another honda win?(screw tha AMA)

No Change For 2006 AMA Pro Classes, And It's Formula Xtreme Again For Daytona 200
Jun 17, 2005

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

2006 DAYTONA 200 TO AGAIN FEATURE FORMULA XTREME EQUIPMENT

2006 Class Structure Unchanged

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 17, 2005) – AMA Pro Racing confirmed today that the 2006 Daytona 200 will again feature Formula Xtreme motorcycles and that the class structure for the AMA Superbike Championship remains unchanged.

The class structure for 2006 is as follows:

Superbike: 901-1000cc four-stroke, two or more cylinders

Supersport: 0-600cc four-stroke, multi-cylinder

Formula Xtreme: 450cc-600cc four-stroke, multi-cylinder; 595cc-750cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder; 850cc-1350cc four-stroke, air-cooled, twin-cylinder

Superstock: 745cc-1000cc four-stroke, multi-cylinder

AMA Pro Racing announced on May 26 that 1000cc motorcycles will remain in AMA Superbike through the 2008 racing season. Rules adding 1000cc motorcycles to the class were announced in 2002 for the 2003 racing season. As noted above, current AMA Superbike rules feature 901-1000cc four-stroke engines with two or more cylinders, exclusively.

“The feedback over our announcement regarding 1000cc machines remaining through 2008 has been very positive,” said Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing CEO. “This stability as well as that in the support classes is designed to encourage greater rider and team participation across the board.”

Formula Xtreme machines are used for the Daytona 200 because of the unique demands placed on equipment specifically at the Daytona International Speedway course. As part of a major infield renovation completed at the facility prior to the beginning of the 2005 racing season, the infield road course was also reconfigured. These changes, coupled with switching the 200 to Formula Xtreme equipment, were made in the interest of improving safety at the track.

AMA Superbike remains the premier class within the championship with AMA Supersport, AMA Formula Xtreme and AMA Superstock serving as support classes.

Technical rules for each class will be announced at a later date

(roadracingworld.com)  

Why are u mad???I know, i probably pissed u off by asking that but i really don't understand.  

the D-200 is suppose to be THA RACE (1000cc)(the best rider's.the best bike's and the best babe's)not a sale's pitch for honda to sell 600's, a factory team vs. the priveteer's it was NOT even close in 2005 so expect the same in 2006  

Ohh, ok , i see what u mean now. Yeah its pretty disappointing.  

I agree with you, the 200 should be run by the Superbike class not Formula Extreme.  Honda has the class covered against all those privateers.  Duhamel and Zemke are great riders too which amplifys the advantage their bikes have.  I understand the problems with tires but just press Dunlop to develope even better technology.  I did not enjoy the 200 this year and I hope the AMA changes it back soon.

I also hope the other manufacturers will put more developement into their 1000's so that the Superbike class will be more competitive.  I know American Honda will eventually come along but what about Kawi with the 10R and Yamaha with R1....factory support please.  

I miss the races watching Roberts and Duhamel on their RC51's battling against Mladin on his GSXR.  That was more like it.  

Cyclops,
    I understand that having the FX as the D-200 is somewhat disappointing.  I am a Honda fan, but I found the race to be less than exciting.  
    Now, in regards to the AMA's decision to "Stay the course" with the rules, look at it this way.  Since they will be keeping the same rule structure until '08, that means the manufacturers (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki) can develop a plan for the future.  You may ask yourself, "What does that mean for  US, the faithful viewers?"  Well, I figure that the factories can "project" what they want to accomplish with a class of bikes (i.e. 600's and 1000cc's).  They will know what is expected and hopefully they can  ALL get on the "same page", as in all four factories racing in each class.  Wouldn't that be great?!  
    So far, each factory has basically chosen which class they want to compete/dominate in.  (Honda-FX, Suzuki/Honda-SBK, Kawi/Yami-SS and Kawi/Yami-Super Stock).  I mean, Yeah, each factory "HIDES" behind the term "Factory-Support" team so they won't be blamed for not winning that event/class.  They let a "Psuedo-privateer" take the recognition for winning or losing.  I want to see all four "UJM's" and Buell and Ducati competing in the AMA.  Don't WE as foolish american's deserve a knock-down, no holds barred brawl between the best motorcycle companies in the world?  I think we do.  
   Look at the development cycle between the big-4.  For a while, Honda and Kawasaki were on the same two year introduction cycle.  Suzuki and Yamaha were also on a two year cycle (only a year behind/before Hon & Kaw).  Then Yamaha surprised the whole motorcycle world back in 98/99 when they upped the release of the R-1 by one year.  They subsequenlty "got-off" their schedule with Suzuki...and now look.  Suzuki is out-pacing the competion in regards to Super-Bike.  It would be nice to have them all on the same release date(year) and have some parity...don't you think.  
    Am I all wrong here or is there some merit to what I am asking?  

If i were in charge of the ama i'd tell you what i'd do. 2 chicks at the same time. no seriously though. I would eliminated the daytona 200. yes i said it. and i'm sure at least for a few years that would be an unpopular move but eventually everyone would get over it and move on. heck in my opinion the race only really appeals to redneck nascar fans at this point. less turns and what not. there are other venues in the states that would be beter suited. i'd move the first race of the year to laguna which is probably on of the most popular tracks in the country that has turns that go both ways. and do all 4 classes and a moto gp like they're doing this year. i mean how huge would that be. 5 races in one weekend. oh and i would eliminate the fx class. and push for a 750 class we could call it the 750 super sick class or something like that. i think it would encourage all manufactures to make a sweet production 750 and that would make me happy. so you would be left with 3 close to stock classes for new rider development and one premier super bike class reserved for the best bikes and the best riders. what would you all think about that sweet action??  

I agree with everyone especially the dismantling of FX!  It just isn't fair Honda should win every year since they are the only factory supported team.  How can Zemke and Duhamel even get up for an FX race or be happy win the win.  It's not like they beat up any real competition sort of like the Patriots beating the 49ERs.  Heck your the defending champs you should win.  I say invite the 750s and 636cc motorcycles into that class if it is gonna be called extreme take the gloves off!  

gixxer jack wrote:

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I agree with everyone especially the dismantling of FX!  It just isn't fair Honda should win every year since they are the only factory supported team.

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To get back to my main point (and this is not directed at you), alot of people say that only Honda is entered into the F.X. class is so that they can modify the heck out of the CBR600rr, and that is why it is winning.  I've heard numerous times that "Honda's" are slow and heavy.  If that is the case, why isn't the other three factories out there with a similarly modified machine.  According to the concensus, it shouldn't take much to make a Suzuki, Kawi or Yamaha to beat those portly Hondas.  But in the same token, why doesn't Honda have a factory entry into SuperSport?  It would thin out their resources?  Don't know.  All I know is that I would like to see all the manufacturers go after each other on the track in every class.

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It's called race only when you have a reasonable chance of winning. The marketing dept. has a field day when you can make the claim you went 1-2-3 at the Daytona 200... especially since the average Joe sportbiker doesn't know the difference between FX and Supersport. They see the commercial touting this bike as sweeping one of the most famous motorcycle races in the world and how they could be riding the street version.

"Interesting" (i.e., competitive) racing for us fans is not always on the same page with marketing and driving sales.

 

I agree with your TEvo.  "Pick your battles" right?  It is all about "What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday".  Look how Suzuki is touting Mat Mladin as a 5-time champ.  That has really got to be a sore spot for Honda.  

I've got a cool/funny story.  One of my friends works on Eric Bostrom's pit crew (tire man).  Last Wednesday he came over to my house for a cook-out.  He showed me a new ad that Austin/Ducati has.  It is a knock agaings Suzuki.  I don't know if you've seen the ad for Suzuki in the latest SprotRider mag where at the bottom of the Suzuki ad where it says, "If you don't win, it's not our fault".  Well, the new Ducati ad "Peak Perfomance" (celebrating their win at Pikes Peak).  Their ad says, "If you didn't win, It's our fault".  Ha Ha...that is funny.  There is a big photo of E-Boz with his pit crew and my buddy Mat is standing next to Eric (to his right).

 

All I know is when I hear or see the word extreme I think no holds barred and I'm like if the bike doesn't fit in any of the other categories it should be allowed to race in FX.  If Honda wants to brag about their wins they should put an asterick beside the ad "This was not against full factory sponsored riders."  I'm just saying when you beat your little brother who is about 5 years old in a race you don't go and brag about it the next day.  

Honda’s Dilemma,
They make great bikes “for the street”. They make good race bikes as well but you have to put way to much money in them to make the competitive. If they were to race in Super Stock or Super Sport they would get their asses handed to them. This is why you only see Honda racing in the classes that allow them to modify the hell out of their bikes.

Duhamel will never beat Mladin with equal machinery they couldn’t even beat him in 2004 when the gixxer was down on power.  

Zemke with the correct bike might be able to hang with Mladin for most races but he’ll never beat him for the season.

Roberts is pulling the same crap his brother is in MotoGP, riding around collecting a paycheck.