DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 29, 2012) – AMA Pro Racing is excited to announce the return of the Rookie of the Year program to AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track through an expanded multi-year partnership agreement with Saddlemen. The $5,000 Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Awards will be given to the eligible rider in each series who demonstrates exceptional performance on and off the track during their first season of competition in AMA Pro Road Racing’s GoPro Daytona SportBike division or AMA Pro Flat Track’s Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Expert division. “Highlighting the highly competitive up-and-coming talent which AMA Pro Racing has long been known for is something that we care dearly about,” said David Atlas, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. “The Saddlemen Rookie of the Year award is one of the components that will help us continue to cultivate world-class motorcycle talent in our ranks. We are very happy that Saddlemen has chosen to show their support of the AMA Pro community through this program.” For the 2012 season, riders who are participating in their first rounds of AMA Pro Road Racing’s GoPro Daytona SportBike division or AMA Pro Flat Track’s Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Expert division may apply for the Saddlemen Rookie of the Year award offered in their respective series. As a show of support for Saddlemen and in order to be eligible for the Saddlemen Rookie of the Year program and associated year-end award funds, riders must display a Saddlemen patch on their leathers and a decal on their motorcycle at each event. “Racing is part of our heritage,” says Tom Seymour, President of Saddlemen. “We have supported many generations of up and coming racers through our Flat Track Program and now look to do the same with Road Racing. It is a great way to grow the sport and for Saddlemen to showcase our sport bike seat technology. I am very proud to see Daytona Sportbike teams racing on the very same seat an enthusiast can buy at their local dealer. Frankly, I can’t wait to get things started at this year’s Daytona 200!” As part of the agreement, Saddlemen will also have exclusive in-market and promotional rights to AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track series marks in addition to on-site activation space within the paddock at each AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track event. The 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track seasons will kick off with the historic Daytona 200 Week, scheduled for March 15 – 17, 2012 at Daytona International Speedway. For tickets, please visit ~http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com~. About Saddlemen: Saddlemen is celebrating 25 years of building cutting edge motorcycle products. During that time they have been major supporters of the motorcycle industry. Over the years Saddlemen products have helped many of racing’s elite riders – names like Hayden, Bostrom, Carr, Kopp, Coolbeth, Wiles, Johnson and Mees. Saddlemen offers the industry’s most diverse line of seats, saddles and luggage. Visit Saddlemen on the web at www.saddlemen.com or www.facebook.com/Saddlemen. AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.