Southwick Proclaims June 10th "Ricky Carmichael Day"

SOUTHWICK, Mass. (June 1, 2007) – For the past 30 years, New England race fans have been treated to the fabled AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF on the sandy Motocross 338 compound inside Southwick. This year, as the track celebrates its 31st anniversary, fans can take in a piece of history as 15-time AMA National champion Ricky Carmichael, of Tallahassee, Fla., lines up for the last time at the Mototees Southwick National presented by Scott USA on June 9-10.

To properly say farewell to Carmichael, the town of Southwick, in conjunction with the promoters of Motocross 338, has organized an official Proclamation making June 10, 2007, “Ricky Carmichael Day.”

Carmichael, who will race a limited AMA Toyota Motocross Championship schedule in 2007 to pursue a career in stock car racing, will be competing for his eighth consecutive win at Southwick. For the past seven years Carmichael has been unstoppable at the facility, beginning his dominance back in 2000. In addition, he won two AMA Motocross Lites overall main event at Southwick in 1997 and 1999. Like most tracks on the AMA Toyota AMA Motocross Championships, Carmichael stands atop the all-time win list at Southwick.

Don’t expect Carmichael to go without a challenge, though. His heir apparent James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., is ready to fill the big shoes of Carmichael. Stewart, who became a big name in Southwick in 2004 when he won the AMA Motocross Lites overall, recently capped off a stellar AMA Supercross season, winning the first premier title of his blossoming career.

The cheers for international superstars Stewart and Carmichael will not be enough to drown the loyalty to New England’s own John Dowd, of Chicopee, Mass. Dowd claimed victory to the 1997 AMA Motocross overall and the 1998 overall in the AMA Motocross Lites class.

Several enhancements have been made to the Motocross 338, including the all-dirt start and the added MOTO-TEE hill, which features a huge elevation add an estimated six seconds to the lap times. Motocross 338 will grant AMA hard card holders VIP parking access to thank them for being part of the on-going effort to support the efforts of this fine event.

SCHEDULE: Saturday (June 9) - Pro practice, 1:00-3:25 pm., Pre-qualifiers 3:45 pm.; Sunday (June 10) - Practice, 9:00-10:30 am. Qualifying, 10:45 am. Opening Ceremonies, 12:30 pm. Final events start at 1:00 pm with two 30-minute, plus two lap motos for each class.

One Hundred VIP Guest packages are available for fans that includes a full-access pit pass (Saturday/Sunday), catered lunch on Sunday, tent and bleacher seating, live timing and scoring and a souvenir program.

TICKETS: Saturday: Includes Sunday admission Adult: $40.00. Sunday Only: Adult: $30.00; RAIN OR SHINE, Cash Only. NO personal checks or credit cards are accepted, Child Under 6: FREE - must be accompanied with adult.; Sunday Parking: Located at Recreation Center and School Grounds Area. $10.00 donation to Parents School and Youth Sport Activities.

Interview opportunities are available to the media by contacting AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Media Manager Tony Gardea via email tgardea@amaproracing.com or by phone at 949-365-5750.

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com, where a weekly webcast of each race will available to fans throughout the season. In addition, www.amamotocross.com offers fans live@thewire Live timing and scoring.

Credential requests for each round of the 2006 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, must be submitted via email to tgardea@amaproracing.com three weeks prior to the race. Media members interested in interviews with the riders of the Toyota AMA Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, should contact Next Level Sports Management at 949-365-5750 or email tgardea@amaproracing.com.