From a press release issued by USGPRU:

USGPRU Will Not Add a South Central Region

The USGPRU has decided not to add the South Central Region comprised largely of Texas after failing to reach an agreement with regional race organizers.

“We understand the problem faced by organizers but we are very disappointed not to be adding the region, there was so much support from the riders for expansion of the USGPRU into this region,” said Series Director Jonathan Flack.

“Growth in the non-traditional motard classes has obviously put a pinch on the scheduling during race weekends for race organizers, we fully understand the financial incentives, but I feel that we are doing riders a real injustice by limiting development of what has proven the most successful development class in road racing, especially in Texas.

“It’s easy to forget that many of the top riders in road racing today including Nicky Hayden, Jason DiSalvo & Chris Ulrich (not to mention Valentino Rossi, Toni Elias, and countless others) all cut their teeth racing in the 125GP Class and there is really no other place for riders to develop like they can in the 125s,” says Series Director Flack.

“The 125 is a very easy bike to ride – but a tremendously difficult bike to ride fast, and that’s what makes it such a great tool when developing young riders.

“It’s so easy to identify talent in this class because it’s so difficult to ride at the front of the field. These qualities transfer so well to larger bikes, yet young riders develop these skills so much more quickly on a 125, so it’s the obvious place to start young riders.

“Nearly every great rider at the World Championship level has spent time on a 125 and that’s not a coincidence. Young local riders like Ryan Andrews were beginning to show tremendous potential at USGPRU events in 2002 so the decision to drop the region is especially disappointing because young riders like Ryan are really the focus of the USGPRU.

“With the extension of the 125GP Class in World Grand Prix to 2008 we had hoped other organizations would recognise the continued value of the class. Only Hallett was a disappointment for us last season, at some events the grids reached over 40 bikes,” noted Flack. “The Western region consistently had the largest grids most weekends.”

The USGPRU hopes to move forward with addition of the region in 2004 but for 2003 Flack says “We have to go with a secure program or we risk over-extending the series. With races scheduled in three regions and a total of 16 events on the National Championship schedule we feel that there will be ample opportunity for riders in the South Central US to get their six required races in for the Championship.”