OPINION: Kawasaki’s announcement that it will field a factory team in AMA Superbike leaves only Yamaha out of the premier class in 2006. The company has claimed in the past that it couldn’t commit to Superbike unless it knew what the future of the class would be. With AMA Pro Racing committed to the 1000cc Superbike formula through 2008, that excuse doesn’t seem to apply anymore. Some commentators have advocated that AMA Pro Racing eliminate the Superstock class to force factory teams to race each other in Superbike. Other industry observers think it’s wrong for a sanctioning body to try to force a motorcycle manufacturer to do the right thing by eliminating a class largely populated by privateers. If you have an opinion, why not take it directly to somebody who has something to do with Yamaha’s racing decisions? That somebody is Keith McCarty, the man in charge of Yamaha’s racing efforts. To let him know what you think, call Yamaha’s Cypress, California headquarters (between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time) at 714-761-7300 and ask for him by name. If and when you call, be polite to the receptionist, who has nothing to do with any of this and is just trying to do her job. If Yamaha needs any suggestions as to how to structure its racing program for 2006, you might want to offer this: Yamaha Factory Superbike (1 rider) Formula Xtreme (2 riders) Graves Yamaha Superstock (2 riders) Supersport (1 rider)