Cycle Gear Sonomafest Kicks Off April 26-27

Contact: John Cardinale
Infineon Raceway
(707) 938-8448 X107
 
Cycle Gear Sonomafest 2003 Kicks Off with Full Weekend of Motorcycle Racing
 
SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) ¯ The war of words has already begun for the 2003 American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) championship, and you¢ll have a front-row seat for all the action at Infineon Raceway.
 
Cycle Gear Sonomafest 2003, a nine-day motorcycle bonanza from April 26-May 4, will kick off the first weekend with a full slate of AFM racing on the twisting 12-turn, 2.2-mile road course. The AFM weekend (April 26-27) will also feature manufacturer demo-rides by Aprilia and Buell, and an extensive vendor midway.
 
The nine-day motorcycle soiree will be highlighted the following weekend (May 2-4) by the AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge, featuring the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. The AMA is the top motorcycle road-race series in the country, featuring manufacturers Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki. It will be a doubleheader weekend with Superbike main events on both Saturday and Sunday. The event is presented by Honda of Milpitas and Cabo Wabo Tequila.
 
The AFM was founded in 1954 and is the oldest motorcycle club organization in the country, with more than 850 competitive members. The AFM series will feature seven events in 2003, three taking place at Infineon Raceway. Over the years, the AFM has produced such AMA Superbike stars as Eddie Lawson, Fred Merkel and Steve Rapp. 
 
*We¢re real excited to be the headline event the first weekend of Sonomafest,* said Joe Montoya, AFM president. *I think we¢ll put on a real exciting show for the fans. We¢ll have more than 15 divisions contested that weekend.*
 
The most heated action will take place in the premier Formula Pacific Division as Lafayette¢s David Stanton looks to defend his 2002 AFM championship crown against rival James Randolph, from Santa Rosa. Randolph (Privateer Racing Team, Suzuki), the 2001 AFM champion, is out for revenge.
 
 *I have a little rivalry with Dave,* Randolph said. *But I¢m coming out strong this season. I hope to have the championship won before the last race of the year.*
 
Stanton (Arclight Racing, Suzuki) has other ideas on the championship: *I think James is a good rider and I know it¢s not going to be a cakewalk, but I hope I can position myself to be there at the end and get the No. 1 plate again. That¢s my goal.*
 
Randolph won the 2003 season-opener at Infineon Raceway in March, with Stanton taking seventh place.
 
Action gets under way on Saturday with practice, with all main events scheduled for Sunday. Cost is $5 on Saturday, $10 Sunday, or $10 for a weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are free. All tickets can be purchased at the gate. For more information, visit www.infineonraceway.com or call 800-870-RACE.
 
In addition to exciting AFM road-course action in 23 divisions, the weekend will also feature motorcycle demo-rides by Aprilia and Buell. Fans will get the rare opportunity to hop on an Aprilia or Buell and follow a team leader on a pre-determined route around the scenic Sonoma Valley. 
 
 
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