Home Blog Page 6854

AMA Pro Racing Announces New Contest For Best Race-Win Ads

0

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORTS IN RACE WIN ADVERTISING AT 2004 AWARDS BANQUET

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 22, 2004) — AMA Pro Racing has announced that it will recognize outstanding advertising during its annual AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet in November. Two awards will be given: one for best print ad and one for best TV ad.

The AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet is held at the end of the racing season and is where champions from each form of AMA motorcycle racing are honored.

Kerry Graeber, Vice President, Director of Communications will present the awards and is excited about the new award category. “Motorcycle manufactures as well as leading aftermarket companies that participate in racing make win advertising an important part of their marketing mix and we’re looking forward to recognizing their efforts,” said Graeber. “For companies who race, success on the race track is only part of the equation. Promoting that success through an effective advertising campaign extends the message and can lead to improved sales opportunities, which is, after all, why many companies race in the first place.” Graeber added that any advertising that promotes success in AMA-sanctioned professional motorcycle racing will be eligible for the competition.

Companies wishing to submit their advertising should visit www.amaproracing.com . Participants can enter as many ads as they wish. Each submission requires a separate entry form which is available on-line. Entries can be submitted by the advertiser or its agency of record. There is no fee to enter.

Graeber said ads promoting individual race wins from the 2004 racing season as well as ads promoting a 2003 championship are eligible. “Earning an award for advertising that promotes their racing success will be beneficial to the recipients,” said Graeber. “In addition to announcing the winners at the awards banquet and in subsequent news releases, we’ll also post the winning ads on the AMA Pro Racing web site. This will be like the ads running all over again.”


New Team Name, Sponsor For Formula USA Team Challenge Champions

The Mid-Cities Motorsports Race Team, including team captain Calvin Martinez and riders Dave Ebben and Jesse Janisch, is excited to announce a new name and sponsor. Under new sponsorship by Yocum Motorsports of Germantown, Wisconsin, the team will compete at Road America and the balance of the 2004 race season as Yocum Motorsports Race Team. The Yocum Motorsports Team, sponsors and riders alike, is anxious to grab the throttle and show the competition what it has in the trailer. They are looking forward to a fast and winning season together. Editorial Note: Martinez and Ebben won the overall 2003 Formula USA Team Challenge National Championship as Mid-Cities Motorsports.

AHRMA Waives Post-Entry Surcharges For Sandia Classic

0

From a press release issued by AHRMA:

Race bargains at New Mexico’s Sandia Classic

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association announces it will waive the post-entry surcharges for roadrace and motocross entries at the May 1-2 Sandia Classic in Albuquerque, N.M.

“We want as many people as possible to experience this wonderful event, and we hope that a few more racers will be encouraged to make the trip if it costs the same to post-enter as it does to pre-enter,” said David Lamberth, AHRMA’s executive director.

Competitors in the May 1-2 Pro-Flo/Progressive Suspension Historic Cup Series roadrace rounds at Sandia Motor Speedway can enter the vintage, Vintage Superbike and modern Sound of Singles/Battle of Twins/Sound of Thunder classes for $50 per class. A complete round of AHRMA’s national series is run each day.

Entries for either the May 1 Northwest Maico & CZ/Pro-Flo post-vintage motocross for machines from 1975 to the early ’80s or the May 2 Speed & Sport vintage MX for pre-’75 motorcycles at Sandia Motocross Park will cost $35 for the first class and $25 for each additional class.

As previously announced, post-entries at the May 2 Classic MotorCycle/Metro Racing dirt track at Hollywood Hills Speedway are just $10 per class.

In all cases, competitors must be members of both AHRMA and the American Motorcyclist Association. Memberships will be available at the track. Pre-entries closed April 16.

For AHRMA information, call 615-851-3674 or visit www.ahrma.org. Details on the Sandia Classic can be found at www.sandiaclassic.net.

AMA Pro Racing Sets The Superbike Stage For Infineon Raceway

0

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Mladin and Duhamel battle for top dog at Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown

Infineon Raceway hosting AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship doubleheader

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 21, 2004) — Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin and Honda’s Miguel Duhamel will go head-to-head as Infineon Raceway plays host to the top motorcycle road racers in the country, April 30-May 2 for the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown. The weekend, which is presented by Cycle Gear, features rounds four and five of the 18-race AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship.

The stakes are doubly high between Mladin and Duhamel this weekend. It was at Infineon (then called Sears Point Raceway) in 1998 that Duhamel matched the Motorcycle Hall of Famer Fred Merkel’s all-time AMA Superbike wins record. Later that season, Duhamel became the all-time wins leader and held that esteemed record for nearly six years. His record was broken just a few weeks ago when Mat Mladin eclipsed the mark by winning his 27th-career AMA Superbike win at California Speedway.

Duhamel comes into Infineon Raceway as the all-time wins leader at that circuit with four-career AMA Superbike wins on the Sonoma, California track. Duhamel, then riding a Muzzy Kawasaki, won his first race at the track in a last lap thriller over Doug Polen in 1993, but hasn’t tasted victory in the Superbike ranks at Sonoma since 1998. He’s hoping the new Honda CBR1000RR will work well at the picturesque track and carry him to victory once again.

Mladin is the hottest rider in the series. He’s won all three rounds leading up to the Infineon doubleheader and has already established a 24-point lead in the championship points race over Honda’s Superbike newcomer Jake Zemke. Duhamel is a close third in the series. Mladin hopes to duplicate the doubleheader sweep at Infineon he earned last year. The Aussie sensation feels the strengths of his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 plays right into his hand on the twisty 2.32-mile Infineon Raceway.

“Typically a lot of circuits have some decent-length straightaways, which allows the guys with the faster motorcycles to sometimes get involved with a race for the lead,” Mladin explains. “At Infineon Raceway you don’t need the fastest bike, you need the best setup. You also need to be physically fit because there’s no time to rest. Typically, if you get it all right, you can usually win the race by a fair margin. Handling is at a premium.”

This weekend will mark the return to the championship of Mladin’s Suzuki teammate Aaron Yates. The Georgian gets back to action after serving a one-event suspension after a post-crash incident at Daytona. Yates missed both of the Superbike rounds as well as the Supersport race held at Fontana and is way behind in points. Yates joins Mladin and Duhamel as a former Superbike winner at Infineon Raceway.

Local fans will be rooting for the Bostrom brothers Ben and Eric. The Bostroms grew up in the Bay Area racing on dirt track ovals all across Northern California. Both Bostroms are looking for their first AMA Superbike victory at Infineon.

Eric jumped from 26th to fourth in the standings after a strong weekend at California Speedway on his Ducati Austin 999 earlier this month. Northern California has long been a hotbed of Ducati fans. Bostrom said he feels very appreciated by enthusiast of the Italian brand.

“It was pretty rewarding when we went to Fontana, where I went out and ran my 999 street bike around the track with them,” Bostrom said of a Ducati riders group outing. “The enthusiasm from the Ducati fans and the Ducati owners is just unlike anything I’m used to. They are just fanatics. The whole day I was going wide open, and they were really going after it too. They are really into their Ducatis.”

Ducati is looking for its first victory at Infineon since local ace Paul Ritter took a pair of upset wins on his privateer Ducati in 1977 and 1978.

Older brother Ben is still trying to find the combination that earned him the AMA Superbike Championship with Honda in 1998. So far the elder Bostrom brother’s season has been a big disappointment. His bike broke at Daytona and he crashed out of the first race at California Speedway and was fifth in the second race in Fontana. Those results find Bostrom 20th in the series standings. While the championship may be improbable for Bostrom he would be happy to earn his first win in the series since returning to America from World Superbike last year.

A number of privateer teams are breaking through to earn strong finishes in the championship so far this season. Empire Racing Suzuki rider Lee Acree is the leading rider on a non-factory team coming into this weekend’s doubleheader. Acree, a North Carolinian, is a former Superstock winner and current track record holder at Infineon, is ranked fifth in the championship.

The races will be televised on Speed Channel with both rounds being shown back-to-back on Sunday, May 2 starting at 5 p.m. Eastern.

For ticket information on the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

New Incentives For Buell Buyers

0

From a press release issued by Buell:

THREE BUELL PROMOTIONS GET RIDERS READY FOR SPRING:

Demo Days, Fuel in the Frame for a Year and No Down Payment Programs

MILWAUKEE (April 21, 2004) – Motorcycle enthusiasts who want to experience the adventure of riding Buell motorcycles this spring can take advantage of three promotional offers at participating Buell dealerships.

Motorcyclists who demo ride a Buell motorcycle through May 31, 2004 during Buell Demo Days will receive a free Buell Sling Bag. A valid motorcycle endorsement and proper riding gear are required for the demo ride. The customized sling bag, a $50 retail value, is made from heavy-duty denier fabric with nylon lining and features four individual storage compartments.

Those who purchase a Buell before May 31 will receive free gasoline during the Buell “Fuel in the Frame for a Year” promotion. Fuel in the Frame for a Year will be provided through a $150 Visa Gift Card. The Visa Gift Card is a prepaid card that can be used at millions of worldwide locations. Instead of worrying about rising gas prices, new Buell owners can focus on enjoying the ride. Highway gas mileage averages for the Firebolt and Lightning models are 65 mpg, and the Blast boasts nearly 73 mpg on the highway.

In addition, eligible buyers can also qualify for No Down Payment financing. This option is available through Eaglemark Savings Bank and Harley-Davidson Credit until June 30 on all 2003 and 2004 new, previously untitled Buell motorcycles including Blast.

Riders should stop by their participating Buell dealer or buell.com for full details on all of the Spring promotions.

Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces sport motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.

FGSport: Misano World Superbike Drew More TV Viewers In UK Than MotoGP

0

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

World Superbike is Number One on UK television


The Superbike World Championship round at Misano, San Marino dominated viewing figures for motorsport programming across the United Kingdom last week with an audience of more than 1.68-million viewers on the BBC. The broadcast also achieved a high share percentage of 14.5%.

What makes the viewing figures even more interesting is that fact that they were achieved during what was an extremely busy weekend of televised motorsport. Other televised events included the opening round of the MotoGP Championship in Welkom, South Africa, the New Zealand round of the World Rally Championship, as well as the Super Racing Weekend in Valencia, Spain.

FGSPORT is the Superbike World Championship rights holders and CEO, Paolo Flammini, said: “We are extremely happy to see the Championship consistently achieving this level of viewership in the UK market. We enjoy a very good relationship with the BBC and they always provide an excellent level of programming. I am certain that they too are delighted with the results our Championship is providing.”

This year’s viewing figures are slightly up on those achieved for same round of the Superbike World Championship last year which were 1.63-million with a share percentage of 12.3%.

The next round of the Championship takes place at Monza from 14 – 16 May, while two rounds of the Championship take place in the UK this year – one at Silverstone from 11 – 13 June and the other at Brands Hatch from 30 July – 1 August.

Rank, Title, Channel, Date, Day, Start, Duration, 000s, TVR(%), Share(%):

1. World Superbikes, BBC2, 18-Apr, Sunday, 14:25, 00:55:00, 1.686 (million), 3.05, 14.52

2. MotoGP, BBC1, 17-Apr, Saturday, 13:05, 00:05:00, 1,447 (million), 2.62, 19

3. World Superbikes, BBC2, 18-Apr, Sunday, 14:00, 00:25:00, 1,320 (million), 2.39, 11.35

4. MotoGP, BBC2, 18-Apr, Sunday, 12:45, 01:15:00, 1,153 (million), 2.09, 10.19

5. World Rally Champ, ITV1, 18-Apr, Sunday, 15:00, 01:00:00, 0.859 (million), 1.55, 6.97

6. Speed Sunday, ITV1, 18-Apr, Sunday, 14:00, 01:00:00, 0.727 (million), 1.32, 6.31

7. GT on 4, CH4, 17-Apr, Saturday, 7:30, 00:30:00, 0.146 (million), 0.27, 5.57

8. Brit Superbikes, Sky Spts 3, 12-Apr, Monday, 13:00, 03:30:00, 0.108 (million), 0.33, 2.02

9. Elite Speedway Lge, Sky Spts 3, 14-Apr, Wednesday, 19:30, 02:00:00, 0.058 (million), 0.17, 0.43

10. V8 Supercars, Five, 12-Apr, Monday, 1:25, 00:50:00, 0.053 (million), 0.1, 2.87

Note: All figures quoted are overnight ratings and have been supplied by the Broadcaster Audience Research Board (BARB).

AMA Pro Racing Announces SPEED Broadcast Schedule For Entire Season

0

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ANNOUNCES REMAINING 2004 SPEED TV BROADCAST SCHEDULE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 20, 2004) — AMA Pro Racing today announced the SPEED TV broadcast schedule for the balance of the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship season.

As part of SPEED TV’s effort to increase viewership, the network has created a more consistent programming block which will result in an improved overall road racing programming schedule. SPEED TV will broadcast races on the Sunday afternoons of each event weekend and as part of its popular “Two-Wheel Tuesday” program.

The 2004 television package features all remaining AMA road racing events in the Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei and Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme classes. AMA Repsol Superstock racing highlights will also be shown as part of SPEED TV’s Formula Xtreme programming.

“The television package SPEED TV has put together gives us a great degree of overall coverage for 2004,” AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Commercial Development John Farris said. “The new TV package allows for regularly scheduled broadcasts in programming blocks and helps build consistency among our growing fan base.”

The remaining 2004 Superbike broadcast schedule includes live coverage from both rounds at Barber Motorsports Park and Pikes Peak International Raceway. Live coverage continues at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Sunday rounds of double-header weekends at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Road Atlanta, and the season finale at Virginia International Raceway. Races not shown live will be tape-delayed as part of SPEED TV’s Sunday afternoon broadcast schedule.

“Seven live Superbike broadcasts, in addition to the live Daytona 200 coverage we received, give millions of SPEED TV viewers a great chance to experience to excitement of AMA Pro Racing’s top class as it happens,” Farris said. Currently, SPEED is available in nearly 65 million U.S. and Canadian households.

Additionally, SPEED will feature live coverage of Supersport Championship races from Infineon Raceway, Pikes Peak International Raceway and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Races from Road America, Brainerd and Virginia International Raceway will be same-day tape broadcasts with all remaining rounds shown as part of SPEED TV’s “Two-Wheel Tuesday.”

Formula Xtreme races will be coupled with Superstock highlights during the “Two-Wheel Tuesday” lineup or as part of Sunday’s race programming.

For a complete list of the 2004 Speed TV broadcast schedule, visit www.speedtv.com. AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship fans can also follow each race live at www.ussuperbike.com.

REMAINING 2004 AMA CHEVROLETE SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP BROADCAST SCHEDULE

SPEED CHANNEL (ALL TIMES EASTERN AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

TRACK, LOCATION, CLASS, AIR DATE, AIR TIME, LENGTH

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, Supersport, SUN 5/2, 4:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, Superbike, SUN 5/2, 5:00pm, 1 HR

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, Superbike, SUN 5/2, 6:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 5/11, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, Superbike, SAT 5/15, 4:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, Superbike, SUN 5/16, 4:30pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, Supersport, SUN 5/23, 1:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, Superbike, SUN 5/23, 5:30pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, Supersport, TUE 5/25, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, FXreme/Superstock, SUN 5/30, 5:00pm, 1 HR

Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 6/1, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, Supersport, SUN 6/6, 3:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, Superbike, SUN 6/6, 4:00pm, 1 HR

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, Superbike, SUN 6/6, 5:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 6/15, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Brainerd Int’l Raceway, Brainerd, MN, Supersport, SUN 6/27, 3:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Brainerd Int’l Raceway, Brainerd, MN, Superbike, SUN 6/27, 4:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Brainerd Int’l Raceway, Brainerd, MN, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 7/6, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, FXtreme/Superstock, SUN 7/11, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, Superbike, SUN 7/11, 5:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, Supersport, TUE 7/13, 12:00 noon, 1 HR

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH, Supersport, SUN 7/25, 1:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH, Superbike, SUN 7/25, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH, Superbike, SUN 7/25, 3:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 8/3, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, Superbike, SUN 9/5, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, Superbike, SUN 9/5, 3:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, Supersport, TUE 9/7, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 9/14, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, Superbike, SUN 9/19, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, Superbike, SUN 9/19, 3:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, Supersport, SUN 9/19, 6:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 9/28, 2:00pm, 1 HR

SDD = SAME DAY DELAY

World Superbike Promoters Happy With Misano Attendance

0

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

World Superbike Championship 2004
Round 3 Misano Adriatico 16-18 June 2004


ATTENDANCE

The third round of the Superbike World Championship in Misano Italy, attracted an attendance of 45,000 people over the three days of the event.

The organizers were satisfied with this figure, despite the fact that unseasonable bad weather and rain undoubtedly kept fans at home.

Ladies: Win A Date With A Bostrom

0

From a press release issued by SPEED:

SPEED CHANNEL FAST TRACKS I WANNA DATE A RACE CAR DRIVER

NASCAR DRIVER WOOD, SUPERBIKE RACING’S BOSTROM BROTHERS AND ZETA-JONES DOUBLE LEILANI MÜNTER AMONG FIRST TO MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO FANS

SPEED Channel will give race fans a new way to get up close and personal with some of their favorite racers, as the network has signed a deal to produce four one-hour programs offering contestants a chance to win a date with a professional racer.

“We’ve been looking for a way to combine elements of the popular reality genre with our viewers’ passion for racing, but with a fun twist,” said Robert Ecker, SPEED Channel VP of Programming. “This is one of those ideas that seemed a little crazy at first, but that just got more traction as we kicked it around. Drivers have responded enthusiastically, and we’re sure the fans will, too.”

With the working title I Wanna Date a Race Car Driver, the first show is scheduled to air June 9 at 9 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Scott Lasky, a veteran of E! programs including Search Party, Celebrity Adventures, Talk Soup and Wild On.

“Scott brings just the right degree of hip personality to the show,” Ecker added. “He’s quick-witted, funny and very agile at drawing great responses from the drivers and contestants.”

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Jon Wood, AMA Superbike racers Eric and Ben Bostrom and Late Model newcomer Leilani Munter will be the first racers to participate.

“I’ve seen a few reality shows on television but I never thought I’d be the subject of one,” said Wood, a 22-year-old Virginian whose family roots run deep in NASCAR. “This should be pretty entertaining for everybody involved. I’m looking forward to it — it should be a lot of fun.”

Fans from across the country have been sending in three-minute videos explaining, in whatever manner they choose, why they deserve a chance to date a racer. From those tapes, and tapes recorded at multiple events, drivers and a small group of their friends, family members, crew members or someone else of their choosing, will select four contestants. These four contestants will then compete for the date.

Each show will consist of three outrageous events that determine the overall winner. Events will be developed based on the driver’s “wish list” of what he/she is looking for in a potential date. The contestant’s ability to complete and win these events will determine who goes on the date. But watch for additional scoring twists.

“My first thought when they came to me about the show was ‘this is going to be interesting,'” said Ben Bostrom, who just turned 30. “It’s always great to meet new people — even when it goes wrong, it’s fun.”

So, what are the racers looking for? Here’s a hint: On Eric Bostrom’s Web site, the 27-year-old lists his favorite music as “anything from metal to Johnny Cash,” his favorite foods are Italian and Mexican and his philosophy on life is “Do it all NOW.”

And Munter, who has a Biology degree from the University of California/San Diego, has worked as a photo double for actress Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Academy Award winning movie Traffic and America’s Sweethearts. The Minnesota native also worked as a stunt double on Scorpion King and as a band-aide on Almost Famous.

Said Munter, currently a special correspondent for NASCAR.com: “I’m a single girl and who better to find me a date than SPEED? It’s my favorite channel and I was happy to participate.”

The new SPEED Channel show will be produced by Nashville-based High Five Entertainment.

“I Wanna Date A Race Car Driver will reflect the high energy for which SPEED Channel is so well-renowned, by bringing together the vibrant personalities of some of racing’s top drivers with diehard fans of the sport competing in a freewheeling and fun setting, resulting in a new and altogether unique twist on the dating genre,” said Martin Fischer, High Five Entertainment President.

High Five Entertainment (HFE) is an internationally recognized, Emmy Award-winning entertainment production company that specializes in television series, specials, pilots, live events and award shows. HFE has produced over 600 projects worldwide — including eight national television series and a dozen large-scale live award shows. Fans interested in participating in the new program can visit SPEEDTV.com for details.

In 2004, SPEED Channel is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. In addition, SPEED’s weekly programming schedule brings car enthusiast television to Prime Time Monday through Thursday. Now available in more the 65 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.

Updated Post: AMA Teams Busy Testing Tires, Weather

0

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Several AMA teams are currently testing at different tracks – in much different weather conditions – around the United States.

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel and Ben Bostrom and Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke, who are all Dunlop-sponsored, are wrapping up a two-day test today at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, where it was 81 degrees Fahrenheit and partly cloudy at post time, according to weather.com.

American Honda plans on moving over to the Barber Motorsports Park facility for another two-day test starting Thursday, April 22. The weather forecast calls for temperatures of 80 degrees on Thursday and 86 degrees on Friday with a small chance for rain.

Meanwhile, Michelin is starting a two-day test today at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, involving Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom; Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp, Vincent Haskovec and Chris Peris; Butler Machinery’s Robert Jensen; Arclight Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich and several privateers.

The Road America track is currently dry, but the ambient temperature at 12:30 p.m. local time was 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and with a 12 mph wind from the southeast the temperature feels like 36 degrees, according to weather.com.

A weather front is currently moving through Wisconsin and could affect the second day of the Michelin test, if not the end of today’s test session.

On Thursday, April 22, a combined Formula USA National/CCS Regional race event starts at Road America. Weather.com’s forecast calls for low temperatures in the low-to-mid 30s with highs in the mid-50s with a chance for rain on Saturday and Sunday.

The next AMA event starts April 30 – May 2 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.


Update: At approximately 3:30 p.m. local time, Ducati Austin ended its day testing at Road America, telling sources at the scene that it was too cold to get anything accomplished on the track.

AMA Pro Racing Announces New Contest For Best Race-Win Ads

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORTS IN RACE WIN ADVERTISING AT 2004 AWARDS BANQUET

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 22, 2004) — AMA Pro Racing has announced that it will recognize outstanding advertising during its annual AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet in November. Two awards will be given: one for best print ad and one for best TV ad.

The AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet is held at the end of the racing season and is where champions from each form of AMA motorcycle racing are honored.

Kerry Graeber, Vice President, Director of Communications will present the awards and is excited about the new award category. “Motorcycle manufactures as well as leading aftermarket companies that participate in racing make win advertising an important part of their marketing mix and we’re looking forward to recognizing their efforts,” said Graeber. “For companies who race, success on the race track is only part of the equation. Promoting that success through an effective advertising campaign extends the message and can lead to improved sales opportunities, which is, after all, why many companies race in the first place.” Graeber added that any advertising that promotes success in AMA-sanctioned professional motorcycle racing will be eligible for the competition.

Companies wishing to submit their advertising should visit www.amaproracing.com . Participants can enter as many ads as they wish. Each submission requires a separate entry form which is available on-line. Entries can be submitted by the advertiser or its agency of record. There is no fee to enter.

Graeber said ads promoting individual race wins from the 2004 racing season as well as ads promoting a 2003 championship are eligible. “Earning an award for advertising that promotes their racing success will be beneficial to the recipients,” said Graeber. “In addition to announcing the winners at the awards banquet and in subsequent news releases, we’ll also post the winning ads on the AMA Pro Racing web site. This will be like the ads running all over again.”


New Team Name, Sponsor For Formula USA Team Challenge Champions

The Mid-Cities Motorsports Race Team, including team captain Calvin Martinez and riders Dave Ebben and Jesse Janisch, is excited to announce a new name and sponsor. Under new sponsorship by Yocum Motorsports of Germantown, Wisconsin, the team will compete at Road America and the balance of the 2004 race season as Yocum Motorsports Race Team. The Yocum Motorsports Team, sponsors and riders alike, is anxious to grab the throttle and show the competition what it has in the trailer. They are looking forward to a fast and winning season together. Editorial Note: Martinez and Ebben won the overall 2003 Formula USA Team Challenge National Championship as Mid-Cities Motorsports.

AHRMA Waives Post-Entry Surcharges For Sandia Classic

From a press release issued by AHRMA:

Race bargains at New Mexico’s Sandia Classic

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association announces it will waive the post-entry surcharges for roadrace and motocross entries at the May 1-2 Sandia Classic in Albuquerque, N.M.

“We want as many people as possible to experience this wonderful event, and we hope that a few more racers will be encouraged to make the trip if it costs the same to post-enter as it does to pre-enter,” said David Lamberth, AHRMA’s executive director.

Competitors in the May 1-2 Pro-Flo/Progressive Suspension Historic Cup Series roadrace rounds at Sandia Motor Speedway can enter the vintage, Vintage Superbike and modern Sound of Singles/Battle of Twins/Sound of Thunder classes for $50 per class. A complete round of AHRMA’s national series is run each day.

Entries for either the May 1 Northwest Maico & CZ/Pro-Flo post-vintage motocross for machines from 1975 to the early ’80s or the May 2 Speed & Sport vintage MX for pre-’75 motorcycles at Sandia Motocross Park will cost $35 for the first class and $25 for each additional class.

As previously announced, post-entries at the May 2 Classic MotorCycle/Metro Racing dirt track at Hollywood Hills Speedway are just $10 per class.

In all cases, competitors must be members of both AHRMA and the American Motorcyclist Association. Memberships will be available at the track. Pre-entries closed April 16.

For AHRMA information, call 615-851-3674 or visit www.ahrma.org. Details on the Sandia Classic can be found at www.sandiaclassic.net.

AMA Pro Racing Sets The Superbike Stage For Infineon Raceway

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Mladin and Duhamel battle for top dog at Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown

Infineon Raceway hosting AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship doubleheader

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 21, 2004) — Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin and Honda’s Miguel Duhamel will go head-to-head as Infineon Raceway plays host to the top motorcycle road racers in the country, April 30-May 2 for the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown. The weekend, which is presented by Cycle Gear, features rounds four and five of the 18-race AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship.

The stakes are doubly high between Mladin and Duhamel this weekend. It was at Infineon (then called Sears Point Raceway) in 1998 that Duhamel matched the Motorcycle Hall of Famer Fred Merkel’s all-time AMA Superbike wins record. Later that season, Duhamel became the all-time wins leader and held that esteemed record for nearly six years. His record was broken just a few weeks ago when Mat Mladin eclipsed the mark by winning his 27th-career AMA Superbike win at California Speedway.

Duhamel comes into Infineon Raceway as the all-time wins leader at that circuit with four-career AMA Superbike wins on the Sonoma, California track. Duhamel, then riding a Muzzy Kawasaki, won his first race at the track in a last lap thriller over Doug Polen in 1993, but hasn’t tasted victory in the Superbike ranks at Sonoma since 1998. He’s hoping the new Honda CBR1000RR will work well at the picturesque track and carry him to victory once again.

Mladin is the hottest rider in the series. He’s won all three rounds leading up to the Infineon doubleheader and has already established a 24-point lead in the championship points race over Honda’s Superbike newcomer Jake Zemke. Duhamel is a close third in the series. Mladin hopes to duplicate the doubleheader sweep at Infineon he earned last year. The Aussie sensation feels the strengths of his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 plays right into his hand on the twisty 2.32-mile Infineon Raceway.

“Typically a lot of circuits have some decent-length straightaways, which allows the guys with the faster motorcycles to sometimes get involved with a race for the lead,” Mladin explains. “At Infineon Raceway you don’t need the fastest bike, you need the best setup. You also need to be physically fit because there’s no time to rest. Typically, if you get it all right, you can usually win the race by a fair margin. Handling is at a premium.”

This weekend will mark the return to the championship of Mladin’s Suzuki teammate Aaron Yates. The Georgian gets back to action after serving a one-event suspension after a post-crash incident at Daytona. Yates missed both of the Superbike rounds as well as the Supersport race held at Fontana and is way behind in points. Yates joins Mladin and Duhamel as a former Superbike winner at Infineon Raceway.

Local fans will be rooting for the Bostrom brothers Ben and Eric. The Bostroms grew up in the Bay Area racing on dirt track ovals all across Northern California. Both Bostroms are looking for their first AMA Superbike victory at Infineon.

Eric jumped from 26th to fourth in the standings after a strong weekend at California Speedway on his Ducati Austin 999 earlier this month. Northern California has long been a hotbed of Ducati fans. Bostrom said he feels very appreciated by enthusiast of the Italian brand.

“It was pretty rewarding when we went to Fontana, where I went out and ran my 999 street bike around the track with them,” Bostrom said of a Ducati riders group outing. “The enthusiasm from the Ducati fans and the Ducati owners is just unlike anything I’m used to. They are just fanatics. The whole day I was going wide open, and they were really going after it too. They are really into their Ducatis.”

Ducati is looking for its first victory at Infineon since local ace Paul Ritter took a pair of upset wins on his privateer Ducati in 1977 and 1978.

Older brother Ben is still trying to find the combination that earned him the AMA Superbike Championship with Honda in 1998. So far the elder Bostrom brother’s season has been a big disappointment. His bike broke at Daytona and he crashed out of the first race at California Speedway and was fifth in the second race in Fontana. Those results find Bostrom 20th in the series standings. While the championship may be improbable for Bostrom he would be happy to earn his first win in the series since returning to America from World Superbike last year.

A number of privateer teams are breaking through to earn strong finishes in the championship so far this season. Empire Racing Suzuki rider Lee Acree is the leading rider on a non-factory team coming into this weekend’s doubleheader. Acree, a North Carolinian, is a former Superstock winner and current track record holder at Infineon, is ranked fifth in the championship.

The races will be televised on Speed Channel with both rounds being shown back-to-back on Sunday, May 2 starting at 5 p.m. Eastern.

For ticket information on the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

New Incentives For Buell Buyers

From a press release issued by Buell:

THREE BUELL PROMOTIONS GET RIDERS READY FOR SPRING:

Demo Days, Fuel in the Frame for a Year and No Down Payment Programs

MILWAUKEE (April 21, 2004) – Motorcycle enthusiasts who want to experience the adventure of riding Buell motorcycles this spring can take advantage of three promotional offers at participating Buell dealerships.

Motorcyclists who demo ride a Buell motorcycle through May 31, 2004 during Buell Demo Days will receive a free Buell Sling Bag. A valid motorcycle endorsement and proper riding gear are required for the demo ride. The customized sling bag, a $50 retail value, is made from heavy-duty denier fabric with nylon lining and features four individual storage compartments.

Those who purchase a Buell before May 31 will receive free gasoline during the Buell “Fuel in the Frame for a Year” promotion. Fuel in the Frame for a Year will be provided through a $150 Visa Gift Card. The Visa Gift Card is a prepaid card that can be used at millions of worldwide locations. Instead of worrying about rising gas prices, new Buell owners can focus on enjoying the ride. Highway gas mileage averages for the Firebolt and Lightning models are 65 mpg, and the Blast boasts nearly 73 mpg on the highway.

In addition, eligible buyers can also qualify for No Down Payment financing. This option is available through Eaglemark Savings Bank and Harley-Davidson Credit until June 30 on all 2003 and 2004 new, previously untitled Buell motorcycles including Blast.

Riders should stop by their participating Buell dealer or buell.com for full details on all of the Spring promotions.

Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces sport motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.

FGSport: Misano World Superbike Drew More TV Viewers In UK Than MotoGP

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

World Superbike is Number One on UK television


The Superbike World Championship round at Misano, San Marino dominated viewing figures for motorsport programming across the United Kingdom last week with an audience of more than 1.68-million viewers on the BBC. The broadcast also achieved a high share percentage of 14.5%.

What makes the viewing figures even more interesting is that fact that they were achieved during what was an extremely busy weekend of televised motorsport. Other televised events included the opening round of the MotoGP Championship in Welkom, South Africa, the New Zealand round of the World Rally Championship, as well as the Super Racing Weekend in Valencia, Spain.

FGSPORT is the Superbike World Championship rights holders and CEO, Paolo Flammini, said: “We are extremely happy to see the Championship consistently achieving this level of viewership in the UK market. We enjoy a very good relationship with the BBC and they always provide an excellent level of programming. I am certain that they too are delighted with the results our Championship is providing.”

This year’s viewing figures are slightly up on those achieved for same round of the Superbike World Championship last year which were 1.63-million with a share percentage of 12.3%.

The next round of the Championship takes place at Monza from 14 – 16 May, while two rounds of the Championship take place in the UK this year – one at Silverstone from 11 – 13 June and the other at Brands Hatch from 30 July – 1 August.

Rank, Title, Channel, Date, Day, Start, Duration, 000s, TVR(%), Share(%):

1. World Superbikes, BBC2, 18-Apr, Sunday, 14:25, 00:55:00, 1.686 (million), 3.05, 14.52

2. MotoGP, BBC1, 17-Apr, Saturday, 13:05, 00:05:00, 1,447 (million), 2.62, 19

3. World Superbikes, BBC2, 18-Apr, Sunday, 14:00, 00:25:00, 1,320 (million), 2.39, 11.35

4. MotoGP, BBC2, 18-Apr, Sunday, 12:45, 01:15:00, 1,153 (million), 2.09, 10.19

5. World Rally Champ, ITV1, 18-Apr, Sunday, 15:00, 01:00:00, 0.859 (million), 1.55, 6.97

6. Speed Sunday, ITV1, 18-Apr, Sunday, 14:00, 01:00:00, 0.727 (million), 1.32, 6.31

7. GT on 4, CH4, 17-Apr, Saturday, 7:30, 00:30:00, 0.146 (million), 0.27, 5.57

8. Brit Superbikes, Sky Spts 3, 12-Apr, Monday, 13:00, 03:30:00, 0.108 (million), 0.33, 2.02

9. Elite Speedway Lge, Sky Spts 3, 14-Apr, Wednesday, 19:30, 02:00:00, 0.058 (million), 0.17, 0.43

10. V8 Supercars, Five, 12-Apr, Monday, 1:25, 00:50:00, 0.053 (million), 0.1, 2.87

Note: All figures quoted are overnight ratings and have been supplied by the Broadcaster Audience Research Board (BARB).

AMA Pro Racing Announces SPEED Broadcast Schedule For Entire Season

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ANNOUNCES REMAINING 2004 SPEED TV BROADCAST SCHEDULE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 20, 2004) — AMA Pro Racing today announced the SPEED TV broadcast schedule for the balance of the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship season.

As part of SPEED TV’s effort to increase viewership, the network has created a more consistent programming block which will result in an improved overall road racing programming schedule. SPEED TV will broadcast races on the Sunday afternoons of each event weekend and as part of its popular “Two-Wheel Tuesday” program.

The 2004 television package features all remaining AMA road racing events in the Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei and Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme classes. AMA Repsol Superstock racing highlights will also be shown as part of SPEED TV’s Formula Xtreme programming.

“The television package SPEED TV has put together gives us a great degree of overall coverage for 2004,” AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Commercial Development John Farris said. “The new TV package allows for regularly scheduled broadcasts in programming blocks and helps build consistency among our growing fan base.”

The remaining 2004 Superbike broadcast schedule includes live coverage from both rounds at Barber Motorsports Park and Pikes Peak International Raceway. Live coverage continues at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Sunday rounds of double-header weekends at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Road Atlanta, and the season finale at Virginia International Raceway. Races not shown live will be tape-delayed as part of SPEED TV’s Sunday afternoon broadcast schedule.

“Seven live Superbike broadcasts, in addition to the live Daytona 200 coverage we received, give millions of SPEED TV viewers a great chance to experience to excitement of AMA Pro Racing’s top class as it happens,” Farris said. Currently, SPEED is available in nearly 65 million U.S. and Canadian households.

Additionally, SPEED will feature live coverage of Supersport Championship races from Infineon Raceway, Pikes Peak International Raceway and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Races from Road America, Brainerd and Virginia International Raceway will be same-day tape broadcasts with all remaining rounds shown as part of SPEED TV’s “Two-Wheel Tuesday.”

Formula Xtreme races will be coupled with Superstock highlights during the “Two-Wheel Tuesday” lineup or as part of Sunday’s race programming.

For a complete list of the 2004 Speed TV broadcast schedule, visit www.speedtv.com. AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship fans can also follow each race live at www.ussuperbike.com.

REMAINING 2004 AMA CHEVROLETE SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP BROADCAST SCHEDULE

SPEED CHANNEL (ALL TIMES EASTERN AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

TRACK, LOCATION, CLASS, AIR DATE, AIR TIME, LENGTH

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, Supersport, SUN 5/2, 4:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, Superbike, SUN 5/2, 5:00pm, 1 HR

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, Superbike, SUN 5/2, 6:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 5/11, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, Superbike, SAT 5/15, 4:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, Superbike, SUN 5/16, 4:30pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, Supersport, SUN 5/23, 1:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, Superbike, SUN 5/23, 5:30pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, Supersport, TUE 5/25, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, FXreme/Superstock, SUN 5/30, 5:00pm, 1 HR

Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 6/1, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, Supersport, SUN 6/6, 3:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, Superbike, SUN 6/6, 4:00pm, 1 HR

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, Superbike, SUN 6/6, 5:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 6/15, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Brainerd Int’l Raceway, Brainerd, MN, Supersport, SUN 6/27, 3:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Brainerd Int’l Raceway, Brainerd, MN, Superbike, SUN 6/27, 4:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Brainerd Int’l Raceway, Brainerd, MN, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 7/6, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, FXtreme/Superstock, SUN 7/11, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, Superbike, SUN 7/11, 5:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, Supersport, TUE 7/13, 12:00 noon, 1 HR

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH, Supersport, SUN 7/25, 1:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH, Superbike, SUN 7/25, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH, Superbike, SUN 7/25, 3:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 8/3, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, Superbike, SUN 9/5, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, Superbike, SUN 9/5, 3:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, Supersport, TUE 9/7, 1:00pm, 1 HR

Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 9/14, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, Superbike, SUN 9/19, 2:00pm, 1 HR

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, Superbike, SUN 9/19, 3:00pm, 1 HR – LIVE

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, Supersport, SUN 9/19, 6:00pm, 1 HR – SDD

Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA, FXtreme/Superstock, TUE 9/28, 2:00pm, 1 HR

SDD = SAME DAY DELAY

World Superbike Promoters Happy With Misano Attendance

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

World Superbike Championship 2004
Round 3 Misano Adriatico 16-18 June 2004


ATTENDANCE

The third round of the Superbike World Championship in Misano Italy, attracted an attendance of 45,000 people over the three days of the event.

The organizers were satisfied with this figure, despite the fact that unseasonable bad weather and rain undoubtedly kept fans at home.

Ladies: Win A Date With A Bostrom

From a press release issued by SPEED:

SPEED CHANNEL FAST TRACKS I WANNA DATE A RACE CAR DRIVER

NASCAR DRIVER WOOD, SUPERBIKE RACING’S BOSTROM BROTHERS AND ZETA-JONES DOUBLE LEILANI MÜNTER AMONG FIRST TO MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO FANS

SPEED Channel will give race fans a new way to get up close and personal with some of their favorite racers, as the network has signed a deal to produce four one-hour programs offering contestants a chance to win a date with a professional racer.

“We’ve been looking for a way to combine elements of the popular reality genre with our viewers’ passion for racing, but with a fun twist,” said Robert Ecker, SPEED Channel VP of Programming. “This is one of those ideas that seemed a little crazy at first, but that just got more traction as we kicked it around. Drivers have responded enthusiastically, and we’re sure the fans will, too.”

With the working title I Wanna Date a Race Car Driver, the first show is scheduled to air June 9 at 9 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Scott Lasky, a veteran of E! programs including Search Party, Celebrity Adventures, Talk Soup and Wild On.

“Scott brings just the right degree of hip personality to the show,” Ecker added. “He’s quick-witted, funny and very agile at drawing great responses from the drivers and contestants.”

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Jon Wood, AMA Superbike racers Eric and Ben Bostrom and Late Model newcomer Leilani Munter will be the first racers to participate.

“I’ve seen a few reality shows on television but I never thought I’d be the subject of one,” said Wood, a 22-year-old Virginian whose family roots run deep in NASCAR. “This should be pretty entertaining for everybody involved. I’m looking forward to it — it should be a lot of fun.”

Fans from across the country have been sending in three-minute videos explaining, in whatever manner they choose, why they deserve a chance to date a racer. From those tapes, and tapes recorded at multiple events, drivers and a small group of their friends, family members, crew members or someone else of their choosing, will select four contestants. These four contestants will then compete for the date.

Each show will consist of three outrageous events that determine the overall winner. Events will be developed based on the driver’s “wish list” of what he/she is looking for in a potential date. The contestant’s ability to complete and win these events will determine who goes on the date. But watch for additional scoring twists.

“My first thought when they came to me about the show was ‘this is going to be interesting,'” said Ben Bostrom, who just turned 30. “It’s always great to meet new people — even when it goes wrong, it’s fun.”

So, what are the racers looking for? Here’s a hint: On Eric Bostrom’s Web site, the 27-year-old lists his favorite music as “anything from metal to Johnny Cash,” his favorite foods are Italian and Mexican and his philosophy on life is “Do it all NOW.”

And Munter, who has a Biology degree from the University of California/San Diego, has worked as a photo double for actress Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Academy Award winning movie Traffic and America’s Sweethearts. The Minnesota native also worked as a stunt double on Scorpion King and as a band-aide on Almost Famous.

Said Munter, currently a special correspondent for NASCAR.com: “I’m a single girl and who better to find me a date than SPEED? It’s my favorite channel and I was happy to participate.”

The new SPEED Channel show will be produced by Nashville-based High Five Entertainment.

“I Wanna Date A Race Car Driver will reflect the high energy for which SPEED Channel is so well-renowned, by bringing together the vibrant personalities of some of racing’s top drivers with diehard fans of the sport competing in a freewheeling and fun setting, resulting in a new and altogether unique twist on the dating genre,” said Martin Fischer, High Five Entertainment President.

High Five Entertainment (HFE) is an internationally recognized, Emmy Award-winning entertainment production company that specializes in television series, specials, pilots, live events and award shows. HFE has produced over 600 projects worldwide — including eight national television series and a dozen large-scale live award shows. Fans interested in participating in the new program can visit SPEEDTV.com for details.

In 2004, SPEED Channel is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. In addition, SPEED’s weekly programming schedule brings car enthusiast television to Prime Time Monday through Thursday. Now available in more the 65 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.

Updated Post: AMA Teams Busy Testing Tires, Weather

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Several AMA teams are currently testing at different tracks – in much different weather conditions – around the United States.

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel and Ben Bostrom and Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke, who are all Dunlop-sponsored, are wrapping up a two-day test today at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, where it was 81 degrees Fahrenheit and partly cloudy at post time, according to weather.com.

American Honda plans on moving over to the Barber Motorsports Park facility for another two-day test starting Thursday, April 22. The weather forecast calls for temperatures of 80 degrees on Thursday and 86 degrees on Friday with a small chance for rain.

Meanwhile, Michelin is starting a two-day test today at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, involving Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom; Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp, Vincent Haskovec and Chris Peris; Butler Machinery’s Robert Jensen; Arclight Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich and several privateers.

The Road America track is currently dry, but the ambient temperature at 12:30 p.m. local time was 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and with a 12 mph wind from the southeast the temperature feels like 36 degrees, according to weather.com.

A weather front is currently moving through Wisconsin and could affect the second day of the Michelin test, if not the end of today’s test session.

On Thursday, April 22, a combined Formula USA National/CCS Regional race event starts at Road America. Weather.com’s forecast calls for low temperatures in the low-to-mid 30s with highs in the mid-50s with a chance for rain on Saturday and Sunday.

The next AMA event starts April 30 – May 2 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.


Update: At approximately 3:30 p.m. local time, Ducati Austin ended its day testing at Road America, telling sources at the scene that it was too cold to get anything accomplished on the track.