Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The November 6 announcement that AMA Pro Racing ended a long-standing partnership in Supercross with race promoter Clear Channel Entertainment/Motorsports (formerly SFX Motorsports and PACE Motorsports) in favor of a new deal with Jam Sports, a division of Jam Productions, was a shock to many in the motorcycle industry. After a 27-year relationship that has seen Supercross grow to become the most valuable motorcycle racing property in America, if not the world, AMA Pro Racing’s Board of Directors decided that they could do better with a company that has no known motorsports event promotion experience. Jam Sports’ Larry Solter, listed on the AMA Pro Racing press release as a contact for Jam Sports, did not accept our phone calls seeking additional information. So we called Clear Channel to get the company’s reaction to the announcement and got right through.

“It’s pretty much business as usual for us,” said Dan Krolczyk, Senior Director of Motorcycle Marketing and Promotions for Clear Channel Entertainment/Motorsports. “It’s certainly not what we had hoped for. It’s not the direction everyone around here wanted to proceed in. We will probably make a full-blown statement within a week, but there’s not really a lot of reactionary statement. The sanctioning body said that they want to produce a Supercross series with a different promoter.

“We’ve been trying to continue the relationship. As Charlie Mancuso (President of Clear Channel Entertainment/Motorsports) said at the Las Vegas Supercross banquet (held in May 2001), ‘We’ve been in business with them (AMA) for 27 years, and we hope to be in business with them for another 27 years.’ That’s what Charlie said in front of the entire motorcycle industry at the banquet.

“I really have no idea what the Jam Productions guys are offering them that we aren’t. I only have about as much information as you guys have and that we’ve all seen in the press release. We’re really not sure and really can’t see what tangible benefits they (Jam Productions) have. I’m personally unaware of any involvement they (Jam) have in motorsports. They may have (involvement in motorsports). In our day-to-day operations, we try to be familiar with what everyone else is doing. I’m familiar with most of our competition, but that name hasn’t surfaced as a (motorsports) competitor until yesterday. (laughs) Obviously, our competition is everything from Blockbuster Video and the Monsters, Inc. movie. Our competition is entertainment. So they’ve been a competitor as far as producing concerts and theatrical and putting consumers into venues in some way, shape or form. I’m certainly unaware of any motorsports involvement.

“We’ve been producing and promoting the Supercross series for 27 years, and we expect to continue to produce a Supercross series. Obviously, we’re moving forward with our 2002 plans and beyond…well beyond. We’re doing the 2002 season. We’re doing the 2003 and we expect to move onward and upward beyond that. We have long-term agreements and actual relationships with all of our venues. If we have to do 2003 with Formula USA as a sanctioning body, we’ll do it. We’ll do it well, and we will succeed. Competition isn’t anything new to us. We’ve been through it before.”

Krolczyk then pointed out that as we spoke, Clear Channel was preparing for three F-USA-sanctioned Arenacross events and a Freestyle Motocross competition for this coming weekend alone and that the 2002 EA Sports Supercross season is already at 140 percent ticket sales over what it was this time last year.

“You know, this all may not happen,” said Krolczyk. “As far as I know, all they have (AMA Pro Racing and Jam Productions) is a letter of intent. I may have a letter of intent to go to dinner with you, but we may not when it comes down to it.”

This just in from noted rocket scientist, Dr. Rob Tuluie, PhD.:

Don’t you know, the center of the (road racing) universe is everywhere, at any point! This according to the big bang theory of the evolution of the universe. Lake Elsinore is just a local density fluctuation :-))

Best regards,
Rob

Dr. Robin Tuluie
Test Consulting Engineer
Vehicle Dynamics and Motorsports Division
MTS Systems Corporation

From an AMA press release, sent via e-mail and also in a printed folder sent via FedEx yesterday, while negotiations with Clear Channel were still ongoing:

AMA Pro Racing Announces New Partner for AMA U.S. Supercross Championship Series Commencing 2003 Season

PICKERINGTON, OHIO–AMA Pro Racing has selected JamSports and Entertainment as its new promoter partner for the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship Series commencing with the 2003 season and extending through the 2009 season. JamSports is a division of Chicago-based Jam Productions, the largest independent producer of live events in North America.

The decision was made by the Board of Directors of AMA Pro Racing after evaluating proposals from several companies, including ClearChannel Entertainment, the current promoter of AMA Supercross events. This current promotional agreement between Clear Channel and the AMA expires at the end of the 2002 season.

“We’d like to thank Clear Channel Entertainment for its significant contributions to AMA Supercross over the past several years,” said Scott Hollingsworth, Chief Executive Officer of AMA Pro Racing. “The board felt this was the appropriate time to take a long, hard look at our expectations for the future of AMA Supercross and, in particular, the type of relationship we should develop with our business partners. Several proposals were considered, but JamSport’s stood out, as did the quality of executive firepower they were prepared to commit to the future of the sport.”

Mark Tuttle, chairman of the AMA Pro Racing board of directors added, “I am pleased that after considering a variety of complex issues, at the end of this arduous process the board of directors reached a decision regarding the best long-term alternative without dissension.”

Jerry Mickelson, a principal of JamSports, stated, “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with the AMA and AMA Pro Racing and appreciate the trust they have shown us by placing part of their 75 years of racing history in our hands. Our objectives are to deliver powerful and successful live events along with great television coverage–the platform for turning AMA Supercross riders into household names. We expect to provide the manufacturers and sponsors value for their investment beyond their highest expectations.”

Tony Dimitriades, also a principal in JamSports, added, “We are convinced that the growth of Supercross is best accomplished by strengthening even further the relationship among all participants, by respecting the differing points of view and recognizing the contribution of each.”

The 2003 season will feature a 16-race schedule at stadiums in major markets, including some major media markets not currently on the AMA Supercross schedule. Early confirmation of some events for the 2003 season will be made in coming weeks and a ground-breaking new television agreement is under development.

The 2002 season of AMA EA Sports Supercross presented by Speed Stick kicks off on Saturday, January 5, at Edison Field in Anaheim, California, in what’s sure to be another exciting year of racing. Go to www.ticketmaster.com for information regarding ticket availability.

Founded in 1924, the American Motorcyclist Association is a 270,000- member non-profit organization. The association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA Web site atwww.AMADirectlink.com, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for professional motorcycle sport in the United States. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, please contact Connie Fleming at (614) 856-1900.

JamSports is the sports division of Chicago-based JamProductions, the largest independent producer of live events in North America. For more information on JamSports, please contact Larry Solters at (213)639-6169.

A BRIEF LOOK AT AMA SUPERCROSS AND JAMSPORTS

Respective Roles

As the AMA Supercross championship enters its 28th year in 2002, AMA Pro Racing will continue to manage race operations, rules making and all other sporting functions. The 2003 season and beyond will see AMA Pro Racing undertake a significantly expanded role in which it will manage the marketing and television exposure for the series. Only by taking a more active role in these two important areas can the sanctioning body ensure the commercial development of the sport is shared among the stakeholders in a balanced manner. When teams, riders, promoters and the sanctioning body are healthy a sport can prosper, and balancing the often-competing objectives of these stakeholder groups–along with fans–is the role of an independent sanctioning body.

AMA Pro Racing has already found a high degree of success in attracting non-motorcycle-industry sponsors such as Chevy Trucks, Mazda, Speed Stick, EA Sports, Progressive Insurance, and MBNA to its championships, and expects to continue this trend. AMA Pro Racing and JamSports will work closely together to determine the most effective means to generate further corporate interest in the sport and, when necessary, seek out other partners who can contribute to the commercial growth of the series, its teams and riders. Through the management of marketing and television, AMA Pro Racing can address the needs of team sponsors at events and during the broadcast, a powerful combination that will lead to new opportunities for all.

JamSports’ role has been tailored to its strengths — the production and promotion of live events and the development of stronger ties to the music and entertainment industries. JamSports’ experience in managing large tours in stadiums throughout the U.S. and internationally ensures AMA Supercross will maintain access to all major venues, including those currently on the schedule. JamSports intends to deliver a highly entertaining environment for fans, with new twists to extend the evening’s festivities, and provide several forms of entertainment.

JamSports principals’ extensive contacts in the music, television and motorsports areas are expected, over time, to provide unparalleled opportunities to cross-promote the sport to new audiences. Leading this charge will be Tony Dimitriades, currently the manager for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, among other entertainers. Tony’s experience developing and extending the careers of his clients will serve well the stars of AMA Supercross — its riders.

JamSports will also manage, with significant input from AMA Pro Racing, the merchandising surrounding the Supercross series. It is the intent of both parties to create a collaborative merchandising campaign with the teams and riders, providing a common mechanism for the distribution of approved Supercross, team and rider licensed goods at events and other channels of distribution. We expect this effort to add significant value to participants over time, especially those outside the top five who have relatively fewer opportunities.

The vision shared by JamSports and AMA Pro Racing was extremely important in the decision making process. In managing the careers of its artists and racing driver clients, JamSports’ perspective on the competing interests of promoters and participants is entirely consistent with AMA Pro Racing’s perspective. The structure of the agreement between the parties provides incentives for both to build and develop the AMA Supercross brand while including the teams and riders in the growth of the sport.

PERSONNEL PROFILES

AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing personnel assigned to this project and the responsibilities they will hold include:

Scott Hollingsworth
Scott Hollingsworth, chief executive officer, will continue to manage the daily affairs of the sanctioning body, including both racing and commercial operations. During his tenure, AMA Pro Racing has expanded its available resources, hired high-profile personnel, increased televised hours in Flat Track and Superbike racing, devoted significant resources to safety improvements and increased rider payouts. He will continue to maintain primary responsibility over long-term planning for the organization, including further strategic partnering. Prior to joining AMA Pro Racing, Hollingsworth worked for 12 years as an investment banker, later serving the motorsports and broader sports market. He has an undergraduate degree in economics from LSU and an MBA from Hofstra University in New York.

John Farris
John Farris, Vice President of Commercial Development, will be primarily responsible for the management of this important project. Farris will collaborate with our business partners in Supercross. Farris joined AMA Pro Racing in April, coming from General Motors where he was marketing manager for the company’s highest volume brand, Chevrolet Silverado. While there, he orchestrated the cooperative efforts that brought financial support from Chevy Trucks to individual race teams and entire AMA racing series partnerships that introduced significant levels of sponsorship from a high-profile, well-respected outside industry source. Since joining AMA Pro Racing John has played an instrumental role in maintaining crucial commercial relationships with sponsors, the media and promoters. John has ridden and raced motorcycles nearly all his life, owns eight motorcycles today and, on occasion, still competes in motocross. John holds a degree from Central Michigan University.

Chris Bradley
Chris Bradley, Associate Vice President Commercial Development, will expand his role in the execution of marketing programs, an area where he has played a significant role in creating value for sponsors by integrating their event and television presence. Chris is currently leading the development of a merchandising strategy for several AMA U.S. championships, and will assume greater responsibility for helping the commercial development of the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship Series to move forward. Before joining AMA Pro Racing, Bradley worked as an analyst with Andersen Consulting, and also as a marketing associate with the Department Of Athletics at Ohio State University, where he interfaced with America West airlines, Huntington Banks, Shell Gas and Oil, Kroger Food Co., and AAA Auto. Chris earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University with a double major in marketing and management information systems, and received his Master of Arts from Ohio State University, with a major in sport management, emphasis on sponsorship/marketing.

Industry Liaison
AMA Pro Racing expects to open an office in the Los Angeles area to better serve the needs of its stakeholders. This person will act as the key contact person for the companies within the motorcycle industry. Additionally, this person will serve as liaison with any agency relationship that may subsequently develop.

JamSports

The following is an abbreviated listing of key individuals within JamSports, the responsibilities they hold, and a brief description of related promotional experience:

Jerry Mickelson
Event Production and Promotion; Routing; Venue Relations; Merchandising Opportunities

Jerry Mickelson and his partner Arny Granat have been producing and promoting concerts, sporting events, theatrical productions and special events since 1971, when they co-founded Jam Productions, which is today, the largest independent event promoter in North America. Jam is a privately held company headquartered in Chicago, with offices in Minneapolis, Seattle and Los Angeles. Jam employs more than 70 people who produce approximately 1,000 events per year. The company’s annual revenue exceeds $100 million. Mickelson has produced live events in stadiums across the country, including the Superdome in New Orleans, the Metrodome in Minneapolis, the TWA Dome in St.Louis and the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, as well as stadiums in Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. These events involved musical acts such as the Rolling Stones and Madonna, mayoral and gubernatorial inaugurations, and sporting events. Jam’s stature and reputation continue to gain it access to the best venues in the best cities in North America and around the world. Jam’s corporate client list includes Phillip Morris, IBM, the Archdiocese of Chicago, Ameritech, Inland Steel, Kraft, Motorola, Nike, Mills Corporation, and S.C.Johnson.

Tony Dimitriades
Brand Development; New Technologies and E-Commerce; Merchandising and Entertainment Industry Liaison

Tony Dimitriades is regarded as one of the most experienced, successful and respected personal managers in the music industry. He started his career as an attorney in the UK, specializing in entertainment, commercial and constitutional law. Since moving to America in 1975, he has managed the careers of numerous high-profile artists, including a more than 25-year management relationship with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which continues today. Through out his career Tony has managed or worked with many music industry notables, including Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Yes, The Cars, Joni Mitchell, Billy Idol, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. In 1988, he was one of three managers responsible for the creation of the Traveling Wilburys, which included former Beatle George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and ELO leader Jeff Lynne. Tony has earned the reputation as a manager who challenges the status quo and whose main priority is always the long-term career of his artists. He and his clients have produced tours grossing hundreds of millions of dollars, including some of the largest grossing tours ever, in venues on every continent. He has been a principal of East End Management since 1988 and most recently added corporate consulting to his responsibilities, with clients including MP3.com, which became the world’s largest Internet music site before being acquired by Vivendi.

Michael Held
Sponsorship Development; Event and Consumer Promotions; Strategic Alliance Development; Business to Business Opportunities

Michael Held has been actively involved in professional motorsports for more than 15 years. He has represented sponsors, drivers and owners, serving as their guide to professional motorsports while raising more than $70 million in sponsorship revenues. Held co-owned NASCAR and CART teams with driver Robby Gordon in 1999 and 2000. A mechanical engineer, Held began his career in 1985 working with B.F. Goodrich in the racing tire division, creating a grass-roots sales program still in existence. In 1987 Held became the director of racing for Bell Helmets and in 1990 was hired by competitor Simpson Race Products as a vice president. In 1990, Held earned the Louis Schwitzer Award for the most outstanding engineering development in the design of a revolutionary racing helmet for open-wheel race car drivers. Over his tenure in motorsports, Held has worked with: Newman-Haas Racing, BobbyRahal/Team Rahal, Rick Galles, Robby Gordon, John Menard, Penske Racing (both NASCAR & CART), Uniden Corp. of America, Sony, LensCrafters, Goodyear, Firestone, Quaker State, Delphi Automotive Systems, Advanced Micro Devices(AMD), Futaba Corporation, Georgio Brutini Footwear, Mac Tools, ICI Paints, Menards, Duracell, Turtle Wax, and CD-2.

Donnie Graves
Rider Profile Enhancement; Rider Marketing; International Growth and Development;
Motorsports Industry Liaison

Mr. Graves’ 20-year career in the music business includes managing the touring finances of Michael Jackson, Prince and Sting, and the personal management of Fine Young Cannibals, Herbie Hancock and many others. He has promoted numerous music events including The Georgia Jam (attendance: 200,000+) and the Rainforest Benefit with Sting, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley and Paul Simon. He co-produced “Coast to Coast,” a live studio and behind-the-scenes music television series with the Showtime Television Network. Graves currently manages the career of Indy Car and Driver Formula Atlantic Champion Memo Gidley, whom he has guided into the world of Champ Car racing, taking an under-financed Gidley from Formula Atlantic cars to driving for four-time CART champions Target/Gannasi Racing in just two short years. In 2000 Graves became the Champ Car sponsorship liaison to DirecTV, Viewsonic and the L.A. Auto Show. Donnie also manages the career of British F3 driver and Formula Palmer/Audi Champion Philip Giebler.
Mr. Graves raced motocross throughout his teens, and began his automobile motorsports career as an amateur racecar driver four years ago.

Spencer Churchill
Event Financial Management

Spencer Churchill has worked in the live-event business since 1978, starting as a stagehand in a small concert hall in Atlanta and moving on to become a tour manager and tour accountant. He co-produced a traveling music festival and project-managed major tours. In 1987 he served as the tour accountant for the European tour of the artist Prince. In 1992 he began working for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Tony Dimitriades of East End Management, a relationship that continues today. He also worked on the Lollapalooza Festival, a traveling music show that sold out every major concert venue it played. In 1993 he co-produced Lollapalooza. Churchill’s specialty is understanding and managing complex touring deals between artist and promoter and to supervise and negotiate production and venue expenses. His experienceincludes supervising the tour accountancy and settlements for Barbra Streisand’s final live performances, which became the highest grossing event ever for the venues it played.

Robert Richards
Event Management and Production; Logistics; Television Production Liaison

Robert Richards has been in the music and television event production business for 20 years, initially working as a tour manager for several internationally known acts including Devo, Ministry and Berlin. As tour manager his responsibilities included travel production, promotion, budgeting,and representation of the artists with vendors and record company representatives in each local market. In 1984 he joined Lookout Management, one of the largest management companies of its time, and worked directly with one of the principals, Tony Dimitriades, handling the day-to-day management of British rock band Yes. Richards later managed the careers of artists including Sheryl Crow, and also branched out into concert event consulting and producing of worldwide concert broadcasts before returning to work with Dimitriades at East End Management with Lindsey Buckingham and Billy Idol. Robert Richards is an avid motorcycle racing enthusiast. At the age of 12, he became a member of the AMA while living in Southern California, and was a shop-sponsored motocross rider until the age of 16.

Kinnon Marshall
Creative Director and Public Relations Manager

Kinnon Marshall has worked as the public relations and marketing director for Robby Gordon and Team Gordon for the past two years. Last season, Marshall’s first on the NASCAR Winston Cup Tour, he was voted one of the top-five driver PR representatives by the publication Speedway Scene. In addition to coordinating Mr. Gordon’s media, Marshall acts as the creative director in preparing sponsorship materials and implementing sponsorship programs. Prior to his involvement in motorsports, Marshall worked in the entertainment marketing industry for family-owned and -operated Norm Marshalland Associates, the industry leader in product placement and corporate movie tie-in promotion. There he was involved in developing, designing and creating promotional opportunities for corporate clients such as USA Today, Miller Brewing Company, American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Jack in the Box, and Dunkin’ Donuts.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: What are the details of AMA Pro Racing’s partnership with JamSports for promotion of the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship series?

A: This is a seven-year partnership beginning with the 2003 season and extending through the 2009 season. JamSports will be the exclusive promoter of races that are part of the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship Series.


Q: Can you explain how this new business partnership differs from the current structure and describe how it will benefit the average Supercross competitor?

A: The most significant new element is the shared vision both organizations have for the future development of the sport. Under this partnership, both AMA Pro Racing and JamSports have incentive to build the value of AMA Supercross, and the agreement contains a mechanism for sharing that benefit with all participants.

For example, the multi-faceted issues related to staging an event in a major media market could serve to illustrate these dynamics. The economics of the event may not appear to be financially advantageous for the promoter, but the value it provides to team, rider and series sponsors and the media may be significant. Our agreement provides an incentive for the promoter to continue with that event, thereby delivering value to all.

We also view the teams and riders as our most crucial contributors. It is the job of an independent sanctioning body to maintain a level playing field, provide the safest environment possible and offer commercial assistance to teams and riders so the economic viability of motorcycle racing improves. Our new partnership sets a priority on facilitating development of team sponsors and honoring those commitments. We will also place an emphasis on producing a marketing platform that delivers exposure across all media (live event, TV, print, Internet) and provides value to teams for their sponsors.

Q: Why make a change in AMA Supercross at this time?

A: AMA Pro Racing’s existing contract with PACE/SFX/ClearChannel expires at the conclusion of the 2002 season, and negotiations have been ongoing for some time. After considering proposals from a number of potential partners, including PACE/SFX/Clear Channel, the AMA Pro Racing Board determined that the approach offered by JamSports is best suited to meet our mission of developing our racing series on a balanced basis with shared benefit among promoters, participants and the sanctioning body.

Q: What effect will this have on the 2002 season?

A: None. Our working relationship with PACE/SFX/ClearChannel at the event level has been very good, and we expect that to continue this year. We will put every effort into making the 2002 season the best yet,and we are confident that PACE/SFX/Clear Channel will do the same.

Q: Will current venues remain on the AMA Supercross schedule in 2003?

A: Work is just beginning on producing dates, cities and venues for the 2003 AMA Supercross Championship Series and we expect many of these events will be held at familiar locations. In upcoming weeks, we will announce the new cities that will be included in the 2003 season, and we expect to finalize the balance of the schedule soon there after. JamSports has long-standing relationships with top venues throughout the country, so the ability to obtain contracts with stadiums for Supercross events will not be an issue.

Q: Does this partnership mean that AMA Pro Racing is now in the race promotion business?

A: No. Throughout the 27-year history of AMA Supercross,various companies, including PACE, SRO, Micky Thompson, International Speedway Corp., Speedway Motorsports and others have promoted AMA Supercross races. AMA Pro Racing, after a long and deliberate review process, has simply selected a new promoter for the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship Series.

Q: What will this mean for riders, teams and sponsors involved in AMA Supercross?

A: The AMA championship has long been the most sought-after title in Supercross racing. That reputation has resulted from a number of factors, including the AMA’s 77-year history of running national championship racing programs, the AMA’s 27 years of developing the Supercross concept, the commitment made by motorcycle manufacturers to showcase their products in this series, and the exceptional level of talent brought to this series by riders from the United States and overseas. All of those factors have combined to make the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship Series not just one of the most exciting forms of motorsports on earth, but also a great opportunity for sponsors looking to promote their products to an enthusiastic audience.

We expect this partnership to enhance every element of that previous success, meaning that the AMA U.S. Supercross Championship Series will offer greater opportunities for riders to develop into internationally recognized stars, for manufacturers to demonstrate the technical proficiency built into their machines, and for sponsors to be connected with racing at the most professional level.

Q: You note that the new partners at JamSports have a long history of developing the careers of musical artists. How can this experience and skill benefit a Supercross competitor?

A: Building and enhancing careers is just as vital for artists as it is for Supercross racers. JamSports’ expertise in increasing exposure for musical artists such as Tom Petty can be applied to the stars of AMA Supercross. Jam will work with the riders’ managers to develop plans benefiting individual racers and the entire sport.

Q: What effect will this partnership have on the television package for Supercross racing?

A: AMA Pro Racing and JamSports are hard at work on a new television package that dramatically increases exposure for the sport. We expect to significantly increase the television fan base and, as a result, improve the public awareness of our sport and its riders.


Q: Will that new package include pay-for-view events, or do you anticipate securing airtime on broadcast and cable networks?

A: With our anticipated television package announcement, there will be no need for fans to pay to watch AMA Supercross on TV.

From outgoing MRA President Connie Kassel:

“It should be taken into consideration, while observing the MRA ballot, that statements from candidates were unedited and allowed for freedom of speech by each individual. Therefore, the opinions expressed may not ensure the accuracy of facts or the true nature of circumstances.”

Kassel’s comments refer to the 11/4/01 post, Divisive MRA Board Of Directors Election All About Change.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Virgil “Spud” Davis, the Formula USA official hit on the grid at Daytona October 19, is now recovering at home and is getting around with the
help of a walker, according to Formula USA officials. Davis will start rehab in the next couple of weeks.

Davis can be contacted at 4722 Carousel Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212.

Speedvision’s Two-wheel Tuesday Line-up For November 6

12:00 p.m. FIM 250cc Grand Prix Rio
1:00 p.m. FIM 500cc Grand Prix Rio
2:00 p.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix Rio
3:00 p.m. SBK 2001 Year In Review

7:00 p.m. Bike Week
7:30 p.m. American Thunder
8:00 p.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix Malaysia
9:00 p.m. FIM 250cc Grand Prix Rio
10:00 p.m. FIM 500cc Grand Prix Rio
11:00 p.m. Bike Week
11:30 p.m. American Thunder
12:00 a.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix Malaysia
1:00 a.m. FIM 250cc Grand Prix Rio
2:00 a.m. FIM 500cc Grand Prix Rio
All times are Eastern Time.

This just in from racer Dave Rosno:


AMA Numbers…. And just another AMA number note.

Back in 1993, I finished the AMA 750 Supersport Championship in 11th place and 600 Supersport in twenty-somthing-th place.

For 1994, I figured that I’d either get my old number, again, one that I had built a relationship with and others recognized me with that number, or that I would get a number that reflected my final championship positions.

I didn’t get either. For some odd reason, I got #78.

Seems like nothing changes, right…

“Super” Dave Rosno
Team Visionsports

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth is actively trying to eliminate Thursday practice in his negotiations with racetracks for 2002 AMA National dates.

According to racetrack sources, Hollingsworth wants to use Thursday exclusively for track set-up, and has told race promoters that the day is needed, among other things, to set up timing and scoring.

Thursday practice is critical to independent riders and teams that cannot afford to rent racetracks for stand-alone test sessions prior to AMA Nationals, unlike factory Superbike teams.

In taking the no-Thursday-practice stance, Hollingsworth and AMA Pro Racing have ignored 76 AMA Pro Racing riders and another 57 mechanics and team owners who signed petitions supporting Thursday practice during AMA weekends at Loudon and Mid-Ohio this season.

In negotiations with racetracks and race promoters, Hollingsworth and AMA Pro Racing Vice President of Commercial Development John Farris have stressed the increases in attendance seen at AMA Pro Nationals in 2001 as being “a great value” and have talked about the need to increase purses to “attract more good teams.” The pair have typically sought sanction fee increases in the range of 100 to 150 percent.

The argument that increasing Superbike purses will help attract “more good teams” is interesting since teams in AMA racing do not typically require riders to share any purse money with the team, unlike typical arrangements in various forms of car racing, which features dramatically larger purses.

Hollingsworth and Farris have also focused their attention on increasing Superbike purses when, ironically, the Superbike class is completely dominated by highly-paid factory Superbike riders, and it is support-class riders who most need additional income opportunities to continue racing.

Racetracks have resisted the huge sanction fee and purse increases due to uncertainty about the economy and worries that recent wholesale layoffs will result in a decrease in race attendance in 2002, rather than an increase justifying the fee increases. The tracks that have already committed to the 2002 series have agreed to some, smaller increase in sanction fee.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

New wording in the Terms And Conditions Of AMA Pro Racing License paperwork threatens riders’ commercial rights worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to insiders who are in an uproar over the language.

Part 3 of the Terms And Conditions of AMA Pro Racing License paperwork for 2002, which all riders must sign to get a Pro License, reads, in part:

“3. Production and Promotion Rights:… I also agree that AMA Pro Racing may use an image of me and/or my equipment, inclusive of my competition number and bike color to produce officially licensed merchandise. Such officially licensed merchandise shall be sold through normal distribution points, including, but not limited to, on-site sales at AMA Pro Racing sanctioned events, and online sales.”

Opponents of the new language say that it would give the AMA the right to sell rider image rights now being sold by riders or their agents, and also state that riders do not have the right to authorize reproduction of team graphics and paint schemes on merchandise produced and sold by third parties.

According to informed sources, merchandise deals pay some riders more than their racing contract fees, and, in the case of the Universal Studios tie-ins with American Honda’s Superbike team, produce millions in revenue.

Riders should protect themselves by crossing out and initialing the offending language in section 3 of the 2002 Terms And Conditions Of AMA Pro Racing License form, and seek competent legal counsel if AMA Pro Racing refuses to issue them a license, the sources say.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing has agreed to turn promotion of the official AMA Supercross Series over to a Chicago-based concert promotor with no known national motorcycle motorsports experience, Jam Productions.

The deal, which takes effect in 2003, ends 27 years of AMA Supercross promoted by Clear Channel Motor Sports, previously known as SFX Motor Sports and PACE Motor Sports.

Clear Channel Motorsports will continue to promote its own Supercross Series without AMA sanction, and will compete against the new AMA Series.

According to sources close to Clear Channel, the company already has contracts with stadiums that host the existing Supercross Series, through 2004. A Supercross to be held January 4, 2003 is already contracted at Anaheim Stadium, for example.

PACE Motorsports first promoted an AMA National in 1967, 34 years ago, and first promoted an AMA Supercross in 1974. PACE Motor Sports became a division of SFX known as SFX Motor Sports, when SFX purchased PACE, and in turn was purchased by Clear Channel.

In recent years the Supercross Series has grown exponentially, with PACE/SFX/Clear Channel executives giving credit to the company’s effective promotions while AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth has dismissed the firm’s role in building the series.

Hollingsworth’s view of the company has taken on what seems to be an increasingly personal dimension recently, and he has been barely able to contain his disdain in discussions with third parties mentioning SFX/Clear Channel.

The ability of Jam Productions to effectively compete against Clear Channel in Supercross is unknown.

It’s also unknown where the factory Supercross teams will run, although an AMA Trustee who oversees his company’s racing programs said last week that he will send his team to the series with the best promotion, venues and exposure, regardless of sanction.

AMA Pro Racing Chairman Mark Tuttle, a retired Harley-Davidson employee, has stated that the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors voted to make the change from Clear Channel to Jam Productions “without dissension”; since Honda Vice President Ray Blank is on the Pro Racing Board, that implies American Honda support for the radical change.

Hollingsworth has claimed to have manufacturer support for the move, and is confident that the manufacturers will go with the AMA to the new series. Any agreement involving manufacturer representatives and AMA officials made prior to the new deal being made could raise anti-trust questions.


In a letter sent to stadiums and other facilities and dated November 5, Hollingsworth wrote:

Dear Facility Manager;

This letter is to notify you that AMA Pro Racing, sanctioning body for the AMA EA Sports Supercross series, has entered in an agreement with JamSports, a division of Chicago-based Jam Productions, for the exclusive promotion of AMA Supercross events for the 2003-2009 seasons.

Since 1997, event promotion for AMA Supercross has been managed by PACE/SFX/Clear Channel Entertainment under a long-term commercial development agreement with AMA Pro Racing. That agreement expires at the end of the upcoming 2002 season. AMA Supercross events previously held at your facility and those scheduled for the 2002 season, if any, were organized under this agreement.

AMA Pro Racing hereby authorizes JamSports and/or Jam Productions to negotiate with your facility, on an exclusive basis, regarding the organization and production of future AMA Supercross events.

AMA Pro Racing represents more than 75 years of racing history as the premiere sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Our veious Championships enjoy support from major manufacturers including Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, Husqvarna, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Buell and others. The stars of motorcycle sport are made by winning AMA Championships–we look forward to making more history at your facility.

Should you have any questions regarding this matter please contact me at 614-856-1900.

Best regards,

Scott Hollingsworth
Chief Executive Officer
AMA Pro Racing