From a press release issued by Clear Channel Motor Sports:

BUBBA SHOBERT AND GAVIN TRIPPE NAMED DEL MAR GRAND MARSHALS

Fort Worth, Texas–Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports is proud to announce two Grand Marshals for the K&N Del Mar Mile Weekend of racing that will include Vintage, Superbikers, Concours d’Elegance, Motorcycle Expo, Parts Exchange, Short Track, Lap of the Legends and Mile National. The events will take place at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California on October 3-5, 2003.

The 2003 Dirt Track Grand Marshal will be 3-Time Grand National Champion (1985-87) and 1988 Superbike Champion, Bubba Shobert. Shobert was one of the most versatile riders during the 1980’s winning at Road Race, Short Track, Mile, TT and Half-Mile.

Between 1985 and 1987 Shobert had an incredible run of three consecutive National Championship Titles while winning 20 dirt track nationals in the process. In 1988 Shobert competed in the Superbike Series where he won, while also continuing to race full-time in the Dirt Track where he finished second to Scott Parker.

Shobert was forced to an early retirement in 1989 at the U.S. World Championship Road Race Grand Prix in Laguna Seca, California due to a freak accident. Kevin Magee was doing a post-race burn out on the backside of the racetrack when Shobert ran into the back of Magee’s motorcycle. After months of rehabilitation, Shobert decided to retire from professional motorcycle racing. He is still one of the most popular figures in motorcycling and makes frequent appearances at special events.

Gavin Trippe who was one of the promoter’s of the original ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers from 1979-1985 has been named as the Grand Marshal for the inaugural Parts Unlimited Superbikers sponsored by KTM to be held on Saturday, October 4th. Gavin Trippe and Bruce Cox sold ABC Sports the idea of bringing together top Motocross/Supercross, Dirt Track and Road Racers from around the world to compete on a special race course at Carlsbad Raceway in Carlsbad, California that consisted of both dirt and asphalt sections. This event offered race fans a showdown of the Best of the Best until the restructuring of ABC Sports, which dropped the event.

Today’s version is often called SuperMotard, SuperMoto or SuperTT with various organizations running local, regional and national series. The Parts Unlimited Superbikers sponsored by KTM will have the same format as the original Superbikers with 12 invited riders from Motocross/Supercross, Dirt Track, Road Race and Off-Road/Freestyle.

Tickets now on sale at Ticketmaster.com, cc.com and selected Southern California motorcycle dealers. For event information call 817/332-4822.