Record entries for 2003 AMA Road Racing Grand Championships

July 23 – The 2003 AMA Road Racing Grand Championships have experienced a large growth spurt this season.

The AMA Grand Championships, which run this Wednesday and Thursday (July 23-24), as part of Cycle-Fest 2003 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, have more than doubled in entries over the 2002 event.

Nearly 500 pre-entries have been received at AMA Sports from aspiring racers across the country. The number of entries is a record since the event moved to midweek dates between AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike weekend, and indicates an increased awareness in the AMA Grand Championships.

"This year's new AMA Club Team Challenge has attracted a more varied group of riders from all over the country," said Bill Amick, Vice President of AMA Events and Entertainment. "Cooperation from racing clubs and organizations, most notably WERA, has helped increase knowledge of the event. We're very enthusiastic about the future of the AMA Road Racing Grand Championships. We think it will continue to grow and settle into a midsummer niche within the vibrant national club racing scene."

The AMA Road Racing Grand Championships are in their seventh year. The event first ran at Loudon, New Hampshire, 1997 and was moved to Mid-Ohio in 2000.

For the first time in 2003, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing will award points at the AMA Grand Championships towards its North Central and Northeastern Championship Series. WERA is also providing the nucleus of the event's officiating team.

Along with the new AMA Club Challenge, which will spotlight teams from road racing clubs nationwide, a highlight of the event will be announcing the 2003 recipient of the AMA Horizon Award. The Horizon Award recognizes the event's outstanding young rider as he or she looks toward a professional racing career.