MotoAmerica, the organization which replaces the DMG in running the US AMA series, has given their first peek into the future, by announcing the rules package. Though still not finalized, the package does give a very clear indication of MotoAmerica and KRAVE’s thinking, and the direction they wish to steer motorcycle racing in America in.
Four classes have been announced, with two more currently being weighed. The series will feature two superbike classes, Superbike and Superstock 1000, which will run concurrently. There will also be two middleweight classes, Supersport and Superstock 600, which replace Daytona Sportbike and the Supersport series.
For the moment, the four classes will be very similar to the classes they replace, with the exception of Superstock 1000, which will be run along the same lines as the FIM Superstock 1000.
However, MotoAmerica make it very clear in their press release that the eventual goal is to bring the Superbike, Supersport, and Superstock 600 rules used at the world championship level, with the aim of bringing more American talent to world championship racing.
With that in mind, MotoAmerica had also been evaluating Moto2. The difficulty with that class, however, is that it is much harder to get backing to race in the class.
Because Superstock, Superbike and Supersport classes all feature bikes from recognized manufacturers, importers, distributors and even individual dealerships are happy to provide support.
As Moto2 machinery is based around specialist chassis manufacturers and generic engines, dealers and importers are far less interested in providing material support. This, incidentally, is one of the reasons Moto2 does not feature in the British BSB championship.
Of the two classes still under consideration, one is believed to be a spec bike series along the lines of the Red Bull Rookies and European Junior Cup. Informed opinion suggests that this could be based around the KTM RC390, KTM’s small capacity pure sports machine. Given that KTM will be running the same class in BSB next year, this would make a lot of sense.
The final class still open could well end up being Moto3, or a class along Moto3 lines. The problem, once again, is expense, with full fat Moto3 machinery costing well north of 200,000 euros.
The number of second hand bikes in circulation is still limited, as the class has only recently come into being, but MotoAmerica is believed to want at least one Grand Prix class in the series, to ready young Americans for that championship.
So far, the signs from MotoAmerica are very good. There is a clear focus that has been lacking in recent years, and the aim is very simple: to get American racers back to the two motorcycle road racing world championships.
This is coming not just from Wayne Rainey and his group, but also very strongly from Dorna, who need Americans in MotoGP and WSBK to make the series attractive to TV channels. It has been a tough few years for the AMA, but things finally appear to be getting back onto the right path. There is still an awful lot to do, but the first steps have been taken.
Below are the classes that MotoAmerica has announced for next year:
The 2015 MotoAmerica Road Racing Championship
Superbike*
- Chassis rules as AMA 2014
- Engine specs in line with the 2015 World Superbike Championship (gearbox as AMA 2014)
- Electronics as 2015 World Superbike Championship with a one-year option to run to AMA 2014 specs
- Use of two bikes will be allowed during each event
Superstock 1000*
- Engine and chassis to be aligned with FIM Superstock 1000
- Brake system may be changed
- Superstock 1000 to run on slick tires
- Use of two bikes will be allowed during each event
n.b. Superbike and Superstock will run together but will be scored separately
Supersport* (formerly Daytona Sportbike)
- Chassis rules as AMA 2014
- Engine rules moved toward FIM World Supersport Championship specification
- Electronics as AMA 2014
- Supersport will be run on slick tires
- Use of one bike allowed during each event. Second bike may be built but not used until cleared by Technical Director
- Based on 600 class machines, including 675 triples
Superstock 600* (formerly AMA Pro SuperSport)
- Similar rules to 2014 AMA Pro SuperSport rules and aligned with FIM Superstock 600
*The MotoAmerica full technical rules will be released shortly. MotoAmerica reserves the right to amend the above information and aims to develop all classes over the following seasons.
Source: MotoAmerica
This article was originally published on MotoMatters, and is republished here on Asphalt & Rubber with permission by the author.
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