Yates suspended by AMA

[john]

From Superbikeplanet.com:

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Suzuki's Yares Suspended by AMA
by staff
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
This just in from the AMA:

AARON YATES SUSPENDED BY AMA PRO RACING

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (March 9, 2004) -- Yoshimura Suzuki rider Aaron Yates has been suspended for one race meet and fined $5,000 by AMA Pro Racing for his actions following an on-track incident with KWS Racing's Anthony Fania during the Daytona 200 by Arai on Saturday, March 6.

In announcing the penalty, AMA Pro Racing Road Race Manager, Ron Barrick stated that Yates' behavior after the two collided was completely unacceptable. "After carefully reviewing the tapes and interviewing the corner workers and both Mr. Yates and Mr. Fania, we have concluded that the contact that resulted in both riders crashing was an unfortunate racing incident with neither rider specifically at fault," said Barrick. "However, Yates' actions after the crash are the reason we are issuing the fine and suspension."

TV video tape, interviews with the riders and interviews with corner workers confirmed that Yates kicked and head-butted Fania immediately after the crash. While it was impossible to discern what each rider said during the exchange, it was apparent that Fania was attempting to walk away from the altercation.

Barrick confirmed that Yates' AMA license is suspended for a period of one AMA Superbike race meet; specifically the California Speedway event scheduled for April 2-4, 2004 in Fontana, California. Yates will not be permitted to compete in any of the races that make up that race meet. Barrick also stated that the $5,000 fine could be reduced by 50% if Yates enters an anger management treatment program, approved by AMA Pro Racing, prior to returning to competition.

"Physically assaulting a fellow competitor cannot be tolerated under any circumstance," said Barrick. "This penalty should indicate how seriously we are taking this matter."

Barrick also noted that AMA Pro Racing continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of each rider's crew members following the incident.

[Turkina]

From what I've heard and seen, Yates went and boned himself.  Taking a risky pass around a lapped rider, it's not like he was getting pushed too hard for position.  Fania wasn't trying to block him out or anything!  Yates just thought he could sneak on by and threw caution to the wind.

American Suzuki is taking a 25k chunk out of his paycheck for this, so keep that in mind when AMA fines him 5k.  Too bad suspending him for several races instead of one would be too much in terms of points for championship.  What poor sportsmanship!  True, I've seen some races where a rider or driver was completely at fault, blocking or just simply ramming a guy off the track!  And some of those have resulted in a well deserved pounding of the offending racer.  Yates just showed his hot head and lack of class.

It was kinda funny though... like football players fighting!  All that padding and equipment, could beat on someone for hours and they'd barely feel a thing  :lol:

[mrslush50]

one race weekend means two races correct?  so that could be a major blow to his championship.  especially after a DNF to start the season.  I agree the susupension should be longer though.

[JamesG]

Thats probably good enough.

Lost $30K, He will be way down on 600SS points, he'll have to finish very high for the rest of the season to even have a chance,  and the SBK championship is completely out the window.

I bet he behaves himself from now on.

[dgyver]

For those who have not seen the video.........

**warning: 10.4 mb file**

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dan.vitale/video/fightclub.mpg

[akh223]

Dgyver,

You da man for coming up with the video link.

A.

[cozy]

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:
That video's great. Thanks.
It doesn't look like he could dole out a whoopin on Fania either. He sure can jump around like a silverback gorilla, though.

[Traveler]

I vote for a match up between Yates and Bertuzzi.  

[bbanjo]

Did Yates get a drop kick in at the beginning of that one too?

What a dumbass.  

[paui]

when i first saw that i was laughing out loud because i thought he was being funny.  then he had to shoulder-ram him...
personally i think its cool for racers to vent some frustration after crashing.  after all, because of this guy who took u out, theres a good chance he affected your whole season...unless they are seriously injured after the crash, whats the harm in a little horseplay? theyre wearing padding and helmets you know....

[JLKasper]

There's a proper time and place for fisticuffs--  preferably out of public view.  The public fracas during the nascar race last year brought out the old-timers, who explained they settled disputes after the cars were in the trailers and on the road; usually in the parking lot at a local McDonalds, Denny's, or wherever those goobers go catch a bite after a race.

[Afterburner]

Passing on the outside, on a curve in a braking zone, was risky and stupid.  Farina couldn't have seen him and didn't do anything wrong.  Yates was responsible for the accident.

Drop kicking him after the accident was extremely poor sportsmanship and very dangerous -- if he had been injured in the fall Yates might have crippled or killed him.  If anything, Yates should have been asking him if he was okay.

Yates deserves all the punishment and more.  I hope Suzuki drops him.

What a stupid ass. He doesn't belong on a racetrack.