Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roadracingworld.com has learned that former World Superbike Technical Director Steve Whitelock has been quietly investigating the Dunlop tire problems at Daytona, even though AMA Pro Racing announced that he was hired to run the AMA Supercross and Motocross programs.

The following is the original press release from AMA Pro Racing, as issued earlier this month:

AMA Pro Racing names Steve Whitelock as AMA Supercross/Motocross Series Manager

AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States, has appointed Steve Whitelock as AMA Supercross/Motocross series manager. Whitelock, to be based in AMA Pro Racing’s West Coast office, will be responsible for the overall management of the AMA Supercross Series and AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship in the newly-created position.

Whitelock leaves his position as FIM Technical Director for World Superbike and will assume duties with AMA Pro Racing immediately.

Whitelock’s technical experience in professional motorcycle sport is vast. Additionally, his background is diverse including positions managing world championship teams as well as the FIM governing body.

AMA Pro Racing CEO, Scott Hollingsworth welcomes the skill set and experience Whitelock brings to the new position. “By creating series manager positions for each of the racing disciplines that AMA Pro Racing oversees and hiring someone of Steve’s caliber, we’re dramatically re-thinking how we manage AMA championship racing,” said Hollingsworth. “The series manager role will be vital and take into account the needs of our riders, teams, promoters, sponsors and anyone else who has a relationship with AMA Pro Racing. The series manager will be responsible for the ‘big-picture’ handling of the series and will be supported by a crew that includes a race director as well as a technical and administrative staff. Steve is ideally suited to this position and we have extremely high expectations for him.”

Hollingsworth added that the addition of Whitelock is a continuation of AMA Pro Racing’s strategy of hiring high-level industry talent as well as expanding the company’s presence on the West Coast. “We’ve made it clear that we want to be more accessible to the major teams and OEMs so placing Steve in our West Coast office enables us to further that goal,” said Hollingsworth.

Whitelock is highly regarded in the world of motorcycle sport and his most recent position as FIM Technical Director for World Superbike earned him a great deal of respect among riders, teams and the factories. Hollingsworth pointed out the depth of Whitelock’s experience. “In addition to overseeing the technical aspects of the World Superbike Championship for the past eight years, Whitelock has a deep foundation in off-road racing,” said Hollingsworth. “Steve was employed by HRC from 1982 through 1991 and at one point directed the company’s motocross efforts resulting in six world championships with such racing greats as Jean-Michel Bayle, Andre Malherbe and Eric Geboers. Steve was also involved with HRC’s Grand Prix road racing efforts holding a variety of senior positions within the organization. Clearly, this broad-based experience will benefit Steve in his new role.”

Not limiting himself to one form of motorcycle competition has allowed Whitelock to form an expansive view of the sport. “My involvement with motocross racing, Grand Prix road racing and even my roots in AMA racing as Yvon Duhamel’s mechanic, has given me the chance to see motorcycle racing from virtually every perspective possible,” said Whitelock. “Additionally, I’ve enjoyed the past eight years with the FIM and treasure the experience it has afforded me. I see my new role with AMA Pro Racing as a logical progression of my career and am eagerly awaiting the AMA Supercross Series to begin in Anaheim.”