Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA Supermoto Adds 250s Goodwin Denied Bail Goodwin isn't a risk to skip bail, citing the release of actor Robert Blake on bail after prosecutors in that case AMA Pro Racing has announced that a 250cc class will be added to the 2005 5upermoto championship season. The 5upermoto class (450cc), 5upermolO Unlimited (490cc and Up) and Honda Red Riders Junior 5upermoto Challenge will remain part of the program and be joined by the new class specifically for 250cc, four-stroke According to an article on the Orange County Register's decided not to seek the death penalty. On February I, machines. Pasadena judge and will remain behind bars. According to the article, a hearing has been sched- In making the announcement, Kerry Graeber, AMA Pro Racing website on Monday, February 14, Michael Goodwin, the prosecutors in the Goodwin case announced that they former Orange County, California, motocross promot- wouldn't seek the death penalty, but that he could face er who was charged in the 1988 shooting deaths of Mickey Thompson and his Wife, was denied bail by a life in prison without parole if convicted. Goodwin is charged with two counts of murder and the special·circumstance allegations of lying in wait and vice president, director of communications, said that the decision was made partly in response to the large number of requests to add uled by Goodwin's defense attorney, Elena Saris, for multiple murder. On October 13, 2004, Goodwin was ordered to March 7, in Pasadena, California, in front of another stand trial for the shooting deaths of his former business the class. judge to dismiss the case. Goodwin has been jailed with- "We have heard a tremendous amount of feedback suggesting that out bail since his arrest in Orange County in December partner Thompson and his wife. According to the prosecutor, Goodwin had the couple killed following a busi- we include 2505," Graeber said. "We want to be responsive to this of 2001. Saris tried to get Goodwin released on bail by of Thompson. demand while recognizing the equity that has been built up in the 5upermoto and Supermoto Unlimited classes, so we will run all three, plus the Junior program, in 2005. Beyond 200S, we'll have to assess ness dispute over half a million dollars that went in favor attempting to convince the Pasadena judge that what the market demand and equipment availability is for each class." Graeber also said that there will be some adjustments to the racing program this year. '''-long with adding 250s, we're also planning on implementing timed qualifying to the program," Graeber said. "This will enable us to streamline the qualifying process, given the larger number of entries that are expected." It was also announced that the Supermoto class will feature a two-race finale. Points for each race will go toward the championship. "Running two 450cc-class finals at each round will make the title chase more interesting and provide a better show for our fans," Graeber said. Technical rules for the new 250cc class are being finalized. It is expected that the 250cc rule structure will be comparable to what is currently in place for Supermoto and Supermoto Unlimited in terms of allowable modifications. Graeber also commented that the 200S schedule is being finalized, with key events such as the Copper Mountain doubleheader, Nashville, Reno and Las Vegas rounds set to return, along with a cou- Ford Sponsors AMA Flat Track AMA Pro Racing announced on February 14 that Ford Motor Company and the Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned brand will become title sponsor of the 200S AMA Flat Track Championship. Effectively immediately, the series will now be entitled the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship. According to Mike Dennis, manager of the Ford Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Program, Ford's sponsorship is consistent with the company's long histo- ry with motorcycling. "The AMA Flat Track sponsorship is a natural complement to Ford's involvement in motorcycle racing with our Chris Carr sponsorship," Dennis said. "We've enjoyed great results from past years' involvement in the John Farris, AMA Pro Racing vice president, commercial development, agreed with Dennis' assessment. '~ iconic, mass-market brand like Ford joining with AMA Pro Racing is a testament to the commercial value professional motorcycle racing can deliver to a company, tI said Farris. "From Ford's support of Harley-Davidson's Superbike effort in the I990s to their introduction of the limited-edition Ford/Harley-Davidson F-150 pickup truck, Ford recognizes the marketing value of associating itself with motorcyclists and motorcycle racing." In making the announcement, AMA Flat Track Series manager Bruce Bober pointed out the valuable benefits that Ford will add to the AMA Flat Track Championship. 6 FEBRUARY 23, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS "From both an awareness factor to support of the championship bonus program that goes to the riders, tunity to step up our commitment to this great American sport and to strengthen and expand the relationship Ford's involvement will be good for the sport," said Bober. "We're thrilled they're aboard and will work between Flat Track fans and the Ford product line." ple of new venues. AMA Flat Track program; we see this as a great oppor- hard to ensure their expectations are met."

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