Clipboard

Clipboard

RACE WATCH

Dirt-track dust-up

AMA Pro Racing ignited a firestorm recently when it announced sweeping rules changes that effectively would have put an end to traditional short-track and TT bikes in favor of motocross-based machinery.

Slated for the 2004 season, the proposed rules were designed to reflect the changing motorcycle marketplace, increase rider participation, expand OEM involvement and reduce costs, said the AMA. The plans called for a reduction in engine displacement, going from the current 505cc limit to either 350-450cc, liquid-cooled, multi-valve Singles or 400-500cc, air-cooled, two-valve Singles. But the biggest shift concerned the chassis: Instead of purpose-built flattrack frames, MX-based production frames with limited modifications would have been required (an exception was made for the Buell Blast, a true streetbike never intended for off-road or

racing use). Swingarms were open to change or modification, and bodywork could have been replaced with aftermarket parts provided that “stock appearance” was maintained (with exception, again, for the Buell).

“We strongly believe that taking the 505 class more toward production-based equipment is vital for the sustained

growth of flat-track,” said AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth. But negative reaction from racers was so strong during the 30-day comment period following the August announcement of the preliminary rules that the AMA decided to maintain its current class structure for another year and revisit possible instatement of the changes for the 2005 season. >

“The AMA has changed the rules so many times in the last 15 years that a person just can’t keep up with them,” said Ron Wood, builder of custom dirttrack frames and a long-time critic of the AMA. “They can’t seem to make up their minds. It’s discouraging people from going racing, not encouraging them. The AMA’s race program is not solid, the rules are not solid and the people running the show are not solid-and it’s not just me who thinks so.” Multi-time series champ Chris Carr takes a more pragmatic view.

“Although I see a need for us to get the OEMs involved in flat-track racing at a greater level, I believe the postponement of these rules to be reviewed again for 2005 is good,” he said. “This delay allows current flat-track equipment to be phased out rather than have a sharp drop in value. A lot of people have invested thousands and thousands of dollars over the years, and to have that investment reduced in value by the stroke of a pen, I think it (the postponement) is in the best interest of the majority of the sport.” Over the last few years, stock-framed motocross bikes from Honda and Yamaha have forged their way into the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship. Tommy Hayden took time away from his roadrace duties to send shock-waves through the dirt-track world by winning the 2001 Springfield TT on a stock Yamaha YZ426F fitted with dirt-track wheels and tires. Last year witnessed even more success for the motocross Thumpers as Honda star Nicky Hayden won two short-tracks and two TTs, while Rookie of the Year Jake Johnson also won a short-track.

In 2003, motocross-based equipment dominated the pair of Illinois TT races held at Springfield and Peoria. Johnson narrowly lost to Brett Landes in Springfield as the two Honda CRF-mounted riders battled to the stripe. Johnson figured into the Peoria story, as well, leading until a fall on lap 20 relegated him to fourth. Carr, the rider with the most Peoria wins in history, capitalized on Johnson’s mistake, putting his traditional race-framed Rotax into the lead.

“I really wanted to win this race because it might be the last chance for a ‘framer’,” said Carr at the time, well aware that rules changes were in the offing.

It was not to be, however, as J.R. Schnabel pushed his Yamaha YZ-F around Carr on the last lap to grab the win, with Johnny Murphree rounding out the podium aboard a Honda CRF. Aside from Carr and Rich King, whose factory Harley-Davidson stopped on lap 13, the remaining 16 riders in the Peoria main were all aboard motocrossers.

Still, there’s life left in the old-school bikes, courtesy of their lighter weight and lower center of gravity. That point was underscored two weeks later on the fast, slick quarter-mile oval in Milwaukee, where every bike in the main event used a traditional flat-track frame.

As always with the AMA it seems, stay tuned for more fireworks. □