Earlier today AMA Pro Racing issued its 2010 rulebook, and some changes in policies, procedures and technical rules have been made. Here, in no particular order, are some of the changes we found by looking through the 2010 rulebook. The rule regarding blue flags has been changed to read: “If the blue flag is displayed to a rider in a motionless manner, it means another rider is following or catching the flagged rider and may be trying to pass. If the blue flag is waved, the rider to whom it is displayed must give way to the rider trying to pass. The blue flag is ordinarily used for a rider who is unaware of an overtaking or lapping rider or who is clearly obstructing another rider. Riders disregarding this flag may be subject to a penalty.” In 2009 the rule regarding the blue flag stated: “[The blue flag] Indicates to a rider that they are about to be overtaken. Riders are advised to keep their line and allow the faster rider to pass. Riders disregarding this flag may be blackflagged at the discretion of AMA Pro Racing.” The qualifying cutoff for the American Superbike class has been lowered from 108% to 107% of the fastest rider’s qualifying time. The qualifying cutoff for Daytona Sportbike and SuperSport remains at 110%. The definition of “anticipation of the start” (a.k.a. jumping the start) has changed from “the motorcycle moving forward while the red lights are on” last year to “the motorcycle moving forward and continuing to move forward while the red lights are on” this year. Riders who crash during a race will no longer be required to immediately return to pit lane for a tech inspection before continuing to race. In 2010, riders will be responsible for determining if their motorcycle “can continue to be operated on the racetrack,” but riders will face penalties if they “create a hazardous condition” by continuing after a crash. Use of back-up bikes during practice/qualifying sessions and race re-starts will be allowed in American Superbike, Daytona SportBike and SuperSport in 2010. Use of back-up bikes was very restricted in 2009. A rider who is determined to have caused a red flag in 2010 will be allowed to restart (if they can) from the back of the grid. If it cannot be clearly determined which rider caused a red flag, all riders involved in the incident that caused the red flag will be required to start from the back of the grid. All starts and red flag restarts in 2010 will be from a standing start grid. There will not be any rolling starts. As in 2009, teams will not be allowed to work on bikes–including changing tires– during a red-flag stoppage. Upon returning to the pits after a red flag, bikes must be parked on stands along the far side of pit lane, and the use of tire warmers powered by a small generator will be allowed. If a motorcycle needs repairs for safety reasons, teams may make the repairs with permission, direction and supervision of race officials. However, any motorcycle that receives safety repairs during a red flag stoppage will be required to restart from the back of the field. The use of small generators to power tire warmers on the pre-grid before races will be allowed this season. In 2009 teams were allowed to use tire warmers on the pre-grid to wrap tires, but they could not be connected to power. In the past, riders were required to complete 70% of race distance in order to score points in a race, but in 2010 riders will only need to complete 50% of race distance in order to earn points. According to Section 2.10 Race Rules and Procedures, Radio Communications: “Electronic audio communication and/or clearly audible signals from the crew chief to the rider is mandatory in American Superbike.” Daytona SportBike (the only class to have a race that includes pit stops) and SuperSport are not required to have crew chief-to-rider radio communication or audio signals. Finally, the minimum weight limits in American Superbike, Daytona SportBike and SuperSport have been slightly altered. In Superbike, Twins up to 1200cc will still have a minimum weight limit of 390 pounds as they come off the racetrack, but four-cylinder 1000cc machines can now weigh 370 pounds, five less than last year. In Daytona SportBike and SuperSport, two-cylinder bikes must weigh 385 pounds (five more than last year), three-cylinder motorcycles must weigh 375 pounds (10 pounds more than in 2009) and four-cylinder machines only need to weigh 360 pounds (the same as last season).