AMA tech inspectors have impounded the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000s ridden in Group A Friday Superbike qualifying by Ben Spies, Mat Mladin and Tommy Hayden.

Inspectors initially required mechanics to remove the left-side engine cover on each Yoshimura racebike, which allows the left-side crank flywheel to be seen.

After that initial inspection, crews were instructed to remove the engines from the bikes ridden by Mladin and Hayden.

Tech inspectors also ordered the engine covers removed from GSX-R1000s ridden by Ryan Elleby, Kurtis Roberts and David Anthony, who were the fastest three riders in the Group B qualifying session. Once the covers were removed, inspectors looked at the cranks in those bikes, and then released those bikes to their crews.

Inspectors are looking for crankshafts that do not match several stock, OEM sample crankshafts in AMA Tech’s possession.

Update:

The engines from the Rockstar Makita Suzuki GSX-R1000s of Mat Mladin and Tommy Hayden were torn down to their crankshafts. Once removed from the engines, the crankshafts were carried inside AMA Pro Racing’s semi trucks.

The engine in Ben Spies’ Suzuki was sealed by AMA Technical officials, and his mechanics were allowed to take his motorcycle back to their pit area while his teammates’ engines were being torn down.

Asked if anything like this, engines being torn down to the crankshaft after provisional qualifying, had ever happened before, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Team Manager Don Sakakura told Roadracingworld.com that he could not remember anytime in his AMA Pro road racing career of something like this happening. Sakakura said he did not want to comment further until he had more information.

When asked about the tear down, AMA Pro Racing Special Projects Manager Bill Syfan said he had no comment.

AMA Pro Racing is within its right to conduct the teardown because Section 7.9.b. of the 2008 Road Race Rulebook, Race Rules and Procedures, Pre and Post Race Technical Inspections, states: “Technical inspections of motorcycles, equipment and riding apparel may be held prior to and after a race meet or at other times as determined by the Race Manager or Chief Technical Inspector.”

And if found illegal, Appendix A.2. Offenses, Penalties, Protests, and Appeals General Offenses and Penalties states: “¦the Race Manager may disqualify any participant or motorcycle from the balance of a race meet for violation of these rules (“¦) Such disqualification includes the loss of any rights with regard to the event in question and may result in expulsion from the meet site.”

AMA Pro Racing Media Relations Manager Eric Putter said a statement regarding the tear downs may be issued Friday evening.

We will provide more information as it becomes available.