RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP
The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup will also see their series race at Mid-Ohio. Twenty-three of the fastest teenage racers in North and South America and the Caribbean will have their 50 kilometer race on Sunday.
Each of the Rookies Cup races have been exciting battles for the win with numerous lead changes along the way. Four of the five races ended with the victor less than one second ahead of the next competitor. The closest was the first Laguna race, which saw an exciting climax with the winner's margin of victory just 0.0008 seconds according to the AMA's photo finish equipment. Even the Sonoma race -- the lone contest to have a margin of victory of greater than one second -- saw a three-rider pack fight for the lead before a crash took out two of the three riders in the lead pack. The Mid-Ohio race promises to be another tight, close event, with the circuit's layout considered ideal for the 125 cc KTM race machines.
North Hollywood, California's Benny Solis, Jr., has won four of the five races in 2008 and leads the points, but he's been pushed in each of his wins by Leandro Mercado of Argentina. Mercado won the other race at Road America when he earned a photo finish triumph over Jake Gagne of Ramona, California. Solis and Mercado have developed a serious on-track rivalry so far this year, one that has been complicated in the races by Hayden Gillim of Owensboro, Ky., who has joined them at the front. Not content to leave those three to have their way in the series for 13-to-16 year-olds, Tomas Puerta of Colombia has led races and challenged for wins as well.
Another factor in the Mid-Ohio Rookies Cup race is the points battle for the Red Bull Riders Cup. The top ten riders in the season's points will take on their European counterparts later this year at Indianapolis and Valencia.
COVERAGE ON SPEED
The AMA Superbike and Pro Honda Oils Supersport races from Mid-Ohio will enjoy same-day television coverage on SPEED.
Saturday's Superbike final will be shown at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Sunday's final will air at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, immediately following the Supersport race, which will be shown starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
The Formula Xtreme and Superstock races will be shown on Tuesday, August 5 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern.
TICKETS
Tickets for the Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tires can be obtained online by visiting http://store.midohio.com/c-2-tickets.aspx or by calling 1-800-MID-OHIO.
About AMA Racing
AMA Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. AMA Pro Racing series include the Monster Energy(r) AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA 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. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing.