Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing Director of Professional Competition Merrill Vanderslice has denied protests of Damon Buckmaster’s R1-powered Yamaha YZF-R7 Formula Xtreme racebike on the basis that the applicable rule’s intent and meaning is unclear and that the R7 is on an AMA Pro Racing list of eligible machines that no-one outside of AMA Pro Racing has ever been able to obtain or see, despite repeated requests to do so.

Vanderslice also admitted that he has changed his position on the issue of R7 eligibility, and originally considered it illegal although the wording of the rule in question has not changed.

The protests were filed by Mike Hale, Tom Kipp, Jason Pridmore, Steve Rapp and Jake Zemke.

Vanderslice denied the protests in a memo dated April 12 and received by the protesting riders on Saturday, April 13.

The text of the memo follows:

Regarding the protests filed at California Speedway on Sunday, April 7, we have reviewed the current language of the AMA Pro Racing rule book and other documents concerning this issue. Based on the information gathered from this review, I am denying the protests. The following points apply:

1. The rule book wording is unclear on the subject of “street use” and therefore does not specifically exclude this motorcycle.

2. The Yamaha R7 and the Yamaha R1 are listed on the AMA Pro Racing list of elgible motorcycles for Formula Xtreme.

The original intent of the approval rules in FX is not distinctly reflected in the current wording of the rule book resulting in a “loophole”. The street use requirement can be read as not necessarily for US street use. The R7 is streetable in most other countries since the machine is homologated by the FIM for World Superbike competition.

Two years ago, Technical Manager Rob King and I had originally taken the position that the motorcycle was not legal, but in subsequent evaluations we have concluded that it is eligible. In reality, because of the nonrestrictive frame regulations in FX, the R1 could be more extensively modified than it currently is and still be legal. The same options are available to any of the other manufacturers in this class.

You have the option to file an appeal. Appeal procedures are listed in the rule book in Chapter 6.

Sincerely,

Merrill Vanderslice