MSMA Votes To Shun WSC "MSMA members will not compete in 2004 World Championship Superbike" by dean adams Saturday, November 15, 2003 This just in from the MSMA (Motor Sports Manufacturer Assn), members include Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, MV, Honda, Ducati and Aprilia. The MSMA and each of the individual manufacturers who are members of the MSMA would like to thank the media for all the work they put into covering motorcycle racing and for encouraging so many people to take an interest in, and give their backing to, the sport. In light of rumors and misinformation regarding who will be competing in World Championship Superbike racing, the MSMA would like to make a clear statement of its position. A set of very fair technical rules had been agreed by all MSMA members in order to prevent unnecessarily high market prices for the machines that the series is based on, but the rules have not been adopted. Consequently, the MSMA members have unanimously determined that unless these rules are adopted and the decision to restrict tires to a single make is rescinded, MSMA members will not compete in 2004 World Championship Superbike racing as factory teams, and furthermore, will not provide technical assistance on a factory basis. Ducati is exempted due to its pre-existing contractual commitments to sponsors. The MSMA is deeply saddened at having to make this announcement, but has been forced into the decision. As motorcycle manufacturers, we have to take a resolute stand against technical rules that are likely to be detrimental to the interests of ordinary motorbike customers, and also against the idea of restricting tires to a single make so that a tire maker can become World Champion just by buying the title. We sincerely hope that all devotees of the Championship will appreciate why we have to take this approach. Finally we would like to thank fans, the public and the media for all their support and understanding at this difficult time for motorcycle sports. We would like to ask you for your understanding and hope that you will continue to be able to give your support to the continuing support to the growth of motor cycling and motorcycle racing.

MSMA Votes To Shun WSC "MSMA members will not compete in 2004 World Championship Superbike" by dean adams Saturday, November 15, 2003 This just in from the MSMA (Motor Sports Manufacturer Assn), members include Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, MV, Honda, Ducati and Aprilia. The MSMA and each of the individual manufacturers who are members of the MSMA would like to thank the media for all the work they put into covering motorcycle racing and for encouraging so many people to take an interest in, and give their backing to, the sport. In light of rumors and misinformation regarding who will be competing in World Championship Superbike racing, the MSMA would like to make a clear statement of its position. A set of very fair technical rules had been agreed by all MSMA members in order to prevent unnecessarily high market prices for the machines that the series is based on, but the rules have not been adopted. Consequently, the MSMA members have unanimously determined that unless these rules are adopted and the decision to restrict tires to a single make is rescinded, MSMA members will not compete in 2004 World Championship Superbike racing as factory teams, and furthermore, will not provide technical assistance on a factory basis. Ducati is exempted due to its pre-existing contractual commitments to sponsors. The MSMA is deeply saddened at having to make this announcement, but has been forced into the decision. As motorcycle manufacturers, we have to take a resolute stand against technical rules that are likely to be detrimental to the interests of ordinary motorbike customers, and also against the idea of restricting tires to a single make so that a tire maker can become World Champion just by buying the title. We sincerely hope that all devotees of the Championship will appreciate why we have to take this approach. Finally we would like to thank fans, the public and the media for all their support and understanding at this difficult time for motorcycle sports. We would like to ask you for your understanding and hope that you will continue to be able to give your support to the continuing support to the growth of motor cycling and motorcycle racing. Wow. I don't blame them though. If it isn't one stupid rule it's the other lately. If a series isn't working to downgrade there power they are working to limit something. I got a feeling that it wont be long before the people running world superbike come to there senses. Losing out on the all those factory sponsers is gonna be bad for business.

WSB after having Ducati/Honda twin championship for number of years appear reluctant to let a 4 cylinder have the same technical design freedom, in the interest of reduced cost and closer competition, now where did I hear that? AMA? :( But it would appear only teams with major resources behind them will be able to compete at the top level. Not every team has the bulk dollars to spend thousand of hours on a flow bench to work with inlet restrictors, Ten Kate etc :cry: AMA last ran restrictors on TZ750 back in the mid 70's, who did that help the private teams? of did it just make the gap between the private teams and the factory teams even greater. :roll: Jump to 2004 and AMA do not have the classes and tech rules which the factorys are happy to race with, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki are all making plans to race in 2004, but not in the Superbike class. :cry: Eboz is just one team rider who has been affected by AMA's policy on Superbikes. Don,t blame Kawasaki. :wink: Which team or Championship can Eric hope to get a Superbike/MotoGP ride? :oops: WSB on what? AMA on what? Kawasaki MotoGP line up behind Hoffman,Nakano. For the other team rides line behind a bunch of current riders who have not confirmed rides for 2004. Pitt, McCoy, KRJR, Kurtis, Hoppy, McWillliams, Aoki, Jacque, Abe, Haga, Tamada etc. Michelin and Honda have reduced the number of teams they are supporting. Honda cut from 6 back from 7 riders, Suzuki on Dunlops again or on Bridgestones, Proton lost Bridgestone to Kawasaki? Bridgestone do not have the same resouces as Michelin and will not be able to support extra teams in 2004. Proton and Tamada in 2003, Kawasaki and Suzuki in 2004? The arrival at Yamaha by Rossi will affect all the teams as they scramble to sign riders for 2004. D'Antin switch to Ducati and a two bike team meant Nakano out and Hogdson and Xaus are in. 8) Ukawa and Kiyonari without rides the Rossi/ WSB ripple affect even effects who rides in US and with what teams. :? 2004 is a year of major change in the 3 biggest series in the World, WSB, AMA and MotoGP. :oops: Eboz is just another victim, and he will not be the last person affected in 2004, this era of major changes in rules in WSB and AMA. :cry: Lets hope ERIC gets a ride on a competitve bike in a competitive team in a competitive championship. :lol: We should all be worried by the AMA/WSB vs the manufactures battle which may not be settled until some time in the future, 2005, 2006 :x

WSB after having Ducati/Honda twin championship for number of years appear reluctant to let a 4 cylinder have the same technical design freedom, in the interest of reduced cost and closer competition, now where did I hear that? AMA? :( But it would appear only teams with major resources behind them will be able to compete at the top level. Not every team has the bulk dollars to spend thousand of hours on a flow bench to work with inlet restrictors, Ten Kate etc :cry: AMA last ran restrictors on TZ750 back in the mid 70's, who did that help the private teams? of did it just make the gap between the private teams and the factory teams even greater. :roll: Jump to 2004 and AMA do not have the classes and tech rules which the factorys are happy to race with, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki are all making plans to race in 2004, but not in the Superbike class. :cry: Eboz is just one team rider who has been affected by AMA's policy on Superbikes. Don,t blame Kawasaki. :wink: Which team or Championship can Eric hope to get a Superbike/MotoGP ride? :oops: WSB on what? AMA on what? Kawasaki MotoGP line up behind Hoffman,Nakano. For the other team rides line behind a bunch of current riders who have not confirmed rides for 2004. Pitt, McCoy, KRJR, Kurtis, Hoppy, McWillliams, Aoki, Jacque, Abe, Haga, Tamada etc. Michelin and Honda have reduced the number of teams they are supporting. Honda cut from 6 back from 7 riders, Suzuki on Dunlops again or on Bridgestones, Proton lost Bridgestone to Kawasaki? Bridgestone do not have the same resouces as Michelin and will not be able to support extra teams in 2004. Proton and Tamada in 2003, Kawasaki and Suzuki in 2004? The arrival at Yamaha by Rossi will affect all the teams as they scramble to sign riders for 2004. D'Antin switch to Ducati and a two bike team meant Nakano out and Hogdson and Xaus are in. 8) Ukawa and Kiyonari without rides the Rossi/ WSB ripple affect even effects who rides in US and with what teams. :? 2004 is a year of major change in the 3 biggest series in the World, WSB, AMA and MotoGP. :oops: Eboz is just another victim, and he will not be the last person affected in 2004, this era of major changes in rules in WSB and AMA. :cry: Lets hope ERIC gets a ride on a competitve bike in a competitive team in a competitive championship. :lol: We should all be worried by the AMA/WSB vs the manufactures battle which may not be settled until some time in the future, 2005, 2006 :x For 2004 what is the difference between superbike and superstock in the AMA now? Before there was limits on the engine size, but now the same size engines for the most part will be ran? And as I understood it only limited mofidications were allowed in 2003 super bike, so what is it now? :?:

Well nothing unexpected. You can't blame the manufacturers. With that constant rule changing it is impossible to know to what rules the bikes have to be build against. Thanks to Flammini for basically killing WSB :( :evil: I can only hope that 2004 will be a transition year and WSB will survive but at the moment prospects of that are grim. With high costs involved in MotoGP the manufacturers can't start developing bikes if they know they will be obsolete next year. Look at Suzuki went to great lenghts to develop the GSXR1000 to comply to that crap restrictor rule. Only to have nice a museum piece. So in 2004 only MotoGP and hopefully the BSB will be worth watching/following (btw: Kyonari is supposed to race with Honda in BSB) Well at least that leaves me with plenty of time to play with ZX10R and the '02 MilleR :) 8)