From an AMA press release:

SPEED CHANNEL TO FEATURE SEVEN HOURS OF LIVE DAYTONA BIKE WEEK ROAD RACE COVERAGE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Speed Channel continues to set new standards for live coverage of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. This March the network will feature seven hours of live road-racing coverage from Daytona International Speedway, culminating with the live broadcast of the 61st edition of the Daytona 200 by Arai on Sunday, March 10 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.

“Speed Channel’s live coverage commitment to Daytona’s AMA Pro Racing events events is validation of the growth and appeal our motorcycle racing properties” says, John C. Farris, Jr., vice president commercial development, AMA Pro Racing. “Riders, Teams and Sponsors will all benefit from the increased coverage and the strong appeal of live racing coverage, it’s a win win situation for all stakeholders involved in the sport”.

This year’s coverage kicks off with AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike final qualifying from 1-2 p.m. (EST) on Friday, March 8. The starting grid for the Daytona 200 will be determined during this coverage, and as usual, you’ll want to be watching the closing minutes of qualifying when the lap times really start to fall. Defending champ Mathew Mladin is the official track-record holder, turning a 1:48.424 (118.203) on his Yoshimura Suzuki in qualifying last year.

The coverage then moves right into the opening round of the 2002 Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock class starting at 3 p.m. on Friday. Jimmy Moore will be sporting the No. 1 plate on his Corona Extra Suzuki and opening his title defense in the series, but could face some stiff competition. The always powerful Valvoline EMGO Suzuki squad has Chris Ulrich, who had one win in the class last year. Also look for the Hooters Suzukis ridden by Michael Barnes and Larry Pegram, along with Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree and Craig Connell. Young Jason DiSalvo is slated to race in Superstock as well. DiSalvo, former AMA Horizon Award winner, is returning to America after racing in the European championships.

Capping off the coverage on Friday is live coverage of the 16th running of Daytona’s opening race of the 2002 Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship, from 3-4 p.m. Over the years this race has consistently provided some of the closest and most memorable racing action at Daytona. It’s the race where the manufacturers bring out all their big guns to win what is without question the single most important race in terms of sport bike sales for the season. The manufacturer that wins the Daytona Supersport race is almost assured a great year on showroom floors across America. For the past decade Miguel Duhamel has been the King of AMA Supersport. The Canadian has won the Daytona race six times. The list of former Daytona Supersport winners reads like a who’s who of motorcycle racing and includes such legends as Doug Polen, Doug Chandler, Mike Smith and John Kocinski.

On Sunday, March 10, the MBNA 250 Grand Prix race gets things warmed up live at 10:30 am. Rich Oliver is the five-time defending winner of the Series. 2001 Series Champ, Jimmy Filice, won’t be defending his title, as he moves on to contest the Supersport title aboard a Kawasaki.

The Daytona 200 by Arai, the granddaddy of American motorcycle races, wraps up Speed Channel’s live coverage of the 2002 Daytona Bike Week. The network will provide flag-to-flag coverage of the 61st running of the prestigious race. Aussie Superbike sensation Mat Mladin will ride the No.1 Yoshimura Suzuki and attempt to become the first rider in the history of the 200 to win three-in-a-row.

2002 BIKE WEEK SPEED CHANNEL BROADCAST SCHEDULE


Friday, March 8, Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Qualifying, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Friday, March 8, Pro Honda Oils Supersport Final, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

Friday, March 8, Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Final, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday, March 10, Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Final/Daytona 200, 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 10, MBNA 250 Grand Prix Final, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

All times are Eastern. Check local listing for times in your area and keep posted to SpeedTV.com for the latest updates.

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for professional motorcycle sport in the United States. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.