LAS VEGAS (OCT. 29, 2015) – SMI is proud to announce that one of motorcycling’s greatest legends, 1993 FIM 500cc Grand Prix (now MotoGP) World Champion Kevin Schwantz, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2015 Superprestigio of the Americas at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 21.

Schwantz is slated to be on hand to meet with fans and sign autographs. Ever the racer, Schwantz is also scheduled to take a few hot laps of honor around the indoor short track at the Orleans Arena.

“We are greatly honored to have Kevin, one of the most iconic motorcycle racers in America, as part of the inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas,” said SMI President Steve McLaughlin. “We’re privileged to honor him as Grand Marshal and we think it will be a great opportunity for our fans to get an opportunity to interact with Kevin.”

Schwantz came out of Texas and quickly rocketed to prominence as one of America’s best road racers during the mid-1980s. By the late 1980s, Schwantz moved to international competition in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championships. He was a perennial top rider in that series and won the world championship in 1993. During his Grand Prix racing career, Schwantz racked up 25 career 500cc GP victories, putting him second all-time among American riders.

“I’m honored to be asked to be a part of the Superprestigio of the Americas,” Schwantz said. “I’ve always been a flat track fan and even had the opportunity to do a little flat track racing in my career. I can tell you these riders are some of the most talented motorcycle racers in the world and it’s great to bring together all these riders from different areas of motorcycling to compete together in this exciting and unique event.”

The Superprestigio of the Americas will bring together motorcycle racers from different disciplines to race on the same track that will host the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Final the night before in this exciting season-ending doubleheader. The Friday and Saturday night races will be the centerpiece of a full weekend of exiting activities in Las Vegas, including the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Awards Banquet scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Spots are still open for additional AMA Pro Grand National riders to qualify and some of those won’t be decided until the night before SOTA’15 during the AMA Pro Flat Track final on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, also at the Orleans Arena. The two riders who win the GNC1 and GNC2 class in the AMA Pro Flat Track final Friday night will also gain participation in the Superprestigio of the Americas. More details to come at www.superprestigio.com.

The Superprestigio of the Americas (SOTA’15) will bring together leading motorcycle racers from various motorcycle-racing disciplines from around the world to compete head to head with the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track on a specially-designed indoor short track at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 2015. The special race is part of the big Las Vegas doubleheader weekend with the AMA Pro Flat Track finale taking place the night before (Nov. 20, 2015) on the same track. #VegasFT

For additional information go to www.superprestigio.com or call toll free 1-844-722-6453.

Austin, Texas (March 25, 2015) – In anticipation of the MotoGP  Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, set for April 10-12 at Circuit of The Americas, motorcycle racing legend Kevin Schwantz takes you through the ins and outs of the 3.4-mile circuit in a thrilling new video produced by Bonnier Motorcycle Group.

Tickets are still available for the MotoGP event. Three-day general admission passes start at  $89, and reserved grandstand single-day tickets start at  $59. Children 15 and under will receive a  free general admission pass with a ticketed adult. Visit circuitoftheamericas.com or call the circuit sales team at (512) 655-6300 for more information and to purchase tickets.

Schwantz, the 1993 500cc world champion and COTA’s two-wheel ambassador, will play a prominent role in promotional and media activities for COTA leading up to the race, and he will serve as Grand Marshal for the MotoGP race on Sunday, April 12. In addition, he will lead the cycle corral parade laps on Friday and Saturday evenings during the race weekend.

Kevin’s expert knowledge of what makes a great MotoGP track was a key part of the circuit’s design process. This video highlights various aspects of COTA that he believes make it “one of the most physical tracks to race at anywhere in the world.”

View the video on YouTube at  http://youtu.be/8Pf-5TNXfhw.

“From the huge elevation gain in Turn 1 to the top speed of well over 210 mph on the back straight-away, Circuit of the Americas has it all,”  Schwantz said. “To continue as the Two Wheel Ambassador of a venue that is one of the best in the world is a real honor and a title I am proud to wear!”

Circuit Founder and Chairman Bobby Epstein said: “Kevin is a true champion and an enduring fan favorite. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from him and be inspired by his incredible passion for racing. This partnership renews the relationship between a great American track and a great American champion.  We are proud to have Kevin serve as our motorcycle racing ambassador and friend."

The three-day festival of racing will feature non-stop two-wheel action, off-track entertainment including motorcycle, BMX and aerobatic stunt shows, the world's largest collection of Evel Knievel memorabilia and a post-race concert Sunday by American rockers Cheap Trick.

To schedule an interview with Kevin please contact:
COTA: Jarin Wadiwalla +1 512 655 6256 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
KHP Consulting: Tom Cooney +44 (0) 203 542 1550 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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The Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas
The Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas will be the second race of the 2015 MotoGP season, and the first of the season in the United States. Held at Circuit of The Americas on April 10th through 12th, the weekend will feature multiple classes of racing and the world’s most talented and daring riders pushing themselves and their machines to the limit.

Tickets for the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas are on sale now. Fans 15 and younger receive free general admission with a ticketed adult, and discounts are available for military members. Parking is free for fans arriving by motorcycle. Dry camping, RV spaces and private hospitality options for groups of 30 or more are available for purchase. To explore ticket options, visit www.circuitoftheamericas.com, www.ticketmaster.com or call 512.301.6600 ext. 1.

About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, is the only purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for all classes of racing. The 3.4-mile racetrack hosts the world’s most prestigious sporting events, including Formula 1, MotoGP, Lone Star Le Mans and ESPN’s X Games. The 1,500-acre campus is also home to the Austin360 Amphitheater—PollStar’s 2013 “Best New Major Concert Venue” and a 2014 “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue” Pollstar nominee— and boasts impressive meeting and hospitality spaces and an iconic 25-story observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the circuit, amphitheater and downtown Austin. For more information and to download videos and photos, visit www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com. For an experience as unique as Austin and a rush you’ll never forget, visit Circuit of The Americas, where exhilaration happens.

About Bonnier Motorcycle Group
The Bonnier Motorcycle Group is the world's largest motorcycle media family featuring the most complete, authentic, and in-depth coverage for all facets of the motorcycle marketplace. Bonnier Motorcycle Group consists of 11 premium brands that include: Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider, Hot Bike, Sport Rider, Baggers, Motorcycle Cruiser, Street Chopper, ATV Rider, Super Streetbike, and UTV Driver.

About Kevin Schwantz
One of the most popular motorcycle racers of all time, 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kevin Schwantz is one of just 20 riders to have earned the status of MotoGP Legend.

Born to parents who ran a Texas motorcycle shop, Schwantz learned to ride at a very young age, and he soon began competing in observed-trials events, where he developed a fine sense of balance. Unsatisfied with the slow speeds in trials, he quickly moved on to hare scrambles, flat track and motocross racing, but following a bad crash at a 1983 Supercross race in Houston he began road racing in the competitive WERA series.

Schwantz immediately earned a reputation for riding any motorcycle at the absolute limit, and in 1984 he caught the attention of journalist/racer John Ulrich, who arranged a test ride with Yoshimura Suzuki. That led to a spot on the team in the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) national series the following year, and even an appearance in a Japanese race at Suzuka, where Schwantz finished second.

Schwantz continued in the AMA for the next two years, although Suzuki also sent him to Europe on several occasions for wildcard appearances in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship. Upon winning the AMA’s season-opening Daytona 200 in 1988, Schwantz was promoted to Suzuki’s grand prix team full time.

The late 1980s and early 1990s are generally considered to be the Golden Era of grand prix road racing, in which Schwantz had epic battles with his arch-rival Wayne Rainey and other motorcycling heroes like Eddie Lawson, Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan.

Schwantz soon attracted a legion of enthusiastic fans who were inspired by his charismatic personality, his aggressive style aboard a bike that was often slower than those of the competition, and his propensity for spectacular crashes.

Between 1989 and 1992, Schwantz finished the season fourth, second, third and again fourth in the final standings, while Rainey collected a trio of crowns. Finally, Schwantz landed the 500cc World Championship in 1993. An injury-plagued title defence saw him finish fourth, and the Texan participated in the first three races of the 1995 season before announcing his retirement from grand prix racing, at which point his racing number, 34, was also retired from grand prix competition. This was the first time in the history of the sport that a rider had been so honoured.

Currently seventh on the list of premier-class grand prix race winners, with 25 victories, Schwantz remains a favourite with the fans, many of whom have benefited from his riding instruction at the respected Schwantz School. He was named to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and the MotoGP Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Kevin Schwantz Personal Information
•    Birthdate: June 19, 1964
•    Birthplace: Houston, Texas, USA
•    Residence: Austin, Texas, USA

Kevin Schwantz Racing Accomplishments
•    First Grand Prix (500cc): 1986, Netherlands
•    First pole position (500cc): 1989, Australia
•    First fastest race lap (500cc): 1988, Japan
•    First podium result (500cc): 1988, Japan
•    First GP victory (500cc): 1988, Japan
•    GP starts (500cc): 105
•    GP victories (500cc): 25
•    GP podiums (500cc): 51
•    GP pole positions (500cc): 29
•    GP fastest race laps (500cc): 26
•    World Championships (500cc): 1 (1993)
•    Last GP victory (500cc): 1994, Great Britain
•    Last Grand Prix (500cc): 1995, Japan
•    AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame - 1999
•    MotoGP Hall of Fame - 2000

Kevin Schwantz Confirmed to race in the Legends 500cc

The 1993 500cc World Champion is to race at Jerez in June riding his iconic Suzuki RGV500 XR84.
Graeme Crosby also adds his name to the impressive line-up.

> Read the full Press Release here.