FIRST PERSON/OPINION By John Ulrich BS: DMG President Roger Edmondson was the first person to come up with the crazy idea of basing the premier AMA Superbike class on 600cc motorcycles. FACT: In 2004 and 2005, American Honda Vice President Ray Blank argued strongly for 600cc-based AMA Formula Xtreme replacing 1000cc Superbike as the premier class in AMA Superbike racing. As a member of the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors as well as a member of the AMA (mothership) Board of Directors, Blank made the case so tenaciously that he set off a wave of uncertainty and speculation in the paddock, including a lot of talk about “mini-Superbikes.” Blank’s arguments were so forceful that the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors kept putting off a decision while members talked in circles during board meetings. Meanwhile, race team managers called in vain for a decision to be reached and an announcement made, covering the next three years of AMA racing. At an AMA Pro Racing Board Meeting in May of 2005 I argued that no matter what reasons were brought up–Blank based his argument largely on 1000cc Superbikes outgrowing U.S. tracks and the bikes being too fast–the move wouldn’t work on a visceral level. Standing outside Turn One at a track and watching (and listening to) a 600cc-based Formula Xtreme field charge off the grid and into the first turn was just not the same as watching and listening to a field of 1000cc Superbikes charge off the grid and into the first corner. I also argued that the AMA Pro Racing Board could not leave the matter hanging, and that a decision had to be made and released to the paddock. I made a motion to declare that the premier class of AMA Superbike racing would feature 1000cc machines through the 2008 racing season. It seemed like it took endless additional discussion but finally a vote was taken and the motion passed. On May 26, 2005, AMA Pro Racing issued a press release announcing that AMA Superbike would be based upon 1000cc motorcycles through the 2006, 2007 and 2008 racing seasons. Read the press release here: ~https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=22983~ Earlier this year, Blank objected vehemently to Roger Edmondson’s initial (and now abandoned) declaration that 600cc-based Daytona Superbike would be the premier class at AMA Nationals starting in 2009. I called Blank and asked him, “Hey Ray, what happened to all your arguments from 2004-2005 that Formula Xtreme should become the premier class and replace 1000cc Superbike for AMA Nationals?” His reply? “I never said that.” To be continued…