ASK THE MXPERTS: How Could The AMA Fine Fine Jason Lawrence For What He Did On his Own Time?

ASK THE MXPERTS: HOW CAN THE AMA FINE HILL AND LAWRENCE?

Dear MXA,
ÿÿ What business was it of the AMA to fine Jason Lawrence and Josh Hill for their drunken activities in 2008, including flipping a rent-a-car, getting arrested and underage drinking (Hill)? Or for that matter, why is it Yamaha’s business? What those two clowns do on their own time is no business of the AMA or Yamaha. This would never have been an issue if it wasn’t for the internet.

You are wrong on a lot of counts.

(1) When applying for an AMA Pro license, a rider agrees to abide by AMA rules: one of which says:

“Through the establishment and enforcement of various rules and procedures, AMA Racing strives to regulate the sport of professional motorcycle racing in the fairest possible manner. By participating in an AMA Pro Racing meet, each participant agrees to abide by AMA Pro Racing’s rules and procedures. All parties involved in AMA Pro Racing meets are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respecting at all times the rights of others. Participation in AMA Pro Racing-sanctioned activities is a privilege afforded to license and event credential holders, and all such participants understand that violation of AMA Pro Racing rules and procedures can lead to forfeiture of their competition licenses or event credential, fines, points deductions, lap deductions, finishing position deductions, time penalties (which must result in the loss of at least one finishing position), disqualification and other disciplinary actions as outlined herein. The following offenses will be subject to disciplinary: Engaging in any unfair practice, misbehavior or action detrimental to the sport of motorcycling in general, whether or not related to a specific competition…or any other act or actions deemed by a Race Manager or AMA Racing to be detrimental to the sport of motorcycle racing and the AMA.”

(2) As for Yamaha’s ability to punish Lawrence and Hill (or any other contracted rider), here is what a Yamaha contracts says about rider behavior:

“A rider’s contract may be terminated by Yamaha prior to its expiration date upon the giving of 30 days notice for the following reasons: If a rider is convicted of any crime or violation of any law of the United States or any state or the rider engages in an act of conduct, whether or not a crime, which could be reasonably expected to reflect adversely on the reputation of Yamaha, the Yamaha trademark or upon the rider.”

Or if you don’t like Yamaha’s contract, try Honda’s contract on this subject:

“Racer shall, at all times, conform his personal conduct to social conventions and to the highest standards of good sportsmanship, good citizenship, and good moral conduct, and racer shall conform his appearance to reasonable grooming standards. The racer shall not engage in any activity or act which, in the reasonable judgment of American Honda, may in any way injure or adversely reflect on the name, marks or goodwill of American Honda.

“This agreement may be terminated by American Honda prior to the expiration date upon five days notice for the following reasons: Racer being convicted of involvement in any felony level crime or similar violation of the any law, ordinance or regulation of the United States, its possession territories or any state, as well as those of any foreign country, involving an act or moral turpitude or similar types of activity, which in American Honda’s opinion could reasonably be expected to reflect adversely on the reputation of American Honda, the Honda trademark or the racer.”

(3) The internet had little or nothing to do with Hill’s and Lawrence’s troubles with the AMA or Yamaha. Since it took place at an AMA race, all of the team managers, AMA officials, track officials, mechanics and other riders were well aware of what took place. They did not need to read about it on the internet. They were there. They knew about it way before it appeared on any site.

(4) Under the terms of their contracts, both riders could be dropped from the team, have their license suspended or any combination of punishments. Instead they were put on probation and fined $25,000 (that they don’t have to pay if they make it through the probationary period without further incidents). Since Lawrence has already been on probation, putting him on probation again is a slap on the wrist…as are the fines that aren’t actually fines. These “clowns,” as you call them, are very lucky to only be subject to fake fines and embarassment of hollow letters of “regret” to the public from their manufacturers.

The next time Jason Lawrence or Josh Hill circulate a race track, a father isn’t going to turn to his young son and point to either one of them an say, “There goes a great motorcycle racer.” You don’t need an imagination to know what the lasting legacy of these riders will be.