Author Topic: VIR AMA races Aug 26-28 (Read 11028 times)

PeteSC · « **on:** August 06, 2005, 03:10:13 PM »

SPEED Channel: We’re Serious About Supporting The Motorcycle-enthusiast Segment Of Our Audience
Aug 06, 2005

From a press release issued by VIR:

Fun for Fans of All Ages at VIR Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals

Alton, Va. (August 5) – Fans of all ages will have plenty to do at this year’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIRginia International Raceway featuring the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, scheduled for the weekend of August 26-28. New race promoters Race Promotion Management (RPM) are pulling out all the stops to make sure this will be the best AMA Superbike race of the year, one that every member of the family will remember for years to come.

Among the latest additions to the myriad of off-track attractions added for the weekend is the Speed Channel mobile marketing unit, a 58-foot trailer that includes a 30-seat theater and two removable pods that contain video game units and other interactive attractions. The unit will be manned by Speed Channel personnel all weekend, with lots of giveaways for fans. It will be located in the paddock for Friday night’s Fan Party, and the back of the unit will be used as the backdrop for the
Victory Podium throughout the weekend.

Speed Channel will be broadcasting all the weekend’s races, and the network is looking forward to connecting with its motorcycle-enthusiast fans at VIR.

“It’s a great opportunity for Speed Channel to connect our brand with the motorcycle fans,” said network spokesman Erik Arneson. “We expect to make a few big motorcycle announcements over the next couple of weeks. We had a great event out at the Moto GP USGP at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and we want to demonstrate that we’re serious about supporting the motorcycle-enthusiast segment of our audience. The fact that Speed
Channel has committed to bringing its mobile marketing unit to an event like the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR hopefully will go a long way toward showing those fans that they are an important part of our audience.”

Also having a big presence throughout the weekend will be Red Bull. The energy-drink manufacturer will be providing its signature steel arch at the paddock entrance to the track, and will be hosting a VIP area throughout the weekend, plus having a large number of Red Bull stations throughout the facility. On Friday night, following the Fan Party, Red Bull will host a showing of the movie “Faster,” which will be hooked up
to the Speed Channel mobile marketing unit and the Jumbotron screens located strategically around the track.

For the younger fans, Kidz Jump Inc. of Lynchburg, Va., will be furnishing a large kids’ play area at the track, featuring its popular “Purple Dinosaur Moon Bouncer,” a large inflatable bouncing play area, plus a large inflatable obstacle course.

All of this will be in addition to the previously announced appearance of Jason Britton’s Team No Limit Xtreme Stunt Show and live music from the band Moonshine Still on Saturday and Sunday, plus a huge vendor area that will offer memorabilia, apparel, motorcycles and parts.

“We’re really excited about the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR,” said RPM vice president Cameron Gray. “The facility is awesome, the racing is going to be incredible and we are totally determined to do whatever it takes to make this the best event of the year. There’s going to be lots to do for the whole family, and we’re anticipating the biggest crowd in the the track’s history. If ever there was an event not to be missed, this is going to be it.”

Fans are reminded that August 12 is the deadline to purchase advance tickets to be eligible for the drawing that will allow 10 lucky fans a chance to compete in a karting enduro at VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track with some of the top names in Superbike racing. The Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge will take place on Thursday, August 25, and will feature 10 teams, with four drivers per team. Each team will consist of a Superbike racer, a media celebrity, a staff member from VIR, AMA, RPM or Suzuki, and a lucky fan. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go wheel-to-wheel with the stars of Superbike racing, so fans are encouraged to get their ticket orders in before the deadline to take advantage of this great opportunity.

There are a number of advance ticket packages available for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR. Advance packages include the Flag Room (three-day admission, paddock access, car parking pass, official event program and hospitality on Saturday and Sunday), for $140; Youth Flag Room (5-12 years of age) for $50; the Big Kahuna Super Ticket (three-day admission, paddock and pit walk pass, lap of track, car parking pass and official 2005 Big Kahuna t-shirt) for $99; three-day general admission with paddock access for $55; and pit walk passes (limited availability, good for all practice and qualifying sessions, requires closed-toe shoes) for $30. At the gate, ticket availability will be limited to three-day passes for $60, single-day tickets (Friday only) for $10 and pit walk passes for $40.

To purchase advance tickets, visit www.virclub.com or www.rpmcolorado.com.

The event schedule for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will include three days of racing action, including two feature races for the headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited as well as feature races for the supporting classes including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series.

VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit (designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club,
America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, which is a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; the VIR Safety and Security Institute, which provides specialized training for U.S. Government and military groups; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room hotel overlooking the track; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation
Clubhouse.

VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The 2.25-mile VIR North Course circuit on which the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will take place has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days.

For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR at 434-822-7700. For more information on Race Promotion Management, visit their website at www.rpmcolorado.com or contact them via telephone at 303-377-3278. For more information on the AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited, visit their website at www.amasuperbike.com.

GaryB12VA · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2005, 10:31:15 AM »

I may ride down on Saturday with some buds from the R1 Forum. Anyone else planning on being there?

PeteSC · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2005, 02:47:32 PM »

Dunno, GAry, I'd be tempted to blast up......but am too busy for somebody who'd temporarily 'retired'................

12sdrag · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2005, 10:19:13 PM »

GaryB12VA, Are you going down saturday? if so what time are you leaving? I`m home alone this weekend think I may ride down. Like to see if we could hook up again. The last ride was great. Come on Pete, life is too long to be too busy and this will be my first ama race.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2005, 10:44:50 PM »

Aw man... I wanna go!

12sdrag · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2005, 11:22:32 PM »

Lets Go it`s only about 300 miles.

PeteSC · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2005, 12:36:22 AM »

Tempted, JR, will have to see how the trailer goes.....got a buyer for the old trailer that needs it shortly after labor day...and I have it packed with junque that needs to go into the new trailer.
It looks like a one day ticket is $60 for saturday at the gate??

GaryB12VA · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2005, 05:17:05 PM »

Junior,

I'm not going to make it. I started coming down sick this morning, and I'm sure I won't feel up to riding 500+ miles tomorrow.

Have a good time if you make it.

12sdrag · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2005, 10:59:27 PM »

Gary, didn`t make it raining when I woke up. Hope you are feeling better?