Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A meeting of the AMA Pro Racing Road Race Advisory Board, which is dominated by representatives of factory Superbike teams, will apparently decide 2003 AMA Superbike rules in a meeting scheduled for tonight at VIR. The group will also decide Supersport and Superstock rules.

In a memo dated August 7 and hand-delivered to members of the Road Race Advisory Board on Thursday, August 8, AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth wrote:

“Our meeting at VIR is an important one for the future of the AMA US Superbike Championship. Of greatest urgency are competition rules for 2003, 2004 and beyond.

“2003 is a year of transition for Superbike Racing in the US and around the world. While we must make an effort to balance competition in 2003, our primary concern is 2004 and beyond, and the establishment of a technical specification for Superbikes that may be applied in FIM World Superbike and by other national federations. In our discussions with the FIM and the MSMA, we have been asked to provide an alternative to air restrictors for creating parity between twins and multi-cylinder equipment. We have a unique opportunity at this meeting to finalize the details of a proposal to the FIM and MSMA based on the input you—and others—provide.

“As you are aware, we’ve received comments on our proposed 2003 rules during the past 30 days. The most common feedback concerned the need to create on “global” technical specification for Superbike racing, with more detailed comments concerning a lack of parity between 1000cc twins and multi-cylinder equipment under the proposed 2003 AMA Pro Racing rules. Nearly all suggest that twin cylinder equipment would dominate competition under the proposed specifications. For the long-term (2004-2009) it seems we have two options to create parity: 1) speed up multi-cylinder equipment, or 2) slow down twins to a level consistent with multis under the proposed rules. Your thoughts on how we establish parity among different engine configurations, while meeting our other objectives, is the focus of this meeting and will be the basis of our proposal to the FIM and MSMA.

“We ask that you apply these objectives when suggesting amendments to the proposed rules: 1) increased participation in Superbike, 2) manage cost and availability of competitive Superbike equipment, 3) reduce speeds, 4) maintain safety and reliability, 5) creation of a single technical specifications, 6) race equipment that reflects consumer demand, and 7) balance competition between various engine configurations. There are numerous other considerations: the difference between US and European tracks, the differing results between SBK and AMA competition with regard to engine configuration, the relative make-up of the grid (where more than one-half of AMA Superbike grids consist of privateers running equipment in two clases), among others.

“We will touch on other topics where the opportunity for philosophical debate is great such as class structure, the relevance of AMA and FIM unity, the role of Formula Xtreme, and the need to differentiate classes—none of which will move us closer to our immediate goals of creating a proposal for the FIM and MSMA that suits US competition. We will address each of these topics in greater detail with you in the very near future.

“Best of luck—the future of AMA Superbike racing is in your hands tomorrow night.”

The memo was followed by four pages of possible changes in the original proposed rules issued at Brainerd; the possible changes were pre-determined by AMA Pro Racing, with no mention of the rationale behind the possible changes. The text of the possible rule changes follows; the possible alternatives are not indicated in bold italic as the text states but are indentified by an assigned letter designation, a, b, c, etc.:

2003 Superbike Rules Proposals—30 day Comments

The following items in bold italics present the realistic suggested alternatives received during the 30 day comment period for the 2003 Superbike Rules Proposals. The first three alternatives are across-the-board proposals for all technical aspects and therefore are not necessarily listed under each technical item.

03-1 Superbike—1000cc three and four cylinder motorcycles will be permitted for competition that meet the following criteria. 750cc fours and 1000cc twins would continue under the current Superbike rules:
a. All motorcycles would be subject to current Superbike rules in 2003.
b. All motorcycles would be subject to yet-to-be-determined FIM rules in 2003.
c. All motorcycles would be subject to current Supersport rules in 2003.

1. 1000cc threes and fours will be subject to all current Superbike rules concerning frames, suspension, wheels, brakes and bodywork.

a. Stock frames, aftermarket swingarms and suspension.
b. Frames specifically modified (bracing only in certain areas, etc.), aftermarket swingarms and suspension.
c. 6.50″ rear wheels.

2. Weight: 1000cc threes—360 lbs.
1000cc fours—370 lbs.

a. 750cc, 350; 1000 twins, 355; 1000 threes and fours, 360.
b. 750 fours, 355; 1000 twins, 360; 1000 threes and fours, 365.
c. All motorcycles, 355.

3. Engines
–Cylinder heads: Porting and machining will be permitted.
a. Machining of gasket surfaces only (proposed Supersport rules).
b. No modifications.

–Stock valves and retainers must be utilized.
a. Aftermarket valves, springs and retainers.
b. Aftermarket valves (standard size), springs and retainers.
c. Aftermarket steel valves (standard size), steel springs and steel retainers.

–Aftermarket cams permitted.
a. Stock cams only.
b. Aftermarket but stock lift.

–Cylinders, engine cases, connecting rods will be subject to current Superbike rules.
a. Stock rods, polishing permitted.
b. Aftermarket steel rods.

–Crankshaft: Stock except for necessary balancing.
a. Stock with specific modifications (polishing, location of balancing holes, etc.)
b. Aftermarket but weight no less than 3% of stock crank (sic). Spec to be published.

–Stock pistons, piston pins and rings must be utilized.
a. Aftermarket pistons, piston pins and rings.

–Tranmissions must retain stock ratios.
a. Current Supersport rules.
b. Transmissions with any ratios.
c. Stock ratios with the exception of first gear.
d. Clutches: Superbike rules but no back-torque-limiting.
e. Clutches: Aftermarket stock type (wet clutch cannot be changed to dry), no back-torque-limiting.

–Ignition systems will be subject to current Supersport rules.
a. Supersport rules but no wire harness requirements.

–Charging systems and starters will not be required.
–Fuel injection, carburetors and air boxes will be subject to current Supersport rules except air filters and emissions plumbing will not be required.
a. Homologated throttle bodies with stock air boxes, no filters or plumbing.
b. Homologated throttle bodies with aftermarket air boxes.
c. Modified stock throttle bodies with stock air boxes, no filters or plumbing.

–Exhaust systems will be subject to current Superbike rules.
–Homologation would require motorcycles to be originally US street-legal.
a. Supersport homologation requirements.
b. Supersport homologation but imported units requirement staged down for smaller manufacturers.

03-2 Supersport
1. 750cc twin cylinder motorcycles will be permitted for competition provided current homologation procedures are followed by manufacturers.
a. No 750 twins.
b. 750 twins with a weight requirement.

2. Machining of gasket surfaces of cylinder heads, cylinders or engine cases for increased compression only will be permitted. The increased compression may help to balance the competition between brands and will eliminate the need to inspect deck heights.
a. Machining of cylinders and cases only.
b. No machining permitted.

03-3 Superstock
–Machining of gasket surfaces of cylinder heads, cylinders or engine cases for increased compression only will be permitted. The increased compression may help to balance the competition between brands and will eliminate the need to inspect deck heights.
a. Machining of cylinders and cases only.
b. No machining permitted.