Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

In an e-mail response to Mark Webster, a motorcycle enthusiast who sponsors CMRA racer Jason Peterson in regional events and asked why AMA Pro Racing discourages Thursday practice, AMA Pro Racing Director of Professional Competition Merrill Vanderslice charged that Roadracing World Editor, race team owner and AMA Southwest Director John Ulrich supports Thursday practice prior to AMA Nationals for purely financial reasons.

“Certainly John Ulrich of Roadracing World is in favor of keeping Thursday practices intact because he makes money conducting them,” wrote Vanderslice. “He rents tracks on the Thursday before our nationals and charges riders to practice. I don’t think it takes a genius to see the motivation there…”

Last year, 135 AMA Pro racers, mechanics and team owners signed a petition in favor of Thursday practice prior to AMA Nationals. Roadracing World learned Monday that after the signatures were presented to members of the AMA Board of Directors and members of the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors last fall, Vanderslice dismissed the issue of Thursday practice as being made up by Ulrich for his own personal gain. (Ulrich has since been elected to the AMA Board and took office in February.)

Ulrich is a vocal advocate of Thursday practice, and, putting his money where his mouth is, used his company Team Hammer Inc. to promote a single Thursday pro practice in front of an AMA National in 2001, at Brainerd. That event, which included Air Fence, a cornerworking crew, three on-site ambulances and rider medical insurance, attracted 36 riders and cost $1100 more to put on than riders paid to participate.

Team Hammer also sublet two hours of track time on the Thursday prior to the 2001 AMA National at Road Atlanta for a track ride event, in a continuation of a deal that originally made it financially feasible for the Road Atlanta race promoters to hold Thursday practice. That event also lost money.

Ulrich was not involved in any other Thursday pro practice, track ride or school days in front of AMA Nationals in 2001.

Webster posted Vanderslice’s e-mail on a website and the false accusation spread to various other sites and internet lists. One attacker posted, “Finally, being the cynical person I am, what do I think is really driving this issue? Money. And advantages lost. Or should I say, a lack of money, going into Johnny’s pocket. See, someone usually runs these practice days, and guess who that is at a lot of the tracks? Uh huh, Mr Roadracingworld himself. The AMA by banning Thursday practices takes money out of Johnny’s pocket. Ouch, that hurts.”

Confronted by Ulrich via phone, Vanderslice admitted that he had no evidence to back up his claim. Vanderslice subsequently sent a follow-up e-mail to Webster, with a copy to Ulrich, as follows:

“I made statements about a perception without knowing whether or not John actually made money on practices and that wasn’t right. John called to assure me that he is not in it for the money and I believe him. He has shown that he has a genuine interest in improving the sport and safety through his air module fund-raising program (that has actually cost him money) and his effort to become a member of the AMA Board of Directors, thereby taking part in a variety of programs to benefit all motorcyclists. No one should make accusations purely on perception.”

John Ulrich issued the following statement, as an individual AMA member and not in his official capacity as an AMA Director: “As an employee of the AMA and an official of AMA Pro Racing, Merrill Vanderslice has an obligation to treat AMA members involved in AMA Pro Racing fairly. Making up something to personally smear somebody he disagrees with is completely against the principles the AMA and AMA Pro Racing are supposed to stand for. That he did so in a case involving an AMA Director says a lot about his judgement. If Merrill Vanderslice says the sky is blue, best be looking before you believe him.”