With its inaugural season successfully underway, applications are being accepted online for the 2009 season of the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup at www.redbullrookiescup.com. The application deadline is Friday, August 15. This series is a unique program created by Red Bull for fostering motorcycle talent in promising young riders who will compete at top road racing circuits in front of race day crowds, on identical KTM RC 125 machines. The Red Bull Rookies Cup program has been designed to create a level playing field so that the best and the brightest emerge at the top, and no young talent is overlooked due to a lack of financial resources or professional backing. Based on the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Europe, the U.S. series focuses on seeking out top North, Central and South American, as well as Caribbean, racing talent. “The Red Bull AMA U.S Rookies Cup is an unbelievable program,” said Kevin Schwantz, the 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Champion and Rookies Cup Riders Coach. “The chance that these kids are being given by Red Bull and its partners is the chance of a lifetime. First-class equipment with great mechanics at some of the best tracks in the U.S. is just a small part of it. For me it’s an honor to be the kids’ coach and to represent this amazing program with 23 of the best kids I know.” Potential competitors from North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean can apply for consideration to attend the Selection Event at www.redbullrookiescup.com. Applicants must be 13 to 17 years old during the 2009 racing season (born between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1995). The deadline for applications is August 15, 2008. The official on-track Selection Event will once again take place at Barber Motorsports Park this Fall, where invited riders will show what they’ve got for the esteemed team of selection judges in an effort to be invited to join the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup series in 2009. Racing experience is not a requirement, but motorcycle riding experience is. The program is open to young motorcycle racers from all disciplines — road racing, dirt track, motocross, etc. Potential Rookies must simply have the talent, ambition and the drive to become a world-class road racer. In the selection process, riders will be chosen not only based on their results, but also on their potential, personality, racing spirit, team spirit and sense of fair play. The stops on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup calendar will be linked to official 2009 AMA Superbike and MotoGP events, and will immerse the young riders in an authentic race atmosphere. For more information, please visit www.redbullrookiescup.com.