Now that the 2002 AMA/Chevy Trucks Superbike series is over, and Honda’s Nicky Hayden is champion, one starts to think about the 2003 season and all of the changes it will bring.
With a 1000cc limit for four cylinder bikes next year, AMA Pro Racing is still floating proposed rule changes designed to put the fours on equal footing with the twins. The problem for the manufacturers, of course, is that these rule changes will be set in stone far too late for them to thoroughly prepare and test for the 2003 series. Indeed, some of the manufacturers do not even have a bike that “fits” properly within the framework of next year’s AMA Superbike series.
For the fans, however, this is a mixed bag. Watching the manufacturers scramble to build competitive machines under rules that will be finalized literally at the last minute will be interesting. On the other hand, it is possible that one or more manufacturers may simply “sit out” the 2003 Superbike series, and concentrate on 600s instead. 2003 will be a development year for many teams, and some of those teams may actually do that development in private, without competing. That would be a shame, but it is a possibility.
In any event, it coiuld easily be the 2004 season before the rules are finally resolved (adjustments may occur “on the fly” next year if performance equality and/or engine durability become issues).
