Modifications to the famed Daytona International Speedway have led AMA Pro Racing to change the number of laps for each event. According to AMA Pro Racing Road Race Series Manager, Ron Barrick, the final decision regarding the length of each race was made after discussions with track officials, tire companies, riders and teams.

The track redesign was part of an extensive renovation to the facility. Now instead of incorporating both of Daytona’s famous bankings, riders will navigate a new infield layout before entering the superspeedway on the back straight. The chicane leading into NASCAR turn three is unchanged as are the east banking and tri-oval sections. The changes were made to improve safety by reducing sustained top speeds and extreme tire loads generated by the banking.

Teams, riders and AMA Pro Racing officials got to see firsthand the results of the track modifications at the annual tire test held in early January. The new layout and the switch to Formula Xtreme machinery for the 200 made this year’s test particularly important.

“We knew that the changes would dictate we address the length of each race,” said Barrick. “The tire test was an opportunity to analyze tire wear, fuel mileage and speeds gathered from teams, riders and tire technicians. We used this data to help us determine race distances for each class of motorcycle.”

The Daytona Superstock, Supersport and Superbike races are sprint races while the Formula Xtreme Daytona 200 requires multiple pit stops for fuel and tires. Superstock, Supersport and Formula Xtreme (air-cooled twins excepted) rules require that competitors utilize stock fuel tanks. Superbike rules allow modifications to the fuel tank to increase capacity. Additionally, motorcycles entered in Supersport may also enter the Daytona 200. Another interesting change is that exotic quick change systems for wheels have been eliminated in an effort to lower costs and help level the playing field between factory teams and privateers.

Barrick believes that the changes are good for Daytona overall. “I think the races this year will be some of the most interesting in a long time,” said Barrick. “Considering things like the changes to the track and new race distances, the riders and teams will have to devise new set-ups and strategies to be successful.”

Schedule of Events

AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited

Monday, March 7

1:00 - 5:00 - Registration: For Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

Tuesday, March 8

9:00 - 5:00 - Registration: For Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests
5:00 - Post-Entry Closed for all Classes
9:00 - 5:00 - Tech Inspection

Wednesday, March 9

7:00 - 4:00 - Registration: For Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests
7:00 - 5:00 - Tech Inspection
8:00 - 8:50 - Repsol Lubricants Superstock Practice
9:00 - 9:50 - Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Practice
10:00 - 11:00 - AMA Superbike Practice
11:10 - 12:00 - Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice
12:00 - 1:00 - Lunch Break
12:20 - Rider Briefing (Media Center)
1:00 - 1:40 - Repsol Lubricants Superstock Qualifying, Group 1
1:50 - 2:30 - Repsol Lubricants Superstock Qualifying, Group 2
2:40 - 3:20 - Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Qualifying, Group 1
3:30 - 4:10 - Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Qualifying, Group 2
4:20 - 5:00 - AMA Superbike Practice
5:10 - 5:50 - Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice
7:00 - Garage Area Closed - Everyone must be out of the speedway by 7:00

Thursday, March 10

7:00 - 4:00 - Registration: For Crew, Sponsors & Guests
7:30 - 5:00 - Tech Inspection
8:00 - 8:35 - Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Practice
8:45 - 9:20 - AMA Superbike Practice
9:30 - 10:05 - Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice
10:15 - 10:50 - Repsol Lubricants Superstock Practice
11:00 - 11:40 - AMA Superbike Qualifying, Group 1
11:50 - 12:30 - AMA Superbike Qualifying, Group 2
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:20 - Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying, Group 1
2:30 - 3:20 - Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying, Group 2

Final Events:

3:45 - Repsol Lubricants Superstock (13 laps, 60k)
4:45 - Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei (22 laps, 100k)
7:00 - Garage Area Closed - Everyone must be out of the speedway by 7:00

Friday, March 11

8:00 - 4:00 - Registration: For Crew, Sponsors & Guests
No On-Track Road Race Activity

Saturday, March 12

8:00 - 1:00 - Registration: For Crew, Sponsors & Guests
8:30 - Tech Inspection
9:00 - 10:00 - Pit assignments (at tech garage) for riders qualified 16th - 80th in the 200
9:30 - 10:00 - AMA Superbike Practice
10:10 - 10:40 - Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice

Final Events: