The proposed 2009 US Superbike rules as released for discussion today by the AMA seem to tighten up the rules package for Superbike on some fronts but leaves many areas as open as they are now.

First the glaringly obvious: traction control is still allowed--and may actually be more wide open than it is now. These rules seem to allow full-on, dynamic, from the pit lane telemetry, if one so desired, although in the era of multiple maps available on the fly by some factory Superbikes, how useful such a thing would be remains unknown.

Wheel speed sensors? Use 'em if you've got them.

Twin cylinder Superbikes like the Ducati and recently shown Buell (powered by a designed by Rotax engine, so much for those 'merican mills, eh?) get 1200 cc, but the twins also get 15 additional pounds in the minimum weight department.

There will be no active front suspension on Superbikes if the rules as written are adopted. Oddly, a Superbike's rear suspension can be fully active, according to these rules.

Brakes will be wide open in 2009. Except you can't use carbon fiber or titanium.

No more carbon fiber bodywork in 2009, and all fuel tanks will be made from metal.

By the looks of it, the claiming rules in 2009 will be just as useless as they are today. You can claim suspension pieces, but nothing else as spelled out by these rules.

For those of you in the paddock who enjoy polishing your crankshaft--and yes, we know who you are--you'll have to abstain from this practice because it will no longer be allowed in '09 Superbike. Also, you won't be able to polish or lighten pistons or modify the cylinder head deck area or gorp up your weak cases to make them stay whole/true. You know who you are.

One can mod the camshafts to a degree. Sorry.

Superbike combatants must use the stock airbox, and if you homologate a Superbike with one muffler ("final exhaust silencers") then one it shall remain.

In a recent "interview", Michael Jordan seemed miffed over his inability to acquire factory tackle. Do these rules alleviate any of Jordan's concerns?