2010 AMA Pro Superbike Schedule Announced

The series had a controversial first year under DMG management in 2009 with several public relations snafus and confusing rule changes and ending with a bike that will no longer be produced winning the Daytona Sportbike Championship.

Several rumors about big changes have spread in the weeks after the season ended, such as manufacturers pulling out, the AMA regaining control of the series from DMG and the series shrinking to a handful of events. Regarding that final item, nine returning events have been confirmed for 2010 with negotiations for a tenth event ongoing.

The two 2009 sites absent are Laguna Seca and Heartland Park. The 2009 Heartland Park event was met with controversy as riders Mat Mladin and Jamie Hacking refusing to race on the circuit over safety concerns, so its absence may not be surprising.

Laguna Seca is scheduled to host MotoGP July 23-25 and that weekend is free on the AMA schedule so its possible the Monterey, Calif., circuit may host the tenth event.

What is noteworthy is the AMA Pro Racing press release mentions two premier classes but does not refer to them by name. That may suggest the American Superbike and Daytona Sportbike classes may yet undergo some changes for 2010. The name of the entire series was also changed, referred to below as the AMA Pro Superbike Championship instead of AMA Pro Road Racing.

AMA Pro Racing officials announced today the 2010 race schedule for the AMA Pro Superbike Championship that will see the series visit the foremost road courses in the United States. SPEED will once again serve as AMA Pros broadcast partner.

The 2010 Superbike schedule will feature the two premier classes competing in nine confirmed events in key markets across the country. Negotiations are ongoing for a 10th race. Those details will be released in the near future.

The season will begin with the 69th annual Daytona 200 event weekend (March 3 - 5) under the lights at the World Center of Racing. SPEED will air the Daytona 200 live on Friday, March 5.

The Daytona 200 will be the only endurance race on the 2010 schedule. The remaining events will be doubleheader weekends that host dual 50-mile races on Saturday and Sunday.

After the Daytona opener, AMA Pro begins the doubleheader sprint race schedule at Auto Club Speedway (March 26 - 28) in Fontana, Calif., followed by a new event weekend date for Road Atlanta (April 16 - 18). Infineon Raceway (May 14 - 16) hosts the series for Round 4. The halfway point of the season hits at Road America, which has once again reserved the historical date for the Elkhart Lake track (June 4 - 6).

The series will then visit Mid-Ohio (July 16-18) before heading to Virginia International Raceway (August 13 - 15) on the same weekend for the fourth year in a row. The successful first year event over the Labor Day weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park (September 3 - 5) looks to be repeated, and the series will close at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham (September 24 - 26).

Following the season-opener at Daytona, SPEED will air flag-to-flag same weekend coverage of the two premier classes. Highlights of the other classes competing during the race weekends will be shown during the broadcasts.

SPEED is grateful for how the relationship works between the network and AMA Pro Racing, said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. Everyone involved is committed and energized in the joint effort to deliver quality motorcycle racing coverage. We look forward to the 2010 racing season and to this continued partnership.

It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the continuation of a great partnership with SPEED, said AMA Pro President Roger Edmondson. Their commitment to the growth of our sport and their unique ability to capture the excitement that the athletes and machines of our sport put on display every race weekend made continuing our relationship an easy decision. With our broadcast partner in place and our schedule visiting the best venues in the United States, we expect 2010 to be a great year and look forward to kicking off the season in Daytona.

2010 Confirmed Events