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AMA: Progressive becomes title sponsor of The Progressive Insurance AMA U.S. Flat Track Championships

16 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Pro Racing today announced a multi-year sponsorship and marketing alliance with Progressive Insurance, the nation's largest insurer of motorcycles.

Progressive has acquired title sponsorship of the nationally touring Progressive Insurance AMA U.S. Flat Track Championships, which include the Progressive Insurance AMA Grand National Championship, the AMA Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance and AMA SuperTrapp SuperTracker series. The three series will tour under the banner of the Progressive Insurance AMA U.S. Flat Track Championships.

"We want to bring our policyholders and all motorcycle enthusiasts a sport they love, flat track racing," said Shawn Weidmann, Motorcycle Product Manager, Progressive. "We all know that sponsorships fuel the development of any race series. We're proud to be supporting that growth and delivering an exciting sport to millions of fans."

As part of the sponsorship, Progressive and AMA have agreed to a one-of-a-kind program which provides monetary support to riders above and beyond the traditional $100,000 Progressive Insurance AMA Grand National Championship bonus; each time a flat track fan gets a quote on their motorcycle, auto, recreation vehicle, boat or snowmobile insurance by calling 1-800-FLAT-TRACK, linking to Progressive's online quoting site through the Pro Racing pages of www.ama-cycle.org, or gets a quote at the track through an Independent Agent, Progressive will donate one dollar to the Rider Bonus Awards.

Weidmann explains, "The Rider Bonus Awards will be paid out to riders throughout the season. We are still working out all the details, but it promises to be exciting." He continues, "The concept is simple, really. The more fans call for a quote, the more we reward their favorite riders."

AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth explained the benefit he sees for all involved in the Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships. "This marketing partnership with Progressive Insurance extends the momentum we are currently experiencing at AMA Pro Racing. The program fits perfectly into the marketing platform we are developing and meets our objectives of providing value to all of our stakeholders - fans, participants, promotional partners and sponsors."

"Our fans will be elated at the service and rates they will receive when calling 1-800-FLAT-TRACK, because of Progressive's commitment to 24 hour service, from in-person representatives, who truly understand the needs of motorcyclists," Hollingsworth continued. "This is a call to arms for the flat track community - your support and Progressive's involvement creates tremendous opportunity for this partnership. Finally, this is a multi-year partnership. That stability enables AMA Pro Racing personnel to focus on developing the Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships in the years to come."

Progressive Insurance has a long history of involvement with the AMA. Since 1994, the company has sponsored the Progressive Insurance AMA Harley-Davidson SuperTwins and the Progressive Insurance AMA Pro Thunder road race series. Progressive has also sponsored the 1998 and 1999 Progressive Insurance AMA Superbike races at Sears Point Raceway, and Progressive is the AMA's official insurance provider and offers discounted rates to AMA members.

In business since 1937, Progressive provides consumers throughout the United States with competitively-priced automobile, motorcycle, recreation vehicle and boat insurance, along with 24-hour, in-person services. Consumers interested in a Progressive policy may shop for and buy one via the telephone, the Internet and more than 30,000 Independent Agents throughout the country. Progressive companies writing insurance receive among the highest ratings available from the A.M. Best, the independent company that rates financial conditions of insurance companies.

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