Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Aprilia USA will not sponsor the Aprilia Challenge Cup as a National Series in 2002 and will instead support local contingency programs and a season-ending final, along the lines of the Suzuki Cup Finals.

The change was announced in a press release issued by Aprilia on October 17. The release quoted Aprilia USA General Manager Tom McDonald as saying, “The Aprilia Cup will shift to more of a local series with contingency money posted in local clubs. Aprilia’s reputation has been built on racing, and we still want local racers to have contingencies available closer to home, and perhaps involve their local Aprilia dealerships in their racing programs.”

A season-ending National Championship round for the Aprilia Cup series may be organized with the top local racers competing for $20,000 in purse and show money. Aprilia USA Marketing Coordinator Robert Pandya is quoted in the release as saying that possible specialty categories, such as the Heavyweight Division in the 2001 season, are being considered “to allow greater parity for Aprilia Cup racers.”

Aprilia USA says that final details of the program will be announced at a later date along with contingency information for Aprilia Mille racers.

Formula USA’s Bill Syfan said that Aprilia USA has already approached him about hosting the season-ending Aprilia Cup Final.