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AMA Pro Superbike
AMA SBK: Honda Eyeing Return?
Could Honda make a long-awaited return to the AMA Pro Road Racing paddock in 2013?
(Photo: Evan Williams)
Honda’s conspicuous absence in the AMA Pro racing paddock the past few seasons could be changing. It’s been rumored the brand is looking to return to racing in America next year.
Honda’s racing tradition in America is undoubtedly strong. Riders like Wayne Rainey, Fred Merkel, Bubba Shobert, Miguel DuHamel, and Nicky Hayden have starred on the team’s machines over the years.
But Honda pulled out of the series in late 2009, saying in a statement, “Regrettably the current AMA/DMG racing environment does not align with our company goals.”
Ray Blank, who ran Honda’s motorcycle division for 30 years before retiring in September, is said to have favored a rules package that resembled World Superbike for racing in America.
There is also little doubt that the global economic downturn influenced the decision as well.
The economics of motorcycle roadracing in America have changed greatly since the days of multiple factory teams, a heavy testing schedule, and high rider salaries. Honda could hop in with an established team to provide technical support. And manufacturers like KTM, Triumph, and EBR have all shown you can get significant “bang for the buck” racing in America these days.
While racing in America is an exercise of the brand’s American arm, Honda’s history in AMA Pro racing is a mix of using HRC technology from Japan and going it on their own. American Honda famously made breakthroughs with the RC45 model in the ‘90s that helped others running the machine around the world, but also struggled to develop the CBR1000RR in-house after enjoying massive success its debut year with an HRC version.
Honda’s racing tradition in America is undoubtedly strong. Riders like Wayne Rainey, Fred Merkel, Bubba Shobert, Miguel DuHamel, and Nicky Hayden have starred on the team’s machines over the years.
But Honda pulled out of the series in late 2009, saying in a statement, “Regrettably the current AMA/DMG racing environment does not align with our company goals.”
Ray Blank, who ran Honda’s motorcycle division for 30 years before retiring in September, is said to have favored a rules package that resembled World Superbike for racing in America.
There is also little doubt that the global economic downturn influenced the decision as well.
The economics of motorcycle roadracing in America have changed greatly since the days of multiple factory teams, a heavy testing schedule, and high rider salaries. Honda could hop in with an established team to provide technical support. And manufacturers like KTM, Triumph, and EBR have all shown you can get significant “bang for the buck” racing in America these days.
While racing in America is an exercise of the brand’s American arm, Honda’s history in AMA Pro racing is a mix of using HRC technology from Japan and going it on their own. American Honda famously made breakthroughs with the RC45 model in the ‘90s that helped others running the machine around the world, but also struggled to develop the CBR1000RR in-house after enjoying massive success its debut year with an HRC version.
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