Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing officials are considering including Pro-Thunder-spec Buell Superbikes in the 2004 Formula Xtreme class.

Mike Ciccotto, winner of the last AMA Pro Thunder race (July 12, 2002 at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California), wrote an open letter, which appeared on Roadracingworld.com June 12, calling for inclusion of Buells in the new Formula Xtreme class.

Currently, the 2004 Formula Xtreme class is slated to include 600cc, inline four-cylinder, production-based Superbikes racing against Ducati 748 and 749 Desmodromic V-twins, presumably in Pro Thunder/Superbike trim, and two-stroke Grand Prix bikes up to 330cc displacement.

Pro Thunder-spec Buells, which are currently legal for the 2003 AMA Superstock class, would race against 1000cc inline four-cylinder bikes in the new version of the Superstock class, under the proposed 2004 class structure.

On Wednesday, AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice said that he had received a copy of Ciccotto’s letter. “I’ve also gotten, I believe, (a letter) from Eric Wood,” said Vanderslice. “I think Eric was probably the first one to suggest that (Buells be included in the 2004 FX class).

“Personally, I like the idea a lot. It makes more sense to me than Superstock, in my mind, as a personal opinion.

“It’s being considered.”