Check this out
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2004/Aug/040813sa.htm
Probably the biggest effect, next to the increased saftey will be a larger field of competitors, even though DiSalvo set a 1:50-something lap time on his yammi. That's still more than seconds slower than EBoz's lap record time. If they still keep the 110% qualifying limit for the 200 instead of the 112% for the FX class, that would mean that anyone with a 2:01 or better would make the field (2:03 with the 112% rule). I know a lot of guys that met both times at the last Bike Week.
Another thing, would you only need an AMA Expert license, not a AMA Superbike license to run the 200. This would definitely increase the size of the field. I see a lot of first year, newly minted AMA Pro going for it with some incredibly built machines.
The 2:03 based on 112% would be a joke. I can probably do that on the '69 Honda CR750.
Having a bigger field might not make it better. Still will have fast riders and slow riders. Purse money makes it decent sized.
1:50.9 something was on a Supersport bike.
Now with the new layout...
Uh, weren't supersport bikes faster than FX was at Daytona last year? Maybe with a year of development that won't be the case, but maybe not. Could using FX bikes in the 200 instead of supersport bikes just be a way to force all the other factories into FX racing when most have avoided it completely this year?
Yeah, I think so.
And it certainly is attractive to me, running the Daytona 200 on a 600. I suppose it depends upon the purse again too.