The Daytona Motorsports Group - a new entity led by Grand American Road Racing Association President Roger Edmondson - bought the sanctioning, promotional and management rights of the American Motorcyclist Association's Pro Racing division.

Details of the agreement in principle were announced Friday evening by AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman at Daytona International Speedway. Financial terms were not announced.

Joining Edmondson with the Daytona Motorsports Group is Jim France, Vice Chairman/Executive Vice President of NASCAR and a supporter of the Grand-Am, along with Tom Bledsoe and David Atlas.

"For as long as I can remember, the AMA name has been synonymous with professional motorcycle racing in America," France said in a release.

"Our goal is to guide the sport into the mainstream of American culture and showcase the extraordinary abilities of the competitors and their teams," said Edmondson, who has his roots in motorcycle racing.

Edmondson said that 2008 will be a transition year.

"We do know the foundations of the motorsports business," Edmondson said.
While there will be no changes in AMA Pro Racing in 2008, Edmondson said that some ideas used in the Grand-Am's MOTO-ST series - including two-way radios - will make their way into the sport.

Edmondson said that the new organization will first share personnel and offices with the Grand-Am. "In time, we will hire the personnel necessary to specialize in our motorcycle program," Edmondson said.

Grand-Am debuted in 2000 with the Rolex Series, holding sports car races at premier venues including the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Sahlen's Six Hours of Watkins Glen.

Grand-Am added an endurance motorcycle series - the MOTO-ST - in 2006. The series began its second full season Sunday at Daytona.