Don't get your hopes up too high. As with other motorcycle competitions, the AMA is set to ruin something good.
Rumors indicate that there will be a 505cc limit on machines eligible for AMA Supermoto. This blows. If it's true, it's a concession to Japanese manufacturers who, to date, have invested precisely NOTHING in the growing sport of supermoto. So the very best amateurs out there today, Carl Blake of Washington, Don Canet of California... their large bore European supermoto bikes won't be allowed. Complete crap. (If the rumors prove true)
It kills me that small bike companies like Husqvarna, Husaberg, VOR, KTM and others who have attempted to build a supermotard following in the USA are going to be shut out of the AMA series in favor of who? Honda? Last year a Honda rep actually snickered at me when I asked if Honda might offer a supermotard model or accessories in the US. Do they deserve to benefit from the growing popularity of supermotard in the states? Hell no. But AMA pro racing doesn't give a crap about racers or fans. They care about the manufacturers with the deep pockets.
Also, the AMA hasn't made any contact with any of the grassroots supermoto race series, so lord only knows what the rules will be. Hardworking enthusiasts have invested their time and their own money to make supermoto a reality in the US without any help from the AMA. Now AMA pro racing, having heard the buzz, is set to blow the grassroots orgs out of the water, siphoning off all the sponsorships in order to promote what will likely be a set of invitation only parking lot races.
This announcement doesn't sound like good news for anyone but the big 4 and the AMA.
