Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

AMA Pro Racing has issued a check for $550 to racer Chris Ulrich for “refund purchase of guest passes” he purchased in 2001 when he was entitled to a free pass under a still-secret policy. Ulrich received his check–dated December 13–in the mail Monday, December 16, but other AMA Pro racers contacted by Roadracingworld.com had not received refund checks as of today.

For the past two years, AMA professional racers who pre-entered the entire road racing season were entitled to a one, free, season-long guest pass. The complimentary pass policy has never been publicized or included in the rulebook, entry mailings or Competition Bulletins issued by AMA Pro Racing. The policy has also never been mentioned at any riders’ meeting, and as a result several racers who were entitled to the free passes continued to purchase gate passes.

Several AMA Pro riders contacted for a July 10, 2002, posting on Roadracingworld.com knew nothing of the secret guest pass policy and had bought guest passes during the last two seasons even though one AMA Pro Racing staffer said at the time, “The riders know. All the riders who call here know about it.”

Now, eight months after the problem was brought to the attention of the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors and AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth in April 2002, AMA Pro Racing has apparently taken the first steps to make the situation right.

Today, Roadracingworld.com reached three AMA Pro riders who had pre-entered for an entire season, hadn’t been told of the free pass, and had purchased guest passes. None of the three have received a refund from AMA.

“It’s cold outside, but I don’t think Hell has frozen over,” said Larry Pegram, who pre-entered the entire 2001 AMA road racing season.

“No, man, I get nothing,” said Vincent Haskovec. “I hope you’re right. Man, that’s $500!”

“No, I haven’t gotten anything,” said Chris “Opie” Caylor. “Let me know what you hear on that.”

A call at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday seeking comment on the subject was greeted with a recording saying AMA headquarters had closed at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time for AMA’s holiday party.