Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Previews this Week's SuperBike Opener at Daytona

AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Gears Up for Daytona 200 Week

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 11, 2013) - With the 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season set to commence this week at the legendary Daytona International Speedway, there is one pressing question in the premier AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike class: Can anyone stop reigning champ Josh Hayes?   That question is unlikely to be fully answered at the season opener, but a number of potential challengers to the throne will have a prime opportunity to demonstrate that they are up to that difficult task this season on the famed high banks.  Despite Hayes' overwhelming dominance during the '12 season, the unique characteristics of the Speedway could provide for some less predictable racing. Even small off-season gains can become large ones on track when the draft is introduced and speeds approach and even exceed 200mph. As a result, an advantage measured by tenths of a second per lap in qualifying can vanish with the difference at the checkered flag measured by a photo. Defending king Hayes knows this as well as anyone, having been beaten to the stripe by margins of .052, .072, and .002 seconds in three of his last four starts at Daytona despite having earned the pole position for all of those contests.   The field has been reshuffled during the off-season; a number of contending teams and riders have shaken things up in hopes of unlocking the secret to beating #1. Meanwhile, others have made smaller tweaks, bolstering their programs in an effort to present an even more formidable challenge in 2013.  Defeating Hayes won't prove easy, however. The Monster Energy Graves Yamaha star is not only coming off his third consecutive AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike title-winning season, he's fresh off the most statistically impressive season in the series' 37-year history. In 2012, Hayes notched up seven perfect weekends (pole, led the most laps in both races, and won both races), while establishing new single-season records for most wins in a season (16), most wins in a row (10), and equaled the mark for most poles (10).   That historic campaign also catapulted him into the ranks of the all-time record books, where he now stands second all-time to seven-time champ Mat Mladin in race wins (33) and titles (three -- tied with the likes of Red Pridmore, Fred Merkel, Doug Chandler, and Ben Spies).   Hayes, who is entering just his fifth season as a factory SuperBike hero, is now a heavy favorite to do what no rider, including Mladin, has ever done before: win a fourth consecutive AMA Pro SuperBike championship.   Arguably three of the biggest thorns in Hayes' side during his three-year title run -- Blake Young, Tommy Hayden, and Ben Bostrom -- are no longer in the field. But perhaps their absence will present additional opportunities for others to step forward and provide Hayes with a renewed test in 2013.  National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Roger Hayden showed flashes that he can do just that last season. The Kentuckian took another step forward following his breakthrough '11 effort and showed the talent, speed, and mettle to harry Hayes at Mid-Ohio and then emerged victorious from pole in Miami to claim his first premier-class win. The logical next step in Hayden's continued development in 2013 would be to perform at that level on a more consistent basis.                             Larry Pegram #72, David Anthony #25, Robertino Pietri #3 and Danny Eslick #69 battle among the pack in of the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Series races at Daytona during the 2012 Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season.    SpeedTV is scheduled to broadcast SuperBike race 1 on Friday, March 15 at 6:00 PM EDT, and race 2 on Sunday, March 17 at 9:00 PM EDT.  AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Brian J. Nelson.     Another rider Hayes needs to keep an eye on is his Monster Energy Graves Yamaha teammate, Josh Herrin. Herrin impressed as a rookie last season with 10 podium finishes to his credit. Herrin is back on equally-matched machinery in 2013, but he is no longer a rookie. Most top-flight talents are expected to take a huge step forward in competitiveness during their sophomore campaigns with the all-important learning year out of the way. A Ben Spies-like jump forward may be unfair to expect, but a first-career SuperBike win in 2013 is not. With his identical works YZF-R1, Herrin could prove a legitimate contender for victory as early as the weekend at the draft-friendly confines of Daytona International Speedway.   While Young, Hayes' biggest rival in recent seasons, is no longer with Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing, the paddock powerhouse is gunning for a return to their glory days prior to Hayes' ascension with the signing of two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike king Martin Cardenas. The Colombian was a revelation during his maiden SuperBike campaign in 2011, scooping up a rare rookie win, and once again dominated the SportBike class in his return in 2012. Now Cardenas eyes even greater success in the premier class and brings his world-class skills to the table, backed by the most storied and successful team in series' history.   Team Hero's Geoff May was the pleasant surprise of the season last year on the emerging EBR 1190RS. With a podium finish and a fifth-overall ranking in '12, no one will be shocked to see the Georgian running up front in 2013. May will be joined by a new stable mate this season, as former SuperBike championship runner-up and multi-time race winner Aaron Yates makes a welcome full-time return to the series on the Team AMSOIL/Hero EBR.  May's former teammate, Danny Eslick, meanwhile, could prove to be a title threat himself. Eslick parlayed a similarly impressive season, which included a pair of podium results, into a seat on the #23 Jordan Suzuki. The Oklahoman last rode a Suzuki in 2011 when he claimed his second AMA Pro Daytona SportBike crown and his crowd-pleasing style might just be a perfect match for the Jordan GSX-R1000.  Multi-time class race winner Larry Pegram is yet another front runner sporting new equipment in 2013. Pegram Racing will field Yamaha YZF-R1s this season as the Ohio-native looks to fight fire with fire.   Despite an injury-plagued season, the all-effort riding of KTM/HMC Racing's Chris Fillmore did not go unnoticed by fans and his fellow competitors in 2013. The squad will look to take the next step forward in the development of its improving RC8R racebike this season, which would also benefit Taylor Knapp, who has finally earned his big break with a factory team.  There is no shortage of potential dark horse contenders in the field. Among them include Chris Ulrich, who will pilot an M4 Broaster Chicken Racing Honda CBR1000RR this season, Cardenas' teammate, Chris Clark will certainly be a legitimate threat to make some noise in 2013. Cory West and Dustin Dominguez on the Team RSRacecraft EBR 1190RSs, and Venezuelan Robertino Pietri, aboard the Team Moto Venezuela PC 4x4 Kawasaki ZX-10R.   Qualifying for National Guard SuperBike grid positions will take place in two sessions, Thursday afternoon at 2:45 p.m. and Friday morning at 10:35 a.m. The first 15-lap round of the weekend's National Guard SuperBike doubleheader will close out Friday's on-track activity at 4:00 p.m. local time, followed by National Guard SuperBike Race 2 on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. local time.   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. For information related to AMA Pro Road Racing, please visit www.amaproracing.com.

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

Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Releases March Issue of Dunlop Download Magazine

March Issue of Dunlop Download Now Available
 

On behalf of Dunlop:   The March issue of Dunlop Download magazine is here and this special issue is about the 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season. You'll find information about the upcoming season, including close-up looks at the fastest riders and machines for 2013 and the efforts they are putting forth to claim a championship. You'll also enjoy a behind-the-scenes look into each class within the series, how Josh Hayes came about his third AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike championship and much more. So just click on the link below and take a look into 2013 racing season with Dunlop.                             Martin Cardenas is shown on the #36 Motorex/Parts Unlimited-sponsored Suzuki GSX-R1000 during testing for the 2013 Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season, where he will return to the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Series.  AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Brian J. Nelson. Click on the link below to download this March issue: Dunlop Download March 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Issue This issue, as well as back issues of Dunlop Download magazine can be found at dunlopmotorcycle.com. Once you have received this issue PDF or have downloaded it from the Dunlop site, we encourage you to share and pass it along to other powersports enthusiasts. Thanks for your support of Dunlop, and we hope you enjoy this issue . For more Dunlop tire information go to dunlopmotorcycle.com or call 800.845.8378.   ©2013 Dunlop.

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

AMA Pro Flat Track News & Updates Heading Into the Season-Opening Rounds at Daytona on March 14-15

Former 2008 AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year Matt Weidman spilled the beans on Facebook earlier this week that he would be campaigning the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track J&P Cycles Grand National Championship Twins Series events on the Scott Powersports Kawasaki again, after having campaigned the 650R-based mounts throughout the second half of the 2012 season.

Weidman, who took over the seat on the Scott Powersports team midway through the 2012 year after initial rider Johnny Lewis left the team after round 6 of the season at the Hagerstown Speedway, is listed as an early entry for rounds 1-2 at the Daytona Short Track next week on his DFW Honda/SNIP-sponsored Honda, and is expected to resume his spot in the Scott Powersports saddle at round 3 that is still a TBA on the schedule on May 4 (although I have heard this round may not happen.  Should that be the case, Mighty Matt's first time riding the Scott Kawi this year should happen on May 11 at the Stockton Mile.)

In the shot above from round 13 of the 2012 season at the Springfield Mile II, Matt stands in line during rider intros, along with the help of his Mom, Rachel and Dad, Guy, who were on-hand to help him out at the Illiniois State Fairgrounds rain-delayed event.  Team owner and stalwart, Mike Scott, was not able to be at the track due to scheduling problems, so Matt's parents gladly came out of 'retirement' to help the New York resident out on the day with set-up on the #20 Scott Powersports/Saddlemen/Fiorio Investments/SNIP-sponsored Kawi.  It was great seeing them back at the track helping him out as they always bring a big lending hand and another pair of big smiles to Matt's efforts.  Matt also did a nice job of rocking former National #20's leathers, Johnny 'Show Time' Murphree, but is slated to wear a nice new set for the upcoming year.  Check it out below.

You can check out a picture of Matt in his new Scott Powersports leathers here from Matt's Facebook page, and we wish the hard charger and Daytona 2012 round 2-winner the best of luck, again, for the upcoming season!

Briar Bauman, the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year, will be making a big change to his 2013 campaign in the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season as he will be riding for one of the long-time tuners and supporters of the series this year.

After riding for the USC Racing/Hart Racing and Rod Lake Racing teams in his rookie campaign in the 2012 season, Bauman has been slated to ride for the Memphis Shades Yamaha team, helmed by none other then former factory Yamaha and Harley-Davidson tuner and wrench to the stars, Babe DeMay, with factory backing from the Yamaha Motor Company.  Bauman will be tasked with riding the new Yamaha Tenere, which will make it's debut this season in the Twins Series events.

The California resident will also be switching numbers for his 2013 season, and bolting on the #14 plate to his machines, following in the footsteps of Jake Johnson (who wore the #14 up until the 2010 season when he switched to the #5) and Hank Scott, who in this old timer's eyes made that number pretty darn famous from the '74 season until his retirement at the end of the '88 season.

In this shot from round 12 of the 2012 season, Bauman puts the #10Z Rod Lake Racing/Browns Cycle/Arai/Gene & Gail Cummings-backed Honda CRF450R through it's paces during the final practice session of the final Springfield Short Track on September 15.

Thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track for this link to the official press release about Double-B #14 hooking up with one of the long-time supporters and campaigners of the series, the legendary Babe DeMay.

A pair of Bonneville Peformance Triumph/Wiseco/Safety Kleen/Eddie Atkins-sponsored Triumphs sit at the ready for 2011 AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Champion Mikey Martin #91 at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season on May 27. 

Martin and the team, in their first year together, finished in the 20th-place spot in the overall standings of the 2012 season, and showed some real promise throughout the second-half of the year after making their first National main event together at the Sacramento Mile in late July, and making four more mains (Indy, Knoxville, Santa Rosa, Tucson) to round out the year.

The California Kid with the big afro haircut and the Bonneville Performance Triumph team announced the other day that they would be pairing-up with the just-announced team of Latus Motors Triumph (with rider Johnny Lewis and former Grand National Champion Joe Kopp heading up the team) for the upcoming Twins Series events for the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season.  And they will be bringing new sponsorship on-board in the form of the U.S. Marines.

You can read more about this great news for the Bonneville Performance team and rider Mikey Martin here, again thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track.

After riding for the the Werner-Springsteen Racing/Monster Energy/Cometic/Barnett-sponsored Kawasaki team in the 2012 season, Brandon Robinson #44 has hooked up with the T.J. Burnett Farms/USC Racing/James Hart Racing/Arai-sponsored Kawasaki team for the upcoming season, as was announced in November.

The team got off to a fantastic start to the season yesterday at round 1 of the 2013 Steve Nace Racing AMA All-Star event at Oglethorpe Speedway outside Savannah, GA. with BRob44 taking home the wins in both the Expert Singles and Expert Twins events over other AMA Pro Flat Track headliners Jake Johnson, Rob Pearson, JD Beach, Henry Wiles, Kenny Coolbeth and a big handful of others.

The former Expert Twins Champion tears it up in the shot above aboard the #44 Werner-Springsteen Kawasaki at round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season at the Allen County Fairgrounds-hosted Lima Half-Mile on June 30, during one of the final practice and qualifying sessions of the day.

Great job guys, what a way to start the first big race of the season, congrats!

You can see the full event results here thanks to Chew & Mia, The Fans in the Stands from FlatTrack.com.


The Steve Nace Racing 2013 AMA All Star National Flat Track Series by Golden Tyre heads to Volusia Speedway Park tomorrow in Barberville, FL. before rounds 1-2 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season kick-off on Thursday, March 14-15 at the Daytona International Speedway-hosted short track.

AMA Racing Releases Well-Rounded List of Daytona Bike Week Activities

Daytona Beach Bike Week features full slate of two-wheeled fun

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- March 7, 2013 -- On Jan. 24, 1937, the first running of the Daytona 200 took place on the hard sand of Daytona Beach, Fla. Since that race, won by AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ed Kretz of Monterey Park, Calif., the annual event has grown into a motorcycling mecca, packed full of racing and recreational riding events.

This year, AMA-sanctioned events will be among the most popular Bike Week attractions, from amateur dirt-track racing to an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebration to AMA Supercross on the infield of Daytona International Speedway.

"Daytona Beach in early March is all things motorcycling," said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. "If it happens on motorcycles, it happens at Daytona Beach. I personally can't wait for the unofficial start of riding season to kick off at what many consider the biggest motorcycling week of the year."

 

Motorcycling's history will take center stage on March 15 at the Yamaha AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul. The annual fundraising event for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, will be held at the Daytona 200 Club on the infield of Daytona International Speedway. This year, it will shine a spotlight on the Hall of Fame career of Scott Russell. Russell, who will be interviewed by noted race announcer Ben Cheatwood, will discuss his amazing five Daytona 200 wins as well as his championship-winning AMA and World Superbike career. Buy tickets and learn more at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

One of the biggest rounds of the AMA Supercross Championship goes down March 9 at the Daytona Supercross by Honda, the 10th round of the series. Located on the infield of the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway, the course features a varied layout with extended high-speed sections, massive jumps and a sand/dirt mix. Fans will be packed several deep along the fences to watch Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Davi Millsaps, James Stewart and more race for glory as the 2013 winner of the Daytona Supercross by Honda. More info is at www.amasupercross.com.

Amateur competitors will get a shot at the Supercross course the following two days, March 10-11, at the Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross. Sanctioned by the AMA, and in partnership with MX Sports, the fourth annual event features two days of amateur racing at the same track that will showcase the best AMA Supercross racers in the world. Sign up to race at www.mxsports.com.

Off-road racers will get to experience their own history at the Alligator Enduro on March 14 in Favoretta, Fla. The Alligator Enduro has been thrilling both racers and fans for 63 years. Although the race isn't always on the AMA National Enduro Championship Series calendar, it always draws a large contingent of pro riders -- as well as weekend warriors who want to line up at the historic event. Find out more at www.daytonadirtriders.com.

Amateur dirt track kicks off just north of Daytona Beach in Savannah, Ga., which features an AMA All-Star dirt track on Oglethorpe Speedway's half-mile on March 8 and an AMA Holeshot event and vintage national classes on March 9. On March 10-12, racing moves to Barberville, Fla., while March 10 will also feature an amateur short-track event on the Daytona Flat Track. The March 11-12 events will feature both AMA Holeshot points and racing in AMA vintage national classes. To contact the AMA about these events, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing or call (614) 856-1900.

Amateur roadracing will also roll through Savannah, Ga., on March 9-10. The first round of the American Sportbike Racing Association's AMA Featured Series will take place at Roebling Road Raceway. The ASRA Championship Series (www.asraracing.com) includes both amateur and expert competition in Thunderbike, SportBike and SuperStock classes.

Of course, Bike Week is not just about racing. Road riders make up the largest contingent at the annual rally. One place they'll certainly congregate is at the Alligator Road Tour on March 13. This AMA-sanctioned ride is put on by the Daytona 200 M/C. The club, founded in 1943, is one of the oldest and most active in the state, and the ride features 150-200 miles of beautiful country roads, as well as a mystery destination for lunch. Registration is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Daytona 200 Motorcycle Club. More info is available at www.daytona200mc.com.

For a dirtier time on two wheels, there's the Cross-Florida Adventure Ride. This ride is part of the AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport Series and the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Riding Series. The March 16-17 ride features some of the best back roads and optional trail sections crossing the peninsula. Find out more at www.dixiedualsport.com.

Another highlight for road riders is the Annual Iron Butt Association Party in Jacksonville, Fla. The event, March 13-14, also features the Battlefield 1000, an endurance road ride around Georgia and Florida. See www.ironbutt.com/daytona/ for more info.

Finally, the ever-popular March 16 Community Appreciation Parade, sponsored by the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce, will stage at the south parking lot of the Ocean Center beginning at 7 a.m. The parade is expected to feature hundreds of bikes as it rides from the Ocean Center to Daytona International Speedway.

For more on the Community Appreciation Parade, as well as a comprehensive list of all the two-wheeled excitement packed into Daytona Beach Bike Week, check out the official Bike Week calendar at www.daytonachamber.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

 

For more information, please visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

 

Media contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org

AMA Racing Makes Online Race Entries Available for AMA Vintage Grand Championships

Online race entry available for AMA Vintage Grand Championships

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- March 7, 2013 -- The American Motorcyclist Association has launched online race entry for the 2013 AMA Vintage Grand Championships. The amateur vintage racing event takes place during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 19-21, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Competitors in all disciplines can access online pre-entry at www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com > Register to Race. Supplemental rules, class structures and a weekend schedule are also available. In addition, for those who wish to mail in physical entries, downloadable forms are provided, as well.

The AMA Vintage Grand Championships include amateur championship racing in motocross, hare scrambles, trials and roadracing at the expansive Mid-Ohio complex. The dirt-track event, which is round 10 of the AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, will be held at the nearby Ashland County Fairgrounds in Ashland, Ohio.

 

All proceeds from the AMA Vintage Grand Championships are donated to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame to support the Hall of Fame's mission of celebrating the accomplishments of motorcycling's brightest stars. Pre-entry fees for off-road and motocross are $40 per class. Dirt track pre-entry is $30 per class. Roadrace pre-entry is $80 for the first class and $70 for each subsequent class (per day).

Youth racers more than 12 years old are welcome in motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track competition at the AMA Vintage Grand Championships. Per Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course rules, riders must be 14 or older to compete on motorcycles with displacements greater than 250cc. Roadrace competitors must be 16 or older in all classes.

In addition, new for 2013, all riders under the age of 18 must pre-register. Post entry is not allowed for riders under 18.

"Vintage racing is some of the most fun you can have on two wheels," said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. "It's laid back, unintimidating, relatively inexpensive and all about enjoying yourself on your motorcycle. We're excited to offer the AMA Vintage Grand Championships to give both casual racers and serious title contenders a venue to have fun and compete for AMA national championship points and No. 1 plates.

"And, of course, 100 percent of every race entry goes to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame to preserve the legacy of motorcycling for future generations," said Massey.

The AMA Vintage Grand Championships feature the final rounds of the AMA Vintage Motocross and AMA Vintage Hare Scrambles National Championship Series. AMA national champions will be crowned in those disciplines at the conclusion of the event.

The Ashland dirt-track event is a round of the AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, which concludes later in the year, and competitors will earn points toward their series awards in that discipline.

 

For both vintage trials and vintage roadracing, the AMA Vintage Grand Championships serve as the singular amateur national championship event, and the class winners in these disciplines at the AMA Vintage Grand Championships will be recognized with AMA national No. 1 plates.

In addition to the championship points and titles on the line, riders in designated "A" classes will vie for the honors of AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand Champion, AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion and AMA Vet/Senior Vintage Grand Champion. Those who compete in select roadracing and dirt-track classes will earn points toward the track-racing award, while motocross, hare scrambles and trials riders will earn points toward the off-road awards.

A fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA Vintage Grand Championships are part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, which features classic motorcycles of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous. In addition to vintage roadracing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days includes North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, bike shows and awards, stunt shows, demo rides of current production bikes, and seminars on a number of topics by noted motorcycling experts.

The goal of the Hall of Fame, located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling's legends and heroes. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame's website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

For updates about events and activities, as well as information about past AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com.

 About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

 

For more information, please visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

Media contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org

 

 

AMA Pro Flat Track: Johnny Lewis Announces Return to Grand National Racing with Latus Triumph for 2013 Twins Series

Great news for AMA Pro Flat Track fans hit the airwaves last night when it was announced on Pit Pass Radio that Johnny Lewis, the former AMA Supermoto Champion and winner of the season-opening round of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season at Daytona, would be returning to the track for the 2013 season alongside the returning AMA Grand National Championship-competing Latus Motors flat track team. 

2000 AMA Grand National Champion Joe Kopp was also announced as one of the heads of the new project (no doubt in part because of his long-time ties with the Latus organization located in the Northwest Territory of Oregon, not far from Kopp's home state of Washington), which will see Smokin' Joe return to the series where he almost won his second AMA Grand National Championship while riding for Latus and the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team before retiring from full-time competition at the end of the 2010 season. 

The team will be fielding Triumphs run out of the Latus shop, with sponsorship from Latus Triumph, Castrol Oil and GE Capital, among others, in the Twins Series rounds of the now-rebranded 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles season, with Lewis slated to do the riding and Kopp looking to head up the team throughout the season.

Lewis, who ran the first six races of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season before walking away from the series after disagreements were raised with how the on-track incident with eventual '12 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees at round 2 in Daytona ended up playing out last season.  For those not familiar with the incident, the night after Lewis took his cherry-breaking win in the series at the start of his third season in The Rolling Thunder Show, he and Mees were involved in a 'questionable' incident on the last lap of the 25-lap National main at the short track inside Daytona International Speedway.  Mees went on to finish in the runner-up spot behind the night's second new winner-in-a-row, Matt Weidman, while Lewis collected himself and eventually finished in the 8th-place spot. 

Lewis announced last night on Pit Pass Radio and his new video on You Tube (see both below) that he had been testing the new Triumph at Oglethorpe Speedway outside Savannah, GA. yesterday and that he and the team were excited about their prospects for the season ahead.  The new Latus Triumph flat track team is expected to debut their new efforts together in competition this Friday, March 8 at the official kick-off to Bike Week in the Steve Nace Racing All-Star Series event at Oglethorpe.

Check out the link below to hear JL10 make his big announcement and then see his video as he blasts the new Latus Triumph around the track in testing from the Peach Tree State yesterday.  This is great news for AMA Pro Flat Track all around, for the fans, the team and the sponsors.  Latus Motors in the past has brought a great deal to the greatest sport on two wheels in the world and with the addition of former AMA Grand National Champion Kopp to the team's mix, add in Johnny Lewis 'wild and crazy guy' attitude and killer riding skills and you have a match made in heaven for the coming year.  Way to go guys and congrats!

In the shot above, Lewis is interviewed for the fans by AMA Pro Flat Track official announcer Barry Boone after taking the #10 Scott Powersports/Triple J Racing/Wallace Trucking/Arai-backed Kawasaki 650R-based mount to the heat race win in round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season at the Lima Half-Mile on June 30.  After coming home in the 5th-place spot in the National main that night, Lewis competed in one other National at the Hagerstown Speedway the next week (with another strong 4th-place finish on the Scott Kawi) before taking his hiatus from the series for the rest of the season, while sitting in the 3rd-place spot in the championship.  It's going to be great to have you back JL!

2000 AMA Grand National Champion Joe Kopp talks with the fans during the fan walk at the Lima Half-Mile in June 2010 (with the #3 Latus Motors/LBM XR750 on display.)  The return of Kopp to the track full-time (albeit in an advisory role) will bring big points with the fans as the Washington State resident is a fan favorite throughout the series and should bring a great mix of leadership, quality and class to the on- and off-track progression of the Latus Motors Triumph team.  Welcome back Joe!


 Check out Johnny Lewis' interview from last night with the great guys from Pit Pass Radio.

And here's the video of JL10 testing in Savannah yesterday that he uploaded last night on You Tube.

These are the sweet graphics JL10 will be rockin' in Daytona next week for the season-opening Singles Series rounds at Daytona, which include his sponsors Triple J Racing, Wallace Trucking and RIDE Academy.   The action kicks off on Thursday, March 14 at Daytona with round 1 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles season and continues on March 15 with round 2.  JL10 sponsor graphics photo courtesy of Johnny Lewis.

AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series Teams to Host Wounded Warrior Project Veterans at Season-Opener in Daytona

The #26 Team Ohio Racing/Oxford Consulting Group/RevZilla.com/RIDER Insurance-sponsored XR1200 sits on display at the Lima Half-Mile round of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on June 30.  Team owner and rider, Pete Cline, was on-hand to talk with the spectators about the program that the team has put together that allows members of the Wounded Warrior Project to work with the team during race events as part of the series and team's calendar.  The team hosted wounded veterans at several rounds of the 2012 AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series throughout season in the Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Series.

With rider Cline still recuperating from off-season surgery, the team won't be participating in the season-opener of the now-rebranded 2013 AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series, but has worked out an agreement with a couple of prominent teams in the popular series to host members of the WWP at the Daytona round, which will be held on March 14-15 at Daytona International Speedway.  The Motolist.com and James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing teams will each host two members of this great organization to help out their respective teams in the pits during the annual gathering at the 'Beach.'

Thanks to Pete Cline (who put this deal together at the Indy Dealer Expo last month) for the great news (and heal-up quick man!) and you can read all about it in Team Ohio Racing's press release below.  What a great effort for our wounded veterans!

Press release courtesy of Team Ohio Racing

Wounded Warrior Project Alumni Crews to Work in Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Teams at Daytona

3/4/2013 Upper Arlington, Ohio -- Team Ohio Racing’s / Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports will partner with two AMA Pro Racing Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teams by working with combat veteran crews at Daytona International Speedway, March 14-15.  The number #3 Motolist.com XR1200 of Richard Barnett and the #70 James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing XR1200 of Paul James will each have two combat veterans included in their crew.  These veterans are local to the area and part of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Alumni.  They will assist as needed throughout the event.

"I feel very honored to have alumni from the Wounded Warriors Project on my pit crew at Daytona," said James. "And I can't think of anyone I'd rather have on my side than someone who has served our country in a time of need.  It's going to be an awesome experience for all of us to work together."

Barnett added, "I can't wait to work with the Wounded Warriors at Daytona in March. They will be an indispensable part of our crew.  I know that I speak for everyone when I say that we are all grateful for the sacrifices these Veterans have given to our country.  They always amaze me with their dedication, knowledge and attention to detail.”

United States Marine Corps combat veteran A.J. White crewed on previous XR1200 teams, and had this to say, “This will be an experience that the WWP crew will not forget for a long time, if ever.  The chance to get work intricately within a team environment, with so much on the line and with other veterans, is something they probably haven’t done since they were injured.  This is a great experience for any veteran; to immerse him or herself again into reliving those feelings of true teamwork, responsibility, and accomplishment as we experienced serving our nation together.”

 

Asked how this came together, Team Ohio Racing’s Pete Cline stated, “Richard posted up in the WERA forum that he was coming out from California.  He had mentioned after Indy last year that Motolist.com would love to put together a warrior crew.  I reached out to him and he thought Daytona would be great.  I then saw Paul at the Indy bike show and he asked if I was racing. I told him I’m still healing up from surgery and he asked about a crew as well.  So when the WWP connected with me Team Ohio Racing was able to put this together.  This is a tremendous opportunity and continues the outreach we had last year.  I appreciate both teams for making this experience possible.”

 

About Team Ohio Racing’s / Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports: Team Ohio Racing is the first motorsports team to fully integrate disabled veterans into an active race team environment.  By working with the Wounded Warrior Project, local alumni-warriors are incorporated into their AMA Pro Racing Vance & Hines XR1200 team.  Team Ohio Racing delivers respect to the WWP mission by working with WWP-Alumni members, allowing them to focus on their abilities instead of disabilities, and to heal and empower through motorsports.

Team Ohio Racing supporters are: Drippin’Wet, Ellanet, Maverick Moto Media, NEXX Helmets, Midwest Motorcyclist, Motion Pro, Motogearu.com, Optimum Print Solutions, Portfolio Creative, REV'IT! Sport USA, Sidi, Silkolene, Wounded Warrior Project Alumni crew, XR1200 Owners Group.

 

To learn more about Team Ohio Racing, follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/TeamOhioRacing on twitter @TeamOhioRacing or visit them on the web at www.tor-vetm.org

Peter Cline, Founder
Team Ohio Racing Ltd
VETM, Inc. (Veteran Empowerment Through Motorsports, a 501c3)www.tor-vetm.org
AMA #26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Ohio Racing 2012 autograph card courtesy of Pete Cline and Team Ohio Racing.

 

Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Names Dion Device as Official Brake Lever Guard

Dion Device Named Official Brake Lever Guard of GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 4, 2013) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce that the series has entered into an agreement to partner with Dion Device as the Official Brake Lever Guard of GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing for the 2013 season.   Dion Device is one of the many approved equipment suppliers of brake lever guards and has been a strong proponent of rider safety and supporter of the Series. AMA Pro Racing instituted mandatory brake lever guards as an added safety measure beginning with the 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season.   The relationship with Dion Device will be a crucial asset to the sport this season. As part of the agreement, Chris Killen, CCO of Dion Device, will be working with AMA Pro to deliver top notch video content and viral marketing throughout the year. Killen was instrumental in the implementation of the AMA Pro Live Streaming Video system over the course of the 2012 season.                             J.D. Beach is shown on the #95 Road Race Factory/Red Bull-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6 during the 2012 Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season.  Beach will again be competing in the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Series in the 2013 season, while spending his 'off-time' away competing in AMA Pro Flat Track events.  AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Corey Coulter.     "I'm excited about the partnership we've started with Dion Device," said Michael Gentry, COO of AMA Pro Racing. "Improving the safety of the sport is our most important goal and Dion Device shares that common goal. I sincerely look forward to our partnership together."   Dion Device will be granted exclusive in-market and promotional rights to the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series marks for print, outdoor and television advertising, press materials. The two companies will be working together on ways to promote rider safety via AMA Pro Racing's website at www.amaproracing.com and social media outlets. Dion Device will also have access to on-site activation space in the paddock at every GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing event in order to support the product and to increase brand awareness with motorcyclists across the country.   AMA Pro Racing will be the beneficiary of several marketing services courtesy of Dion Device. The innovative rider protection company will coordinate with AMA Pro Racing to provide creative video direction for each race weekend. Dion Device will work with AMA Pro Racing on the AMA Pro Live Streaming Video system to ensure that the optimum track/on-board footage will be available for fans to watch, and will also create a number of social campaigns around 2013 events.   "We are very excited about this relationship with the AMA Pro Racing," said Chris Killen, CCO of Dion Device. "At Dion Device, we strive to provide products that not only save lives and equipment, but also surpass our customers' needs and have a brand that athletes and enthusiasts alike can identify with. Our collaboration with AMA Pro Racing in 2012 forged a great bond both on the safety side of things as well as with media presence and growth for AMA Pro. This will transition seamlessly in to 2013 and beyond. This partnership is mutually beneficial on many levels, thus maintaining an emphasis on safety while simultaneously utilizing our media capacities to bring the sport into new and existing households alike."   Dion Device is exclusively distributed in the United States by LeoVince USA. In order to celebrate the launch of the partnership, Dion Device has announced that LeoVince USA will be offering a special discount and sponsorship program for AMA Pro riders entered in season-opening DAYTONA 200 Week. There will be a special discount of 40% off of MSRP on the Dion Device Brake Lever Guard for all licensed professional racers and teams that will be attending the first round of the 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing championship at Daytona International Speedway. Teams and riders choosing to take advantage of this offer will also automatically receive a sponsorship program from LeoVince USA for the 2013 race season that offers replacement product and parts at discounted prices. To take advantage of this one-time only special, please contact LeoVince USA's Race Manager David Christensen at 888-610-4242 or David@leovinceusa.com.

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

Yamaha Announced as Title Sponsor of 2013 AMA Hall of Fame Breakfast during Daytona Bike Week

AMA welcomes Yamaha as title sponsor of Yamaha AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul, during Bike Week

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- March 1, 2013 -- Yamaha, the brand that carried AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Scott Russell to two victories in the famed Daytona 200, will be the 2013 title sponsor of the AMA Yamaha Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul, on Friday, March 15, at 7 a.m. in the Daytona 500 Club on the infield at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Russell, who won the Daytona 200 five times, plus numerous AMA roadracing championships and a World Superbike title, will be the featured guest.

Tickets for the breakfast, the proceeds from which support the Hall of Fame and its mission to promote motorcycling's heritage and history to this and future generations, are available now at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Taking place during 2013 Daytona Bike Week, the fundraising breakfast will include a live interview with Russell on stage, an audience Q&A period and an autograph session with the AMA Hall of Famer and Daytona 200 legend. Longtime race announcer Ben Cheatwood will interview Russell.

"With his 1997 and 1998 wins on the high banks of Daytona, Scott Russell and Yamaha are forever linked in the history of the highest levels of motorcycle racing," said Jeff Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame. "We are honored that Yamaha has stepped up to support Scott, and all of our Hall of Famers, by being the title sponsor of the Yamaha AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul."

Yamaha General Manager of Communications Bob Starr said that supporting Russell and the Hall of Fame was a no-brainer.

"Scott's achievements have contributed immensely to the racing heritage of the Yamaha brand, and just like any of our past racers, he remains to this day a significant part of our family," said Starr. "The fact that he continues to pass along his knowledge and expertise to others through the prestigious Yamaha Champions Riding School shows the true spirit and character of Scott Russell, and we are indeed proud to have him in our family!"

Russell's Daytona 200 wins are among the most impressive Daytona 200 finishes ever. His 1995 victory, which came after an opening lap crash that saw him remount in last place and battle for 199 miles to win over Carl Fogarty, is perhaps his best remembered. The photo of Russell jumping over his fallen bike to remount made the cover of Cycle World magazine, and cemented the Georgia native as a bona fide roadracing hero to millions of fans worldwide.

For details of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, and to buy tickets, please visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

About the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation

Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the goal of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Museum's three major exhibition halls feature the machines and memorabilia of those who have contributed notably to the sport. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering.

More information can be found at www.motorcyclemuseum.org. 

Contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org