Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From e-mails sent to [email protected]:

I have been thinking about the new Formula Xtreme rules as proposed by the AMA.

Having raced in Formula-2 club classes, I know a 250cc two-stroke has very little chance of being competitive against “highly modified” four-stroke 600cc Fours and 750cc Twins.

How many of us want to race for the back half of the field?

The offer of 330cc is nice, but insufficient. There are not oversize parts currently being offered for the RS250 or TZ250 models.

It is very unlikely that Honda or Yamaha will spend their limited resources to develop a larger displacement engine just for the small US/AMA market. Especially since there is no similar requirement for GP or any other National series.

We and the AMA also need to look at what happened last year with the MotoGP class. The 500cc vs. 990cc formula did not make for very equal competition. What makes the AMA think that the two-to-one displacement formula would work for a hot-rod class such as they are proposing?

Then there is the problem that parts availability do not lend themselves to a 330cc two-stroke Twin.

We as a group need to flood the AMA during the comment period to get them to at least increase the displacement size to 350cc. At least that way we could pick-and-choose existing pistons and parts from 175cc Singles. And there was precedent back in the 1970s for 350cc Twins. Some of you may even be old enough to remember that there used to be a 350cc World Championship class.

If you hope to have a chance next year, vs. just running at the back, we will need to apply pressure to the AMA.

It’s up to you.

Bruce J. Lind
AMA 250 GP #78 1978 – 2001
(Retired after 37 seasons)
Seattle, Washington




Now we know the AMA is out to lunch. 250cc-330cc two-strokes. “This will allow them to develop their bike further.” I would like to talk to the “nut” who came up this one. A larger piston will be too heavy and will slow them down. Then while the four-strokes are gone and the two-strokes are still on the starting line, how is that fair? Then as the two-strokes run them down in the corner, the four-strokes will be parked in the corner.

I call on all, racers, mechanics, sponsors and fans to boycott the AMA.

Enough Already!

Craig Ramey
Lemoore, California