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AMA Announces Mid-Ohio Finale Format
by dean adams
Friday, April 14, 2006

This just in from the AMA.

Updated: Okay, this is the real release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Connie Fleming at 614-856-1900 (Ohio)
Contact: Kerry Graeber at 714-986-9030 (Calif.)
R06048
AMA PRO RACING AND MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE ANNOUNCE UNIQUE FORMAT FOR SUPERBIKE SHOOTOUT

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 14, 2006) -- Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, AMA Pro Racing and TrueSports, Incorporated, owner of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, have created a unique format for the 2006 Superbike Shootout at Mid-Ohio.

The AMA Superbike Championship finale, which will be held Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 at the Lexington, Ohio road course, will feature three heat races, a last chance qualifier (LCQ) and a consolation race. The heat races and LCQ will be intense, 5-7 lap sprints that give fans the thrill of watching a variety of different riders battle for a win. The top five riders from each heat race and the LCQ will make up the grid for the exclusive 20-rider final.

Riders who do not qualify for the main event will compete in a Superbike Consolation Race. The top 10 finishers in the consolation race will be awarded 21st through 30th-place points for the event. All support class grids will be determined by timed qualifying.

"Mid-Ohio approached us about the idea of making this event special," said AMA Pro Racing Road Race Series Manager Ron Barrick. "After soliciting the input of the road race advisory committee, this unique and exciting format is what we arrived at. Not only will it be a lot of fun, it will give a new generation of Superbike fans the opportunity to see what heat races and last chance qualifiers are all about. It has been 16 years since AMA Pro Racing last used heat races to determine Superbike grids for the final at regular series races."

"This will be a great change of pace and present the teams and riders with challenges most of them have never faced," Barrick added. "Getting the opportunity to watch three heat races and the excitement of a last chance race will also give the series a whole new twist without compromising the integrity of our championship and points system. And the winner of the consolation race will get a big boost in recognition over what a 21st-place finish would normally provide, which is another big bonus."

"We're pleased with the format for the Superbike Shootout," said TrueSports, Incorporated President Michelle Trueman-Gajoch. "When we announced this event, we wanted it to be truly distinct. Our partners at AMA Pro Racing shared that vision and created something we think fans and competitors alike will find fun and exciting."

All of the Superbike qualifying races will be held on Saturday. The consolation and Mid-Ohio Superbike Shootout will be run on Sunday. In addition to five Superbike races, the weekend also will feature AMA Supersport, Superstock and Formula Xtreme events.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is one of the classic circuits on the AMA Superbike Championship schedule. Since 1983, the track has hosted one of the series' best attended events. In addition to the season finale, Mid-Ohio will continue to host its traditional Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire AMA Superbike Doubleheader on August 4-6.

To show their commitment to racing, TrueSports, Incorporated and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in addition to hosting a second weekend of AMA Superbike racing, have undergone extensive facility improvements during the off-season, including a full-track repaving and the addition of a motocross facility.

ENDS

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