On Wednesday, July 15, AMA Pro Racing announced that it had homologated the new Buell 1125RR, a model that Buell introduced as “a race-use only motorcycle intended for competition in the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike class.” The approval of a race-only model to the production based series, however, appears to go against or at the minimum bend the AMA Pro Racing’s own published policies. In Section 2.1, American Superbike Equipment Standards Homologation, subsection B. states: American Superbike motorcycles must be street certified in the US and available through US retail dealers. At the top of AMA Pro Racing’s American Superbike homologation form it states: The motorcycle must be a 4-stroke production model with street-use certification in the United States. Further down that form is the following: AMA Pro American Superbike motorcycles must be street certified for use in the United States and be available at the time of competition from U.S. retail dealers. There must be sufficient quantity available such that any person wanting to buy one for racing purposes can do so in a timely fashion. Asked about the apparent conflict between the rules and the homologation of the Buell 1125RR, AMA Pro Racing Technical Director of Competition Al Ludington told Roadracingworld.com that the keys in approving the Buell 1125RR were that it was “based on a street certified four-stroke production bike” and that it was “available in sufficient quantities for people who wish to race them.” “That’s the two defining factors that allowed us to homologate it and bring it in the front door,” Ludington continued. “Basically, they [Buell] wanted to go Superbike racing, and they said, ‘Will you give us some special allowances for Superbike?’ We said, ‘What do you have in mind?’ They laid them out, and it was like, ‘There’s no way we’re going to allow all that stuff so you can go Superbike racing. However, if you are willing to build and make these bikes available, they come in comparable to what our highest priced other racebike is out there and you’re willing to support them at the factory level for people who want to buy them we will be willing to homologate the bike for you.’ “So I think what people need to get their heads around isn’t necessarily the various nuances of the rulebook and how they lay out but the fact that somebody’s actually willing to step up, especially a small volume manufacturer like that, and actually build a racebike that suits our rules and is willing to sell it to people and support it. That’s where the story’s at. “Everybody can piss, cry and moan, but I’ve got a funny feeling that thing’s not going to jump to the front of the field and get up in the pack. It’s a bold step forward for Buell. They want to race in Superbike, and we want them to race in Superbike. We’re encouraging everybody we can. We’re talking to other manufacturers that aren’t in our paddock right now that are interested in Superbike racing, and if we’ve got to bend a little bit this way and a little bit that way to get them into the show it’s for the better good of the sport and the better good of the spectators.” Asked if this might open up a loophole that the larger motorcycle manufacturers and importers might try to take advantage of, Ludington said, “For sure. I’ll give you an example. I know some of the R1 riders are complaining about the [stock] forks aren’t suitable, a lot of flex, yada, yada. Well, you know what, if Yamaha were willing to make a limited-production R1 that came equipped with Öhlins forks and an Öhlins damper from the factory and they wanted it homologated as an AMA-spec racebike and the retail price was within the range we’re looking at and they were willing to support it and back it at the manufacturer and dealer level, we would certainly consider homologating it as a racebike. “I can’t think of anything better for us than having AMA-branded, ready to rock and roll racebikes. “Once again, they’ve got to be supported. They can’t just put them out there and walk away from them so only the factory teams can run the bits and pieces. You’ve got to support them and back them. They’re [Buell] willing to support mechanisms in place to support these bikes. As long as people are willing to do that and the thing doesn’t”¦are we going to allow the Moto Czysz in with a $130,000 bike? No, that’s not going to happen, but if Honda wants to do a CBR1000RR-R with some bits and pieces that make it more suitable for AMA racing and the price isn’t out of line and they’re willing to support it, we would certainly consider it.”