ATV Motocross Invades the Prairie State
WALNUT, Ill. (May 8, 2008) -- The ITP/Moose Racing ATV National Motocross Championship Series Presented by Parts Unlimited heads into the heart of Illinois this weekend for the Concept Haulers ATV Showdown. The event, Round 5 of the National Pro Racing tour and Round 4 of the Amateur tour, is being held at Sunset Ridge MX. The Nation's premier national ATV racing series features America's best pro riders, as well as Amateur, Pro-Am and Junior racers.
The ATV Motocross Series features the top professional and amateur ATV riders in the country, competing at preeminent motocross facilities across the nation. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.
The riders will be vying for the most coveted honor in ATV racing: The AMA National Championship and the AMA No. 1 Number Plate.
The race will be telecast on Versus Network on Sept. 1 at 3:30 p.m.
The big story of the weekend will center around hometown racer Chad Wienen. The Team Suzuki rider from Galena, Ill. has had an up-and-down season thus far and has fought injury and mechanical issues all season. However, with three different winners in four races thus far, it's still anyone's championship to win, and Wienen sits well within the title chase.
Speaking of points, defending champion Joe Byrd rebounded at the last race, placing his factory-supported Honda on the top step of the podium for the first time this season. Rocketing to third in points, Byrd is well positioned to net his third consecutive title. Byrd is the defending winner here and hopes to repeat this weekend. Byrd is joined by Honda riders Harold Goodman and Josh Upperman.
But Byrd's march may depend largely on the actions of Team Suzuki. Wienen's teammates Dustin Wimmer and Doug Gust have won a total of three races (two for Wimmer and one for Gust), and the duo will certainly be hard to stop here.
Josh Creamer and his Team Monster Energy Drink Kawasaki certainly showed that the team has come up to speed at the last race in Kentucky. Creamer, who sits fifth in points, has a podium to his credit this season as well as a fast qualifier award. Creamer is joined on the Kawasaki team by Russell Shumaker and Keith Little.
Can-Am, in its first full year of ATV Motocross competition, has been buoyed this season by veteran rider John Natalie. Natalie, who currently sits fourth in points, netted Can-Am its first moto win earlier this season. His tough riding style, which earned him the apt nickname "Iron Man," is always entertaining to watch and usually puts him in contention when it counts. Natalie is joined on the Can-Am squad by Jeremy Lawson. Cody Miller, Greg Gee, Sage Baker, and Richard Pelchat.
French Canadian rider Jasmin Plante placed second in Kentucky earlier this season, handing Team Yamaha its best finish this season. Plante is joined in Yamaha Blue by New Jersey rider Pat Brown.
Other pros expected to compete this weekend include: Rocco Arno, Jr., John Ragon. Jason Dunkelberger, Thomas Hager, Nate Morello, Hunter Miller and Michael James Brown.
Fast Facts - Concept Haulers ATV Showdown - May 10-11, 2008
What: ITP/Moose Racing ATV National Motocross Championship Series, America's premier ATV racing series. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.
When: May 10-11, 2008
Where: Sunset Ridge MX: I-80 To Route 40 (Exit 45); take 40 North, 4 miles; turn Right on Manlius Rd, just after the school. 1 mile to CR1100; turn Left on CR1100; go approx. four miles on CR1100
Who: Top Pro racers, including Joe Byrd, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust, Chad Wienen, John Natalie, Jr., Josh Creamer, Keith Little, Jeremy Lawson, Pat Brown, Harold Goodman and many others. The Series also features the top Pro Am, Amateur, Women, and Youth riders in the country.
