From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:
FIM WORLD SUPERMOTO POINTS LEADER BORIS CHAMBON TO COMPETE IN AMA RED BULL SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 11, 2003) — Factory Red Bull KTM rider Boris Chambon is planning to race round two of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship to be held Aug. 30 at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Virginia.
AMA Pro Racing confirmed Chambon’s entry. “Boris is entered to compete in both classes of the AMA Red Bull Championship and we’re thrilled to have him,” said Andy Leisner, AMA Pro Racing Vice President. “Boris is considered to be one of the best supermoto riders in the world and his presence will add a whole new dimension to this round. To see riders of this caliber competing in AMA Supermoto underscores just how important this championship has become in the short time since it was announced.”
KTM North America’s Motorsports Marketing Manager Ron Heben pointed to the break in the World Championship schedule that enabled Chambon to make the trip to the United States to race. “With a few weeks off from the World Championship, Boris was eager to make his first appearance in the AMA series,” said Heben. “Boris is very excited to come and race in the United States and will ride as part of the Red Bull/HMC/KTM team and compete in both classes on a KTM 450 SX Racing and KTM 525 SX Racing, respectively. KTM racing boss Kurt Nicoll gave his approval for Boris to compete in America.”
Incidentally, it was Kurt Nicoll himself who won the Supermoto Unlimited class at the opening round of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on July 12-13. Jeff Ward won the Supermoto class.
Chambon has won two of the five rounds completed in the FIM World Supermoto Championship and leads the series over teammate Jurgen Kunzel.
The AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship consists of six rounds. In its inaugural season, the series has drawn interest from some of the elite names of motorcycle racing. Multi-time AMA Supercross and Motocross champion Jeremy McGrath has come out of retirement to compete in the series as has former Indy Car driver and multi-time AMA Motocross and Supercross champion, Ward. Other notable names include the “Godfather of Freestyle” Mike Metzger, former 500cc World GP Champion Kevin Schwantz, reigning AMA Flat Track champion Chris Carr and 2000 AMA Flat Track Champion Joe Kopp, among others.
The South Boston round will be held on the same weekend as the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship at nearby Virginia International Raceway. “Serious followers of motorcycle racing are in for an action-packed weekend of competition,” said Leisner. “Fans will be able to take in all the road-race activities at beautiful VIR during the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday then drive the short distance to South Boston Speedway for AMA Supermoto on Saturday night.”
Fans can purchase tickets in advance and save $3 by calling toll-free (877) 440-1540 or via www.tickets.com. Tickets purchased the day of the event are priced as low as $15 for adults and $10 for young adults (age 10-15), with children nine and under admitted free. Fans attending the AMA Superbike event at VIR during the day on Saturday will be given a coupon for $3 off the admission price to the AMA Supermoto event on Saturday night.
More, from another press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:
FMF PARTNERS WITH AMA PRO RACING IN SUPPORT OF AMA RED BULL SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 11, 2003) — FMF, maker of high performance motorcycle parts and accessories, will be a track signage sponsor in support of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. FMF joins a growing list of leading motorcycle industry companies aligning themselves with AMA Pro Racing’s newest championship.
Andy Leisner, AMA Pro Racing vice president, welcomes FMF’s involvement. “FMF has joined an elite group of companies that have recognized the opportunities associated with the AMA Red Bull Championship,” said Leisner. “Their sponsorship package will provide them with significant on-site exposure at each and every round of the series, including the championship finale at Las Vegas.”
FMF’s Danny LaPorte sees the sponsorship as a way for FMF to continue growing their business by tapping into an all new market. “Our success in the motocross and off-road categories is well known,” said LaPorte. “We believe supermoto is here to stay and will ultimately be an important part of the motorcycle marketplace. It’s imperative for us to test our products in the competition for which they were designed. That allows us to build the best possible products to benefit our customers. We’ll be involved with AMA Pro Racing’s Supermoto series as both a sponsor and participant.” LaPorte himself raced at the opening round.
The AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship launched at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on July 11-13. The six-race series will conclude in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 2003. Round 2 of the series is set for Aug. 30 at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. The championship finale will be held in conjunction with the annual AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet.