MotoAmerica

From 1976, the American Motorcycle Association has organized and supported motorcycle racing through a variety of Superbike organizations. A full description of this history is available on the MotoAmerica 101 website.[2]

The competition began with sporadic inclusion in a variety of AMA racing events across the united states and offered an alternative to purpose built racing competitions. Following the start of Superbike competitions as a support class for AMA motorcycle road racing, namely AMA Formula One (the US based version of MotoGP racing), the production based race competition quickly became a popular competition format and spread across the world. In fact the first World Superbike title held in 1988 was won by a US competitor Fred Merkel.

During the 1970s and 1980s the competition between European and Japanese manufacturers reflected the same level of rivalry that took place in US Formula 1 and international Grand Grix racing. However, that began to change with the inclusion of Honda who also brought Freddie Spencer along as their featured rider. Ducati, BMW and Moto Guzzi dominated up to the 1980s with BMW, Suzuki and Kawasaki taking control in the first half of the 1980's. Honda's presence took time to bring returns, but they ultimately won five consecutive titles from 1984 until 1988 with Fred Merkel, Wayne Rainey and Bubba Shobert.

Parity, popularity and rivalries followed the series through the 1990s and often as a prelude to the more international rivalries across manufacturers as well as riders. Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki all won championships during this time and Harley-Davidson even joined the fray (though they never won a race). It also provided a proving ground for eventual World Champions Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies.

The competition was sold to Daytona Motorsports Group in 2007, but the financial downturn in 2008 caused a significant decrease in funding and popularity. After MotoAmerica took over the series in 2015, the competition has seen a dramatic resurgence with Yamaha taking the most championships with riders Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin, Garrett Gerloff, J.D. Beach and Cameron Beaubier.

Feeder classes to the premier Superbike competition are consistently referred to as Superstock, Stock 1000, Supersport, AMA Formula 1 and AMA Formula Xtreme competitions.

MotoAmerica’s premier race class, Superbike showcases the top road racers aboard top-of-the-line, highly modified motorcycles capable of speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.[3] Engine configurations and minimum weight requirements are listed below:

• Over 750cc up to 1000cc, 4-stroke, 3- and 4-cylinder
• Over 850cc up to 1200cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder
• 370.5 pounds
• Models: BMW S1000RR, Ducati Panigale V4 R, Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Yamaha YZF-R1

A feeder class for Superbike, Stock 1000 gives MotoAmerica riders the opportunity to gain experience aboard 1,000cc motorcycles with an eye toward eventually moving up to Superbike.[4] Engine configurations and minimum weight requirements are listed below:

• Over 750cc up to 1000cc, 4-stroke, 3- and 4-cylinder
• Over 850cc up to 1200cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder
• 374 pounds
• Models: BMW S1000RR, Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Yamaha YZF-R1

MotoAmerica’s middleweight race class, Supersport features the series’ rising stars competing aboard production-based motorcycles.[5] Engine configurations and minimum weight requirements are listed below:

• Over 400cc up to 600cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder
• Over 500cc up to 675cc, 4-stroke, 3-cylinder
• Over 600cc up to 750cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder
• 354.2 pounds (2013-2021 Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) minimum weight: 363.8 pounds)
• Models: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (636), Suzuki GSX-R600, Yamaha YZF-R6

Putting middleweight, twin-cylinder motorcycles in the spotlight, Twins Cup enables regional and club racers from around the country to step up to the MotoAmerica series and compete on a national level.[6] Engine configurations and minimum weight requirements are listed below:

• Over 600cc up to 800cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder
• 297.6 pounds
• Models: Kawasaki Ninja 650, Suzuki SV650, Yamaha FZ-07/MT-07

MotoAmerica’s entry-level race class, Junior Cup features the series’ youngest riders competing aboard small-displacement, production-based motorcycles.[7] Engine configurations requirements are listed below:

• Over 300cc up to 500cc, 4-stroke, 1- or 2-cylinder
• Models: KTM RC390, Kawasaki Ninja 400, Yamaha YZF-R3