World SBK: Miller Motorsports Park
Tyler Hopper
All About Bikes Staff-Writer
Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele Valley Utah is the only North American stop for the HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship in 2009. It is an honor as an American to be hosting such great riders in our backyard. World SBK taking place in the United States gives American riders the chance to show a home-town, or actually a home-country crowd what they are capable of.
On May 29 – 31 the Tooele Valley will be overflowing with the biggest names in motorsports, but many Americans will be unaware that so many superstars are visiting their back yard. The main reason for this is the lack of World SBK television coverage in the States, or should I say the lack of all motorcycle racing coverage in the States. The Superbike World Championship will be seen in 175 countries and reach nearly two billion people. That TV time is valued at $780 million, yet today the SPEED channel is airing seven straight hours of NASCAR. Needless to say, my television will not be going anywhere near that channel today.
Noriyuki Haga leads the points race, with 250 points, after coming off of a double win in South Africa. 85 points separate Haga and second place Michel Fabrizio with 165. In a close third, only three points behind Fabrizio, American Ben Spies has 162 points.
World Superbikes debuted at Miller Motorsports Park in 2008, but this is the first time since 1999 that World Supersport has raced in the US. In addition to World Superbike and World Supersport, the Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge will be run as a support event.
The Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge will include thirty-minute races in GTO and GTU classes. The total purse will be $55,000 for the event. The GTO race will pay out $30,000 overall, with $8,000 going to the winner. The GTU race will pay out $20,000, with $6,000 going to the winner.
