Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128207
MA Pro Racing and TWI, the teteision arm of International Management roup (IMG), have expanded their interational television rights partnership, ccording to the AMA. The agreement ncreases broadcast delivery of the MA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike hampionship to more fans worldwide nd now includes the prestigious aytona 200 as part of the distribution vailable to international viewers, he AMA says. "We are pleased with he growth of international television istribution of the AMA Superbike hampionship," said AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth. "In only our second year of actively managing TV rights, AMA Pro Racing and TWI have made a significant impact in terms of delivering AMA-branded road racing to TV viewers worldwide. Plus, the inclusion of the Daytona 200 into this package makes it even more attractive to viewers around the globe." Currently, fans in Australia, Canada. France, Korea and the United Kingdom can view coverage of AMA racing in their local markets. Approximately 46 million international households can receive coverage. Negotiations with additional distribution networks are under way and will be announced soon. Chris Bradley, associate director of commercial development at AMA Pro Racing is optimistic about the continued growth of the series. "As a sanctioning body, it is important to consider the popularity of AMA racing both domestically and globally. The demand for our television product internationally is a good indicator of the health and marketability of our sport," said Bradley. TWI International senior international vice president Peter Smith shares those sentiments. "We have seen strong interest from buyers and programming directors at top international networks. and we expect this to ~........ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. continue," stated Smith. "The viability of the AMA Superbike Championship is evident. and we expect to be able to expand into additional overseas markets. " Riding Affiliate. The AMA grants Road-Riding Affiliate status to effective and credible road-riding organizations that complement the AMA's mission to pursue, promote and protect the interests of motorcyclists. The alliance means that the AMA, with more than 250,000 members. and GWRRA, a national enthusiast organization of 85,000 riders around the world, will join together to serve the interests of streetriding motorcyclists. As part of its affiliation with the AMA, the GWRRA also agrees to promote AMA membership among its members and other riders who attend GWRRA events. GWRRA full members are Honda Gold Wing or Honda Valkyrie riders, though owners of other motorcycles may join as associate members. Founded in 1977, the GWRRA has grown to its current size by remaining dedicated to its motto: "Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge." "In the motorcycling community, there's no better example of a grassroots enthusiast group than the GWRRA," said Gary Sweet, AMA vice president of membership and marketing. "Having the strength of their numbers behind us only makes the AMA stronger and better able to fulfill the mission of protecting the interests of motorcyclists. - "The Gold Wing Road Riders Association has long supported the efforts and agenda of the AMA in its never-ending quest to protect the rights and freedoms of those who enjoy the sport of motorcycling, - said Mike Wright, GWRRA president. "As an AMA Road-Riding Affiliate, we look forward to a partnership that will further strengthen the determination of all motorcyclists to defend their right to freedom of travel, both on and off the roads of America. " Two major GWRRA events will also carry the AMA logo. The 25th annual Wing Ding, the GWRRA's largest rally, will be an AMA affiliate event this year. What happened to Andrew Stroud? The New Zealand road racer who last raced in the AMA Championship for Erion Racing is now back in New Zealand and has been winning the Superbike Championship there with regularity. Stroud won the 1998/1999 title on a Britten and won the 2001/'02 and 20021'03 titles on a Suzuki New Zealand-backed GSX-R 1000. Stroud is married with four children and would welcome a return to the AMA series. "I enjoyed racing in America and would be interested in returning if a good opportunity arose," Stroud said in a recent e-mail to Cycle News. Another Kiwi, motocrosser Josh Coppins, is hoping to be fit to defend his runner-up finish in the 2003 250cc World Motocross Championship. Coppins is still recovering from his offseason crash in the United States, but he plans to join the CAS Honda factory team shortly. "We haven't been able to set a date for my return to full riding, so it's not possible to say which of the Grand Prix rounds will be my first one back, - said the determined Coppins, who turned 26 last week. "ObViously, I'm keen to be back as soon as possible, but I also have to be careful not to undo all the good recovery work. I'm getting medical reports each week, and every day I can feel my body returnin9 to strength. The injuries are healing well now, and my fitness is coming up. " The AMA has announced that the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRAl has been named the AMA's first Road- . .. appear at various times throughout the evening. For more information and specific times, call 626/915-2607. APPOINTED: Jessica Trent Nichols as director of global communications of Spy Optic Inc.. effective immediately. In this newly created position. Nichols will be responsible for the company's corporate SIGNED: Motocrosser Mickey Marshall to sponsorship agreements with State 8 Motorcyles, Pro-action suspension and DEP pipes for the 2003 racing season. State 8 is an Akron, Ohio-based dealership for Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Aprilia. Marshall will ride in selected AMA National Motocross rounds. Last week we ran a news item with World Superbike rider representative Peter Ingley's letter to Dan Large, the operations manager of Brands Hatch and Silverstone, the host of two rounds of the World Superbike Championship. Now comes a letter to Ingley from Paolo Flammini, the head of SBK the World Superbike Series promoters. "With reference to your email addressed to Dan Large, I think it is necessary to clarify definitively the follOWing points: 1) The Circuits management is not entitled to have discussions with third parties as far as the safety issues for the FIM events are concerned. 2) The only authority in charge to determine and approve the safety standards of the Circuits for the FIM World Championships is the FIM CCR Commission chaired by Mr. Claude Danis. 3) The homologation procedure of the circuits foresees that a rider representative (the rider representative must be a rider or an ex-rider) can participate to the prehomologation inspection visit. Your position and comments are therefore imprecise and could generate wrong impressions and opinions among the riders. Please note that we have at the moment no evidence of the confirmation of your position of riders' representative for 2003 as the contracts you have provided to us have expired, therefore nobody can take into consideration your activity until a new nomination is issued by the riders. I underline again the fact that your unmotivated message could generate wrong impressions among the riders and, as I see from your distribution list. also among the press. Please consider that your attitude could generate potentially harmful situation to our Championship, of which you will be considered responsible. I trust this clarifies the issue." announcements. domestic and International media relatIons. and con- The first round of the 2003 Firel Police Motocross Nationals is set for Perris Raceway in Perris, Califomia, March 31-April 1. Firefighters and law enforcement officials from all over the world will do battle for the title of Fastest in Public Safety. sistency of brand communication. OPENED: CBR Bearing Company's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the follOWing address: http://www.cbr- AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Bert's Mega Mall in Covina. California. on May 9. Team Yamaha's Chad Reed, Tim Ferry and David Vuillemin, Yamaha of Troy's Josh Hansen. Craig Anderson. Ivan Tedesco and Brock Sellards. Mach 1 Yamaha's Heath Voss and Nick Wey, KTM Red Bull's Ryan Hughes, Grant Langston, Steve Boniface, Brett Metcalfe, Billy Laninovich, Josh Woods, Ben Townely and Joaquim Rodrigues, Team Suzuki's Travis Pastrana. Sebastien Tortelli. Stephane Roncada. Sean Hamblin, Danny Smith, Mattheiu Lalloz and Branden Jesseman, Team ECC's Steve Lamson, Shae Bentley, Tyier Evans, Shane Bess and Jeff Gibson, Team Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Matt Walker. Mike Brown, Eric Sorby and Justin Buckelew. and Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Ezra Lusk and James Stewart are scheduled to " ................................................................................................ ,. The 2003 Wing Ding is scheduled for July 1-4 in Madison, Wisconsin. The 4th Annual AN PAC Motorcycle Jubilee, scheduled for August 29-31 in Springfield, Missouri, has been designated the AMA South Central Regional Road Riding Convention for the second year. For more information about the GWRRA, visit www.gwrra.org. bearing.com. NAMED: Kelley Hendel as regional manager - Pacific region for VP Racing Fuels, effective immediately. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Hahm Motorsports in Anaheim, Cali- fornia, on April 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Yoshimura Suzuki's Mat Mladin. Aaron Yates, Ben Spies and Kevin Schwantz. Team Attack Suzuki's Jason Pridmore and Josh Hayes, Corona Extra Suzuki's Jimmy Moore. Adam Ferguson and Jordan Szoke. and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki's Steve Rapp, Chris Ulrich and Malt Ferteck are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 714/563-1700. ~ . " ~ cue I e Speed Freaks will host a Freakin" Superbike Party at the Hooters in Ontario, California, on April 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. The party is to celebrate the AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Series round that will be held at California Speedway in Fontana, California, April 4-6. The final round of the THQ World Supercross GP/AMA Supercross n u _ S • Continued on page 96 APRIL 2, 2003 3