2009 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Cancelled

Katherine · 01-15-2009, 03:19 PM

Bummer.

Quote:

2009 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Cancelled
Jan 15, 2009, ©Copyright 2009, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

KTM backed out of the deal.
From a press release issued by Red Bull:

Tough decisions in response to a harsh reality.

Red Bull has taken the decision to trim the 2009 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup to 8 races at 6 Grand Prix and cancel the 2009 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup following a significant reduction of support by a major partner.

At a time when companies the world over are bracing themselves for the effects of recession Red Bull has shouldered as much of the load as possible to cover both the technical as well as operational efforts of running the MotoGP Cup but there will simply not be enough spares and technical support available to keep the U.S. series at a high level in 2009.

This is not a happy situation for anyone concerned. The positive is that the Rookies Cup will continue and the aim remains to give as many riders as possible the chance to progress towards the highest level of Grand Prix racing. Red Bull wished to thank Alpinestars and Dorna for their unwavering support in these difficult circumstances and deeply regrets the unavoidable disappointment that this brings, particularly to those involved in the U.S. Cup.

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup now enters its third season and will be contested at the following Grands Prix:

May 2nd / 3rd Jerez - Spain (double header) May 30th Mugello - Italy
June 27th Assen - Netherlands July 18th Sachsenring - Germany July
25th Donington - England August 15th /16th Brno - Czech Republic
(double header)

Two pre season tests each lasting two days are planned.

March 26th - 27th Estoril - Portugal March 30th - 31st Jerez - Spain

pickle.of.doom · 01-15-2009, 03:22 PM

Racing as we know it is on its way out.

Katherine · 01-15-2009, 03:26 PM

No kidding. Watching these kids was my favorite at MotoGP. They rode with so much enthusiasm and heart. You could tell they really wanted that cup.

Trip · 01-15-2009, 03:28 PM

Damn, that was awesome at Indy last year. Those kids were going at it.

pickle.of.doom · 01-15-2009, 03:35 PM

Yeah, I don't think there is any fear yet at that age! That sucks they are cutting back the MotoGP rookies cup some too, that was some awesome racing, remember last season when those two kids were practically laying on eachother coming down the straight to the finish line? That was racing.

Rider · 01-15-2009, 03:52 PM

At least they are still running the MotoGP rookies cup.

z06boy · 01-16-2009, 12:32 PM

Well that sux. I hate it for the kids trying to jump start a career into professional racing but I remember watching them at VIR last year and enjoyed it. A kid unfortunately got killed that day but it was a freak incident.

Yep this blows.

Papa_Complex · 01-22-2009, 03:24 PM

That actually brings a question to mind. Can anyone ever recall someone starting off in the North American Red Bull Rookie Series, then going on to the big leagues? I can't.

Trip · 01-22-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

That actually brings a question to mind. Can anyone ever recall someone starting off in the North American Red Bull Rookie Series, then going on to the big leagues? I can't.

How long has it been around?

Papa_Complex · 01-22-2009, 03:54 PM

I guess that the 2008 season was the first for North America, but I can't recall anyone from the European series either. That was 2004, I think. Or was it '05?

01-15-2009, 03:22 PM	#2
pickle.of.doom el diablo de verde Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Howell, MI Moto: VTR, CBR, DRZSM Posts: 1,046	Racing as we know it is on its way out. __________________ WOS Forums

01-15-2009, 03:35 PM	#5
pickle.of.doom el diablo de verde Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Howell, MI Moto: VTR, CBR, DRZSM Posts: 1,046	Yeah, I don't think there is any fear yet at that age! That sucks they are cutting back the MotoGP rookies cup some too, that was some awesome racing, remember last season when those two kids were practically laying on eachother coming down the straight to the finish line? That was racing. __________________ WOS Forums

01-15-2009, 03:26 PM	#3
Katherine WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Moto: 07 CBR 600RR Posts: 562	No kidding. Watching these kids was my favorite at MotoGP. They rode with so much enthusiasm and heart. You could tell they really wanted that cup.

01-15-2009, 03:52 PM	#6
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	At least they are still running the MotoGP rookies cup.

01-16-2009, 12:32 PM	#7
z06boy Letzroll Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Norman area, NC Moto: 07 Red R1 & 07 Blue R6 Posts: 5,265	Well that sux. I hate it for the kids trying to jump start a career into professional racing but I remember watching them at VIR last year and enjoyed it. A kid unfortunately got killed that day but it was a freak incident. Yep this blows.

01-22-2009, 03:24 PM	#8
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	That actually brings a question to mind. Can anyone ever recall someone starting off in the North American Red Bull Rookie Series, then going on to the big leagues? I can't.

01-22-2009, 03:54 PM	#10
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	I guess that the 2008 season was the first for North America, but I can't recall anyone from the European series either. That was 2004, I think. Or was it '05?