Yeah TyD, they are the guys that wrote the rules. And its it is from they that we are seeking confirmation, and if the rules allow people to ride jap bikes with china motards, then I think people will either disappear or there needs to be another class like the pocket bike guys separating the euro bikes (open class) from the chinas.
All the younger ones dont ride the 85 2 strokes over the 150's because they are slower, same as the 125's over the 250. there is a distinct advantage of being on a 2 stroke.
I really hope for the sake of the sport that jap bikes aren't in the same class as the china motards, as honestly,as if you want to race japanese or euro bikes, there is heaps of other classes and formulas that you can go race, just dont destroy a winning formula for people entering motor sport.
I've seen it happen with to many other sports, especially my main sport of sailing. A great idea and appears with minimal impact and cost but brings the class up with modern times, but the rule makers leave a lop hole and next thing you know, a boat has gone from 15k new to 45k+ in 3 years, and fleet numbers from 120 down to 20. where if things were done gradually and loop holes closed there would be a prosperous industry and class.
But there is one way to overcome all of this, if they release the supp regs with an addendum to the rules stating that engines and frames must be made in china, then poor people who raced out and bought a jap bike could also be stung. So I think the rule makers need to be very careful as it could end badly for everyone, just as the the last 3 years of capacity changes have pissed people off and now they are starting to come back.
But as I said, we will just have to wait a couple of weeks for clarification.
First round of the National's confirmed at Phillip Island on the 3rd & 4th March 2011. And being a sanctioned event, if you win you get your name in the history books, manual of motorsport and it is recognised by MA as a championship win which opens doors to things like VIS and government funding to continue your sport.
There will be more info to follow as it becomes available.