Superbike Weekend

Diana Brennan

Motorcycle fans of every description will find something to enjoy during the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, at Infineon Raceway, May 16–18.  In addition to a full slate of AMA Pro Racing action on the twisting road course, the weekend will also feature Supermoto USA, SBFreaks Street Freestyle and the return of Motocross.
On the 12-turn road course, fans will be treated to AMA racing in four divisions, including a Superbike double-header, Supersport, Superstock and Formula Xtreme. Defending Superbike champion Ben Spies (Suzuki) will look to race his way back to the Wine Country Winner’s Circle after Mat Mladin (Suzuki) claimed both ends of the Infineon Raceway double-header in 2007. The weekend will also mark the debut of the Red Bull Rookies Cup at Infineon Raceway. 
Off the track, more than 300 competitors are expected for Supermoto USA racing at the Infineon Raceway Karting Center, while top stunt riders will once again battle at the SBFreaks Street Freestyle Show.  These popular additions return to the Sonoma Valley for the third consecutive year.
The hillside behind Turn 7 will also come alive with the addition of a full weekend of motocross and vintage motocross competition with competition slated for pro, amateur and vintage divisions. 
The weekend will also feature Infineon Raceway’s new fan entertainment zone “The Pulse,” as well as rider autograph sessions, rider Q&A sessions and much more. For more information or to purchase your tickets now, visit www.infineonraceway.com or call 800.870.RACE.

Sonoma racer ready for 2008 season
 
Sonoma’s Dane Cameron kicked off his 2008 racing season last weekend at the scenic Grand Prix of Long Beach.  Cameron, winner 2007 Star Mazda Championship – and the full-season MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development sponsorship that goes with it – will compete in the No. 19 Genoa Racing/MAZDASPEED entry during the 2008 Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.
The series will feature a challenging 11-race schedule this season, including stops in Edmonton, Canada, Utah and Georgia. 
Cameron, a graduate of Sonoma Valley High School, enters the season with confidence after posting the fastest times in both days of Atlantic Series pre-season testing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Add to that a family racing pedigree, three championships and three ‘Rookie of the Year’ awards he’s won during his climb up the motor sports ladder, and Cameron certainly appears to be one of the favorites this season.
“Pressure is a part of racing and if I hadn’t learned along the way how to convert it into increased motivation, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” observes Cameron. “Genoa Racing is an extremely successful team made up of top professionals and based on how well we’ve jelled and the results we’ve had in testing, I think we can compete for the Atlantic championship in 2008.”

Ferrari Challenge returns to Sonoma
 
Race fans will have the rare opportunity to see exotic Ferrari racecars on the twisting Infineon Raceway road course when the North American Ferrari Challenge Series returns to the Sonoma Valley, May 2 - 4.
The weekend will be headlined by racing action in the F430 Challenge and the Ferrari Historic Challenge divisions, and marks the fourth time in five years the series has visited Infineon Raceway. In all, nearly 100 machines will grace the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course, including vintage cars from Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa-Romeo (Ferrari Historic Challenge).  Spectators will enjoy an open paddock for an up-close look at these beautiful machines.
The Ferrari Challenge was created to allow Ferrari customers a chance to enjoy their cars in a structured and competitive environment, while racing against other Ferrari owners on some of the great racetracks in North America. 
The Ferrari Historic Challenge is a racing series for Ferraris, Maseratis and Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeos, held in conjunction with various F430 Challenge events.
Practice will be held on Friday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with F430 Challenge and Historic Ferrari qualifying and races on both Saturday and Sunday. For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.ferrarichallenge.com.