Dungey Leads Lites Riders at Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

New Open Class Gives Lites Riders a Shot at Champs Stewart and Reed

AURORA, Ill. (August 15, 2007) – The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open announced today that Suzuki rookie Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., will race the re-vamped ‘open class’ at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 12-14.

“I like it, as it will be a good opportunity for young riders like myself to ride against some of the best guys in the world,” said Dungey, on having one open class.

Dungey, who scored four AMA Supercross Lites victories earlier this season, will race against the top AMA Supercross class riders and AMA Supercross Lites riders in the much talked about open class at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open.

"It will be interesting to see if Dungey can continue his lucky streak after winning the Dave Coombs Sr. East / West Supercross Lites Shootout in Las Vegas last May,” said Dave Prater, director of supercross, Live Nation. “Ryan will have a new challenge when the top AMA Supercross class riders in the world are added to the mix at the Rockstar Energy Drink US Open. Mixing the AMA Supercross and AMA Supercross Lites riders together at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open will give Ryan a whole new challenge."

While the idea of racing against the top supercross racers in the world entices Dungey’s competitive spirit, the thought of racing against his teammate Ricky Carmichael, who is considered the greatest of all time, is something he’d like to do before the 15-time AMA National Champion heads into retirement.

“I’m really looking forward to racing against the top guys, especially Ricky (Carmichael) if he decides to race. I would really like to race against Ricky one time before he retires.”

As an amateur, Dungey earned a spot to compete in the 2003 U.S. Open’s 85cc Mini Invitation and finished a solid seventh place with 6-4-5-11 finishes on the weekend. One of only a few riders to transition their amateur career into a factory position, Dungey has turned in consistent results during his AMA Motocross Lites debut season where he currently sits in fifth place.

“I don’t know how the 250’s (four-stroke bikes) will go up against the 450’s (four-stroke bikes) on such a tight course. I rode the U.S. Open a few years ago on an 80, but that was totally different than its going to be this year on a bigger bike. Personally, I believe the bike of choice is the 250F, and I guess we’ll all get to see in October.”

Tickets are now available for the 10th annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 12-14, 2007 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. All tickets subject to 5% Las Vegas Entertainment tax.