Budds Creek Promoter Jonathan Beasley Realizes Dream And Says Goodbye To AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Legend Carmichael
BUDDS CREEK, Md. (June 13, 2007) – When the world’s top motocross racers converge on the city of Budds Creek, Maryland for the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship on Father's Day weekend (June 16-17), fans will witness a historic race as 15-time AMA National Champion Ricky Carmichael, of Tallahassee, Fla., makes his final run around the Maryland facility. Located just outside of the nation's capital, this event has been an American past time for motocross fans dating back 1989. Built in 1973, Budds Creek owner Jonathan Beasley started running motocrosses at the young age of 17 and hasn't looked back.
Beasley brought the track to the next level when he worked 14-hour days for two years building his mission to obtain an AMA National.
"My mom told me I was crazy to work all day long and put all my money back into the track," Beasley said. "She wanted me to go find a real job, but I told her prospectors dig for gold their entire lives, and that's exactly the way I looked at what I was doing. I loved building this track. I loved racing motocross. There is a passion that goes beyond dollar signs.”
Years of hard work will once again provide a showcase for the greatest motocross racers in the world and a first-class family entertainment event for the expected 20,000-plus fans that are expected on race weekend.
Carmichael, who is racing a limited AMA Toyota Motocross Championship schedule in 2007 to pursue a four-wheel career, posts an undefeated record (8-0) at Budds Creek. The record-setting eight wins for the red headed Suzuki rider makes his last race in Maryland even more special. For the past eight years Carmichael has been unstoppable at the facility, beginning his dominance back in 2000. Can he make it nine?
Last year eventual AMA Motocross Lites National Champion Ryan Villopoto joined Carmichael in victory at Budds Creek. Villopoto, who hails from Poulsbo, Wash., swept both motos as he closed in on the series' point chase.
SCHEDULE: Saturday (June 16 ) - Pro practice, 1:00-3:25 pm., Pre-qualifiers 3:45 pm.; Sunday (June 17) - 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.
Tickets are now available online at www.buddscreek.com and at the gate &60 (Friday-Sunday), $50 (Saturday & Sunday) $30 (Sunday only). Early entry pit passes are also available at the gate: $30 (Saturday & Sunday) from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. and $20 (Sunday only) 9:00 a.m. - Noon.
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.
Credential requests for each round of the 2007 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 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, should contact Next Level Sports Management at 949-365-5750 or email tgardea@amaproracing.com.
