AMA MX Championship Returns To SPEED
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (February 26, 2007) – AMA Racing announced today that televised coverage of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF will return to SPEED™ beginning with the 2007 season. Additionally, it was announced that selected events will be carried live.
“This is a monumental step forward for AMA Motocross,” said AMA President, Rob Dingman. “One of our primary objectives for the series has been to dramatically improve its television coverage and we’re confident that returning it to the SPEED network will help accomplish that goal. We’re also thrilled to be able to present several events on a live basis.”
2007 broadcast plans call for three of the series’ 12 events to be telecast live. Dingman said that it is possible that additional live events could be added depending on viewer response. Motocross class races not carried live will air on the following Saturday or Sunday with Motocross Lites coverage at times to be determined. Live telecasts will be hour-long shows featuring highlights from Moto One and all of Moto Two.
SPEED is the only network devoted exclusively to the coverage of motorsports. The network’s household penetration currently exceeds 69 million homes in the United States with an additional five million in Canada.
SPEED’s Sr. Vice President Production & Network Operations, Rick Miner welcomes AMA Motocross back to the network’s coverage of professional motorcycle racing. “Historically, AMA Championship racing has been well received on SPEED,” commented Miner. “Moving forward we will be working hard to improve the overall presentation of the sport particularly with the live events.” Miner noted that Chet Burks Productions has been tapped to handle production duties. Production enhancements include aerial shots, additional cameras and an improved graphics package. Veteran motorsports commentator Ralph Sheheen will be the series announcer.
Coinciding with SPEED’s television coverage is a comprehensive webcast package to be produced by Racer X Illustrated and carried on www.racerxill.com. Racer X will carry real-time web streaming of certain race elements as well as unique, behind-the-scenes action. Additionally, Racer X will continue to present live audio coverage of the series on its website similar to what it has been doing for the past few years. "We have spent the last five years building the audio webcast for fans all over the world, and now we're ready to go even bigger. The online coverage of AMA Motocross--both audio and streaming video--will mark yet another step forward for our sport,” said Racer X Illustrated’s founder, Davey Coombs.
Dingman acknowledged series title sponsor Toyota’s role in bringing AMA Motocross back to SPEED. “Without the support of Toyota, it would have been difficult to achieve this broadcast package,” said Dingman. “Toyota’s role in AMA Supercross, Arenacross and especially Motocross cannot be understated and this is just another example of their deep commitment to the sport.”
Suzuki’s renewed advertising support of AMA Motocross was also instrumental in improving the overall television package according to Dingman.
The 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship begins May 19-20 at the Hangtown Motocross Classic from Sacramento, Calif. The championship will conclude Sept. 8-9 at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif.
About SPEED
SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 74 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit www.SPEEDtv.com.
About AMA Racing
AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. Accredited media outlets can also access an on line Press Room at www.amaproracing.com/pressroom. For amateur racing information visit www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/amasports.asp.
