Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

General-interest news media representatives will take rides on a two-seat Formula Xtreme racebike at Road Atlanta today.

The new program is designed to give reporters an appreciation of the performance of modern racebikes and to promote interest in AMA road racing.

The racebike is a 2002 Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R1000 which was clocked at 187 mph at Brainerd International Raceway last year, and which has been fitted with standard tailsection, passenger seat and passenger pegs.

The two-seat racebike was a big hit with media reps at Infineon Raceway earlier this month, resulting in stories on two TV stations and in three newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle. Several of the involved reporters had never been on a motorcycle before.

Steve Rapp will pilot the two-seater, and media passengers have been lined up by Road Atlanta.

Several other racetracks have signed up to use the two-seater for pre-race PR purposes.