Starting Gate Set For U.S. Open’s Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals

September 29, 2006, 10:39am

Nation’s top amateurs representing six regions will battle inside the MGM Grand’s at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open event this October 13-15 in the Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals

AURORA, Ill., (Sept. 29, 2006) – Qualifying during the 2005-’06 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series’ this past competition year, the nation’s best amateurs arenacross racers representing six regions, will descend upon Las Vegas in October for the seventh annual running of the Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals at the MGM Grand Garden Arena – part of the 2006 Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open.

This year 306 of the best amateur boys, girls, men and women amateur arenacross racers have qualified through the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series races for the right to compete at the Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals. In addition, 18 of the top Women’s Motocross Association (WMA) racers have been invited to participate at this historic motorcycle racing venue as well.

“Past amateur champions from this event include Thomas Hahn, Jake Weimer and Zack Ames,” said Robert Hansen, director of arenacross. “This is the way to go if you’re looking for a career in Toyota AMA Arenacross or to use the sport of arenacross as a stepping stone to supercross.”

All totaled, three riders from six regions and 17 different classes will make up the field of the Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals – part of the festivities surrounding this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open. Those regional champions are:

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Dan LeClair, Jr. 125cc Intermediate

Mark Garvey 125cc Novice

Derek Rummel 125cc Schoolboy

Eric Bearor 250cc Intermediate

Austin Edwards 250cc Novice

Dawson Evitts 50cc 4-6

Justin Cooper 50cc 7-8

Scott Carpenter 65cc 10-11

Justin Cooper 65cc 7-9

Frank Lettieri 85cc 12-15

Scott Carpenter 85cc 7-11

Frank Lettieri 85cc Super Mini

Eric Bearor Collegeboy

Kurt McMillen Over 25

Kurt McMillen Over 30

Kurt McMillen Over 40

Haley Burke Amateur Womens

CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Teddy Parks 125cc Intermediate

Trevor Confer 125cc Novice

Kerry Moore 125cc Schoolboy

Kerry Moore 250cc Intermediate

Austin Keller 250cc Novice

Tanner Snell 50cc 4-6

Hayden Schultz 50cc 7-8

Cody Doerfler 65cc 10-11

Hayden Schultz 65cc 7-9

Jason Langford 85cc 12-15

Keenan Davis 85cc 7-11

Jason Langford 85cc Super Mini

Teddy Parks Collegeboy

Kris Fagala Over 25

Kris Fagala Over 30

Scott Siers Over 40

Sarah Elworthy Amateur Womens

MID SOUTH REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Justin Hopson 125cc Intermediate

Gage Hartman 125cc Novice

Gage Hartman 125cc Schoolboy

Justin Hopson 250cc Intermediate

Nicholas Trace 250cc Novice

Jacob Chisum 50cc 4-6

Noah Lindsay 50cc 7-8

Jake Gilbertson 65cc 10-11

Clayton Rowe 65cc 7-9

Lucas Helms 85cc 12-15

Trenton McMichen 85cc 7-11

Lucas Helms 85cc Super Mini

Justin Hopson Collegeboy

David Leezer Over 25

Matt Campbell Over 30

Donald White Over 40

Ashleigh Hager Amateur Womens

WEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Zack Gurley 125cc Intermediate

Alex Matteson 125cc Novice

Brian Foster 125cc Schoolboy

Zack Gurley 250cc Intermediate

Alex Matteson 250cc Novice

Ryan Martin 50cc 4-6

Kinser Endicott 50cc7-8

AJ Lauzon 65cc 10-11

Max Harris 65cc 7-9

Gared Steinke 85cc 12-15

Jake Mohnike 85cc 7-11

Gared Steinke 85cc Super Mini

Zack Gurley Collegeboy

Steve Thinger Over 25

Steve Thinger Over 30

Bobby Deason Over 40

Robbie Cortez Amateur Womens

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Nick Claire 125cc Intermediate

Blake Shiman 125cc Novice

Randy DiBartolo 125cc Schoolboy

Nick Claire 250cc Intermediate

Chris Anderson 250cc Novice

Chase Sexton 50cc 4-6

Austin Ryan 50cc 7-8

Robbie Hyson 65cc 10-11

Trevor Ferry 65cc 7-9

Kyle Sandlin 85cc 12-15

Tyler Elliot 85cc 7-11

Donny Ehlenfeldt 85cc Super Mini

Nick Claire Collegeboy

David Hayes Over 25

David Hayes Over 30

David Hayes Over 40

Kaitlyn Dalecky Amateur Womens

MID AMERICA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Josh Lobretto 125cc Intermediate

Andrew Johnson 125cc Novice

Danny Lewandowski 125cc Schoolboy

Josh Lobretto 250cc Intermediate

Aaron Wegerski 250cc Novice

Hayden Justice 50cc 4-6

Stephen Gretchen 50cc 7-8

Kody Kamm 65cc 10-11

Mitchell Ostafin 65cc 7-9

James Justice 85cc 12-15

Kody Kamm 85cc 7-11

James Justice 85cc Super Mini

Josh Lobretto Collegeboy

Jay Hershey Over 25

Jay Hershey Over 30

David Hayes Over 40

Elissa Grzincic Amateur Womens

“We’re certainly excited about kicking off the 2006-’07 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series with our Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open in October,” added Hansen. “All these athletes worked their way up to race at this level by qualifying through our amateur programs held during the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series events last year. We wish them the best of luck here in a couple months in Vegas and would like to remind racers interested in qualifying for this national event that they can do so at our amateur Arenacross events which are part of the upcoming 2006-’07 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series.”

Tickets are now available for the ninth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 13-15, 2006 at www.ussx.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 702-474-4000 or the MGM Grand garden Arena box office. Regarded as one of off-road motorcycling’s premier races, the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is the final ‘major’ race of the motocross season. Tickets are available for as low as $20 through Ticketmaster.com. Fans can upgrade their weekend experience with the X-Treme Package. X-Treme Packages include premium tickets for all 3 days, Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open t-shirt, hat, and weekend long pit pass. X-Treme Packages are only available through www.ussx.com.