Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The original spirit of Supersport was for a less expensive alternative to Superbike, or whatever class the factories competed in.

Indeed, the support has not trickled down as some thought it would over the years, but there does seem to be more teams that have stepped up to the plate, and there is some support that is now developing.

But, wasn’t there a claiming rule a few years ago? Retail cost of the bike plus an amount or so, and you could walk away with any competitor’s bike. Claiming has always been looked down upon, however. Remember the Yoshimura fork issue a couple of years ago? How about the $65,000 rear shock off the factory CBR600F4 that was claimed? I worked with and was helped by Dale Quarterley. I remember when he tried to get a set of special carbs that the Commonwealth Team had. No can do. He could claim them, but it would put him in a poor position down the road.

Everyone wants to use NASCAR an example in how successful it is. Ok, let’s really look. NASCAR has a restrictive set of rules that make it pretty much illogical for the factories to compete as one off teams. So, the factories support many teams, helping them with development of drivers, machines, etc. Everyone wins. The fans, competitors from the mechanics to the guys behind the wheel.

In AMA Superbike, there are rules that I don’t know about, special ignition boxes (I remember the HRC black boxes back for the CBR600F2s), and the like. If you think a factory bike might have a “whatever box” that is not necessarily legal, take theirs and give them a known stock unit. Better yet, have everyone bring theirs to tech, and we’ll all swap out of a bag. I think it’s pretty simple. At Road America in 1993, I remember that several factory bikes were required to bring their ignition box to tech to be surrendered, and they were given a stock unit that was apparently purchased at a dealership. It did not change the overall result, but the qualifying times did tighten up, as I remember. At least we had a fighting chance. I’ve attended some tear downs, from a distance, and I saw some things come out of bikes that was very much unlike what mine had. Hey, I was good, but was it necessary to go to those lengths to try and beat me?

As a racing/riding school instructor, I have the opportunity to talk to lots of people. I am amazed how many people that used to go to one AMA event or another choose not to. They can see that there is a distinct difference in the factory stuff and what everyone else has. Yes, they want to see all the top guys, but they want to see the local guys try and have a chance, too.

Invariably, since the AMA is looking out for motorcyclist rights and all, they need the input and support from the manufacturers. I think that corrupts the whole system for AMA Pro Racing.

I consider Ron Barrick a friend of mine. I met him when he was working with, again, Dale Quarterley. Our paths crossed at the Road America AMA event. He asked if I was riding. I basically voiced these same concerns, and that it would be unreasonable for me to do so because of the uneven playing field. I know he understands this position.

Monte Nichols, one of my instructors, finished 14th in the Supersport event behind Ty Howard. They were the top privateers. The factory bikes just motored away. Would the result have been different if the bikes were more evenly matched? Probably not, but the race would have at least been closer, and certain positions might have been different. Maybe that would have prompted Citgo Petroleum, Monte’s sponsor, to think more about supporting his program or others like it.

My question is: Who is there to tell these concerns to that can make the changes and return Supersport racing to a reasonable silhouette of what it was?

A quick shifter is $800? And it’s necessary? It’s only necessary if it makes up time, and if everyone else is already illegally using one. If they are being used illegally, then tech has a job that they should be taking care of.

“Super” Dave Rosno
Team Visionsports
Visionsports Riding Schools
http://www.team-visionsports.com
Eagle, Wisconsin