AMA: Pirelli Renews Sponsorship for 1998 Pro Formula Xtreme Series
20 November 1997
R97145 Contact: Bill Nordquist November 19, 1997 Connie Fleming For Immediate Release Phone: (614) 891-2425 Fax: (614) 891-7368 PIRELLI ROLLS INTO 1998 WITH AMA PRO FORMULA XTREME WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Pirelli Motorcycle Tires have renewed their title sponsorship for the 1998 American Motorcyclist Association Pro Racing Formula Xtreme Series. Pirelli paid out $10,000 in 1997 Formula Xtreme championship bonuses and posted a total of $272,600 in rider awards to all classes of the 1997 MBNA Superbike Series. "We're excited about being back with AMA Pro Racing for the second year of Formula Xtreme, " said Greg Blackwell, president of the Pirelli Motorcycle Tire Division. "Last year was Pirelli's first major presence at the top level of U.S. racing, and we were pleased with the results, both on and of the track. Pirelli's slicks had an excellent developmental year, and our DOT Dragon Radial racing tires woke a lot of people up in the Teamline 750cc SuperSport division - we had five of the top fifteen riders, four podium finishes, and broke five track records! Combined with our longtime European success, the AMA Pro Racing program gives Pirelli a total package of racing visibility and involvement. We can't wait to see what happens this year, and we wish all the Formula Xtreme racers good luck." The 1998 Pirelli Formula Xtreme Series will kick off at the Feb. 15. season opener at Phoenix International Raceway. The series features street-based, big-bore motorcycles available in the U.S. Races are 60 kilometers in length with top speeds in excess of 170 mph. The twelve races of the Pirelli Formula Xtreme Series are scheduled at MBNA Superbike events and are held at the finest motorsports facilities in the United States. -30- Connie Fleming American Motorcyclist Association Public Relations Administrator http://www.ama-cycle.org