Great weekend of amateur road racing on tap this weekend at AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Great weather, great racing and national championships are on tap to make this weekend at the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Racing Road Race Grand Championships at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, one of the year’s biggest weekends in amateur motorcycle road racing. The AMA is reminding racers that post entries are accepted at this national championship event. The first class is $100 and subsequent classes are $65 per class. Not only will competitors get ample track time on the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, but amateur racers will compete for AMA Racing Amateur National Championships and AMA Racing No. 1 plates, which they’ll receive at the AMA Racing Amateur Racing Banquet this Dec. 4 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The best amateur racers also will compete for the AMA Road Race Horizon Award, which will honor the racer poised to make an immediate impact on the pro level. “We’re also proud to welcome 2003 AMA Road Race Horizon Award winner Brian Stokes to the paddock,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “Brian will serve as our grand marshal for the event, as well as compete as part of the CCS program. As a successful graduate from the amateur road-racing ranks to the pros, Brian will be on hand to help out any new racers who have questions about what it takes to advance to the next level.” Stokes, from Kingston, Ga., will race for CCS regional points and contingency in the Expert Middleweight Supersport, Expert Middleweight Superbike, Expert Unlimited Supersport and Expert Unlimited Superbike. “Amateur road racing was an important part of my career moving up through the ranks, and it’s even more important today for young racers,” Stokes said. “The competitiveness of going out with friends, racing on these great tracks, becomes a part of your life. And while we’re all trying to win on the track, in the paddock, it’s a real family oriented environment. I’ve met the nicest people around racing motorcycles. The bottom line, though, is if you have your goals set on being a factory racer, amateur racing is where you start, and this weekend will be a great test for anyone trying to do that.” Other highlights of the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships include: * Championship Cup Series (CCS) classes and contingency. * Timed qualifying on Saturday, championship racing on Sunday. * Pro-licensed riders may race for CCS points and contingency, but only amateursare eligible for AMA Racing Amateur National Championships. * Additional racing in U.S. Grand Prix Racers Union (USGPRU) classes, which feature 125cc and 250cc two-stroke road-race motorcycles. * Participation by a new class of fully faired road-race machines based on 450cc four-stroke motocross bikes in both the USGPRU and AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championship programs. * The USGPRU program will include the MD250 class, which features the new Moriwaki Honda MD250H four-stroke race bikes. * A free barbecue on Saturday night. * The prestigious AMA Road Race Horizon Award will be presented to the top amateur at the event. * Special awards also will be presented to the top youth and vet riders at the event. * Riders as young as 12 can compete in the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships. Riders 15 and under are eligible for the AMA Road Race Youth Award. * Garage space is still available from Mid-Ohio. Garages are only $250 this weekend and one garage can accommodate several bikes and riders. The AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships are the country’s premier amateur road-racing event, awarding AMA Racing National Championships in a number of road-racing classes for both expert- and novice-ranked riders. Not only do riders get ample track time and an opportunity to race against the country’s fastest amateur racers, but the best compete for the AMA Road Racing Horizon Award, which goes to the rider showing the most promise for success in the professional ranks. In addition to Stokes, past winners of the AMA Road Racing Horizon Award have included Jason DiSalvo, Ben Spies and Blake Young. A schedule, class list and supplemental regulations for the event are available on the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships page at AMARacing.com. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.