Oliver Wins 4th AMA Elf 250 Grand Prix Title
28 August 1997
R97099 August 28, 1997 For Immediate Release OLIVER WINS RECORD FOURTH AMA ELF 250 GRAND PRIX TITLE WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Rich Oliver locked up his fourth consecutive American Motorcyclist Association Elf Fuels & Lubricants 250cc Grand Prix Series with a victory August 17 at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo. Oliver's fourth 250cc GP title give him a new AMA record, eclipsing the three 250cc GP championships won by both Donnie Greene and John Kocinski in the 1980s. The Fresno, Calif., resident is the first rider since 1983 to clinch the AMA 250 Grand Prix title with two races remaining matching the mark set by Randy Renfrow. Oliver is in the midst of an AMA record-shattering 18-race winning streak that started back in March of 1996. His Pikes Peak victory was the 40th-career 250cc GP win for Oliver, making him the winningest rider in the history of the series. Oliver, 36, began his pro racing career in 1980 as a 19-year-old Superbike privateer. Oliver campaigned Superbikes for six years, reaching his highest ranking of fifth in 1984. He began racing 250cc GP in 1986 and was immediately a top contender, winning his first AMA National at Pocono, Pa., that year. Oliver's accomplishments over the years have earned him a lot of recognition. He has twice been nominated for the prestigious AMA/Speedvision Athlete of Year Award -- last year and in 1994. Oliver will get his first opportunity to ride a factory Superbike at the August 31 AMA MBNA Superbike Series race at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Oliver will ride for Team Yamaha. -30- Connie Fleming American Motorcyclist Association Public Relations Administrator http://www.ama-cycle.org 614-891-2425