U.S. Marshalls Southeast Bureau Chief Marshall Egor Emery is looking to fill his safety staff for the up-coming 12-days of action at Daytona International Speedway, February 27 through March 10, 2002. The on-track activities start with the Team Hammer Advanced Riding School on Wednesday, February 27, runs through the CCS/Formula USA race weekend February 28-March 3, includes the AHRMA Vintage event March 4-5 and concludes with the season-opening round of the AMA National series March 6-10.

Emery says that about 160 workers in total are needed to cover the 12 days with a peak of 60 safety officials needed on March 10, the day of the Daytona 200.

There are various benefits that come with cornerworking at Daytona during Bike Week, including free meals, lodging deals and the opportunity to take some time off during the 12 days to enjoy the beach or other activities.

Emery says that he usually has spots for the AMA weekend filled by February 15 each year, but he would always find a place for highly-qualified late comers.

For more information on working corners at Daytona or at any other racetrack in the country, contact Emery via e-mail at [email protected].

From a press release:

Chris Carr QCCPO Ford Racing Signs David Liles Ethanol Fuels Company As Associate Sponsor For 2002

Revolutionary fuel additive co. signs with defending AMA Flat Track Series champ

FLEETWOOD, Pa., (February 1, 2002) – The Chris Carr Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford Racing Team today announced it has signed David Liles Ethanol Fuels as an associate sponsor.

Carr, the defending AMA/Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Series champion, said that he’s looking forward to a “productive” relationship between his race team and the Florida-based fuel additive company.

“The purpose of this sponsorship is to promote this revolutionary product to the hands-on, mechanically inclined people that follow the great sport of flat track,” said Carr. “Anything that burns gasoline will be enhanced by David Liles Ethanol Fuels. So we’re really excited to have David Liles Ethanol Fuels as part of the Chris Carr Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford Racing Team.”

Chris Carr QCCPOP Ford Racing Team will be the first motorsports sponsorship venture for David Liles Ethanol Fuels. Based out of Oviedo, Fla., David Liles Ethanol Fuels has been in the works for the past eight years and poised to hit the retail market. It’s a privately owned company, specializing in a revolutionary fuel additive that’s applicable to the motorcycle & marine powersports industries, as well as the automotive and trucking industries. David Liles Ethanol Fuels has also caught the attention of some big time industry players, including the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute – which has accepted David Liles Ethanol Fuels as a sponsor – the first fuel additive sponsor that the MMI has OK’d in some 28 years of business.

“We spent six months, eight hours a day proving our product to the MMI,” said David Liles. “And when it was all said and done, the MMI couldn’t believe the effect our product had on the performance levels of their engines. So, within the next ten months, thousands of mechanics in the motorcycle, auto, marine and trucking industries are going to be educated on using our fuel additive.”

Added Carr: “David Liles Ethanol Fuels is a very exciting product for the motorcycle industry, as well as automotive, marine and trucking, and will help any of the gear heads out there to get better performance out of their engines.”

Note: Chris Carr is set to begin his AMA flat track title defense on March 9th at the Daytona Short Track season opener.

From a Ducati press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

SBK Winter Testing – Phillip Island (Australia)

Friday 1 February

BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) QUICKEST IN PHILLIP ISLAND TESTING

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) got his 2002 Superbike campaign off to the best possible start with quickest time in pre-season testing at Phillip Island, Australia, which will host round 2 of the championship on March 24. His Ducati Infostrada teammate Ruben Xaus was right on the pace in second place, while Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) made a further improvement on the final day to slot into fourth, just behind Edwards (Honda).

Windy conditions on Thursday and warm temperatures today (air 30° C/ track 50° C) left Troy as the only rider to set a sub-1:33 time in the official three-day tests, which saw the participation of 11 riders from the factory Ducati, Honda, Aprilia and Kawasaki teams as well as the ‘satellite’ Ducati GSE and Ducati DFX squads.

Bayliss, on Michelin tyres, fired off a warning to his championship rivals with a time of 1:32.944, set on the afternoon of day 1, which remained unbeaten Thursday and Friday. “I am really pleased to have set the quickest time at my home track”, declared Troy. “I‘ve never won a world superbike race here but after these three days of tests, in which we found the right set-up and the right tyre, I’m sure I can get a win now in March”.

Xaus, also on Michelins, completed the Ducati Infostrada 1-2 with a time of 1:33.136, set on Friday morning, and the 23-year-old Spanish rider was also delighted to have started off his 2002 season in the best possible way. “The tests here at Phillip Island went really well and I feel very confident for the start of the season”, said Ruben. “Today was good, I did a long run in the morning and set my quickest time of the three days in race trim, which is the important thing, and I can’t wait to start the season”.

Bostrom was the quickest Dunlop runner in the tests with a time of 1:33.377, also set on Friday morning, and the 27-year-old Californian was pleased that he finally managed to get a set-up that was more to his liking on the seaside circuit. “This is not one of my favourite tracks so finishing the tests in fourth place is pretty good. We ironed out most of the grip problems and get a good set-up for the race so today I managed to lap pretty consistently on race rubber”.

The final pre-season test session will be held in Valencia, Spain from February 23-25, while the 2002 championship will get underway at the Spanish track on March 10.

FINAL TIMES:
1. BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:32.944 (207 laps)

2. XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:33.136 (172)

3. Edwards (Honda) 1:33.143 (204)

4. BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) 1:33.377 (205)

5. Hodgson (Ducati GSE) 1:33.443 (280)

6. Haga (Aprilia) 1:33.456 (208)

7. Izutsu (Kawasaki) 1:33.650 (184)

8. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:33.818 (168)

9. Toseland (Ducati GSE) 1:34.201 (257)

10. Antonello (Ducati DFX) 1:35.179 (145)

11. Walker (Kawasaki) 1:35.694 (250)




From a press release issued by SBK, organizers of the Superbike World Championship:

World Superbike Championship
Winter Tests
Phillip Island 1 February 2002.

The final day of Phillip Island testing saw Troy Bayliss at the head of the final timesheets, thanks to his 1:32.944 from the first afternoon session.

Second fastest, less than two tenths of a second behind, was the second Ducati Infostrada rider Ruben Xaus, who had completed so much testing in the previous sessions that he elected to miss the final afternoon of track action.

Also finishing one session early was 2000 season World Champion Colin Edwards, less than two tenths of a second slower than Bayliss, after setting over 200 laps on his Honda. L&M Ducati rider Ben Bostrom ran the top three riders close with his best lap of 1:33.377, set on the morning session of the last day.

Neil Hodgson proved to be the fastest privateer, running his HM Plant Ducati into fifth place on the timesheets, before concentrating his efforts on selecting race tyres during the final sessions. He recorded a massive total of 280 laps over the three days.

Noriyuki Haga ended his first proper fair-weather Aprilia test sixth fastest, one place ahead of his compatriot – and the top Kawasaki finisher – Hitoyasu Izutsu.

Steve Martin suffered a fast highside crash on the exit of turn two during the morning session, and had to sit out the final section of the test. He slipped to eighth quickest overall, but his earlier time was fast enough to head off James Toseland, from the HM Plant squad.

Alessandro Antonello, a faller like his teammate Martin, suffered a high-speed crash at the Hayshed corner, destroying his DFX Ducati Pirelli machine. He was also forced to miss the final session.

Chris Walker, on the second factory Kawasaki, rounded out the Superbike classification.

In the Supersport Championship category Ten Kate Honda rider Pere Riba was entirely dominant, with the Spaniard setting best time in class of 1:35.778. He was over half a second faster than his teammate Fabien Foret in second place, and Riba’s astonishing time was 1.1 seconds inside the existing Supersport circuit record. It was also almost as fast as Chris Walker’s 1:35.694 Superbike time.

Andrew Pitt, the reigning World Champion, was third on his home track, holding off his rejuvenated countryman Chris Vermeulen, from the Van zon Honda team.

James Ellison had the pleasure of being far from the slowest man in his debut official Supersport test, running his Kawasaki to fifth fastest, ahead of Karl Muggeridge and his injured Honda UK team mate John McGuinness.

The next official SBK tests take place at Valencia on 23-25 February.


From a Team Ten Kate press release:

Ten Kate Honda racing on top of the world down under.

The Ten Kate Honda team have signalled their intentions loud and clear during three days of testing down under on Phillip Island, Australia. Pere Riba recorded an incredible time on the last day of testing, fully 1.1 seconds inside the existing Supersport lap record at the windswept circuit. His team mate Fabien Foret wasn’t far behind and was second fastest overall.

Conditions were less than ideal over the period of the test, including high winds and, on the last day when the winds died down, some very hot track temperatures. But despite this the two riders put in an impressive display to dominate proceedings on their Honda CBR600FS machines. Riba’s fastest time of 1:35.778 was truly incredible. Foret was only half a second down on his teammate at 1:36.290.

The Van Zon Honda TKR (Ten Kate Racing) rider Chris Vermeulen, who is also riding a Ten Kate prepared CBR600FS this season, showed his potential by lapping fourth fastest during the tests. Vermeulen looked rejuvenated with a best time of 1:37.056.

Pere Riba was obviously delighted to start the New Year in such fine form, “We’ve all been working so hard during the winter,” explained the Spanish rider, “my times today prove that it’s all been worthwhile. I want to thank my team and also Pirelli, who have done so much to make the Pirelli tyres even better than they already were. It’s all very encouraging for me and the team.”

Considering that before this week Phillip Island hadn’t been a favoured track, Foret’s times were also very impressive. “I haven’t been very comfortable at this track in the past so this has been very important for me,” admitted Foret, “I am much happier with the circuit now. We concentrated on improving the set up of the bike step by step but we still have maybe 5% more to find. I agree with Pere, the tyres are fantastic, Pirelli have done an amazing job this winter improving what was already the best rubber in the series.”

Now the members of the Ten Kate Honda team that travelled to Australia will return to their base in Holland to join their colleagues. Several key personnel have stayed behind to complete work on the 2002 specification bikes. At Phillip Island the team were running 2001 bikes fitted with some parts from the 2002 specification. At the next test in Valencia during 23 – 25 February the full 2002 specification will be used for the first time.

Times
1. Pere Riba 1:35.7
2. Fabien Foret 1:36.2
3. Andrew pitt 1:36.5
4. Chris Vermeulen 1:37.0
5. James Ellison 1:37.2
6. Karl Muggeridge 1:37.7
7. John McGuinness 1:38.5




From a Castrol Honda press release:

Issued: Friday February 1 2002

EDWARDS READY FOR SEASON START

Castrol Honda¹s Colin Edwards was in buoyant mood following three days of testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia this week.

The 2000 World Superbike champion recorded his fastest ever lap around the picturesque venue near Melbourne before declaring the three days a success.

“I’m more than happy with the progress we’ve made,” said Edwards. “We arrived in positive mood after the Kyalami test and then improved the new SP-2 machine even more.

“We found some good settings, especially with the chassis set-up and front forks – even if it did mean a little crash on Thursday as I found the limit with the new front end! We also learnt a little more about the new Michelin tyres we’ll have for this year.

“We’ve made some definite decisions about settings for the year and we’ve got an improved motor on its way so I’m looking forward to the Valencia test in three weeks and the first round there a couple of weeks later.”

Edwards ended the three-day test in Australia with the third fastest time, setting his fastest lap in Thursday morning’s session.

Combined, fastest test times:
1. Troy Bayliss, Australia (Ducati), 1:32.944

2. Ruben Xaus, Spain (Ducati). 1:33.136

3. Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda), 1:33.143

4. Ben Bostrom, USA (Ducati), 1:33.377

5. Neil Hodgson, GB (Ducati), 1:33.443

6. Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Aprilia), 1:33.456

7. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan (Kawasaki), 1:33.650

8. Steve Martin, Australia (Ducati), 1:33.818

9. James Toseland, GB (Ducati), 1:34.201

10. Alessandro Antonello, Italy (Ducati), 1:35.179


From a Aprilia press release:

Aprilia Racing Press Information

FGF Team conclude tests at Phillip Island.

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Japanese ace Noriyuki Haga makes fine 2002 debut on his RSV Mille Superbike.

PHILLIP ISLAND (Australia) Friday 1 February 2002 – The FGF team has concluded its first round of winter tests in Phillip Island (Australia), preparing for the Superbike World Championship all set to start on 10 March in Valencia. This was the first official sortie for Noriyuki Haga. Haga had already got a taste of the RSV’s potential in Valencia last December but, due to terrible weather conditions, it was little more than a test outing. During the thee-day trials, Noriyuki Haga mainly concentrated on learning how to handle the Aprilia RSV and this made it possible to develop the bike to suit his riding style. In any case, he notched up some very interesting times: he did his first fast lap, on racing tyres, in 1:33.456, just three-tenths of a second away from the official track record.

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Up against his adversaries for the first time, Haga put on a good performance, matching the times of his more accredited competitors who were able to benefit from longer experience of the bikes they were riding. In three days, Haga covered 208 laps on the 4,450-metre Phillip Island circuit, mounting up a total distance nine times longer than an actual race! With the team technicians and those of the suppliers Ohlins (suspension) and Dunlop (tyres), Noriyuki worked on perfecting the set-up and the suspension settings, with an eye also on the Australia GP which will be fought out on this track on 24 March. The Japanese rider used two 2001-version bikes which mounted the latest equipment created during the winter by the Racing Department: in particular, a new hub carrier and some new features in the engine.

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For the next meeting, in Valencia (Spain), from 23 to 25 February, Haga will have the new 2002 RSV which he will be using for the Championship. The opening round is all set for 10 March, again in Valencia.

“We’ll be going back home satisfied” said Giacomo Guidotti, Chief Technician at FGF. “We got to within half a second of the world champion’s time and we couldn’t have hoped for more. Haga’s style of riding is very different from that of those who’ve ridden the RSV Mille over the past few years, and we’ve had to adopt some pretty different set-up solutions. We’re happy because Haga has enormous enthusiasm and is determined to get the set-up right: he’s given us some invaluable indications. Language hasn’t been a problem either: with a sort of Anglo-Japanese slang we get by perfectly. Now we’re going back home to assemble the new bikes we’ll be using for the World Championships and for the next tests in Valencia, a circuit for which we have far more references than we have for Phillip Island. We’re going to try and inch up there too.”

“This fast, technical track was just right for me to get an idea of the potential of the Aprilia bike: it’s great!” said Noriyuka Haga. “I’ve spent most of my career on four-cylinder machines but I immediately got to grips with the Italian V2. I found it harder to get used to the set-up, because the RSV Mille is a very special machine, developed by riders who’ve got a very different style from mine. We’ve got off to a good start but I think it’ll take three or four races for me to get totally familiarised with the bike. Once the test was over, I realised I really did make the right choice: with this Aprilia and this team, the sky’s the limit.”

ALL HAGA’S TIMES

Wednesday 30 January: morning 1:34.439, afternoon 1:34.445.

Thursday 31 January: morning 1:34.060, afternoon 1:33.456

Friday 1 February: morning 1:33.818, afternoon 1:33.690

From a press release:

Jupiter Eight will be the official trackside supplier of F&L Race Fuel, in California, for AFM and CCS events. F&L offers many grades of high quality fuel for modern racing motorcycles.

Jupiter Eight is also accepting applications for racing support for the 2002 season. Racers are encouraged to pre-order fuel in order to guarantee availability.

For more information visit www.jupiter8.com or call (818)481-6999. Support inquiries should be sent to [email protected]

From a press release:

AHRMA NATIONALS

PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION HISTORIC CUP SERIES
MOTORCYCLEINDUSTRY.COM SINGLES, TWINS & THUNDER SERIES

March 1-DeLand (FL) Municipal Airport (practice day 2/28)

March 4-5-Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

April 6-7-Hallett (OK) Motor Racing Circuit (practice day 4/5)*

April 27-28-AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days West, Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, CA
(practice day 4/26)*

May 4-5-Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA (practice day 5/3)*

June 8-9-Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC (practice day 6/7)*

June 22-23-Grattan (MI) Raceway Park (track-run practice day 6/2)*

July 20-21-AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington
(practice day 7/19)*

Aug. 17-18-Putnam Park (IN) Road Course*

Sept. 7-8-Sandia Motorsports Park, Albuquerque, NM (practice day 9/6)*

Oct. 5-6-Talladega (AL) Gran Prix Raceway (practice day 10/4)*

Oct. 19-20-North Florida Motorsports Park, Jennings (practice day 10/18)*

Info: www.ahrma.org, 615-851-3674
* 2 complete rounds per weekend


REGIONALS


AHRMA DIXIE CUP ROAD RACE SERIES

March 1-DeLand (FL) Municipal Airport

June 8-9-Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

Oct. 5-6-Talladega (AL) Gran Prix Raceway

Oct. 19-20-North Florida Motorsports Park, Jennings



AHRMA HEROES OF THE HEARTLAND ROAD RACE SERIES

April 6-7-Hallett (OK) Motor Racing Circuit

Sept. 7-8-Sandia Motorsports Park, Albuquerque, NM



AHRMA PACIFIC CROWN ROAD RACE SERIES

April 27-28-Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, CA

May 4-5-Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA



AHRMA MASTERS OF THE MIDWEST ROAD RACE SERIES

June 22-23-Grattan (MI) Raceway Park

July 20-21-Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington

Aug. 17-18-Putnam Park (IN) Road Course

Info: www.ahrma.org, 615-851-3674

World Champion Valentino Rossi’s contract dispute with Honda has apparently ended. From a press release:

Honda Racing News

Roma: February 1, 2002.

Rossi and HRC Reach Agreement

HRC and Valentino Rossi today signed a two-year agreement that will see Rossi race the Honda RC211V four-stroke in the MotoGP World Championship.

Rossi travels to Japan on Saturday to attend the official announcement of the Honda Motor racing plan for 2002, on Monday February 4. The
announcement will be made by Mr. T. Fukui, Senior Managing Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mr. Y. Ikenoya, President of Honda Racing Corporation.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The custom Alpinestars leathers that Kawasaki factory Superbike racer Eric Bostrom donated to the Roadracing World Air Fence* Fund just sold for $3351 in an auction on eBay. Racer Ken Hill and his wife Kristen, owners of Hayward Kawasaki Motorsports, placed the winning bid with less than four minutes remaining in the auction.

Bidding on Bostrom’s leathers started out Friday, January 25 with a minimum bid of $1000 and quickly surpassed our conservative reserve price of $1500. The auction lost momentum through the middle of its seven-day duration and bidding stalled at $2000. However, interest, gauged via e-mail inquiries to Roadracing World requesting information, seemed to indicate that there may be a last-minute rush near the close of the event. In the last 10 minutes of the sale, the high bid shot from $2025 to the final sale price of $3351, in only five bids.

“It was amazing how much the auction went up right there at the end,” said Hill February 1. “We’re the #5 Kawasaki dealer in the country and we’re only a Kawasaki dealer. So, it’s a big deal for us to have Eric Bostrom’s leathers on display here at our place. We’re hoping that we can maybe have Eric in here before the Sears Point AMA race to sign autographs and stuff.”

At post time, the purchase of the leathers had already been completed, and the suit will be shipped out later today.

The next auction to benefit the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund should start within a few hours.

*Air Fence is a trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia.

Custom leather suit maker “Barnacle Bill” Burns has donated a custom-made set of his motorcycle leathers (in road race, flat track, speedway, drag race or street style) to be auctioned off with the proceeds, minus the cost of the eBay service, going to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.

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Burns is offering to make a suit to the specifications of the winning bidder, as if they were a customer ordering one of his standard racer package deals, and Burns says, “The most important suit that I will ever make is the suit that I make for you.”

All of Barnacle Bill’s suits are custom-made from hand-selected 3.0-3.5-ounce leather, feature triple-stitched and glued seams from the inside of the garment to increase durability, come with plastic composite body armor, have optional venting, an optional aerodynamic hump, includes the rider’s name on the front and back and road race suits come with knee sliders. Additional lettering is available at an additional cost.

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Virtually any design, color or combination of colors is available to the winning bidder. And the suit can be made in either a one-piece or two-piece design.

After their bid is received, the winning bidder’s name will be forwarded to Burns by Roadracing World. The bidder and Burns will then begin to work on the winning bidder’s new suit. Burns says that the suit will be ready to wear in approximately four weeks, if not earlier.

“Hurt racers don’t come back as customers,” said former racer Burns on why he is donating a suit to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund. “I’ve hit something solid before, and it doesn’t feel good.”

Custom-made leather suits typically range in cost anywhere from $800 to well over $2000.

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Although leathers are the most effective safety clothing worn by motorcyclists on the street and the racetrack today, sometimes well-made leathers are not enough. As a result, the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund was established to raise money to purchase and deploy Air Fence* and Air Module soft barriers to protect crashed riders from hitting walls and other hard objects at racetracks.

To go directly to the auction on eBay, click here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1802522825

*Air Fence is a trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia

From a press release:

AMA PRO RACING LAUNCHES LICENSED MERCHANDISE PROGRAM WITH SIGNING OF OFFICIAL LICENSEE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the U.S., has launched an officially licensed merchandise program, bringing a new level of authenticity to race fans. An official line of AMA Pro Racing products will be produced, giving race fans the opportunity to display their passion for each of the company’s U.S. Championship racing brands.

The program kicks off with the announcement of a three-year licensing deal with the Rock Hill, S.C.-based Wateree Sports Group who will produce an officially licensed product and apparel line for AMA Pro Racing. The lineup will include series apparel for all AMA U.S. Championships, as well as merchandise for various teams and riders.

“Introducing an official merchandise program of this caliber is one more way we are building on the growing awareness of AMA motorcycle racing. Our long-term goal of this program is to increase the exposure and level of professionalism for the participants in each of our Championship series. Most importantly, race fans will be able to support their favorite forms of two-wheel racing with the authentic products that will be available to them,” said Chris Bradley, AMA Pro Racing associate vice president of commercial development.

Race fans will find the new line of official AMA Pro Racing products at multiple distribution points this year, including several AMA U.S. Motocross, Superbike and Flat Track Championship events. At the races products will be for sale under the roof of Wateree’s newly created, 18-wheel interactive merchandise tractor-trailer, and soon online via amaproracing.com.

Located in the heart of NASCAR country, Wateree Sports Group has extensive experience in merchandise distribution and corporate identity programs. The company’s impressive list of corporate clients includes General Mills, Sprint and Conseco Financial Services; Winston Cup drivers Kyle Petty, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones; and retired drivers and teams owners A.J. Foyt and 7-time Winston Cup Champion Richard Petty.

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with AMA Pro Racing on developing and implementing its officially licensed merchandise program,” said Scott Clyburn, president, Wateree Sports Group. “Wateree’s experience in creating merchandise programs in NASCAR, combined with the AMA Pro Racing brand, will create a new level of awareness for the riders, manufacturers and sponsors. By creating a merchandise venue by which riders, teams and manufacturers may participate, we will increase value for the sport, but most importantly, for the fan.”

Jim Hannigan, vice president of licensing for Petty Enterprises said, “Wateree Sports Group has become a single source for Petty Enterprises to depend on for its merchandising needs. Wateree’s NASCAR experience will help AMA Pro Racing build a successful program for the teams, riders and fans.”

According to Bradley, it was the scope of Wateree’s experience and capabilities that made the company an ideal partner. “Wateree Sports Group provides us with a turnkey solution for this venture. The company has a history of executing high-visibility licensing programs. Combine that with its high quality in-house production, distribution and fulfillment capabilities, and it makes for an obvious choice,” said Bradley.

For more information on how to become involved in this exciting new merchandise program, contact Wateree Sports Group’s Jeff Reeves at (803) 327-2776.



(Editorial background note: Not stated in the release is the fact that Wateree and AMA Pro Racing take 85% of the retail sales generated by the sale of merchandise featuring a professional rider and team, leaving 15% for the rider and team to share. On the other hand, Wateree must cover all operational costs, including a sales 18-wheeler at all races, product artwork, design and manufacturing.)