Born To Ride News

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Some of the most thrilling racing on two wheels gets under way Friday night when the opening round of the 2010 AMA/USA Speedway National Championship kicks off at Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, Calif.

“Speedway racing is tight, close, unpredictable and, above all, fast,” said American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “With so much talent on the track, this should be one heck of a championship battle.”

With 2009 series winner and eight-time champion Greg Hancock racing in Europe this season, the favorite for the 2010 title is 2008 champion Billy Janniro. Janniro has been the top rider in early season non-championship competition, winning eight of 10 scratch main events this season at the Fast Friday’s complex.

Other riders to watch include Charlie Venegas and Scott Brant, who have both won over Janniro, as well as Tyson Burmeister, Jimmy Fishback and Gary Hicks. Meanwhile, no one is counting out veteran rider Bobby Schwartz, who has more than 36 years of speedway racing experience, with titles in 1986 and 1989.

This year’s national championship will be a two-series event with both rounds staged at Fast Friday’s. The riders will be assigned to one of four main events, seeded according to their finishes in the 20 heat races earlier in the night. Points accumulated in these main events will go toward the championship series total points. The final round will be Oct. 1 at Fast Friday’s.

The total rider purse for each round is $10,000, with the high-points rider of each round receiving $2,000.

Racing kicks off at 8 p.m. each night, and gates open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, see FastFridays.com or call (530) 878-7223.
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association