Loretta Lynn's Area Qualifier and Regional Championship Dates Announced
MORGANTOWN, W.Va – With the 2016 racing season coming to a close, MX Sports, producer of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by AMSOIL, is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2017 Area Qualifiers and Regional Championships.
The qualifying program takes place in 33 different states throughout the country, starting with the 55 Area Qualifiers that begin mid-February and run through the end of May. The 13 Regional Championships will run in eight major geographical regions throughout the United States, taking place in late May and through the month of June.
"With the Area Qualifiers around the corner, we are excited for the 2017 Road to Loretta's to begin," said MX Sports director Tim Cotter. "The AMA Amateur National is by far the biggest event we promote and we took extra time to ensure that the qualifying process would bring as much excitement as the National does. With 6 new facilities onboard mixed with the 49 returning tracks, we are certain that the 36th annual event will be the best yet."
The Area Qualifiers serve as the first step in qualifying for the world's largest and most prestigious amateur motocross championship. The Regional Championships then serve as the next step to seed riders into the National Championship. Only riders who finish in a qualifying position at a Regional Championship are eligible to race the National the week of July 31–August 5.
"The AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship program has been the most prestigious amateur motocross program in history, and 2017 will not be any different," said AMA Motocross manager Kip Bigelow. "The AMA along with the program's organizer, MX Sports, has worked diligently on creating an Area Qualifier and Regional Championship schedule that has calendar balance, geographic balance and features some of the country's best tracks and facilities. We're pleased to be involved and provide AMA members and their families with the opportunity to race for an AMA National Motocross Championship."
This year's lineup once again includes the many National-caliber tracks that have become such an integral part of the Road to Loretta's. From the historic Unadilla MX to Budd's Creek and High Point Raceway in the Northeast, to Washougal in the Northwest, these National tracks offer amateur racers a chance to race on the same track as professionals. The tour will also return to many other favorites such as the Southeast's Muddy Creek Raceway, RedBud MX in the Mid-East and Thunder Valley MX Park in the South Central region. The much anticipated Ironman Raceway facility returns to the schedule for the Mid-East Region, in addition to Spring Creek MX Park hosting the North Central Amateur Regional.
Brand new additions to the 2017 qualifier schedule include Pennsylvania's Miles Mountain MX, Moto-Vated Sports in South Carolina and Nickota Moto Park in Kentucky. Further west, Texas' Swan MX and Deseret Peak MX in Utah are also joining the lineup. Perhaps the biggest announcement comes with the addition of Kevin Windham's Farm 14 track which is set to host an Area Qualifier in the South Central Region.
"We have hosted a charity event at my track for several years with the help of the Coombs Family and I've always wanted to get more involved," said Kevin Windham. "Throughout the past few years the feedback we've received from riders has been great. I have been away from the sport since I retired, and I can't think of a more perfect time to get involved with such a prestigious race as Loretta Lynn's. This race helped me get my foot in the door as a professional racer, and I hope my event can do the same for the amateur racers who are participating."
To view the 2017 Area Qualifier and Regional Championship schedule, click HERE.
The 2017 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by AMSOIL, will take place Monday, July 31 through Saturday, August 5 at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
For additional information, visit the series official website at www.mxsports.com or call (304) 284-0101. Also follow the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for exclusive content and to catch the latest news following this announcement.
