No TV For AMA Superbikes Finale At Laguna Seca
Cycle News Staff | September 6, 2013
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREA WILSON
It was announced today in a release from AMA Pro Road Racing that the final round of the championship to be held at Laguna Sega in conjunction with the World Superbike Championship event will not be televised. According to the release this is a result of “unresolvable complications in the production arrangements for the event.”
“We came into this with the sole intent of improving the sport of motorcycle road racing in North America and AMA Pro Racing has been a great partner,” said Chet Burks, President of Chet Burks Productions in the AMA release. “Despite the best efforts of all involved, the unexpected contractual and financial elements that have arisen for this event aren’t feasible. We really regret that this is happening but we simply can’t come up with the funds we need to purchase production for this event.”
A similar situation was faced earlier in the season for the first round at Laguna Seca during the U.S. GP weekend, when production arrangements came together with Dorna – who was on hand for MotoGP – at the 11th hour. Unfortunately it does not look like a last- minute solution will be the case this time.
Burks continued to express his gratitude to CBS Sports Network and the sponsors that stepped up to support the broadcasts in 2013 and that they were working on 2014.
“We’re thankful for all of the sponsors that stepped up to support the broadcasts in 2013 and we’re already hard at work lining things up for a successful, televised 2014 season without the likelihood of complications like this arising again,” Burks said. “I also want to thank our television broadcast partner CBS Sports Network for their support this year. Although they are disappointed that we are not able to shoot the Monterey round, they are already working with us on the plans to provide an even better television broadcast package for the 2014 season.”
