From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING EVENTS RESCHEDULED

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 17, 2004) — AMA Pro Racing announced today that the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship season finale scheduled to be held this weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Va., and the AMA Supermoto Championship race also scheduled for this weekend at nearby South Boston Speedway in South Boston, have been rescheduled for the weekend of Oct. 9-10.

Both events had been postponed due to complications surrounding the effects of Hurricane Ivan, a major storm tracking toward the region. According to the National Weather Service as of Friday, the area surrounding VIR is under both tornado and flood watch.

“Given the magnitude of this storm and the expectation that it would severely impact the area, we made the decision on Tuesday to postpone these events,” said Kerry Graeber, AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Director of Communications. “Since then, AMA Pro Racing officials have been working with each event organizer to reschedule both races. Because of the championship implications, particularly in road racing, it’s important to hold these events if at all possible. If we had been unable to reschedule the event at VIR we were prepared to look at other tracks to hold the Superbike season finale. For the sake of fans who would like to attend both events, officials at South Boston Speedway felt strongly about tying the two events together and were able to make the necessary changes to enable the supermoto race to run on the same weekend.”

Graeber pointed out that while the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship has already been determined; the championships for Superbike, Supersport and Superstock are still undecided.

The AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship event at VIR will be held on Oct. 9-10. An updated event schedule is forthcoming.

The AMA Supermoto Championship event at South Boston Speedway will be held on Oct. 9.

VIR management indicated that all previously purchased tickets will be honored. Tickets will be available from ticket outlets and at the gate. A list of ticket outlets is available online at www.virclub.com, and purchases from ticket outlets will be at the advance-ticket discount. For more information on the Suzuki Lightning Nationals, call the track toll free at (888) 722-3099, ext. 112.

South Boston Speedway also confirmed that previously purchased tickets will be honored. Tickets for the rescheduled event are available at www.tickets.com. For additional information call (877) 440-1540.



More, from a press release issued by VIR:

Suzuki Lightning Nationals Rescheduled

Alton, Va. (Sept. 17) –The Pro Racing Division of the American Motorcyclist Association issued a statement today rescheduling the Suzuki Lightning Nationals at VIRginia International Raceway, which was originally scheduled for this weekend, to Oct. 9-10.

VIR reminds fans that three-day tickets will allow access to the facility for a promoter’s test day on Friday. Gates will be opened for fan access on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 6:00 p.m.

VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit (designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, which is a showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; the VIR Safety and Security Institute, which provides specialized training for U.S. Government and military groups; and the VIR Euro Rally and Corporate Motorsport Experience, which features four rally stages plus a kart track as well as an ATV and SUV trials course and trails. Future plans include The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room hotel overlooking the track, and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse.

VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The renovated original circuit has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days.

For more information, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR toll-free at 888-RACE099. For more information on the VIR Euro Rally and Corporate Motorsport Experience, call toll-free 877-RALLY66 or visit their website at www.vireurorally.com. For more information on the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, visit their website at www.ussuperbike.com.


More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

2004 American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship
Rounds 17 & 18 – Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia, USA

Event News

FINAL AMERICAN SUPERBIKE ROUND RESCHEDULED

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) have announced that the weekend of October 9 & 10 has been nominated as the new date for the postponed final round of this year’s American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship at Virginia International Raceway.

The AMA had postponed the round (which was originally scheduled to run this weekend) after concerns over the widespread impact of hurricane Ivan that struck the south-east region of the United States over the past few days.

With the new date announced, Mat Mladin and his Yoshimura Suzuki team will head to Virginia holding a 42-point advantage at the top of the championship table and will be aiming to secure an unprecedented fifth American Superbike crown.

Mladin has led the championship from the start of the season after winning the prestigious Daytona 200 (for the third time) in March and has amassed a total of eight race wins from sixteen starts this year.

2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Points after 16 of 18 rounds)
1. Mat Mladin (532, 8 wins); 2. Jake Zemke (490, 2 win): 3. Miguel DuHamel (477, 4 wins): 4. Ben Bostrom (364, 1 win): 5. Geoff May (344): 6. Eric Bostrom (336, 1 win): 7. John Haner (312): 8. Aaron Yates (298): 8. 9. Eric Wood (284): 10. Josh Hayes (267).