AMA to field "AMA Team USA" at 2006 Motocross of Nations

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that "AMA Team USA" will compete at the 2006 Motocross of Nations, scheduled for September 23 - 24 at Matterley Basin/Winchester, Great Britain.

The presenting sponsor of AMA Team USA will be Loretta Lynn's, which is marking its 25th year of hosting the AMA Air Nautiques Amateur Motocross National Championships at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Motocross fans will be involved in choosing the members of AMA Team USA, presented by Loretta Lynn's, by casting their votes at AMADirectlink.com, and will be able to contribute to an online fundraiser supporting the team.

The online nomination process, during which fans can suggest who should be considered for AMA Team USA, presented by Loretta Lynn's, will begin by the end of next week. When the list of top vote-getters is posted in mid-June, fans will be able to vote on these final nominees, in return for a $5.00-per-vote contribution to the team.

The members of AMA Team USA, presented by Loretta Lynn's, will be announced in August during the 2006 AMA Air Nautiques Amateur Motocross National Championships.

"The AMA is proud that this year's team will compete as the reigning champions of the Motocross of Nations," said AMA President Robert Rasor. "We know that American motocross fans will join us in supporting AMA Team USA, presented by Loretta Lynn's, both with their votes and with their contributions, to help us bring home the winner's trophy again."

"We're also thrilled to have the support of Loretta Lynn's as presenting sponsor of AMA Team USA," Rasor continued. "Today's top professional motocross racers all 'grew up' at Loretta Lynn's, and we believe that this is a great way to celebrate our 25-year relationship."

Often called "The Olympics of Motorcycling," the Motocross of Nations features three-rider teams from around the world competing in three races, or motos. In 2005, the team of Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Windham, and Ivan Tedesco -- all "graduates" of the AMA amateur nationals at Loretta Lynn's, and led by team manager Roger DeCoster -- defeated a strong international field to take the winner's trophy for the 16th time, and for the first time since 2000. From 1981 to 1993, Team USA was undefeated in the Motocross of Nations, winning 13 straight times.

All proceeds from the online fundraiser will go toward supporting AMA Team USA, presented by Loretta Lynn's. Final team selection will be made by the AMA.