AMA Formula Xtreme
Encyclopedia
Formula Xtreme was a professional racing class sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association
. Formula Xtreme was part of the AMA's road racing series, which also includes AMA Superbike Championship, AMA Supersport Championship
, and AMA Superstock.
Motorcycles were homologated
and be of a model type that is designed and legal for street use in the United States and is available from retail dealerships in the U.S. Although liberal by the standards of other classes AMA road racing series, Formula Xtreme rules still limited the modifications that may be made. The rules specify what changes are and are not permitted, including modification or replacement of various engine internals, transmission components, and other non-powertrain components of the vehicle such as the suspension, wheels, frame, swingarm, bodywork, wheels, etc. The rules also specify mimimum weight limits, allowable fuel types, which production components must be left in place and rules for availability of non-stock components from the manufacturer. Lastly, the type of engine (displacement and configuration) is governed by a set of guidelines that attempts to bring technical diversity to the class by establishing technical limitations that allow different technologies to remain competitive. For example, air/oil-cooled twin-cylinder engines are allowed a larger displacement limit. There are also differences in allowed modifications to engine internals depending on the engine configuration, again to encourage technical diversity in the class by ensuring that motorcycles with different engine configurations remain competitive. Merrill Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing's Director of Competition, stated:
Manufacturers represented in the AMA Formula Xtreme Series included the Big Four; Honda
, Kawasaki
, Suzuki
and Yamaha
, and in 2008 BMW
, Ducati, Triumph
and Buell
were represented as well. Perhaps the most well known event on the annual Formula Xtreme calendar was the Daytona 200
, which is not only the inaugural event of the Formula Xtreme season each year, but is also the longest event on the Formula Xtreme calendar (in terms of distance and number of laps).
With Daytona Motorsports Group's takeover of AMA Pro Racing in 2009, Formula Xtreme was replaced with the Daytona Sportbike
class.
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
. Formula Xtreme was part of the AMA's road racing series, which also includes AMA Superbike Championship, AMA Supersport Championship
AMA Supersport Championship
AMA Supersport is the 600cc class for AMA motorcycle racing, held from 1988. The current national champion is Graves Motorsports' Ben Bostrom who succeeded the younger brother of Nicky and Tommy, Roger Lee Hayden....
, and AMA Superstock.
Motorcycles were homologated
Homologation (motorsport)
In motorsports, homologation is the approval process a vehicle, race track or standardised part must go through to race in a given league or series. The regulations and rules that must be met are generally set by the series' sanctioning body...
and be of a model type that is designed and legal for street use in the United States and is available from retail dealerships in the U.S. Although liberal by the standards of other classes AMA road racing series, Formula Xtreme rules still limited the modifications that may be made. The rules specify what changes are and are not permitted, including modification or replacement of various engine internals, transmission components, and other non-powertrain components of the vehicle such as the suspension, wheels, frame, swingarm, bodywork, wheels, etc. The rules also specify mimimum weight limits, allowable fuel types, which production components must be left in place and rules for availability of non-stock components from the manufacturer. Lastly, the type of engine (displacement and configuration) is governed by a set of guidelines that attempts to bring technical diversity to the class by establishing technical limitations that allow different technologies to remain competitive. For example, air/oil-cooled twin-cylinder engines are allowed a larger displacement limit. There are also differences in allowed modifications to engine internals depending on the engine configuration, again to encourage technical diversity in the class by ensuring that motorcycles with different engine configurations remain competitive. Merrill Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing's Director of Competition, stated:
By design, Formula Xtreme rules are the most liberal of all the classes within the AMA Superbike Championship...The intent of the Formula Xtreme class is to include a diverse group of motorcycles...
Manufacturers represented in the AMA Formula Xtreme Series included the Big Four; Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
, Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
and Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
, and in 2008 BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, Ducati, Triumph
Triumph Motorcycles Ltd
Triumph Motorcycles Ltd is the largest surviving British motorcycle manufacturer, which was established in 1984 by John Bloor after the original manufacturer Triumph Engineering went into receivership...
and Buell
Buell
Buell may refer to:* Abel Buell, was a goldsmith, and counterfeiter, in the American colonies* Augustus C. Buell, fraudulent author* Bebe Buell, model* Buell Elementary School, the site of a school shooting in 2000* Buell Motorcycle Company...
were represented as well. Perhaps the most well known event on the annual Formula Xtreme calendar was the Daytona 200
Daytona 200
The Daytona 200 is a 68-lap, motorcycle race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.-History:The race evolved from a beach racing venue in 1937 to the Daytona International Speedway course in 1961....
, which is not only the inaugural event of the Formula Xtreme season each year, but is also the longest event on the Formula Xtreme calendar (in terms of distance and number of laps).
With Daytona Motorsports Group's takeover of AMA Pro Racing in 2009, Formula Xtreme was replaced with the Daytona Sportbike
AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike Championship
The AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike Championship is a motorcycle racing series run by AMA Pro Racing. The category is similar to the former Formula Xtreme class, allowing a wide range of engine types and displacements....
class.