Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

After two years without any public admission that the program exists, AMA Pro Racing has finally announced that riders who pre-enter the entire road racing season will receive a free guest pass.

An AMA Pro Racing memo addressed to “License Applicants” dated October 15, 2002 but postmarked January 3, 2003 states “Riders who are pre-entered for the entire race season can apply for a guest credential for a spouse, significant other or family member at no charge. The credential will not be issued to persons under the age of 16 and is not to be used for crew members.”

Since the secret policy–which until now had never been acknowledged in any AMA Pro printed materials, web postings, press releases or riders’ meetings–was enacted in 2000, dozens of riders who pre-entered for an entire season bought credentials for wives, girlfriends and relatives at a cost of $55 per race.

Last month AMA Pro Racing issued $550-per-season refund checks to those riders, with no explanation other than a notation of “guest pass refund” on the check stub, and with no apology.

The secret policy was first exposed and made public by Roadracingworld.com almost a year ago.