MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - MX Sports Pro Racing and the ATV Promoters Group (ATVPG) made a historic announcement today with the addition of the iconic Daytona International Speedway and its legendary "Bike Week" as the opening round of the 2015 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA (ATVMX). For the first time ever, four wheels will grace the hallowed grounds of "The World Center of Racing" during its annual "Bike Week" festivities on Tuesday, March 10, signifying one of the most groundbreaking moments in the history of ATV motocross competition.
ATVMX will take center stage for its season opener following the opening weekend of "Bike Week" in 2015 that will feature the renowned Daytona Supercross by Honda on Saturday, March 7, and the hugely popular Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross on Sunday, March 8, and Monday, March 9. The Carmichael-designed track on the infield of the speedway is legendary for its treacherous terrain and demanding nature that is often considered to be a hybrid of a motocross and supercross track.
"The continued growth of ATVMX and our renewed partnership with Mtn. Dew as title sponsor of the championship has provided us with the opportunity to put the sport in a setting that has never been seen before," said Tim Cotter, MX Sports Event Director. "We believe this new Daytona ATV event has the ability to grow into something iconic in its own right, much like the Daytona Supercross, and we couldn't be more excited to bring four wheels to the speedway in March."
Never before in its 33-year history has ATVMX competed in a stadium-like setting, on a supercross-style track. As a result, the inaugural Daytona stop will implement an elimination format that mimics a true supercross style via heats, an LCQ, and main event for the AMA Pro ATV Class, rather than a pair of motos that determines an overall classification.
"I couldn't be more excited with this news because it's one of the biggest announcements in the history of the sport," exclaimed reigning three-time AMA Pro ATV Class Champion Chad Wienen. "I, as well as all of my fellow competitors, have grown up watching the Daytona Supercross, one day dreaming of racing there. It no doubt was an inspiration for all of us to pursue racing as a career and it's incredible that we will have the chance to basically race in the first-ever ATV supercross race."
Like all other rounds of the ATVMX season, Daytona will feature a contingent of pro-am, amateur and youth classes to accompany the premier AMA Pro ATV Class. However, only professional competition will account for points towards the championship.
"This truly is one of the most important announcements in the history of ATV motocross and we want to make sure that everyone has the chance to be a part of this historic event," added Cotter. "While the time constraints of a single day will unfortunately limit our ability to truly showcase every class of competition we have this year, we have high hopes to expand this event to multiple days, just like we have at every other stop on the schedule."
Registration is now open for this prestigious event. For more information, please visit atvmotocross.com.
Following Daytona, the 2015 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship will continue with Round 2 on Saturday, March 21, for the inaugural visit to Echeconnee MX Park in Lizella, Georgia. From there, the world's best four-wheel riders will compete over the course of nine additional rounds of action on many of the most renowned motocross tracks in the country, culminating on Saturday, Aug. 8, with the final round of the championship from the legendary Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
For more information on the 2015 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, visit atvmotocross.com. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow on Twitter @ATVMXdotcom and Instagram @ATVMotocross, and be sure to always hashtag #ATVMX.
