Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

There will be Thursday practice at next week’s AMA National at Sears Point International Raceway, the 112% rule will be applied to timed qualifying for the 250cc Grand Prix class, and leftover (unawarded) purse money goes into the points fund.

That’s the latest word from the racetrack (on practice), from AMA Pro Racing Director Of Competition Merrill Vanderslice (on timed qualifying), and from AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth (unused purse).


The question on purse was posed by Sean Edin, as follows:

Rich (Oliver) and I were discussing the prize money for the AMA racing events. Curiosity arrived at the thought of what happens to the money that is NOT paid either to a rider due to low grid numbers and/or 11 bikes are missing from the grid due to the 112% rule in effect at the particular race? Is there a kickback to the head of road racing operations? Why isn’t the money put back into the overall purse for the class and distributed equally to the riders? The money is already allocated for the event in case it has to be paid in full. I know there are less than 35 bikes on the Superbike grid, which is also funny because the AMA only pays points to the top 30 riders, yet money to the top 35! If there are only 27 top Superbikes who finish the race that leaves approx $2700 to the remaining 8 spots that goes unpaid. Heck you could put that into a bonus check for the top privateer finisher, kinda like the American LeMans Series where at the end of the year over $1 million gets distributed to the privateers of the series.

Just curious and thought you could answer these questions about this ongoing AMA saga!

Sean Edin, PTA, ATC
Team Oliver Yamaha