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| OPENING ROUND OF 2008 AMA TOYOTA MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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OPENING ROUND OF 2008 AMA TOYOTA MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (May 7, 2008) – After a four-year hiatus, the opening
round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF returns
to the heart of the motocross industry in Southern California for the 13th Annual
Giant RV AMA Motocross National presented by Yamaha at Glen Helen Raceway Park,
on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25.
Since becoming a part of the schedule in 1996, Glen Helen has established itself
as one of the most unique, fastest and action-packed circuits on the circuit.
In 1998, it became the series’ opening round event, quickly becoming a Mother’s
Day tradition before moving to the last race of the season in 2004. Thanks to
a schedule overhaul that features logistical changes and a more compact season,
Glen Helen returns as the lead-off event, with a later starting date than ever
before, giving riders and teams more preparation time and much needed rest.
In an effort to create a more exciting experience for fans and riders alike,
track designer Jody Weisel and his crew have brought a more technical course
that will challenge the world’s best, slow down the overall speed and bring the
action closer to the fans. As the field blasts through the infamous “Talladega”
turn out of the starting gates, it will be presented with a myriad of challenges,
including a new canyon section featuring saddle back twin peaks, a much longer
sand section and the legendary Yamaha Hill ran in reverse. Additionally, fan
viewing has been increased by 20% as a result of the alterations, with a larger
shoreline for motocross diehards to witness the on-track action.
Located just miles from a numerous race shops, test tracks and riders’ homes,
the local atmosphere adds an extra element of excitement to the weekend, bringing
out legends and hall of famers alike. An autograph session featuring past and
present stars of the sport on Saturday, May 24, is just one of the many highlights
the weekend has to offer.
Adding to the weekend festivities is the inclusion of three invitational events
on Saturday morning. Scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m., with the ITP Tires/Yamaha
Quad Pro Invitational moto for $1,500, the pre-AMA events will also include a
$2,000 moto with the L.A. Sleeve/Pro X 2-Stroke Pro Race, and conclude with the
Legends Invitational, featuring past champions Jeremy McGrath, Greg Albertyn,
Jeff Emig, Jeff Stanton, Steve Lamson and Jeff Ward along with freestyle icons
Mike Metzger and Brian Deegan.
Notably, Team Kawasaki’s James Stewart is also expected to make his return from
a knee injury that forced him to miss the tail end of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross
Championship and the majority of this season's Monster Energy AMA Supercross.
If healthy, Stewart figures to make a strong run at earning his first AMA Motocross
title.
Tickets to the opening round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented
by FMF are now on sale.
General Admission for Wednesday-Sunday
Adults $45
Juniors (6-12 years) $30
Children 5 and under FREE
Sunday Only Tickets
Adults $30
Juniors (6-12 years) $20
Children 5 and under FREE
For more information about the weekend festivities, log onto www.glenhelen.com or
call the track’s 24-hour information line at 909-880-3090. Also, check out The
Riverside Press-Enterprise’s Wheels, Off Road, and Waves section online for further
promotion of Glen Helen events at www.pe.com/wow.
Interview opportunities are available to the media by contacting AMA Toyota Motocross
Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email atMedia@MXNationals.com
or by phone at 951-203-2605.
For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF,
log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!.
Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com,
with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show
on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend,
featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.
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