It would seem that September 1 is D-Day for AMA Superbikes. That date is the one where a majority of manufacturers including, most importantly, Honda will announce their racing plans in the States for the 2009 season.

Now, if it was good news for new series owners Daytona Motorsports Group (DMG), why would Honda et al give a definite date for an announcement? There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth about the proposed new technical regulations. DMG decided it would be a good idea to run three classes (all superbikes) with one having WSB-spec regulation (click here).

However, there has been to-ing and fro-ing by the manufacturers and collectively, they have changed their minds twice regarding the DMG proposal.

I think one of two things is going to happen:

1 - Honda, as always, will lead the charge and force DMG to do exactly what it wants. Let’s not forget that Honda decided it wanted to race four-strokes in GP racing, and it wanted to race four-strokes in World Motocross, and now it wants to race 600cc four-strokes instead of 250cc in GPs…

2 - Honda will simply take its ball home and use the millions it will save in the States to fund a factory World Superbike team instead.

The latter would tie in very nicely with Ten Kate Honda in WSB because as of next season, they potentially have five WSB riders (Rea, Pitt, Checa, Kiyonari and Sofuoglu) and not 10 Fireblades.

It’s also rumoured that Honda are considering a tactical withdrawal from British Superbikes. However, I am not sure if this is the case. If it was, then series director Stuart Higgs probably wouldn’t have much in the way of hair any more.

We know that WSB is to benefit from at least three new teams next season, BMW, Aprilia and Boulder Ducati. Currently, The Force is strong with Paolo Flammini and Honda Japan must be seriously thinking about putting the wind up Davide Tardozzi and stopping Ducati.
And where does that leave Neil Hodgson? Maybe here
Read The Boss’s take on the AMA situation here