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Motorcycles: NMRA and Prostar join forces to create West Coast Super Series

11 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Courtesy DRAGBIKE.COM

Huntsville, AL -- In an Extreme move to save motorcycle drag racing on the West Coast, the National Motorcycle Racing Association (NMRA) and AMA/Prostar have entered into an agreement that will ensure the longevity of organized motorcycle drag racing in the western states. NMRA, owned and operated by Bernie Longjohn and his daughter Deedee Peters, is the longest running motorcycle drag racing organization on the west coast. AMA/Prostar is the largest all motorcycle drag racing sanctioning body that averages five hundred participants per event and boost over $1,500,000 in purse and contingency each season on the national event tour. Combined the two organizations carry an excess of twenty years experience in sanctioning motorcycle drag racing.

The 2000 NMRA/Prostar series will feature ten (10) events. Racers will be able to claim the best six of the ten races towards west coast championship points. Six of the ten events will feature contingency money from the nation's leading motorcycle and aftermarket manufacturers. The total west coast contingency to date is $262,950 with only 60% of sponsors reporting prior to the February deadline. Current contingency sponsors contracts reported to date for the west coast series are: Advance Sleeve, Babor Performance Motors, Bates Leathers, Beasley Fiberglass, Cometic Gaskets, Cooper Performance, Cope Racing, Dynatek, Featherlite Trailers, Fishes Custom, J.E. Pistons, Kawasaki, Mickey Thompson Tires, Mr. Turbo, MTC Engineering, Murdoch Racing Enterprises (MRE), Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS), Pingel Enterprise, RC Components, Schnitz Racing, Star Performance Parts, Two Brothers Racing, Uniforms Unique, Vance & Hines, Vanson Leathers & Web-Cam.

The ten race schedule will include events at Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale, CA, Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, AZ, Speedworld Motorplex in Phoenix, AZ and one event in Northern California. Exact dates and locations will be announced next week. NMRA/Prostar plans will be to expand the series over the next several years to include events in more states.

Classes featured at NMRA/Prostar events will be Funnybike, Pro Mod, Pro Stock, Streetbike Shootout, Top Gas (8.20), Super Comp (8.90), Super Gas (9.90), Pro ET (Super ET), Street ET and V-Twin ET. Index classes are subject to altitude factors. Class Champions from the 1999 Prostar West Coast series: Steve Rice (FB), Scott Valentine (PM), Scott Lewis (PS), Scott Buckley (SB), John Noonan (SBS), Aaron Pine (TG), Steve Watson (SC), Red Collins (SG), Marty Ladwig (SS),and Ken Kinsella (PET), and Class Champions from the 1999 NMRA series: Karen Stoffer (TG), Larry Laye (SC), Ken Van Buren (S/ET), Augustine Herrera (Super St.) and Jeff Barton (H/ET) will be formally recognized for their 1999 accomplishments at the March event.

For more information regarding the NMRA/Prostar West Coast Series, contact NMRA at (661) 533-2224 or find us on the web at www.amaprostar.com and see West Coast information or www.lacr.com and see NMRA information.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.