Race Watch
RACE WATCH
Honda Denies Endurance Pull-out; RSC Superbike Engine Banned; Kawasaki and Suzuki Offer Contingency Programs; SCORE Moves
HONDA DENIES ENDURANCE PULLOUT
A spokesman for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has denied rumors that the giant Japanese motorcycle manufacturer will not compete in 1979 Coup d'Endurance events in Europe. The Honda RCBs have dominated the series of endurance races for three years. According to spokesman Bob Doornbos, "There are no plans to discontinue Honda's involvement in endurance racing." Doornbos said that the company had made recent efforts to reinforce the tie-in between racing victo ries and street-bike durability, and that those efforts further decreased the likeli hood of an endurance racing pullout.
HONDA RSC SUPERBIKE ENGINE BANNED
AMA officials decided that the RSCbuilt 997cc Honda engine introduced with the 1979 models (see CW. January 1979) wasn't legal for Superbike Produc tion racing. According to the AMA. eligi ble machines must be based on complete motorcycles commonly available and meeting EPA emissions control regulations as sold at dealerships. That means a rider could buy a CB750 and modify it within class rules. But because the planned op tional RSC engine included completely new crankcases. crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons. dry clutch, etc.. it wasn't a modified production machine engine in the AMA's view, but rather a completely new powerplant.
DEATH OF F750
The FIM has decided to phase out the Formula 750 World Championship. After 1979. there will be no F750 class. Another class to get axed is 350cc. In 1980, the World Championship classes will be 50cc, 125cc. 250cc and 500cc.
KAWASAKI SPRINGS LOOSE THE GREEN
Kawasaki Motors Corp. has an nounced a massive drag racing and road racing contingency support program. Kawasaki will pay Kawasaki riders $10,000 each for winning the Top Fuel and Pro Stock Championships: with $5000 each going to Champions in the Super Elimina tor. Pro Comp. Modified Eliminator and Street Eliminator classes. The payouts ap ply to both the International Drag Bike Assn. (IDBA) and the National Hot Rod Assn. (NHRA) for a total of $80,000. The company will also pay Kawasaki riders who win AMA Superbike Production races in 1979. as follows: $10,000 each for Daytona and Laguna Seca: $5000 each for the two Loudon events, Sears Points and Pocono; and $15,000 for the overall Super bike Production Championship. for a road racing total of $55,000.
SUZUKI OFFERS SUPERBIKE CONTINGENCY
Suzuki pilots are eligible for $10,000 in contingency money for Superbike Production road races in 1979. A win at Daytona or Laguna Seca will earn an extra $2000 from U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp., while wins at Pocono. Sears Point and the two Loudons will pay $1500 each.
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NEW YAMAHA TZ250
T he 1979 version of the Yamaha TZ250 is lighter, lower and comes with TZ750-style seat, tank and fairing. The new chrome-moly frame is fitted with an~ aluminum box-section swing arm and the monoshock gas pressure is now adjustable. The front brake caliper has been changed from iron to aluminum, and the rear brake disc has been reduced in size. Like the TZ750, the TZ250 fuel tank now holds 6.3 gallons. The bike weighs 234.8 lb. Retail,1 price is not known.
SCORE MOVES
K flown primarily for organizing and sanctioning rugged off-road races in the Southwest and Baja California, SCORE International has a new address. Anybody interested in the Baja Interna~~ cional, Baja 1000K. Mexicali 250, Parker 400, or other SCORE events can now contact SCORE at 31332 Via Colinas, Suite 103. Westlake Village, Calif. 91361.
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MOSPORT RECORD LOWERED 10 SECONDS
In our report on the Mosport F750 round in the January issue, we said that Mike Baldwin lapped "a full two seconds under Baker's old record at 1.39:47." That was a typographical error. Baldwin's new record stood at 1.29:47. Hey. we were only 10 seconds off the pace, which is probably what we would have been if we had actu ally raced at Mosport!
SUPERBIKE PRODUCTION RULE CHANGES
The AMA announced several rule changes for Superbike Production in 1979. The new rules require the use of the standard number of gears, standard type of primary drive and standard type of final drive, while gear ratios and gears may be modified. This rule would seem to put an end to any talk of converting de-bored XS 11 Yamahas to chain drive and running them in the class. Carburetor size specifi cations have been altered from stock to oversizes based on number of cylinders. Fours can run 31mm carburetors: Triples. 35mm: Twins 43.7mm. Those configura t~ons yield a roughly equal intake area of about 3000 square mm. No mention is made in the rules of six-cylinders. How ever, if a rider reduced the displacement of a Honda CBX to the class limit of 1025cc and used the six stock 28mm carburetors, he'd have an intake area of about 3700 sq. mm and a potential horsepower advan tage. Another new rule requires the stock seat silhouette, which sounds good be cause it makes the bike look more like a street bike, but makes it harder to hang on at speed and while accelerating. Anybody who has actually ridden a Superbike will understand why outlawing step seats is a bad idea. Other rules require working brake lights and stainless steel external oil lines, and mandate catch tanks for breather lines.
