Paddock rumors are flying to the effect that Yamaha may fold up its AMA Superbike program at the end of the 2001 season.

The decision may hinge on whether or not Yamaha can sign Anthony Gobert for the 2002 season.

Yamaha is expected to continue its AMA Formula Xtreme program with Graves Motorsports, however. The company may also continue with its 600cc Supersport program.

Factory team involvement in AMA Superbike has historically been cyclical. Typically factory team involvement builds up to an expensive peak, followed by periods of little or no factory involvement. The last time most of the factories bailed out–in the mid-1980s–only American Honda continued racing in the entire AMA series.

The discovery of Kevin Schwantz–and his success in a few one-off rides on a Yoshimura Suzuki– pulled Suzuki back into AMA racing in 1985. Kawasaki and Yamaha followed Suzuki back into AMA racing later in the decade.