Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle to Sponsor Primetime Grand National Dirt Track on ESPN2
16 December 1997
WESTERVILLE, OHIO -- Ten AMA Grand National Dirt Track Series shows will reach prime-time television audiences in 1998, thanks to a new partnership among Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle Performance Accessories, First Auto Sports Television (FAST), ESPN2 and American Motorcyclist Association Pro Racing. The races will be taped for half-hour, prime time broadcasts and later repeats. The announcement was made at the AMA National Champions Awards Banquet in Las Vegas. "I think it's really great that the TV package has come together," said eight-time Grand National Champion Scott Parker, who was in Las Vegas for the awards banquet. "Hopefully this will interest new companies and sponsors to become involved in the sport, and a lot of people will get their first look at Grand National racing. That first look is all it takes to hook you." The Grand National Dirt Track races will be aired on ESPN2 during prime-time weekdays and weekend afternoons. "You can't beat these time slots," said Merrill Vanderslice, director of professional competition. "Not only are they convenient for dedicated fans, but we'll have the potential to introduce millions of new fans to Grand National competition." The selected Grand National races and broadcast schedule will be announced in February 1998 and will be posted on the AMA Pro Racing web page at www.ama-cycle.org. The 1998 AMA Grand National Dirt Track television package was made possible by underwriting from the Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle line of performance accessories. Harley-Davidson will also sponsor the 1998 AMA Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series, formerly known as the AMA 883cc National Dirt Track Series. FAST has contracted with AMA Pro Racing and ESPN2 to produce the Grand National Dirt Track Series for broadcast.
