Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Officials at key racetracks which have promoted AMA Superbike races for decades say they are considering abandoning the AMA Series completely in the face of demands from AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth that they pay greatly increased (one track source said close-to-double) sanctioning fees for 2002.

A key executive at one track described the situation as “creating an opportunity for other series” because the track cannot guarantee a profit for its shareholders if it agrees to the dramatically increased sanction fee and promotes an AMA Superbike race again next year.

An immediate beneficiary of the situation could the the Superbike World Championship Series, because the new fee structure dramatically reduces the price spread between an AMA National and a World Superbike event, and promoters believe they can draw more paying fans to a World Superbike race.

The AMA Superbike Series could lose as many as four racetracks/promoters in 2002, over sanctioning fees and related issues.

Several track officials are also discussing forming a promoters’ group to address common problems they face in dealings with the current AMA Pro Racing regime.