A Cincinnati-based contingent of Scott McKinney, Scott Valetti, and Brandi Neithamer have acquired AMA/Prostar.
Effective Friday February 9, 2007 Prostar Motorcycle Drag Racing, operators of the AMA/Prostar U.S. Drag Racing Series, has been purchased by Hammer Motorsports of Cincinnati, Ohio. Hammer Motorsports will run the currently established Prostar schedule for 2007.
Hammer Motorsports will be lead by pro motorcycle drag racing veteran Scott Valetti, partner of Dragbike.com. As president of the newly formed partnership Valetti will oversee all operations of Prostar. Additional executives of Hammer Motorsports include Pro Mod Team Owner and Cincinnati business entrepreneur Scott McKinney and Dragbike.com co-owner/managing editor Brandi Neithamer.
The new ownership will dissolve the recently announced race operation agreement between Prostar and the American Motorcyclist Association. Prostar will continue to run all race operations under AMA sanction as it has over the last 13 years.
“I have always been committed to the sport of motorcycle drag racing and the racing community,” stated Valetti. “This is an incredible opportunity to be involved in the highest level possible with the leading motorcycle drag racing organization in the world. In my new position as President, I will certainly miss competing, although I am excited to take the next step in this journey with Prostar and expand drag racings relationship with the AMA.”
Valetti plans to work closely with co-founder and former AMA/Prostar President Keith “Scooter” Kizer to ensure a seamless transition.
“Speaking on behalf of all the stockholders of Prostar, we are pleased that Hammer Motorsports has made the commitment in guiding motorcycle drag racing into the future,” said Kizer. “Just as I announced in August of last year, I was stepping away from drag racing on a day to day basis to pursue a career with the AMA. But without a buyer, as of the National Finals this past November, I could not stand by and watch drag racing, on a national level, just go away. AMA graciously stepped in and was committed to continue the series until the time someone else could take over Prostar.”
Valetti noted, “It is our goal to retain the high level of professionalism and safety that Prostar has provided over the years. We will continue to present the same familiar faces from the front gate to registration, tech and of course the starting line.”
The 2007 AMA/Prostar season gets underway March 3rd in Valdosta, Ga.