JimmySix... Scott is correct although we did adopt the SCTA's practice of allowing changes in gearing (even the visible rear, against some of our objections) to allow the bike the physical ability of obtaining the required speed if it has the power and aero combo to do so.
Jim, excellent question especially since the ECTA doesn't allow the class combos the AMA does (IE: seperating frames and motors by production, modified, etc), but you are correct in your thinking for our venue in that a factory race bike has (or could have, which is up to it's oem of course) an advantage that other production motorcycles do not, and therefore is classified as an altered bike with us. As Deb stated (and has happened with multiple bikes at Maxton) it takes the other entrants on hand and even spectators to help police the rules sometimes as it's not always obvious to the the entrant in question that he or she is not conforming to the rules. And The Buell XBRR is a factory race bike and was properly placed in the altered class when last raced at the ECTA, and I (unfortunatley, at this point) know nothing about the AMA rules or classes.
Willie, altered and special construction are one in the same but you are correct in the newer and correct terminology being special construction.
Todd