AMA Pro Racing Announces New Rider Bonuses
30 March 2000
PICKERINGTON, Ohio--American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) Pro Racing today announced several new bonus packages for riders in the 2000 Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. In addition to the traditional $100,000 AMA Superbike point fund, new programs have been created to raise the economic climate for both factory and privateer riders, increasing available purse money and sponsor-supported bonus awards to over $4 million. Chevy Trucks recently created the Like A Rock Challenge, which will reward the rider who earns the most wins/points of the three, AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship doubleheader rounds--scheduled for Road Atlanta, Road America and Mid-Ohio--with a loaded Chevy Silverado pickup truck valued at $32,000. A new, additional $26,000 point fund has been created specifically for Privateer Superbike riders. The top-5 privateer finishers in Superbike will split an additional $2000 after each race, to be paid as followed: 1st, $700; 2nd, $550; 3rd, $350; 4th, $250; 5th, $150. Contracted factory riders, AMA class champions for the last three years, and FIM World champions for the last five years, are not eligible for the AMA Superbike Privateer bonuses. Interstate Batteries has returned to award Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike pole winners with a $1000 bonus, and AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike newcomer, motorcycleusa.com, has created the AMA Suerbike Holeshot Award, which will pay $500 to the Superbike rider who takes the lead through the first turn. Established AMA Chevy Truck U.S. Superbike Championship support class bonuses will continue in 2000. The top-10 riders of the Lockhart Phillips USA 750 SuperSport, Buell Pro Thunder, MBNA 250 Grand Prix and Esportbike.com Formula Xtreme will each split $10,000 in season-end bonuses, and riders of the Pro Honda Oils 600 SuperSport series will split $15,000 season-end bonus. In addition to the rider point funds and season-end bonuses, in 2000, AMA Pro Racing will pay $940,000 in race purse money to riders of the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship and support classes, and $3,265,825 is available to riders through AMA Pro Racing industry bonus award postings. "The continuing growth of AMA road racing bonuses represents just one facet of our ongoing commitment to increasing stakeholder value," said AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth. "We hope that riders, teams and manufacturers realize that our national, live television package is also a very important tool for them to use in attracting their own new sponsors." For immediate post-race results, rider information, AMA Pro Racing notes and news, check www.amaproracing.com.