AMA Pro Racing announced the appointment of Michael Gentry as the new chief operating officer. The former International Speedway Corporation executive will oversee day-to-day operations for AMA Pro Racing. Gentry takes over a post vacated by David Atlas who stepped down last May to take on a new role as chief business development officer.

Prior to taking his new position, Gentry served as president of Americrown Service Corporation, a subsidiary of ISC which provides catering and concessions service at NASCAR events. In his 15 years with Americrown, Gentry would be a familiar face to ISC’s executives including board member Jim France who founded Daytona Motorsports Group which owns the rights to AMA Pro Racing.

“We believe Michael’s operational skills will benefit AMA Pro Racing. This move represents a significant step in our pursuit to continue growing the sport of motorcycle racing in this country,” reads a statement from AMA Pro Racing Managing Board Members Atlas, Tom Bledsoe and Chris Harris. “We would like to welcome Michael to the AMA Pro Racing family and we are excited to have him as a part of our team.” Continue Reading »

AMA Pro Racing is looking for a new president with David Atlas taking a step away from daily operations to focus on business development.

Atlas was appointed chief operating officer of AMA Pro Racing in November 2009, taking over operational control from Roger Edmondson. He will now assume a new role as chief business development officer, working with promoters, sponsors, broadcasters and manufacturers to help grown the business of professional motorcycle racing in the U.S.

Day-to-day operations will now be handled by various department heads from AMA Pro Racing’s business divisions. Atlas will provide guidance while remaining on the managing member board alongside Chris Harris and Tom Bledsoe, to help choose a new president. Continue Reading »

Virginia International Raceway has issued a statement explaining the cancellation of a scheduled AMA Superbike round, contradicting some of the statements made by David Atlas, AMA Pro Racing chief operating officer.

Explaining that there are two sides to every story, the VIR release claims AMA Pro Racing did not deliver a proposed contract for the 2011 event until early June 2011, leaving VIR without enough time to finalize the contract and begin promoting the event before the scheduled Aug. 12-14 date.

Atlas had told several media outlets including SpeedTV, the series’ broadcasting partner that terms were finalized in December 2010.

We’re not going to pick sides on this “he said, she said” issue, but VIR may be losing the public relations battle by not explaining its side of the story sooner. AMA Pro Racing has to tread carefully however, as the management at other race tracks is no doubt keeping a close eye on how things unfold.

Read the full press release from VIR following the jump.

Related Reading
VIR Pulls Itself from 2011 AMA Pro Racing Schedule

Continue Reading »

In a surprising move, Virginia International Raceway announced it would not host its scheduled AMA Pro Racing round, just a month before the event was to take place.

The Alton, Va., circuit was set to host AMA Pro Racing on Aug. 12-14 but VIR officials have now decided against hosting or promoting the event. VIR released a brief statement to the media on July 11, reading:

“No AMA Pro Racing event will take place at VIR in 2011. If circumstances are conducive in 2012, VIR looks forward to renewing its relationship with AMA Pro Racing.”

No other explanation was provided by VIR.

Continue Reading »