Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

2002 AMA Supersport Champion Aaron Yates is still facing probation and a possible race suspension during the 2003 season, in addition to a $2500 fine, for laying on an active racetrack during the August 11 AMA Superbike race a Virginia International Raceway, Yates said Tuesday at the Suzuki Dealer Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After defining the AMA’s “significant fine” as $2500, Yates told Roadracingworld.com, “I was kind of upset about you all putting the thing in there about us wanting to appeal it. The whole idea of the appeal deal was that there was other issues along…other penalties that we were concerned with and wanted to appeal, not necessarily the fine.

“I know I goofed up and did something stupid. I was expecting it (the fine). It’s just I was concerned with some additional penalties along with the fine.”

Yates said he was facing, “Probation, possible race suspension. I guess I am on probation. It’s a big concern because we don’t want some goofy little something to cause a suspension of a race and miss all those points. I mean, we’re out there racing for a Championship.

“I guess we all do things we wish we didn’t do, and that’s one of my things I did. At the time I felt like it was the thing to do. I wasn’t really thinking is what happened. I was just trying to express my opinion. I felt like the race should be red flagged. His (Kurtis Roberts’) bike was on the track.

“You know, I wish I would’ve just ran over there, picked up my bike, tried to get it started and took off, just like I did. Just the way it all worked out, I would’ve ended up right where I did because of the additional red flags we had.”

When asked if the penalty situation with AMA Pro Racing was settled and done, Yates said, “I just kind of dropped it. I just wish it would go away.”

After our interview, Yates’ manager Cliff Nobles confirmed that Yates is under a “one-year probationary period” lasting until August 11, 2003.