Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Members of the AMA Road Race Advisory Board hand-picked by Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice have already decided many future rules and are voting on additional rules as this is posted.

Undecided is when these rules would come into play, in 2003 or 2004; it’s possible the AMA Superbike rules will remain unchanged for 2003 with new rules taking effect in 2004.

According to a memo issued by AMA Pro Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice, members of the Advisory Board have already decided to:
–Retain maximum Superbike rear wheel size at 6.25 instead of allowing 6.50 as in World Superbike.
–Establish 370 pounds as the minimum weight for all motorcycles in Superbike.
–Allow aftermarket cams but require stock lift in Superbike.
–Require stock cylinders and cases but allow machining in Superbike.
–Require stock transmission ratios in Superbike.
–Allow aftermarket back-torque-limiting clutches in Superbike.
–Allow removal of charging systems and starters in Superbike.
–Allow homologated throttle bodies with aftermarket airboxes in Superbike.
–Allow exhaust systems meeting current Superbike rules.
–Not allow 750cc Twins in 600cc Supersport.


Members of the Advisory Board are currently voting on the following proposals:

Frames for 1000cc Fours:
a. Retain current Superbike rules for frame, suspension, wheels, brakes, bodywork.
b. Require stock frames but allow aftermarket swingarms and suspension components.
c. Require stock frames but allow specific areas to be braced and allow aftermarket swingarms and suspension components.

Cylinder head modifications for 1000cc Fours:
a. Allow aftermarket valves, springs and retainers.
b. Allow aftermarket valves of standard size and material, springs and retainers.

Connecting rods for 1000cc Fours:
a. Use current Superbike rules (anything goes).
b. Use current Supersport rules (stock, unmodified).

Crankshaft for 1000cc Fours:
a. Stock except for balancing.
b. Aftermarket allowed but must weigh no less than 97% of stock crank, with spec to be published.

Pistons, pins, rings for 1000cc Fours:
a. Stock only.
b. Aftermarket allowed.

Ignition systems for 1000cc Fours:
a. Supersport rules, but with no wire harness restrictions.
b. Current Superbike rules.

Superbike Homologation:
a. Use current Supersport homologation requirements.
b. Use current Supersport homologation requirements but number of imported units reduced for smaller manufacturers.

Supersport:
a. Allow machining of gasket surfaces of cylinder heads, cylinders or engine cases to increase compression.
b. No machining allowed. (The current fiction, with no published spec.)

Superstock:
a. Allow machining of gasket surfaces of cylinder heads, cylinders or engine cases to increase compression.
b. No machining allowed. (The current fiction, with no published spec.)