AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge Fact Sheet
AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge Fact Sheet, May 3-5 What: Sears Point Raceway will host the top motorcycle pavement road-racers in the country May 3-5 for the AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge, featuring the Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship Series. The weekend will also feature motorcycle racing in various other divisions. When: May 3-5, 2001. This is the third stop on the 10-stop series for 2002 that will span coast-to-coast. The Sears Point event will be a doubleheader weekend, featuring two 26-lap main events in the Superbike division, one on Saturday, May 4, and the other on Sunday, May 5. Where: Sears Point Raceway, Highways 37 and 121, Sonoma, Calif. 95476 (800-870-RACE or www.searspoint.com) Circuit: AMA riders will compete on Sears Point Raceway's 12-turn, 2.32-mile circuit. Increased runoff has been added at virtually every turn for the 2002 season, adding to rider safety. The AMA uses a shortened Turn 11 for safety reasons. Race Length: AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge main events will span 26 laps. All other main events will be 16 laps in length. Motorcycles: Superbikes consist of 750cc four-cylinder engines, and twin-cylinder machines with up to 1,000cc engine displacement. All of the major manufacturers will be represented including, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Ducati. There will also be representation from Buell and Aprilia, among others. Entries: Thirty-nine riders were on the starting grid for last year's AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge. What to expect: Anthony Gobert (Yamaha) shocked everyone last year by winning both the Superbike and 600 Supersport titles at Sears Point Raceway. It was Yamaha's first Superbike win since 1998 and its first at Sears Point since 1994. * Mat Mladin, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship in 2002, qualified on the pole last year and won at Sears Point in 1999. * Miguel Duhamel (Honda) has been called the "King of Sears Point" with a record four victories. * Nicky Hayden (Honda), who was third in overall points last year, placed second at Sears Point to Gobert and should be a factor, as well. Hayden closed out the 2001 season with four Superbike wins in his last five outings. He won the 2002 Daytona 200, as well as one of two main events at California Speedway. Season thus Far: The AMA has made two stops on the 2002 U.S. Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship Series thus far, at Daytona International Speedway (March 6-10) and California Speedway (April 5-7). Hayden won at Daytona aboard his RC-51, and he also captured one of two main events at California. Gobert won the other main event at California Speedway. 2002 points: AMA Superbike standings entering Sears Point: Nicky Hayden (Honda) 101; Anthony Gobert (Yamaha) 91; Andrew Deatherage (Suzuki) 66; Brian Livengood (Suzuki) 63; Jamie Hacking (Suzuki) 60; Aaron Yates (Suzuki) 59; Eric Bostrom (Kawasaki) 58; Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 54; Doug Chandler (Ducati) 54; Pascal Picotte (Ducati) 52. Tickets: Call 800-870-RACE, visit www.searspoint.com or www.tickets.com. ###
