F-USA Releases Proposed 2004 Rule Changes For Comment

F-USA Releases Proposed 2004 Rule Changes For Comment

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by F-USA:

Proposed 2004 Sportbike Class Rule Changes

The Rules Committee will convening once more next week to make any final adjustments. Riders and teams have until November 22 to make any suggestions and/or voice their further opinions on the changes, by sending an e-mail to [email protected]

6.11 SPORTBIKE – Acceptable motorcycles are 4-stroke production machines, sold by the manufacturers and their dealers for street use in North America via normal commercial channels. All machines must have unaltered VIN numbers. These motorcycles must meet the following requirements in addition to the applicable requirements in Section 5.

6.11.1 Production machines not sold by manufacturers and their dealers for street use in North America via normal commercial channels may be approved on an individual basis. Formula USA will maintain a list of non-standard approved models and that list will be available at each event from the Race Director/Referee.

6.11.2 All motorcycles must meet the following requirements in addition to the applicable requirements in Section 5.

A. Original equipment wheels, brake calipers, forks, frame, engine, fuel induction system, and swing arm must be used.

(1) 18″ wheels may be replaced with 17″ wheels of the same width.

(2)16″ wheels may be replaced with 17″ wheels of the same width.

(3) Front forks on Buell motorcycles may be modified by using standard O.E.M. parts to facilitate the mounting of O.E.M. dual front brake calipers.

(4) Rear swing arms on Buell motorcycles may be replaced to convert final drive assembly from belt to chain drive.

B. Aftermarket brake rotors may be used but must be the same dimensions as the originals and must be made of a ferrous material. Non-current motorcycles may use brake rotors up to the same size as those that come as original equipment on the current model machine.

(1) Buell motorcycles may convert to a dual front disc brake system provided only O.E.M. calipers and wheel are used in the conversion. Aftermarket brake pads and lines may be installed. Aftermarket front brake rotors may be used but must be the same dimensions as the original equipment on S1, X-1 or M2 models and must be made of a ferrous material.

C. Any fairing may be used provided it is made of plastic, fiberglass or carbon fiber.

D. Original equipment air box must remain as produced. Air filters must be used but may be Aftermarket units. Aftermarket air filters are restricted to units available via normal commercial channels and designed for that specific model machine. Aftermarket air filter units that replace part of the O.E.M. airbox are required to maintain the original size and number of air inlet openings as the stock unit.

E. Engine modifications include the following:

(1.)Pistons which are no larger than 1mm over stock size may be used but must be same compression ratio as the OEM pistons.

(2.)Original equipment cylinders must be used.

(3.) Original equipment head, valves, and cams must remain as produced, with the exception of machining the gasket surface of the cylinder head.

(4.) Original equipment cases, crankshaft, and connecting rods must remain as produced.

(5.) Original equipment transmission gears must be used.

(6.) Carburetor bodies and/or throttle bodies may not be modified, bored, or polished.

F. Internal engine modifications on all single cylinder machines, 4-stroke twin cylinder machines with less than 4 valves per cylinder, and all twin cylinder machines produced prior to the 1994 model year are unlimited, provided class displacement limits are not exceeded. Aftermarket carburetors may be used on single cylinder machines, all 4-stroke twin cylinder machines with less than 4 valves per cylinder, and all twin cylinder 4-stroke machines produced prior to the 1994 model year. 6.11.2. D. is waived for single cylinder machines, all 4-stroke twin cylinder machines with less than 4 valves per cylinder, and all twin cylinder 4-stroke machines produced prior to the 1999 model year.

G. Stock carburetor bodies or fuel injection systems must be used, but carburetor internals or fuel injection management systems may be altered or replaced.

1. Twin Cylinder, air-cooled, 2-valve, pushrod engines are exempt from 6.11.2.d
H. Adjustable ignition or engine management modules or modules with more than one setting must be mounted in such a way that its settings cannot be changed by the rider or a crew member while on course or prior to dyno testing.

I. Tires must be DOT approved.

J. Rain Tires may only be used when the Race Director declares the event “Wet”.

6.11.3 Immediately following each qualifying session, heat race or final race, the top five finishers and other motorcycles chosen at random may be impounded and weighed tested on the Dynojet dyno to verify horsepower.

A.For the 600 SPORTBIKE class, each machine may develop no more than 115.0 horsepower at the conclusion of the or qualifying. Machines must weigh no less than 360.0 pounds in the same condition in which they finish the race or qualifying, including all fluids such as oil and fuel. No fluids may be added prior to determination of the weight.

B.For the 750 SPORTBIKE class, each machine may develop no more than 140.0 horsepower at the conclusion of the race or qualifying. Machines must weigh no less than 375.0 pounds in the same condition in which they finish the race or qualifying, including all fluids such as oil and fuel. No fluids may be added prior to determination of the weight.

6.11.14 Weight determinations are not protestable. Failure to meet weight requirement shall result in the following penalties:

1. Weighing between 0.5 to 1.0 pounds less than the posted class limit will result in the loss of three full positions. (I.E. 1st place would then be relegated to 4th place.)

2. Weighing between 1.5 to 2.0 pounds less than the posted class limit will result in the loss of six full positions. (I.E. 1st place would then be relegated to 7th place.)

3. Weighing 2.5 or more pounds less than the posted class limit will result in disqualification and the forfeiture of all points and purse money from the event.

6.11.4 Displacement limits are absolute and are set as follows:

600 SPORTBIKE (Expert Only)

Single cylinder, Unlimited displacement

Two stroke, liquid cooled, up to 515cc

Two stroke, air cooled, Unlimited displacement

Twin cylinder, liquid cooled, up to 800cc

Twin cylinder, air cooled, Unlimited displacement

Three cylinder, up to 980cc

Four cylinder, liquid cooled, up to 640cc

Four cylinder, air cooled, 2 valve, up to 775cc

750 SPORTBIKE (Expert Only)

Twin cylinder, liquid cooled, up to 1000cc

Four cylinder, liquid cooled, up to 775cc

Four cylinder, air cooled, 2 valve, up to 1100cc

All other engine configurations, Unlimited displacement

6.13 THUNDERBIKE – Thunderbike machines, except single cylinder machines, are based upon production models, sold by manufacturers and their dealers in North America for street use. Proof of compliance rests with the competitor entering the motorcycle. Single cylinder machines are exempt from production and street use requirements. Single cylinder 2 stroke GP road race machines are not allowed in this class. All machines must have unaltered VIN numbers. NOTE: Ducati 748 Series machines are excluded from this class.

6.13.1 Production machines not sold by manufacturers and their dealers for street use in North America via normal commercial channels may be approved on an individual basis. FORMULA USA will maintain a list of non-standard approved models and that list will be available at each event from the Race Director/Referee.

6.13.2. All machines must meet the equipment standards of Section 5, as well as the following:

A. Frame, cylinder head(s), and engine cases must be from the same production model motorcycle. Single cylinder motorcycles may use any frame and engine.

B. The frame must be as originally supplied by the manufacturer on the approved model. Strengthening gussets or tubes may be added. Only brackets or tubes not supporting suspension, engine, or drive line components may be removed. Swing arms may be modified or replaced and rear shocks may be replaced or relocated. Single cylinder motorcycles are excluded from this restriction.

C. Reducing engine size of machines from stock displacement to meet Thunderbike class displacement limits is not allowed.

D. Fairings that meet the requirements of Section 5 may be used.

E. Liquid cooling is not allowed unless original equipment on the model being used.

F. Original type of induction system must be retained. If a machine originally was sold with fuel injection, then it must remain fuel injected. If the machine originally came with carburetors, then it must use carburetors, however they need not be the original type or size.

G. Thunderbike machines are required to meet horsepower to weight limit of 3.8 lbs per horsepower . (Tested weight divided by tested horsepower during post race inspection.)

1. Penalties for failing this requirement will follow SportBike parameters

6.13.3- Thunderbike Class displacement limits are absolute and are set as follows:

THUNDERBIKE

Single cylinder, Unlimited displacement

Two stroke, Unlimited displacement

Twin cylinder, air cooled, Unlimited displacement

Twin cylinder, liquid cooled, 3 or less valves per cylinder, Unlimited displacement

Twin cylinder, liquid cooled, 4 valve per cylinder, non-desmodromic valves, up to 800cc

Three cylinder, non-fuel injected, up to 1200cc

Four cylinder, air-cooled, up to 1200cc

Four cylinder, liquid cooled, 1990 to 1992 model year, up to 650cc

Four cylinder, liquid cooled (oil or water), pre-1990 model year, up to 860cc

All air-cooled, 2-valve, unlimited displacement

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