Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing Director of Professional Competition Merrill Vanderslice docked Ben Spies 20 points but let his finishing positions stand after Spies’ Attack Suzuki GSX-R600 was found in post-race tech to have illegal intake modifications.

Vanderslice said of the modifications, “It wasn’t murder, but it was sure armed robbery,” but declined to say exactly what tech inspectors found or explain why Spies was being docked points without losing his finishing positions.

Spies rode the same bike to second in the Superstock race and fifth in the Supersport race at Fontana, according to Attack Suzuki owner Richard Stanboli.

Race observers could not remember another situation in which illegal modifications found in an AMA teardown resulted in a loss of points without any loss of finishing position.

Asked by a reporter what was found in the teardown, Stanboli said, “Ask the AMA guys” and declined further comment.

Spies’ bike was at or near the top of radar top-speed charts all weekend at Fontana.