video like this is more than enough to bring down this sham of a Nascrap run series so for the love of god, keep this video up at all costs, hell I'm I'm grabbing a copy of it myself just in case you get bullied into taking it down I'll repost it myself.

Cheers!

[x5e7en]

Page did what he's supposed to. If a rider behind you can't find a way around, that's their problem.

[marc3075]

I've known Al for over 20 years.

He's direct and clear.

What he was saying to Page doesn't jive with Al's usual objective attitude.

I'd lean towards the idea that DMG supports good spectating appeal.

As far as racing, I was a decent Cal competitor and I was taught to hold my line. I always left a bit extra on the inside if there was 2 guys behind.

Never try to get out of the way.

When you are lapping someone you are placing entire trust that they DO NOT do anything unexpected.

Page - OK.

[marc3075]

I wanted to add -

You ain't seen nothing till you've been passed going into a corner by Freddie Spencer and Eddie Lawson.. One on the inside, one on the outside wit an inch to spare.

Yeah, I left a bit on the inside....... ;-)

[marc3075]

And to address the lapper in the chicane?

If I was the leader, I would have done exactly the same thing to the 2nd place guy -

Balk a bit going into the corner and force him the have to stay behind the lapper.

Done it many times and it's been done to me just as many times.

Called "tactics" and lappers are what we called "moving chicanes".

[ride129]

Screw you Ludington! There is NO show to mess up in AMA. That series is doomed!!

[alyinsanfran]

Methinks DMG is pressing the issue with AMA.

As in, AMA are suddenly up against a for-profit boss who is demanding no screw-ups, and AMA is it's old self, screwing up weekly. Al is the first to fall.

Seriously, the Laguna press conference was an example of a man running defense against his bosses, not the press, so maybe Colin will be next? He should be, he's waaay out of his depth.

Not saying I could do a better job, but there are a lot of folk who could.

Gill Campbell, step up..

[alyinsanfran]

Ludington Apologizes For Actions; Janson to Oversee At-Event Technical Operations in Interim

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 22, 2009) - AMA Pro Racing officials have announced the indefinite suspension of the organization's Technical Director of Competition Al Ludington for conduct detrimental to the sport of professional motorcycle racing following this past weekend's AMA Pro Road Racing event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

[fueldragster]

From the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing Rulebook: "Section 7: Race Rules And Procedures 7.14 Flags / Lights vii. Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be blackflagged at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing."

And that's exactly what JRP did, so if didn't hold his line, he could of (And probably would of) been blacked flag,

[1977pmac]

+1 lap traffic is just part of racing. JRP did exactly what he should have, the passing rider is responsible for making a clean and safe pass. Ludington was WAY out of line.

[lanhet51]

I can't understand all the arguing. JRP has qualified for the race as per the AMA rules and as such he has the right to be on the track like any of the leaders. His behaviour under the blue flag was totally in line with safe racing practices and the rule book. Ludington as the technical director had no right whatsoever to harass him like he did. People who affirm a lapped rider should get out of the way are either ignorant about racing or total jerks who have watched too much WWF wrestling.

[ccduncan]

I used to like and respect Al Ludington, but it's obvious he's just another DMG-NASCRAP monkey. He's now suspended and has to apologize. How funny. The whole damn series needs to apologize to the fans. A new bike series, PLEASE!!! Fuck Speed Channel, fuck NASCAR and fuck the bible thumping rednecks that watch them.

[laurifilar]

Has this guy ever been on a track? Has he ever raced? Get a clue, find a new job. What would this guy have JRP do...sit up mid-apex? WOW, he should be proud.

[shovelheadwolf]

I hope this tool has been fired. That was the most incredible display of lack of professionalism that I have ever had the dismay to see. It's called racing and I hope that someone removes that ridiculous asshat before the racers get screwed over any more. It's NOT a freaking TV reality show... IT'S RACING YOU IDIOT!!

[rkoblischke]

What a tool. Its clear the Luddingtons only concern is ticket sales with comments like "your not the show". BS - Johnny was the show for the last lap and his actions were correct and in accordance with the rules. It was a matter of bad timing for Yates , thats all and a fact of life when racing.

[alyinsanfran]

C'mon, this kind of thing happens every weekend in one class or another. It's life and always has been in the AMA series. It's never been addressed because they insist on having overfilled grids.

I'm no fan of JRP, but when exactly was he supposed to look over his shoulder? He was turning the entire time through multiple apexes!

How do you hold your line and let a rider through? Should he have braked while holding his line?

He did the right thing and happened to get in the way.

[sbkarmen]

Hey Roger now that we've got your attention, I hope you die slowly from your pancreatic cancer, I hope its slowly eats your ass away painfully! thats the only joy I would get from the AMA. Man and we thought the AMA was bunk before, everyone said before the DMG took over it can't get any worse?? well here you go! thank god for WSBK and Motogp, hey them european are queer looking but at least they know how to promote and motorcycle roadrace! LMAO

[MoralsFading]

You're a pathetic low life no count insignificant poor excuse of a human being. Keep the comments in regard to the situation and leave someones personal welfare out of your disgusting comments.

[MoralsFading]

Also....The "pathetic low life" comment is for sbkarmen.

[sbkarmen]

wow AMA is turning into a drama "show" just like nascar! yeeeehaaaa pretty soon they're gonna be running oval tracks and doing left turns, I used to joke about the rolling start thing until they really started doing it!  Why is Ludington even talking to JRP?? isn't he the tech director?

[cbinx19]

anyone got the video of the pass?

[ItWentChunkaCHUNK]

it's here. search "jrp backmarker @ mid ohio". I think JRP did a good job of holding his line, per the rules. Luddington can go jump.

[nedragger]

as a former racer i was always told that is not my job too get out of the way of the leaders. its their job too get past an slower rider in a manner that is safe too all on the track, blue flag is too let you know the leader are coming and too hold your line too the best of your ability. point blank.

[SupermotoJohn]

Can't disagree with you MotoJoe, moving out of your line is inherently dangerous. WSBK and MotoGP have much better flag workers that give back markers a couple corners advanced notice of the lead group coming through. Those riders are also the best in the world and can look back and move out of the racing line safely, which is what they do. In AMA, I think holding the line and staying at your pace is the best policy. Then again, nobody watches AMA anymore, so who really cares.

[mpa420]

DMG is a joke.

[vrolleri]

anyone saying that JRP should have 'gotten out of the way" is an ass who clearly has no experience actually roadracing a motorbike.

in the section they were in, moving to one side would mean you'd be crossing the racing line back in short order.

ludington's actions were abominable. comments about JRP being an ass are from idiots that are either jealous or ignorant.

a setup? i think not. the guy is doing a reality show...that means cameras and mics on all the time....

[le351a]

I was mid-ohio this past weekend, and even thou I didn't see this incident, I can tell you the attendance was about 1/2 then what is usually there. There were no Yamaha, Suzuki, or Honda tents up at all.

[timme69680]

How many of you have actually been in a motorcycle race? Irrespective of the rider in this case. The rules are clear! blue flag means hold you line and let the faster riders past. It is not like you have a mirror on the damn bike, you maintain speed and keep the thing on your line. If you try to move over you could seriously cause a problem and really piss people off.

Lapped traffic is a component of racing a motorcycle. This Al guy is a complete ass and represents what I hate about the AMA.

[moldeater]

DMG and the AMA want it both ways - if they don't want lappers then limit the field to the top factory and support teams. But they won't do that because they want the revenue that field fillers like JRP provide. Here's what you get - now stop complaining Al, Bill, Colin and Roger.

[birddog347]

I have to agree with JRP... Yes is might be a douche, but if he does what the rules say then screw it. That is PART OF RACING and if you are faster and going to lap a guy it is your problem, not the person you are lapping.

DMG is a bunch of ass clowns, and they have turned AMA into a joke.

[newcalm]

What is the difference between JRP making sure his conversation with a control freak that just lost control when he thought nobody else would see of hear is recorded or a sting operation recorded by the cops or you recording your wife getting caught F$%King your best friend. It's all evidence in the end right? The only bullshit is here is Al himself and pathetic people like yourself.

[newcalm]

My 1st post was in response to the comment by trobin355

[newcalm]

trobin, If you look at Aaron Yates Superbike record you have to go back a long way to find a 1st place finish. He is a great rider....but...only 4 podium finishes so far this year and 8th place in the standings. Along the way, we have all seen him holding the exaust system in place with the heel of his right boot so he doesn't get black flagged (just a few races ago). We have also seen him race the last 5-6 laps of laguna last year with his shifter hanging and unusable.

More

[newcalm]

We have also seen him high side the bike when his traction control malfunctioned last year. Face it, he has been plagued with bad luck, bad race day preparation by the mechanics and bad luck on timing when overtaking slower riders.

You can like any rider you want. I like Yates as well but.......you can only make so many excuses for the guy and his team. He had much better results in Superstock. Maybe that was his best game.

[txflatblack]

This isn't a street bike in traffic on the way to work.

There are no mirrors. He has no idea where the bikes behind him are. If the tries to move out of the way, he is likely to actually move into the passing bike causing a wreck.

Hold your line is what every racer it trained to do in that situation. You can't go outside of the rules and do your own thing. Then Al would have something to complain about if it went wrong.

[R4Ltony]

Why does Al keep calling it a "show" It's aF'n race, and along with that is the leaders dealing with lap traffic. Should he have gotten out of the way? It would have been nice, but as he says and the rules say, holding the lines is the "advised" procedure.

[cbinx19]

7.14 Flags / Lights

Blue Flag: Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be blackflagged at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing.

here is the blue flag rule for you.

[jboatr1]

Keys words here genius...

AND ALLOW THE FASTER RIDERS TO PASS!!!

[cbinx19]

here is the thing, the blue flag is waving, ok hold my line and allow the fast riders to pass, he is not suppose to turn and look for how many riders are going to pass.

[trackdayrider]

listen carefully starting at sec 51 Al say "If they don't take care of it" being race control "you won't have a bike to ride tomorrow as far as I'm concerned" he being tech meaning he would fail his tech inspection.... Nice organization..... why would anyone want to be apart of this circus act.?

[sbkarmen]

hahahha I guess being Duhamel's crew chief all those years you become an ass! hahaha what ever happened to that guy, I guess nasbike doens't like canadians or they would of made him immortalized, I guess they're waiting for a redneck supposeredbike champ...

[sbkarmen]

don't worry Johnny you got 10 dollars for every word thats come out of Ludington's trap ever since he's been born.  The rule book states the punishment for not cooperating with the blue flag is a black flag?? The leads guys are supposed to race even if it means around lappers! JRP don't worry next years you can race in the MIC series! LOL FACK NASBIKE! suck it Bill France, go back to france or where ever the hell you're from! you guys screwed everything racing in America!

[jasonc32amg]

Wow, that Ludington is a dousche...

[willgixer750]

I didn't care for JRP much until i read an interview with him awhile back. The guy is just pushing himself to see what he can do. You have to respect that. I would guess that those saying he sucked can't run NEAR the times he can run...not even close.

And blue flag DOESN'T mean get out of the way. It means hold your line, as leaders are coming. Nothing else. Trying to get out of the way can EASILY turn into a huge problem if he doesn't know how many other riders are coming.

[f1ssport]

It's official. Professional motorcycle racing in America is dead. We are only left with "the show". UGH. WTF was JRP supposed to do, run-off and lowside in the grass to let them pass? They are faster, it's their job to pass safely.

[willgixer750]

JRP pays the money, and he runs the times that allow him to make the grid. Hell, doesn't he have a right to RACE to stay on the lead lap?

If the AMA has a problem with him being to slow they need to lower the time percentage required to make the grid. I am sure they have no issues taking his checks to the bank. Hell JRP is doing a lot more then the average racer to promote AMA Racing.

[SPL170db]

Nice...........keep these coming. It shall be fun to watch the DMG eat itself.

[Gamecock94]

Icing on the cake DMG.....you've completely destroyed American Road Racing. There is a reason attendance is WAY down (its not JUST the economy dopes) and you are the laughing stock on all the forums. I won't give a squirt of piss for your series. You might try watching WSBK and MotoGP.

[Physicker]

this conversation should have been held in private, I didn't see the race or the move in question but from working F&C for the CRA I can tell you that once a rider has committed to a line it's difficult to change it. We at the CRA don't use the Blue flag, the responsibility for makeing a safe pass belongs to the passing rider not the rider being passed.

[tripletrash]

if he had gotten off line he could have caused a crash that would have decided the race right there.

[benny6d9]

Al should be fired!!

[NomadRip]

What a douche Luddington is. Completely in the wrong.

[markcamp1]

This video shows just how unprofessional the AMA staff can be in dealing with a situation created by their own lack of clarity in enforcing their own rules. I don't know shit about JRP, or why all the hatin', but no person should ever be spoken to like that in a professional situation. AMA/DMG - FAIL. US Racing fans...LOSE.

[repeater005]

They want the rules followed then this is what they deserve. I'm just sick of the crap from these people. JRP was good at keeping his cool i would have escalated it as soon as AL (asshat) started in on me.

[fuk45]

This video is going to get yanked.

[splashsb]

I agree that JRP should have gotten out of the way. But as the rulebook reads he was well within his rights to hold his line. If AMA wants him to do otherwise, they need to change the rules.

Obviously a setup, but no one forced Al to behave so unprofessionally.

Al needs to be fired.

[stratbike]

Whether JRP is right or wrong (and I believe he is probably right- read the blue flag rule) is not really the issue here. ALs behavior is ridiculous. Riders have been sanctioned for less. Is this what we can expect from the "new" AMA? Insults and explitive-laden thrashing from officials when a possible infraction occurs? Ridiculous.

[ridedom33]

wow!!

[cerev1]

Why is AL, who is the tech director, even having this "conversation". It really has nothing to do with him. Beyond that and beyond who is right here, the entire interaction demsonstrates a complete lack of professionalism on the part of AL. Any official verbally abusing and getting into an altercation with a rider is completely bush league. There are professional ways to handle these situations and this is not one of them.

[sbkarmen]

what AMA, its been a while since I watched a race!

[slopmaster1]

Fuck al.Work on the bike and STFU!!!!

[BigHeadzDC]

Al Ludington needs to be disciplined for his antics. JRP was correct in his interpretation of the rules, and Ludington lost any sense of professionalism he MAY have had. You may not like JRP, but his interpretation of the rules was spot on, and Ludington is WAY out of line.

[jbmracing45]

Like him or hate him, I think JRP is right. Nice job by AL being professional and throwing F bombs left and right. Another reason why I have yet to watch an AMA racae this year

[LA25R1]

Does anyone have race footage of what happened?

[jabold]

Ludington loses it!

[trackdayrider]

doesn't matter who is right or wrong about the blue flag, the 1125RR or the pace car what matters is that American motorcycle racing is now a complete joke and everyone knows. It's a fucking circus side show and it's embarassing. AMA was way better off before these clowns took over.

[sbkarmen]

So basically, everybody that has finished where Johnny Rock Page has or worse is basically not "it" and is irrelavant to the race. WOW Fucking Al go fuck yourself for joining those cock sucker DMG bastards! Fuck I thought I was a potty mouth.

[bradarmpitt1]

What unprofessional conduct by someone who is supposed to be representing professional motorcycle racing in the U.S.

JRP held his line, which is the right thing to do, but probably should have moved out of the way once Hayes got by. However, this is no excuse for Al Ludington's unprofessional behavior. He belittled him and tried to discredit him by making snide remarks about his finishing position.

[dulcinator]

haha crazy