LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (May 1, 2014) — No stranger to supporting the sport of motorcycle road racing, Arai Helmet has thrown its proverbial hat in the ring by signing up to sponsor the next two events of the new GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha. In addition, Arai has been named the official helmet of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha.

Devised to fill an 11-week gap in professional racing between mid-March and late May, the Superbike Shootout was inspired by the successful British Superbike Championship series. Both feature top professional stars and up-and-coming amateurs sharing the track in separate races at each venue. Superbike Shootout events are headlined by two professional classes: RaceFuelZ™ Pro Superbike and Dynojet Pro Sportbike.

The Arai Pacific Nationals will be hosted by the AFM next weekend, May 3-4, at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. The series then concludes with the Arai Mountain Nationals at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. The Miller event is being hosted by the Utah Sportbike Association on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25.

“At a time when our sport continues to slide backwards, there seems to be few who are willing or able to do anything about it,” says Brian Weston, Managing Director of Arai Helmet Inc. “So, while Arai is not traditionally in a position to offer such support, we feel it’s incredibly important to step up and support those who are making things happen, because, after all, it is our sport too.

“Arai takes great pride in being able to join the likes of GEICO Motorcycle and Yamaha in support of this new series, stepping in on the ground floor with the intention of continuing our support as it grows and evolves.”

During last weekend’s inaugural event, at California Speedway, in Fontana, California, fans saw Arai-sponsored Yoshimura Suzuki rider Martin Cardenas narrowly win the Pro Superbike race after a last-lap pass on Monster Energy Graves Yamaha’s Cameron Beaubier. In the Pro Sportbike class, Bobby Fong earned pole position on his Latus Motors Racing Triumph 675R, took the holeshot, then led every lap of the main event to cap off a perfect weekend.

The GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha has generated tremendous industry support in the few months since it was conceived. In addition to Arai, it has crucial backing from GEICO Motorcycle; Yamaha; Suzuki; Dynojet; RaceFuelZ; Honda; Motul; Galfer USA; Hotbodies; the American Motorcyclist Association; and many others.

Dunlop is providing spec tire service, while Sunoco is supplying spec fuel. Companies providing other services, displaying product and vending on site will include Arai, Alpinestars, Shoei, Motul, California Superbike School, Galfer, Roadracing World, Specialized Products Distribution and more, including Suzuki’s demo-ride operation.

For more information about the series, racers, tracks, vendors and sponsors, go toSuperbikeShootout.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.