There's a new kid in town: the Motorcycle Industry Council has stepped into the American Road Racing scene, promising to offer "the only racing series in America for unrestrained factory superbikes and their teams, as well as those who aspire to join their ranks and compete with them," according to MIC President Tim Buche. The MIC, a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, parts and accessories, has established the USSB (U.S. Super Bike) series with 1,000cc fours and larger-displacement twins, and U.S. Sport Bike, a 600cc series akin to the World Supersport Championship.
The move comes in the wake of turbulence that followed the sale of the AMA road racing to the Daytona Motorsports Group, which intended to dramatically limit the modifications that could be made to the race bikes-- which, in turn, led to several Japanese manufacturers to protest the series. "We want to steer away from engine restrictors, away from mandated power-to-weight ratios, spec tires and spec ECUs," explains USSB Managing Director Ty van Hooydonk. The move should not only offer more dynamic racing, it should also encourage more aggressive research and development, which in theory will produce more advanced street bikes.
If all goes as planned, the MIC's presence should bring a welcome spirit of competition to American road racing; let's hope the changes inject a healthy dose of passion into the sport.
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Photo © MIC
Let’s hope they made enough changes to not send the manufacturers packing. They all pretty much said to DMG “Give us a series on par with WSBK, BSB & JSB” If that comes to pass, SBK racing in the States should be alive and well – and – improved by a factor. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll probably see another INDY / CART debacle and end up with no decent racing. WSBK could see another 2…maybe 3 manufacturers join in ‘09. There’s a reason for that…it’s probably the best racing on the planet.
This post paints a rosy picture that simply does not reflect the divisive reality that has split the motorcycling community in half.
IMHO – It’s really unfortunate that the big boys want to take their toys and go home. This announcement is a power play by OEMs to control racing to sell motorcycles. It’s all smoke to bring DMG/AMA Pro Racing into line. It’s going to backfire because DMG has billions backing them in Jim France. The OEMs don’t have the practical experience, expertise or the money in a down market to invest in racing. Don’t think for a minute they have the fans’ interest at heart.
Not sure I like the “larger displacement twins” runnning with the inline fours, they already ruined NHRA pro-stock motorcycle allowing the harleys to cheat and have almost twice the displacement, I don’t want to see this happen with superbike too.
Bob,
I don’t have a crystal ball and certainly don’t pretend to know what the future holds, but I sure hope that the series changes for the better.
Time will tell.
Basem