Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Added races in Switzerland and Holland have transformed what was the AMA Supercross Series into the Supercross World Championship, but the big question is whether or not any U.S. teams will actually attend the overseas rounds.

Also up in the air is Daytona’s participation in the series schedule, which currently lists Daytona’s March 8 date as a TBA.

The transformation of the AMA Series into a World Championship is fallout from the aborted AMA/Clear Channel Entertainment Supercross split, announced last fall, which would have resulted in two competing series, ala IRL vs. CART.

AMA and CCE rejoined forces this spring, and, in theory, the AMA Supercross Series is a Championship within a Championship.

Factory team honchos say they have no interest in racing outside the country, and also cite budget and staff burnout problems with an extended Supercross Series. In addition, new bikes won’t be ready in time for the earlier start of the series, they say.

The schedule follows:

December 7, Geneva, Switzerland
December 14, Arnhem, Holland
January 4, Anaheim, California
January 11, Phoeniz, Arizona
January 18, Anaheim, California
January 25, San Francisco, California
February 1, Anaheim, California
February 8, San Diego, California
February 15, Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 22, Atlanta, Georgia
March 1, Indianapolis, Indiana
March 8, TBA
March 22, St. Louis, Missouri
March 29, Houston, Texas
April 5, Pontiac, Michigan
April 12, Dallas, Texas
April 26, Salt Lake City, Utah
May 5, Las Vegas, Nevada



More, from a press release just issued by Clear Channel Entertainment–Motor Sports:

Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports and Dorna Off Road Announce the International Rounds of The 2003 FIM World Supercross GP Schedule

AURORA, Ill. and MADRID, SPAIN–Clear Channel
Entertainment – Motor Sports and Dorna Off Road announced two international dates to complete the 2003 FIM World Supercross GP schedule. Round one will be held at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland on Saturday, December 7, 2002 and round two at the Gelredome in Arnhem, Holland on Saturday, December 14.

“This is an exciting time for supercross. With the success supercross already has in the United States and arrival of this premier series in Europe, we are at the beginning of an important new era for the sport,” said Wolfgang Srb, motocross commission president, FIM.

“This opens doors on a global level for expanded television exposure and sponsorship opportunities for riders and teams, exposing the American sport of supercross to a worldwide audience,” said Charlie Mancuso, president, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO and managing director of Dorna added, “We are proud to bring supercross to fans internationally, exposing the sport to millions of fans worldwide and continuing the tradition of bringing the sport into premier venues, such as the Palexpo and Gelredome.”

The two international events join the 15 Clear Channel produced events of the AMA Supercross Series to make up the 17-round FIM World Supercross GP schedule. Fans will be able to purchase tickets to the first two events of the World Supercross GP on September 14. The remaining rounds are already on sale.

The 2003 FIM World Supercross GP Schedule, sponsored by Thor and Parts Unlimited follows:

Dec 7 Palexpo Geneva, Switzerland
Dec 14 Gelredome Arnhem, Holland
Jan 4 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.*
Jan 11 Bank One Ballpark Phoenix*
Jan 18 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.*
Jan 25 Pacific Bell Park San Francisco *
Feb 1 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.*
Feb 8 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego*
Feb 15 H.H.H. Metrodome Minneapolis*
Feb 22 Georgia Dome Atlanta*
Mar 1 RCA Dome Indianapolis*
Mar 8 Daytona International Speedway Daytona, Fla.*^
Mar 22 Edward Jones Dome St. Louis*
Mar 29 Reliant Stadium Houston*
Apr 5 Silverdome Pontiac, Mich.*
Apr 12 Texas Stadium Dallas*
Apr 26 Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City*
May 3 Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas*

*Part of the AMA Supercross Series.
^Daytona is not part of the FIM World Supercross GP Series.

For more information or to purchase tickets, log on to www.pacesupercross.com