According to an interview given by Doug Chandler to Roadracing World, Chandler will definitely enter the Daytona 200 Superbike race in March on a Honda CBR954RR. RW quotes Chandler as saying “In race trim, the [954RR] makes the power the superbikes are making and the weights are going to be the same. I think [the bike has] got a chance.”
Although MD heard Chandler was entering the race, and reported on this fact back on December 8, 2002, this is the first quote we have seen from Chandler regarding the race, and his thoughts that the bike will be competitive.
The Honda CBR954RR, in stock trim, changes directions more easily than the Suzuki GSX-R1000, and the principal concern of Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates in initial testing of their GSX-R1000 superbikes is the resistance the machine is showing to quick direction changes. Could the Honda, with a somewhat lighter crank, and a bit more flickability, make a better superbike platform? Remember, four-cylinder, open-class superbikes must retain the stock crankshaft under current AMA rules. Another interesting thing to ponder as the 2003 AMA Superbike series approaches.
