Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Previews the AMA Pro SuperSport Series Season-Openers at Daytona

AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport Entry List Looks Stout for Opening Weekend at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 13, 2013) - The AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport class should produce a competitive race at Daytona, with 60 riders pre-entered in the class for young riders and fast local club talent.  The look of the series should be changing this season, with two-time championship winner James Rispoli moving to the AMA GoPro Pro Daytona SportBike class this year. Additionally, the other winner in the 2012 Daytona races, Elena Myers, has joined that class, too.   That doesn't mean the cupboard is bare, though. There is plenty of talent in the series and things are opened up for other riders to claim glory in a class designed to allow young riders to compete on a big stage. And what better lace to start than the high banks of Daytona International Speedway?   One rider who has already made his mark is Stefano Mesa. After winning last season, Mesa is one of the contenders to take the overall title this season. The Boca Raton, FL resident will once again race a Yamaha in SuperSport. Mesa has shown he has the skill to compete, with his passes for the lead at last year's Road America races among the highlights of the 2012 AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport season.With more experienced riders graduating to DSB, it is time for Mesa to make a championship run.  Mesa's longtime rival Tomas Puerta returns to SuperSport with the RoadRace Factory team. Puerta has won at Daytona before and the Colombian lists the circuit as his favorite track. Puerta has competed in SuperSport each year since 2009 and he has shown he is a talented rider capable of putting forth top results. He's finished third three times in that span. The 20 year-old is looking to up his game in 2013 and contend for the title.                               Tomas Puerta #12 leads Stefano Mesa #37 and the rest of the pack during the running of one of the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport Series races at Daytona during the 2012 Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season.  AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Brian J. Nelson.     Hayden Gillim is another racer with title aspirations. Gillim finished second to Rispoli last season. With significant experience in dirt track as well as a season in Europe, Gillim has developed remarkable skill and when he is on a hot streak like he found last season in Utah and at the New Orleans finale's race one, he can run away from the field. Gillim will ride a Yamaha for Team 95.  Corey Alexander will race for National Guard/Celtic Racing. The young New Yorker has been a worthy and distinctive figure in Supersport as one of the tallest riders in the class.  Veteran racer Santiago Villa returns to AMA Pro competition on his Addict By Bosi Yamaha. Injuries curtailed his racing last season, but the former Colombian champ is a welcome addition to the SuperSport field.   Other notable entries include the Wyman brothers, Cody and Travis. Both are backed by Harv's Harley Davidson and will race Suzukis. Some other familiar entrants are Travis Oghe (Houston Superbikes) Wyatt Farris (Meen Motorsports) Ryan Matter (Gearzy) Derek Wagnon (Houston Superbikes) and CM Motorsports' Jefferey Tigert.   Qualifying for the two 10-lap finals happens on Thursday and Friday, with races on Friday and Saturday.   Live Timing & Scoring of all on-track sessions will be available at http://live.amaproracing.com/rr/.   Between the races, stay connected with AMA Pro Road Racing at www.twitter.com/AMAProSBK and www.facebook.com/AMAProRoadRacing; keep up with Daytona International Speedway via Twitter (www.twitter.com/DISupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway).   For tickets and additional event information, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

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