From an e-mail just in:


I assume you may know who to contact at these venues so I may voice my interest in participating in the “Promoter” practices (on Thursday).

How about an e-mail campaign of riders and team owners directly to the track owners/promoters?

Please forward the message to whomever may help me.

Thank you!

Gary Ricci
Ricci Motorsports
AMA 750cc Supersport Team


Ricci sent his e-mail in response to the news that AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth is telling racetracks and race promoters that they should not hold Thursday practice, and that AMA Pro Racing officials need Thursday to set up timing and scoring equipment! Hollingsworth has also told racetrack officials and promoters that the teams can’t practice anyway on Thursday (due to restrictions on riders who are top-10 in points in Superbike and 600cc Supersport). So, anybody who isn’t top-10 in Superbike or 600cc Supersport doesn’t count or doesn’t exist, right, Scotty?

In response, here’s a list of tracks planning on hosting Thursday practice and tracks that are undecided or haven’t told us what they’re planning to do in 2002:



AMA National promoters at the following tracks have committed to having Thursday practice in 2002:

The Colonel’s Brainerd International Raceway
Road America
Road Atlanta
Sears Point Raceway
Virginia International Raceway




Tracks where official practice has already started by Thursday:

Daytona International Speedway
Laguna Seca



Tracks on the fence regarding Thursday practice in 2002:

California Speedway
According to California Speedway Operations Manager Phil Tucker, the Thursday prior to the AMA Superbike race “is not on the schedule as a practice day. It’s still early. That is something that would be coordinated between the track President (Bill Miller) and the AMA.” Comments can be directed to the racetrack via e-mail, [email protected] or [email protected].

Pikes Peak International Raceway
According to Vice President Dan Greenwood, the final decision has not been made and won’t be made until December, although Wednesday has been tentatively blocked out on the track’s calendar as a set-up day and Thursday as a practice day. “It’s not decided yet but I’m guessing we probably will (have Thursday practice),” said Greenwood. Comments can be directed to the racetrack via e-mail, [email protected]




Tracks that won’t have Thursday practice:

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

According to Mid-Ohio President Michelle Trueman, the Wednesday and Thursday prior to Mid-Ohio’s AMA National will feature California Superbike School sessions. Trueman said, of Hollingsworth’s attempt to keep tracks from having any on-track activity on Thursday, “It’s not their day (to tell us what to do with it).”
According to California Superbike School founder Keith Code, his school sessions do not and will not include any practice component. Interestingly, Code said that he cannot physically make it from his date at Laguna Seca the Monday prior to the Mid-Ohio race to Mid-Ohio by Wednesday. “I can’t make the date,” Code said, “and I’ve told (Circuit Manager)Al Griebling that I can’t make the dates.” Comments can be directed to [email protected].