No Sonoma Race For 2013 AMA Superbikes
Cycle News Staff | October 22, 2012
In what is a major blow to the AMA Pro Road Racing Championship, Sonoma Raceway announced that it won’t be hosting a round of the AMA Superbike Championship 2013.
The raceway in Sonoma, California (formerly Sears Point International Raceway and then Infineon Raceway) has held a round of the series every year since 1993, but a press release issued this afternoon stated that track management feels the current conditions within the motorcycle industry and the economy in general doesn’t give them the confidence to promote a race in 2013.
No matter the name of the racetrack, Steve Page, the president and general manager of the raceway, and his staff have always run a well-promoted, first-class event that’s one of the most popular on the calendar.
“This facility has a long tradition of professional motorcycle racing and this was a very difficult decision,” said Page in a release. “It’s particularly disappointing because the competition over the last few years has been outstanding and we’re sorry we won’t be able to bring this show back for our fans.”
Page said the raceway is keeping the door open to future events if the proper level of sponsorship and industry support can be secured. The raceway has a long and storied history with AMA Pro, dating back to 1977 when Paul Ritter won the first Superbike race at what was then Sears Point.
An AMA Pro Road Racing schedule for 2013 has yet to be released.
