Progressive returns as sponsor of AMA Flat Track series

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- For the third year in a row, Progressive Insurance, America's No. 1 motorcycle insurance company, will sponsor the 2002 AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship. As part of the company's sponsorship, race fans will again be able to help Progressive Insurance build the championship bonus that is awarded to riders at the end of the season.

Since Progressive Insurance became involved with the AMA U.S. Flat Track Championship in 2000, it has helped deliver the sport to millions of fans across the country and around the world through television and the Internet. The company will continue to do so in 2002, which promises to be the most exciting season in the series' history.

Progressive Insurance will continue its unique program that adds money to the $100,000 series point fund. Each time a flat-track fan gets an insurance quote from Progressive on his or her motorcycle, auto, RV, or watercraft by calling 1-800-FLAT-TRACK or visiting 1800FlatTrack.com, Progressive will donate additional dollars to the championship bonus. The bonus is awarded to riders at the end of the season.

"We're thrilled to continue to be a part of this exciting series, and to give flat track fans a chance to help build the point fund," said Miriam Deitcher, Progressive Insurance motorcycle marketing manager.

"Progressive insures more motorcyclists and more flat-track fans than any other company. It's important that we continue to be involved in bringing our customers a sport they love."

"AMA Pro Racing is pleased to have Progressive back on board as a series sponsor," said John Farris, AMA Pro Racing's vice president of commercial development. "As a company, they've done a great job integrating their sponsorship of motorcycle racing into an effective business plan and AMA Pro Racing has helped deliver the insurance results needed to maintain Progressive's involvement."

Fans who can't make it to the track can catch the action of select rounds of the 2002 championship on Speed Channel's cable network during the "Two Wheel Tuesdays" motorcycle-dedicated programming. Speed Channel currently reaches 45 million homes features motorcycle racing as part of their regular programming.

Fans will also be able to follow races live on the Internet at the official series website, 1800FlatTrack.com. Launched last year, the website provides up-to-the-minute racing results including live lap-by-lap race coverage, exclusive race-day photos, news, extensive information on riders and teams, gossip, memorabilia auctions and more.

The competition in 2002 promises to be very exciting, as the series is introducing a new formula designed to give more manufacturers an opportunity to race against the mainstay of the series, Harley-Davidson. In 2002, fans will see street-based 1000cc engines from manufacturers such as Suzuki, Aprilia, Honda, Ducati and Buell. And three new venues have been added to the series including the Will Rogers Down in Claremore, Oklahoma; Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois; and Oglethorpe Speedway Park in Savannah, Georgia. The season opens in Daytona Beach on March 9 and runs through the series finale Sept. 28 in DuQuoin, Ill.

"The 2002 season will be one of the most exciting ever for the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships," said Chris Carr, 2001 series champion. "Progressive's sponsorship of the championship bonus and rule changes that will get more manufacturers into the mix are going to make the competition really tight, and there will be some great racing. I'll be racing for the top of the podium, as usual, but with coverage of races at 1800FlatTrack.com and on Speed Channel, I think that the fans will be the real winners."

Progressive Insurance (NYSE:PGR), headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio, is the nation's largest motorcycle insurer and one of the nation's largest personal auto insurers. In business since 1937, the company provides all drivers with competitive rates and 24-hour, in-person services. Progressive has a long history of involvement with the AMA including being the AMA's exclusive insurance provider and providing discounted rates for AMA members. More information can be found at progressive.com.

For immediate post-race results, points, in-depth series and rider information, regular columnists and much more, log onto www.1800FlatTrack.com, the official website of the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships.

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for professional motorcycle sport in the United States. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

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