A new, American version of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup was announced today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The races will pit selected youngsters (between the ages of 13 and 16) against one another on theoretically identical KTM RC125s at eight rounds of the 2008 AMA Superbike Championship series. A ‘match race” will be held at the Red Bull Indy GP September 14, 2008, in which the top American Red Bull Rookies will face off against the top Red Bull Rookies from the European version of the series. Details about the Red Bull U.S. Rookies Cup selection process, like the time and date of the selection event, have yet to be finalized, but applications are now being accepted. For more information, go to www.redbullrookiescup.com. Americans Cameron Beaubier, Kris Turner and J.D. Beach are currently racing in the inaugural Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, which runs at selected MotoGP rounds in Europe. Beaubier won the last round at Sachsenring, aand Turner finished on the podium at Mugello. More, from a press release issued by Red Bull: COMING TO AMERICA – RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP TO HIT THE TRACK IN 2008 Cooperation between Red Bull, KTM and the AMA will open doors for talented young riders who may be the next Nicky Hayden MONTEREY, Calif. (July 19, 2007) — Applications are now being accepted for the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, which will begin its inaugural campaign in 2008. This series is a unique program for fostering motorcycle talent in promising young riders who will compete at top road racing circuits in front of race day crowds, on identical bikes KTM RC 125 machines. The program is designed to create a level playing field so that the best and the brightest emerge at the top, and no young talent is overlooked due to a lack of financial resources or professional backing. Based on the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Europe, the U.S. series will focus on seeking out top North and South American racing talent. “It’s great that Red Bull is bringing the Rookies Cup to America and is helping deserving racers get some exposure,” said 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. “I’ve been checking out the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Europe, and the level of racing is really impressive. This is a great platform for aspiring future champions and great to see it coming to the USA.” Potential competitors from North and South America can apply for consideration to attend the Selection Event at www.redbullrookiescup.com. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2007. Applicants must be 13 to 16 years old (born between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1994). The location and date of the Fall 2007 Selection Event will be announced shortly. Racing experience is not a requirement, but riding experience is. The program selection will be open to motorcycle racers from all disciplines — road racing, dirt track, motocross, etc. Potential Rookies must simply have the talent, ambition, personality and the drive to become a world-class racer. In the selection process, riders will be chosen not only based on their results, but also on their potential, personality, racing spirit, team spirit and sense of fair play. AMA Road Race Director Keith Kizer welcomes the program and feels that it will add to the AMA Superbike Championship. “We’re excited about integrating the Red Bull Rookies Cup into our program,” said Kizer. “It will run as an exhibition on select AMA Superbike weekends and will give fans the chance to experience a completely different type of racing class. We’re also happy to provide the environment for these young riders to display their talents on a national stage. All in all we’re confident that this will turn out to be an extremely positive development for the sport of motorcycle road racing.” The stops on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup calendar will be linked to official 2008 AMA Superbike and MotoGP events, and are guaranteed to immerse the young riders in an authentic race atmosphere. For more information, please visit www.redbullrookiescup.com.