XR1200 Series Debuts at Daytona

The AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series has made its debut on the freshly-paved surface during the Dunlop Tire Test at Daytona International Speedway this week. Former Harley-Davidson 883 series rider Michael Barnes celebrated his first ride on the new Harley XR1200 by posting a time of 2:09.568/80.576 mph. This has gained him the top spot of the motorcycle racing test.

Nine Harley-Davidson XR1200 riders participated in the shortened session that saw champions from a variety of AMA Pro Racing disciplines make their mark.

Recently-retired AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Champion Joe Kopp topped the timesheets for part of the outing, two-time AMA Pro Supermoto Champion Chris Fillmore ended up second overall and 2009 SuperSport Young Gun West Division champion Ricky Parker made his return to AMA Pro Racing to finish up third fastest.

"I'm one of the few guys out there who actually raced the old 883 series back in the day," explains long-time AMA Pro Road Racing competitor, Michael Barnes. "I just remember great battles, a lot of parity and eight-wide across the tri-oval. I think we're going to see the same kind of exciting race here in March."

In addition to running at Daytona for the first time, the XR1200 Series also expands to Northern California's Infineon Raceway (May 13-15) and Utah's Miller Motorsports Park on May 28-30 in conjunction with the United States round of the FIM's World Superbike championship.

The complete 2011 season schedule is as follows:

• March 10 - 12, 2011: Daytona International Speedway
• May 13 - 15, 2011: Infineon Raceway
• May 28 - 30, 2011: Miller Motorsports Park
• June 3 - 5, 2011: Road America
• TBD: Barber Motorsports Park (tentative)
• July 8 - 10, 2011: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
• July 22 - 24, 2011: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
• August 12 - 14, 2011: Virginia International Raceway
• September 2 - 4, 2011: New Jersey Motorsports Park

* Season Finale Location, Date and Banquet: TBD