AMA Pro Racing Moves Former AMA Flat Track Grand National Champion Mike Kidd Into Sponsorship Sales

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Mike Kidd throws his #72 Kruger Racing Harley-Davidson XR750 into turn one in route to his heat race win (and eventual main event win) during the Terre Haute Action Track round of the Camel Pro Series/AMA Flat Track Grand National Championship Series in August of 1975. Kidd, who would go on to win the '81 AMA Flat Track Grand National Championship and help to usher in Big Red Honda into the sport of AMA Flat Track in the early-mid '80s, was named the Director of Sales for AMA Pro Racing yesterday. The man who led the resurgence of The Rolling Thunder show for the last two years as Director of Flat Track Racing, will now oversee sponsorship sales in AMA Pro Racing for both of it's Flat Track and Road Racing brands.
Dan Johnsen was named the new Director of Flat Track Racing several weeks back, and will now oversee operations for AMA Flat Track, while Kidd works on building the entertainment and sales operations that the sport has suffered from of late. After retiring in the mid '80s, the man who one time held the nickname of Mr. Hardluck, Mike went on to operate and run the ArenaCross Series in the sport, later selling it off to Clear Channel Entertainment and then running it for them. Mike knows racing, and better yet, racing fans and has been doing this for years!
Kidd was brought into the new DMG/AMA Pro Racing ranks in late 2008 to oversee the turnaround in the Greatest Show on Wheels in AMA Flat Track after the Nascar group purchased the rights to the racing side of things from the AMA group out of Pickerington, OH. His ability to sell the entertainment side of the sport and to promote the brands, makes and sponsors within and around the sport is legendary in all forms of racing since his retirement. AMA Flat Track will be losing a great leader, but AMA Pro Racing overall should see an upsurgence in the sport with Kidd at the helm. The man knows the fans, the sport and the demographics to get it done, and his contacts and ability to sell the sport should lead to great things, especially with the economy of late at least looking like it is starting to level out and move forward somewhat.
Stu's Shots wishes one of his long-time heroes (let alone a new and great friendship gained throughout the 2010 season) the very best in this new endeavor. After having being around this sport since the early-mid '70s,I can't think of anyone within the industry that has a better grip on how and what the sport needs and the fans want, let alone how to go about bringing it to fruition in growing the sport and fan base. Just my honest opinion, for what it's worth.
Congrats to MK and Bravo to AMA Pro Racing! If Mr. Johnsen can continue to grow and progress with AMA Flat Track while following in the steps of Mike Kidd, the sport should see an even better year in 2011 after the great turnaround of 2010.
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AMA Pro Racing Announces New Sales Position for Industry Veteran Mike Kidd

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 11, 2011) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce the appointment of longtime AMA Pro Flat Track participant, champion, and administrator Mike Kidd to the post of Director of Sales for AMA Pro Racing. The winner of twelve AMA Pro Flat Track races and the 1981 AMA Pro Grand National Championship, Kidd is an AMA Hall of Fame inductee who also acted as Director of AMA Pro Flat Track from 2009 through 2010. He'll now utilize his considerable talents, relationships, and experience in the industry to sell sponsorships of both the AMA Pro Road Racing and Flat Track series. "We are delighted that Mike can continue to benefit AMA Pro Racing," said David Atlas, C.O.O. and Managing Member of AMA Pro Racing. "His experience in this sport is unrivaled, and he has a proven record of putting together strong sponsorship packages." "I have held several roles throughout my career in the motorcycle industry," said Kidd, "and it's an honor and privilege to be appointed AMA Pro Racing Director of Sales for our flat track and road race properties." Kidd has already begun his new assignment, and is currently working to finalize a number of dynamic 2011 sponsorship programs for AMA Pro Road Racing and Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com for more information on all of AMA Pro Racing's exciting championship series.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com. For additional information contact: AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------