From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:
AMA PRO RACING ANNOUNCES 2004 AMA SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP Schedule
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing has announced the schedule for the 2004 AMA Supermoto Championship. The season will begin on Aug. 14 in downtown Reno, Nev., and conclude at the AMA Red Bull Supermoto A-Go-Go in Las Vegas, in November. In between, the series will visit cities nationwide resulting in a seven-round championship.
As was the case in 2003, the championship’s inaugural year, the 2004 schedule remains fall-based. In part, this was done to allow top level riders who compete in other AMA Pro Racing and World Championship events the greatest opportunity to participate in AMA Supermoto. Chris Bradley, AMA Pro Racing’s Supermoto Series Manager stated that involvement by many of the world’s top riders is one of the series’ greatest strengths.
“Last year, we saw some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing participate in AMA Supermoto,” said Bradley. “The finale alone featured an amazing roster of major talent and the racing reflected that extraordinary level of competition. The goal for this year was to structure the championship, including where and when the events would be held, to keep that momentum going.”
In March, AMA Pro Racing announced a significant improvement to the championship structure designed to encourage participation from top riders while still rewarding those who commit to the entire series. Mirroring a traditional cumulative-points championship, while still placing emphasis on the season finale, points will be awarded to the top 20 finishers in every 2004 event with double points available to top finishers at the championship finale. A team championship will also be up for grabs in 2004 in both classes: AMA Supermoto and Supermoto Unlimited.
Additionally, eligibility for the championship finale will be granted to any rider who has qualified for a main event in any of the regular-season events leading up to the last round. Former FIM World Champions and any rider who has earned points at an FIM World Championship event in the current season will also be eligible to enter the season finale in Las Vegas.
Television remains an integral part of the championship. Bradley stated that Outdoor Life Network (OLN) will continue to televise AMA Supermoto and that efforts to air the championship in select markets worldwide are in the works. “Obviously, television is very important to this championship and all of its participants,” said Bradley. “OLN did a fantastic job in covering the series last year and we’re thrilled that their involvement will continue in 2004. We have established a key partnership with TWI to solicit global distribution for AMA Supermoto similar to what we have in place for our AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship. Success in such global markets will add even greater value to each of the teams, riders and manufacturers participating in our championship.”
2004 AMA SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Round 1 – Aug. 14-15 – Downtown Reno, NV
Round 2 – Aug. 28 – Copper Mountain Resort & Village, CO
Round 3 – Aug. 29 – Copper Mountain Resort & Village, CO
Round 4 – Sept. 11 – Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN
Round 5 – Sept. 18 – South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA
Round 6 – Oct. 17 – Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
Round 7 – Nov. TBA – Las Vegas, NV