News & Features

AMA Pro Racing press release

AMA Pro Racing has partnered with Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and Echo Entertainment to televise the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship in an innovative, non-traditional way. Instead of broadcasting each race in the typical motorsports fashion where racing is presented in an editorial, linear format, the groundbreaking championship will be presented as a series focusing on the personalities and lifestyles of the sport as well as the actual racing.

The first show will air on Oct. 16, 2003 and run for five consecutive weeks. Plus, there will be special live coverage of the championship finale from Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 2003.

"It is our intention to completely break the mold in terms of conventional motorcycle racing television," said AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Director of Communications, Kerry Graeber. "Our show will present AMA Supermoto in a highly engaging, interesting way by telling the story on the track as well as off. This will not only appeal to existing racing enthusiasts but also the casual fan who may not spend a great deal of time watching motorcycle racing on TV. Many of the top names in motorcycle racing will be competing in this series and we will place a great deal of emphasis on showcasing their individuality."

Producer Hugh Arian of Echo Entertainment shares that sentiment. "Our company has tremendous experience bringing action sports and their personalities to life and we jumped at the chance to work with AMA Pro Racing and OLN in producing this series," said Arian. "Whether it's surfing, mountain biking or snowboarding, we've produced award winning programs for virtually all of the major networks and we're excited about highlighting the stars of the championship. Guys like Mike Metzger, Jeremy McGrath and Kevin Schwantz are not just great racers but they're interesting people, too, and we plan on telling that story."

OLN's Brian J. Williams will be the coordinating producer of the series. His experience as a producer/director is deep and includes both mainstream sports as well sports in the action/adventure category. Williams said OLN is committed to the motorcycle category. "We're placing a great deal of emphasis on expanding our coverage of motorcycle racing and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will be the cornerstone of our commitment. OLN's unique line-up of action adventure programming is the perfect home for this new championship."

The AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will begin July 11-13 at the Dunlop Supermoto Classic at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The six-event series will wrap up in Las Vegas at the Red Bull Supermoto A-Go-Go! in November. Combining both on- and off-road racing disciplines, the series is attracting personalities from all major motorcycle racing series. Fans will have the opportunity to cheer their favorite motocrossers, road racers and dirt trackers battling in head-to-head competition for the ultimate in motorcycle racing supremacy.

AMA Pro Racing Associate Director of Commercial Development, Chris Bradley said interest in the series has exceeded their wildest expectations. "We knew there was demand for this form of racing and that's why we committed to launching the series," said Bradley. "However, involvement from top level riders is greater than even we expected. When you have a rider of the magnitude of a Jeremy McGrath decide to contest your series less than a year after announcing his retirement from active racing you have to feel pretty good about what you're doing."

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.