From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

REPSOL TO SPONSOR AMA SUPERSTOCK SERIES

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Feb. 16, 2004) — Repsol, the world’s seventh largest petroleum company, will be the title sponsor of the AMA Superstock Series beginning with the 2004 racing season.

Andy Leisner, AMA Pro Racing Vice President, welcomes the company to AMA racing and is excited to have the brand aboard. “Repsol is a world leader in motorcycle racing and performance, largely because of their connection with MotoGP racing,” said Leisner. “We are thrilled to be associated with Repsol and are confident that their involvement with our series will help them grow their brand in the United States.”

Maurice Murray, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Global Motorsport Group, the parent company of Repsol’s exclusive distributor, Motorcycle Stuff agrees. “We’re looking to aggressively grow our presence in the United States and the AMA Superstock Series is the ideal vehicle for us,” said Murray. “The Superstock class promises to be one of the most competitive classes in 2004 so we expect to receive a great deal of exposure for Repsol. We’re planning to take our leadership position in MotoGP and apply it to the AMA series, too.”

Interestingly, both Tommy and Roger Lee Hayden, brothers of top MotoGP rider and Repsol-sponsored Nicky Hayden, are expected to be top competitors in the AMA Superstock class. Nicky, the middle son in the three racing brothers, was the 2002 AMA Superbike Champion before moving on to contest the 2003 MotoGP season where he finished fifth in the points and was named Rookie of the Year. With five wins to his credit, Tommy Hayden lead the AMA Superstock class in 2003 narrowly missing out on the championship. As the class has now expanded to include 1000cc bikes, the eldest Hayden looks to be a championship favorite.