Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Returns To Albany’s (N.Y.) Pepsi Arena
Record rider turnout at Round One in Des Moines (Iowa) sets the stage for big event at upstate New York facility
AURORA, Ill., (Nov. 6, 2006) – With momentum gained from an incredible opening round of action at this past weekend in Des Moines, Iowa, the 2006-’07 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series heads to Albany’s (N.Y.) Pepsi Arena this weekend (Nov. 10-11) for Round Two of the series.
Leading the action this past weekend were a couple mainstays on the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series tour. Veteran supercross racers Danny Smith (Honda) and Robbie Reynard (Honda) split the Fri/Sat night AMA Arenacross class racing titles in Iowa, with Smith going 1-2 in the two night event to take the overall lead in the series.
“I was just happy to get that one out of the way,” said Smith of his Friday night win. “We’ve got a long season ahead of us with a ton of racing and I can’t get to fired up about one race. But yeah, given the strong field of racers, it was a good way to open my first full season of Toyota AMA Arenacross.”
Reynard, who didn’t even qualify for the main event on Friday, got his rhythm down during some more day qualifiers on Saturday and exploded off the start in Saturday’s main event to lead the race wire-to-wire.
“I had no idea there’d be that many pros showing up to race at Des Moines,” said Reynard, one of the sport’s most highly-touted amateur racers of all time. “I made a few mistakes on Friday and it cost me. But once I was able to get some more time on the track, get my timing down, things came together on Saturday and I was able to win. I am looking forward to racing at Albany this weekend. I’ve done well in the past at Unadilla (Outdoor National), which is right up the road from there.”
Last year at Pepsi Arena defending Toyota AMA Series champion Chad Johnson was able to put together convincing back-to-back wins on Friday and Saturday. Johnson will be looking to repeat that performance this year – especially considering his sub par start at Des Moines (6-7) to open this season.
In the AMA Lites class keep an eye on Kody Molitor. The Iowan went 2-1 at Des Moines and looks to be one of the riders to beat in the Lites class this year. Locally, Mitchell Dougherty (Whitesboro) should challenge for the Lites class podium.
DATE: November 10-12 2006
VENUE: Pepsi Arena
EVENT TIME: Friday, Nov. 10th – 7:30 PM
Saturday, Nov. 11th- 7:30 PM
Doors open on Fri/Sat at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, Oct. 30th – 12:00 PM
Doors open on Sunday at 11:00 AM
FORMAT: Fri / Sat – AMA Arenacross Series
Indoor Motocross Racing
Sun – Amateur Racing / qualifying for the Amateur Arenacross World Finals.
TICKETS: Friday and Saturday – Reserved
Gold Circle - $25
Midlevel - $18 Adults
$10 Children (Ages 2 – 12)
Sunday - General Admission
$18 Adults / $10 Children
ALL SEATS $2 MORE DAY OF SHOW
TICKET OUTLETS: Pepsi Arena Box Office, all Price Chopper ticket outlets, charge by phone at 800-30-EVENT or online at pepsiarena.com
REGISTRATION: Riders interested in registering, can call 800-216-7482 or log onto arenacrossonline.com for more information.
Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.tickets.com. For more information on the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.