Well, it looks like we all can just get along, after all. AMA Pro Racing, the group that purchased all of professional racing from the American Motorcyclist Association, just announced its roadracing class structure for the 2009 season.
From the press release: “American Superbike will be the new premier class for AMA Pro Racing, and will showcase the traditional 1000cc machines that competed in the former AMA Superbike class in the past. The new rules for the class are based on rules that were adopted by a committee comprised of the AMA staff, representatives of the various manufacturers, as well as experienced personnel from the American road racing infrastructure. Much of the new class structure has been architected with the participation and counsel of the major motorcycle manufacturers.”
Previously, 600s were being pushed as the premier machines, to be governed by dyno-tested horsepower limits. The class, to be called Daytona Superbike, didn’t get much support from fans or factory teams—there was even talk of a breakaway competing series—and has been rethought.
“Also featured at all AMA Pro Racing weekends will be a new middleweight class to be known as Daytona SportBike,” the release continues. “This class has been designed to include a broad range of competition equipment that formerly competed in AMA Supersport and AMA Formula Xtreme, as well as two- and three-cylinder machines not normally featured in AMA Professional events. This class will make its competition debut in the 2009 Daytona 200 by Honda. The green flag will drop on the field for the first time under the lights at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, March 6.”
A third class, newly created for 2009, is called SuperSport: “This category is designed as an entry-level class for professionally licensed riders aged 16-21, competing on 600cc production motorcycles with minimal modifications. Riders will be limited to three years of competition in the new class. SuperSport competition will provide young riders an affordable opportunity to hone their skills at AMA National events and create a clear path to advance to the higher levels of professional road racing.”
“The class structure we are announcing today bears little resemblance to that which we proposed several months ago, however I believe it will accomplish our goals of increased safety, parity and cost containment,” said Roger Edmondson, president of AMA Pro Racing. “The program we have worked out with input from the industry will provide for participation by a wide variety of brands, and should provide a showcase for the best riders in American racing, with the added benefit of running at the best venues in the United States. We were fortunate to have the assistance of many stakeholders in the creation of the program, including the Motorcycle Industry Council.”
It was also announced that Dunlop will be the spec tire provider for all three classes plus the SunTrust Moto-GT endurance races. Sunoco 260 GTX unleaded will be the official racing fuel of AMA Roadracing.
