News & Features

AMA Pro Racing press release

"The South Boston Speedway venue gives us a lot of latitude to be creative with our track design," says Don Canet.

Fast sweepers coupled with challenging, decreasing radius corners and high-speed banking will confront racers at Round 2 of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship to be held Aug. 30 at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va.

Track designer Don Canet has penned a demanding layout that will test the skills of riders while delivering a great show for fans.

"The South Boston Speedway venue gives us a lot of latitude to be creative with our track design," said Canet. "Having the entire infield surface, along with the banked oval track with which to work enabled us to design a 'flowing' style of track. At the same time, however, we've included tight turns that put a premium on riders' braking skills. A lap on this race track will have a completely different feel than what the riders became accustomed to at the inaugural AMA Supermoto event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We expect the South Boston layout to result in much higher top speeds as riders make their way around the banked oval."

AMA Pro Racing Associate Director of Commercial Development, Chris Bradley states the fan-friendly nature of the South Boston facility will make for an enjoyable experience. "The entire layout will be visible from every seat," said Bradley. "Supermoto action tends to be close, with plenty of lead changes so watching this race in this setting will be a blast."

Canet points out that the final version of the track could differ from the blueprints depending on actual construction. "The fun part of building a supermoto track is the flexibility," said Canet. "You begin by sketching a layout on paper but when the actual construction starts opportunities often arise that couldn't be foreseen. For example, if we discover a way to improve a corner or improve a jump we'll explore it. Riders should know that what they see when they arrive might differ slightly from what is shown on the design."

A number of top level riders are entered, including the current FIM World Supermoto points leader, Boris Chambon. He'll be joined by motorcycle racing luminaries Jeremy McGrath, Mike Metzger, Jeff Ward and Kevin Schwantz all of whom have committed to contesting the entire championship. The event is being held in conjunction with the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship at nearby Virginia International Raceway. "The supermoto main events will take place on Saturday evening so fans can spend the day at VIR taking in all the road racing action then make the short drive over to South Boston for an evening of supermoto racing," confirmed Bradley.

Honda-mounted Ward won the inaugural Supermoto class event at Laguna Seca while KTM's Kurt Nicoll took the honors in the Unlimited class.

For ticket information visit www.tickets.com, or call toll-free (877) 440-1540. For more information of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, visit www.amaproracing.com.

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.