Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Begins Saturday
Dungey and Stewart Headline Start of the
2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
44th Hangtown Motocross Classic Set to Kick Off Memorable Summer Season
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Following months of anticipation, this Saturday, May 19, the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will commence with the 44th running of the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic from Prairie City OHV Park in Sacramento, Calif. Crisscrossing the United States, three world-class racing divisions—the 450 Class, 250 Class, and Women’s Motocross Championship (WMX)—will embark on a summer-long battle for the most prestigious championship in motocross.
The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club will make sure the competitors face a challenge when they visit the iconic track, which features plenty of elevation changes, highly technical obstacles, and a bowl-like layout that lends itself to spectacular sightlines from almost any vantage point. As the longest-running event on the schedule, the Hangtown Motocross Classic even precedes what is now known as the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and boasts a devoted local following.
Hangtown also signifies the start of the 2012 broadcast package with NBC Sports and FUEL TV. Opening motos will be showcased live on FUEL TV and AlliSports.com beginning at 4 p.m. EST, while same-day coverage of the second motos can be seen on NBC Sports Network at 12:30 a.m. EST.On an international level, the second motos of Lucas Oil Motocross will be simulcast throughout the globe, with over 24 hours of live racing showcased on SPEED Australia, ESPN Brazil, and ESPN Latin America. This will bring the most prestigious championship on the planet to over 40 million homes across those continents.
Additionally, 15 hours of post-produced highlight shows will be distributed to Extreme Sports Channel in Europe and the Middle East, Germany’s SPORT1, South Africa’s SuperSport, along with SPEED Australia, ESPN Brazil, and ESPN Latin America. This will expand the reach of the Nationals to over 65 million homes.
For more information about dates and times of these broadcasts, contact local satellite or cable providers.
450 Class
Reigning 450 Class Champion Ryan Villopoto will miss the entire 2012 season following an injury suffered prior to the start of the championship. In the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider’s absence, several contenders are prepared to step up.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey enjoyed the most successful rookie season of all time in 2010 en route to that championship. For his first season aboard a KTM, he wants to give the Austrian brand its first American title. Alongside Dungey is the newest member of Team Yoshimura Suzuki, James Stewart, the 2008 champion who has not competed full-time in Lucas Oil Motocross since his perfect season four years ago. Stewart’s highly publicized move from Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX to Suzuki will be a major storyline throughout the season.
Other riders to watch include Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s Davi Millsaps, Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Brayton and Tommy Hahn, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer and Tyla Rattray, Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe, MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, Chaparral Honda’s Andrew Short, and Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki’s Josh Grant and Kyle Chisholm. Each knows what it takes to win at the sport’s highest level and will be battling alongside Dungey and Stewart all season long.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a national champion last season, and now he’s back to continue his reign atop the 250 Class, home to the sport’s rising stars. As the first rider to defend his 250 Class title since the 2008 season, Wilson will meet a bevy of challengers prepared to make their own marks on the sport.
Wilson’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammate Blake Baggett might be the biggest threat to his title defense. Baggett showed tremendous speed and ability on his way to a series-leading five wins last season. Red Bull KTM teammates Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen have championship experience of their own, having split the last three World Motocross MX2 titles. They’ve now made the move to the States to compete alongside the world’s best in Lucas Oil Motocross.
GEICO Honda duo Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac got off to a successful start in 2012 AMA Supercross competition and will look to carry that momentum to the Nationals. With veteran riders like Star/Valli Yamaha’s Kyle Cunningham, along with Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Martin Davalos and Blake Wharton, the 250 Class is loaded with talented competitors.
Over the past four seasons, a captivating rivalry has developed between the two biggest names in the WMX Class. Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Ashley Fiolek and Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson have traded wins and championships, establishing themselves as the premier female motocross riders on the planet and helping bring the WMX Class to the national spotlight.
Fiolek enters the 2012 season as the defending champion, having claimed her third title in four years, but Patterson is back with a new team and a renewed passion to reclaim the title she last won in 2010. Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Tarah Gieger will challenge every step of the way, as will the exceptionally fast Mariana Balbi, Jacqueline Strong, and Vicki Golden. Fiolek’s new Team Honda Muscle Milk teammate Sayaka Kaneshiro will look to make the most of her new opportunity as well.
The FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic, Round 1 of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, kicks off at 4 p.m. EST this Saturday, May 19.Tickets for all 12 rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found at www.allisports.com.
For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.
For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.
MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world's most prestigious motocross series - the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.
Alli Sports
Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.
AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.
NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast's 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.
FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the "Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship." Visit www.LucasOil.com.