Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Honda is pushing for an unrestricted 1000cc World Superbike and AMA Superbike formula and plans to run the soon-to-be-introduced CBR1000RR in Superbike events starting in 2004. The RC51 will be campaigned in 2003.

That’s the word from a source deep within Honda’s World Championship racing program.

Opponents of such a plan in the United States worry that Superbikes, already viewed as being too fast for many U.S. tracks, will get even faster and that problems with tires shredding and throwing riders on their head at 180 mph will resurface at Daytona and other tracks.

AMA Pro Racing is currently looking at moving to a 1000cc formula but with various methods used to hold down speeds, including restrictions on engine modifications as well as restrictions on frame and chassis modifications.

Recently released proposed AMA Superbike rules for 2003 and beyond are currently in a public comment period, which ends July 27. The rules are expected to be modified following the comment period, and there may be a second comment period following the first round of modifications.