The Michael Jordan interview published on SuperBikePlanet.com last week was notable for two reasons:

Reading between the lines, it's clear that Jordan loves racing, but is at the same time very frustrated by the AMA Superbike rules. Rules which allow factory equipment to exist and at the same time for it not to be sold to other competitors.

A source told me that Jordan tried to buy Mat Mladin's 2006 factory Superbike at the end of the '06 season, but was told by Suzuki that he could not afford it. Jordan, who regularly made over a hundred million dollars a year, told them to simply give him a price and he'd decide if he could afford it or not. No price was given.

Jordan seems to have little time for the murky bureaucracy of the AMA saying "...I refuse to promote what's in place, because I think it needs to be changed."

(When Mat Mladin won the championship at Barber Motorsport Park a few years back, George Barber asked Suzuki for a price for Mladin's bike as he wanted to add it to the collection at his museum. Barber was told he could not afford it but that Suzuki would be happy to build him a replica of the bike. Barber reiterated that he wanted the actual bike. He was again told, according to Barber, he could not afford it.)

Jordan seems to have little time for the murky bureaucracy of the AMA saying "...I refuse to promote what's in place, because I think it needs to be changed."

What to take away from the Jordan interview?

That he's frustrated with the equipment rules as they stand today and wants better access to works parts, or he wants the ability of the teams to run works parts done away with.

US Superbike racing, at one time, had equipment claiming rules to help privateers obtain works parts even if the factories would not sell them. Anyone remember Ashmead claiming the mag' carbs off Shobert's factory Honda? And AMA roadracing, at one time, had a claiming rule for motorcycles, for the very same reason. Anyone remember Ontario 1971?

The AMA, whether they realize it or not, are standing on the doorway of a situation which could dramatically increase the popularity and stature of their racing series. If Jordan decided to promote US Superbike it would change motorcycle racing in America exponentially. While the AMA's efforts would probably be limited to talking Jordan into doing one of their incredibly lame membership commercials and calling it a day, the possibilities of Jordan taking a proactive stance about US roadracing are nearly limitless in terms of potential growth. Yes, it would mean more AMA members, not just more AMA members.

The AMA talk rounding the horn indicates that the next round of major Superbike rules will debut in 2009. If true, it will probably be too little too late. Jordan can't be expected to keep beating his head against the wall for another year and a half.