Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth is continuing his policy of seeking expertise from outside the motorcycle industry, announcing a new undefined TV deal with IMS Productions, Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s TV production company, and portraying the deal as the beginning of a “strategic alliance” with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. That doesn’t mean he’s made a deal for Indy to host an AMA Supercross race, however.

During his tenure at AMA Pro Racing, Hollingsworth has consistently rejected expertise and advice from within the motorcycle industry–which he apparently does not understand and does not respect–in favor of working with car guys, especially car guys associated in some form with the Indy Racing League.

The new deal may be fitting, given the pending 2003-season IRL vs. CART-type split of the hugely successful Supercross Series currently promoted by Clear Channel Motor Sports (formerly SFX Motor Sports, formerly PACE Motor Sports)under AMA sanction. In 2003, Clear Channel’s existing Supercross Series events will compete head-on with a new AMA series of events promoted by Jam Productions, a Chicago-based concert promoter with no motorsports event experience.

Contact information for an AMA Pro Racing press release on the subject also revealed that Hollingsworth has hired a new Los Angeles-based public relations agency.

The AMA release follows:

AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the U.S., and its new Supercross promotional partner, JamSports, today announced a strategic alliance with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation (IMS).

Initially, IMS Productions, the corporation’s broadcast arm and video-production company, will work with AMA Pro Racing and JamSports to develop and execute long-term television plans for the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship, beginning with the 2003 season. The three organizations also will collaborate to cross-market AMA Supercross and other AMA Pro Racing series with the Indy Racing League and other IMS motorsports properties.

“IMS Productions has tremendous experience in producing racing broadcasts,” said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Our alliance with AMA Pro Racing will benefit both organizations — and since Indy Racing and AMA Supercross share fans, we’re confident that both sports will grow as a result.”

“Partnering with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation was our number-one choice,” said Mike Held, a JamSports principal responsible for television and marketing. “Mr. George’s commitment to motorsports, in all its forms, is unparalleled, and IMS Productions’ experience in building brands through television packages for The Indy 500, The Brickyard 400 and The Formula One U.S. Grand Prix provides a solid foundation for the future of our television product. With that support behind us, we believe that AMA Supercross will get the attention it deserves.”

Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing, added: “IMS Productions’ position in the market is an invaluable asset that positions us for some big moves in television. Having a partner with the reputation and resources of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation will help advance the AMA Pro Racing brand, as well as our vision for professional motorcycle racing.”

The 2003 AMA Supercross season will consist of 16 events in stadiums across the United States. The 2003 AMA U.S. Supercross Championship will begin in Los Angeles, visit many of the major media markets in the country, and conclude in New York, where the champion will be crowned.

Beginning with the 2003 season, IMS Productions will work with AMA Pro Racing and JamSports in other facets of television marketing and broadcast agreements. IMS Productions will also aid in the design and development of AMA Pro Racing broadcasts, including talent selection and support programming.

About IMS Productions

IMS Productions is a full-service television production company, featuring an all-digital mobile unit, studios and editing facilities. The company has produced the world feed for the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race since 1988, and every Indy Racing League telecast to date in conjunction with ABC Sports. It also produces the host feed for the SAP United States Grand Prix Formula One race and the ABC broadcast of the race.

The company has successfully produced other sports and entertainment feature programming as well, such as college basketball and professional hockey. In addition, IMS Productions has provided facilities for the FOX and CBS networks for professional sports broadcasts, as well as concerts and game show broadcasts.

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for professional motorcycle sport in the United States. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

Aprilia President Ivano Beggio will reveal a new 2002 MotoGP racebike to the press on December 6, at the Bologna motor show.

Press invitations to the presentation did not reveal any details, and it is unknown whether or not Beggio will be showing an Aprilia four-stroke to the press at Bologna.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

First Person/Opinion

By John Ulrich

AMA Pro Racing’s much heralded news rules comment procedure is little more than an attempt to create the illusion of participation by and communication with the people who actually race with AMA, the riders, mechanics and team owners.

The AMA Pro Racing press release announcing the new procedure, issued on September 12, was headlined “AMA Pro Racing creates open forum for two-way communication regarding new racing rules.”

The release continued, “AMA Pro Racing announced today the creation of a new forum for two-way communication with the racing community, an avenue that provides racers with the means to review and comment on proposed changes regarding racing rules….The proposed rules changes can be viewed at AMA Pro Racing’s new racing community website…This website is password protect for exclusive use by AMA Pro Racing credentialed riders, team owners and managers, mechanics and other key industry members….The comment period serves as the official forum for AMA Pro Racing participants to communicate their thoughts and reactions to the proposed rules changes, and comments are encouraged. This new venue for two-way communication is the first in a series of anticipated changes in the rules-making process designed to engage the racing community in an early and more active role in the process.”

The release went on to explain “The catalyst for this newly formalized means of active communication is an outgrowth of a six-month consulting study by former Indy Racing League executive director Leo Mehl for the expressed purpose of enhancing consensus and participation within the racing community. Mehl gathered input from participants of each AMA Pro Racing discipline and melded that with the best practices from other race sanctioning bodies in his recommendations.

“On a regular basis, rules changes are proposed, drafted and recommended to and by AMA Pro Racing Competition Advisory Boards in each racing discipline. These advisory boards consist of riders, mechanics, other team members, manufacturer representatives and promoters. These boards meet quarterly to discuss potential rules changes for proposal to the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors.”

Even ignoring the fact that at least one rule change first posted for comment on September 14 had actually been put into practice in June, without comment, the entire process remains flawed. To start with, the Road Racing Advisory Board is non-representative, stacked with factory team representatives who seem more interested in convenient parking of their semi-trucks than in the greater good of the majority of the paddock. Nobody racing in Pro Thunder or 750cc Supersport is included, and all the members are hand-picked by the AMA Director of Professional Competition.

But the biggest indicator that the system is fatally flawed is the fact that nowhere in the proposed rules changes for 2002 is there any mention or discussion or consideration of the need for unrestricted Thursday practice, despite the fact that 133 Pro Racing participants—76 licensed racers and 57 team owners, mechanics and crew members—signed petitions in support of unrestricted Thursday practice, with copies going to every member of the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors as well as being delivered to the Road Racing Advisory Board at Brainerd, in July.

The signatories included a who’s who of non-factory team owners, managers, crew chiefs, mechanics and crew members. Rich Oliver of Team Oliver Yamaha. Chuck Graves of Graves Yamaha. Richard Stanboli of Attack Suzuki. Carry Andrew and Landers Sevier of Corona Ebsco Suzuki. Keith Perry of Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki. Gary Ricci of Ricci Motorsports. James Siddall of Corbin Yamaha. Brian Turfrey of PJ1 Techstar Team Turfrey. Tom Montano of Munroe Motors Ducati. Jeff Nash of AMS Ducati. Henry Duga of Buell. That group alone accounted for first, second and third in the 2001 AMA 250cc Grand Prix Championship; first, second and third in the 2001 AMA Formula Xtreme Championship; first, second and third in the 2001 AMA 750cc Supersport Championship; and first, second and third in the 2001 AMA Pro Thunder Championship.

Yet despite support from the men who run the teams that took the top three positions in four out of six AMA Pro Racing Championships in 2001, the proposal to allow unrestricted Thursday practice apparently didn’t even merit consideration, and never even got to the comment stage.

And instead of even considering the expressed support for unrestricted Thursday practice, AMA Pro Racing has instead actively sought to eliminate Thursday practice altogether for 2002.

Whatever that is, it isn’t “two-way communication” and it isn’t “active communication.”

What it is, is the same old BS in a new package, providing the look of change without actually delivering change.

And another convincing argument for the total overhaul of AMA Pro Racing, from the top down.



See related posts:

7/28/01, Who Attended AMA Road Racing Advisory Board Meeting At Brainerd Friday Evening

7/28/01, 76 AMA Pro Racers And 57 Team Owners And Crew Members Support Thursday Practice Opposed By Factory Few

Former racer David Sadowski, racer Steve Rapp and former racer (and current stuntman) Tom McComas are in italy working on a World Superbike-theme movie directed by American Jeff Jensen, according to an e-mail from McComas.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary during the final weekend of the 2001 WSMC season, December 15-16 at Willow Springs International Raceway.

Racers will have a chance to win commemorative 10-year anniversary plaques and winners of Expert races that do not feature a cash purse will be awarded a certificate for a free Saturday practice in 2002.

In addition, the top five finishers in each of the three Novice classes will be awarded free Saturday practice certificates with a sixth certificate being given away in a drawing for the 11th through 20th place finishers in the Novice classes.

The overall WSMC Championship is still to be decided at the December round with Chuck Graves, Jeremy Toye and Brian Kovarick in contention. Also, the top 10 overall Championship finishers are still to be decided. Top-10 finishers receive a free WSMC membership for the following year, a $110 value.

The December Toyota Cup Unlimited Grand Prix Formula One event will also mark the last chance for racers to earn an entry to the annual WSMC drawing for a Toyota Tundra pick-up truck. Top 10 finishers in the race each receive an entry in the drawing. Vincent Haskovec won the Toyota Truck drawing at the 2000-season WSMC awards banquet, held in January 2001.

Each racer at the December WSMC event will be required to bring their helmet to techn inspection on Saturday, December 15.

A new rule will also go into effect at the December WSMC round: Any racer who crashes during the weekend must bring all of his or her riding gear to tech be re-inspected, prior to riding on the track again.

Cruise America Grand Prix Racing’s Jason DiSalvo closed out his 11-month-long 2001 racing season with mixed results, competing in the final two rounds of the Spanish National 250cc Grand Prix Championship on November 18 and 25.

DiSalvo qualified 12th at Valencia on November 17 after having been as high as eighth before crashing out on the damp track. Racing in a field of World Championship regulars, 17-year-old DiSalvo finished 11th on his A-kitted Honda RS250, moving into 12th in the Spanish Championship points standings.

The next weekend it was off to Jerez for the New York teenager. DiSalvo quickly got up to speed with top-10 practice times early in the event before qualifying 11th for the final race of the season. DiSalvo hoped to finish well enough in the final race to move up into the top 10 in points in the Spanish series. Unfortunately, DiSalvo was collected in a first-corner pile-up, crashed and was forced to retire with bike damage.

“It was tough luck but that’s all part of racing, I guess,” said DiSalvom quoted in a press release issued by his team. “It’s been a long season but I’ve enjoyed it and learned a lot. I’d like to say a big thanks, not only to my parents and my team, but to all our sponsors who’ve made it possible. Roll on 2002!”

Team owner Jim DiSalvo was quoted in the same release as saying, “We set out on a huge learning curve this year and we’ve achieved a lot of our goals in our first season on 250s. We have a number of options for next season, one of which is to go to the World GPs and we are in positive negotiations with those authorities at present.”

This just in from racer Jeff Wood:

Could you please put a note in Inside Info asking if anyone knows how to get ahold of Chris Wallace of GPRA? I have not received purse money from the Daytona or Willow 250cc GP events ($1000). I spoke to Chris about four times throughout the year, each time he said he had already mailed the check.

Now his phone number is disconnected and his address has changed. I tried e-mailing him and received no response. I get the feeling he is hoping I will just go away without the purse I earned. The worst part is being lied to multiple times this year.

Anything you can do would be a help.

Jeff Wood
347B Pratt St.
Mansfield, MA 02048
(508) 339-5772
FAX (508) 339-5760