Rich,
The Pro dept and the Amateur dept of the AMA are totally seperate.
The AMA rulebook for amateurs is made of rules and guidelines voted on by
the "AMA Congress" every year.
The Congressman are elected in each District across the nation.
There are a possible 5 Congressmen per AMA District between off road and road.
They only vote on rules presented by fellow Congressmen and they are only rules/issues governing Amateur events and rulebook.
The Pro book is basically set up by a group of "powers that be" at
the AMA.
That "group" is totaly separate from the amateur section.
So as Congressmen myself and Wardy have little influence or contact with that "side" of the AMA.
I will say( although I probably shouldn't lol)
that it seems to me that Yamaha has had a bit more influence with this "group" than any other manufactuer EXCEPT Harley-Davidson.
These two companies seem to get rules voted in that essentialy "make"
a class for the bike they manufactuer.
I as well as others have seen this occur for the last 15 years or better.
Whats up with that?
To answer your question it is EXTREEMLY doubtful that Honda would be given a "production rule" grace period,similar to Yamahas in 98, at this time.
They have been shot down in the past several times for similar things ,and I doubt they would even ask.
Dirt Track is a CLASSIC example:
After years of other brands dominating DT ...
Honda decided to get involved in that form of racing and won a few titles.
It did not take long for the rules to change to such an extent that it limited thier ability to even go racing in that discipline.
( A weight rule that the bike had to weigh ALOT lol)
"HRC " basically said forget it! and pulled totally out of DT.
Strange, but not unexpected.
It REALLY killed that sport over the years as it is a one brand affair at the top level.
Ask anyone.
I see that creeping into the AMA's exclusions for certain manufactuers in its Pro MX /SX dept as well.
It reminds me of all the NASCAR politics and rules trying to keep the "biggest money" guys from winning all the time?
Is this good or bad?
Dunno, but do not expect to see Honda ever given a "production rule" "break", unless the whole rule is dropped for eveyone.
<p align=right>05-23-2000 :Edited