RedBud Track N Trail Prepares For AMA Toyota MX
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Located just north of South Bend, Indiana and a short drive from Chicago, the Buchanan, Michigan race track is regarded as the tour’s pinnacle stop, due largely to the loyal fan base that is reflected in the impressive 25,000-plus attendance numbers posted each year. In addition, the dynamic course obstacles add to the excitement of this first-class facility, including the mammoth LaRocco’s Leap. Named after South Bend native and racing great Mike LaRocco, this jump is the quintessential dirt elevator that sends riders more than 100 feet through the air. Red Bud Track N Trail sets the standards for AMA Toyota Motocross.
While the AMA Motocross and AMA Motocross Lites main events are the penultimate races of the weekend, a host of enhancements will entertain RedBud fans. The Legends of Motocross Tour will grace this stop, offering fans a chance to check out the bikes ridden by the sport’s greatest racers. Michigan’s own Jeff Stanton will be the grand marshal of the festival. The precursor to Sunday’s kickoff will be the celebrity Minibike race, which will feature the industry’s ‘who’s who’ in the modified Minibike showdown. Saturday will wrap up with fire in the sky as a festive fireworks show heats up the night.
“We look forward to showcasing RedBud and Midwest motocross when the top professional motocross racers come to town each year,” said RedBud’s Amy Ritchie. “We have been working hard to give racers and fans alike another great weekend of fun and entertainment as the world’s greatest racers lay it on the line for the 34th annual event at our track.
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 seventh career win at RedBud. For the past six years Carmichael has been unstoppable at the facility, beginning his dominance back in 2000.
“It’s going to be sad to see Ricky (Carmichael) leave our sport because he’s done so much for the entire industry,” added Ritchie. “He’s become a household name around the world and a fan favorite at RedBud. He’s such an icon and has the most down-to-earth demeanor that makes for a great connection with the fans of RedBud.”
Last year Carmichael swept both motos, besting Kawasaki’s James Stewart, a former AMA Motocross Lites champion and heir apparent to Carmichael. Stewart, who set the fastest lap time during practice, was trumped by Carmichael in Sunday’s timed practice, making it clear that RedBud is home for Ricky Carmichael.
In the AMA Motocross Lites feature, Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and KTM’s Mike Alessi traded wins, going 1-2 and 1-3 respectively. Villopoto, who went on to win the AMA Motocross Lites Championship, picked up the first RedBud win of his career.
Tickets are available for $40 (Friday/Saturday)/$30 (Sunday Only) at the gate only. A Saturday pit pass will be available from 11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. for $10 and Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. – Noon for $15. A full weekend of Amateur racing is scheduled, beginning on Thursday for practice and concluding Saturday evening. For more information on the weekend, including camping and parking, log on the www.redbudmx.com.
SCHEDULE: Saturday (June 30) - Pro practice, 1:00-3:25 pm., Pre-qualifiers 3:45 pm.; Sunday (July 1) - 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.
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.
