With the recent announcement of the AMA Superbike rules governing competition for the 2003 season, one has to consider whether all of the manufacturers will now find a bike that they will feel competitive with.
Kawasaki had to be the biggest question for next year. Without a full 1000cc production bike, and a ten-year old 750, Kawasaki surely considered sitting on the sidelines (and may still). Focusing, instead, on the Supersport championship aboard their new 600.
The rules that will govern 2003, however, will allow a 2mm overbore of 750s (not to exceed 800cc), as well as 1000cc machines with, it would appear, sufficient performance modifications to make racing a modified 1000cc four-cylinder street bike a reasonable option (for Suzuki, for instance).
Honda and Ducati, of course, will be at the start line with their V-twins (and Ben Bostrom replacing Nicky Hayden at Honda). Suzuki would have to be considered a starter, regardless of the rules. Now, Yamaha may be the biggest question (will they run and over-bore R7?).
With Ducati and Honda on the big V-twins that are already proven, Suzuki and Kawasaki (and Yamaha) ought to be licking their chops at the thought of racing an 800cc four. If Suzuki and Yamaha can trot out their 1000cc four-cylinder street bikes, as well, it will be all the more interesting.
The return of Ben Bostrom is an added value to the 2003 series. Ben was off the pace in WSB this year, but he won five straight races in the 2001 WSB series, and he clearly will be at or near the front of the AMA pack (likely duking it out with his brother Eric and several others).
Frankly, the 2003 AMA Superbike series looked like a yawner a few months ago, but it is shaping up to be quite interesting.
