2008 EnduroCross Kicks Off July 5

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 1, 2008) The AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series, presented by Lucas Oil, will kick-off 2008 with its season opener in the same place as last season wrapped-up… Las Vegas ’ Orleans Arena on July 5th.  The Independence Day weekend event will be packing much of its own fanfare, as many of the top racers in the world will be competing in this first round of the newly expanded six-race series.  In addition, the Vegas event will double as a Regional Qualifier for the newly organized AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships (EXGC), an amateur orientated championship similar to the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Motocross Championship.

2008 has brought many exciting changes to AMA EnduroCross, highlighted by a fantastic new TV deal on the Versus Network, thanks to presenting sponsor, Lucas Oil.  Each round will be featured on the Lucas Motorsports Hour and fans will be able to follow the incredible racing action throughout the season.  In addition, the GEICO Triple Crown offers an unbelievable $50,000 to the rider who can win Rounds 2, 5, & 6 ( Guthrie , OK ; Columbus , OH ; Las Vegas Finale) of the championship!

The best Off-Road racers in the world have traditionally competed in AMA EnduroCross and this year’s explosive roster looks to be no different with veteran names like: Huffman, Lafferty, Aaron, Abbott, Davis and Pearson.  But possibly more impressive than the old guys on the roster, are the young guns that have been taking the sport to another level: Dietrich, Brozovich, Wineland, Haaker, Redmond and Blasuziak!

KTM’s Taddy Blasuziak, the former top-ten FIM World Trials star and Polish National Trials Champion, recently made the jump over to extreme Off-Road racing and has become the hottest thing in the sport!  After showing up to his first race in 2007 and amazingly, setting the fastest qualifying time, signing a factory deal on the spot, then going on to win the overall event, Taddy has not let up!  In his second career race last November, the 2007 AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Finals in Las Vegas, he passed reigning AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Champion, David Knight, with the white flag waving and spoiled the Manxman from winning the prestigious $50,000 Triple Crown!  Since then, Blasuziak has won everything he’s entered and has to be the favorite going into EX2008!

Certainly nothing can be taken for granted as a pack of lightening fast riders will be gunning to squander Taddy’s championship hopes, including California’s Kyle Redmond and 10X US Trials Champ, Geoff Aaron, as well as WORCS Series points leader, Ricky Dietrich, US Trials sensation’s Keith Wineland and Colton Haaker, 8X National Enduro champ, Mike Lafferty, SX/MX legend and last year’s #2 ranked AMA EnduroCross fast guy, Damon Huffman!

“2008 just may see the changing of the guard in AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross,” explains the sport’s originator, Eric Peronnard.  “With the series expanding across the country, this is a very exciting time to be a fan!”

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of Off-Road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole… and even a few special obstacles like giant tires!  Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor version of extreme off-road racing will keep you on your feet.  Don’t miss your chance to see AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross… get your tickets now  for a round near you… and be sure to log-on to www.motorsportshour.com for local airing dates/times for the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour.

Tickets On-Sale NOW at the Orleans Arena, 888-234-2334; or online at www.OrleansArena.com

AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series presented by Lucas Oil /

AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships

 

·          *July 5; Las Vegas , NV - Orleans Arena

·          *August 16; Guthrie , OK - Lazy E Arena

·          *September 13; Florence , SC - Civic Center

·          *September 27; Denver , CO - National Western Complex

·          *October 4; Columbus , OH - Ohio State University, Schottenstein Center

·          *November 21; Las Vegas , NV - Orleans Arena

·          **November 22; Las Vegas , NV - Orleans Arena

 

*EXGC Regional Qualifier; **EXGC Finale

 

For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sourceinterlink.com. 

For TV airing dates/times visit www.Versus.com.