[American Motorcyclist Association] - Regional championship action kicks off for 2016

[Ninjette Newsbot]

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- This weekend marks the start of the American Motorcyclist Association Regional Championships across the country, with thousands of amateur motocross racers competing for a spot at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship presented by AMSOIL in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

After advancing through one of the 55 Area Qualifiers, riders will have the chance to compete at one of 13 AMA Regional Championships in hope of making it to the national event, which is scheduled for Aug. 1-6.

"The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is the pinnacle of amateur motocross competition," said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. "As the Area Qualifiers begin to wrap up, advancing riders can focus on preparing themselves for the high intensity racing that the regional championships demand. Qualified riders from around the globe participate at America's best race tracks, with hopes of making it to the Loretta Lynn Ranch in early August."

Several thousand riders compete for the 1,482 national qualifying spots up for grabs. Those riders advance to the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at the Loretta Lynn Ranch to race for AMA national No. 1 plates in 37 classes. The best riders will compete for the coveted AMA Motocross Horizon Award, presented to the amateur racer poised for success in the pro ranks.

"The regional championships are the final step in qualifying for the annual AMA Amateur National," said MX Sports Director Tim Cotter. "These events become a very stressful time for our racers and their families, as it is very difficult to transfer from the regional championships to the Amateur National. Together with the AMA and our regional organizers, we will work hard to ensure that all of our athletes get a quality and fair experience."

The AMA Regional Championships kick off this weekend with races in the Southeast and Northwest regions. All regional titles will be decided by the last weekend in June.

Dating to 1975, the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is one of the longest-running motorsports championships in the country. The success of the program, which has produced a long list of AMA Supercross and Motocross superstars, is unmatched. Riders who have progressed through the program include AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath, as well as current stars such as Eli Tomac and Ryan Dungey.

For more information about the national championship motocross program, see www.mxsports.com. For more information all AMA-sanctioned motocross competition, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com > Racing > Motocross.

2016 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Regional Championships

Northeast Regionals

• June 4-5: High Point Raceway (Amateur), Mount Morris, Pa., (304) 284-0084
• June 11-12: Doublin Gap MX (Youth), Shippensburg, Pa., (717) 249-6036

Southeast Regionals

• May 28-29: Muddy Creek (Amateur), Blountville, Tenn., (423) 323-5497
• June 18-19: North Carolina Motorsports Park (Youth), Henderson, N.C., (252) 767-6671

Mid-East Regionals

• June 4-5: RedBud (Youth), Buchanan, Mich., (269) 695-6405
• June 25-26: Baja Acres (Amateur), Millington, Mich., (989) 871-3356

North Central Regionals

• June 11-12: Byron Motorsports Park (Amateur), Byron, Ill., (815) 234-2271
• June 18-19: Motozone (Youth), Tigerton, Wis., (920) 419-2863

South Central Regionals

• June 11-12: Thunder Valley (Amateur), Lakewood, Colo., (303) 909-7003
• June 25-26: Oak Hill Raceway (Youth), Alvord, Texas, (940) 577-2225

Northwest Regional

• May 28-30: Washougal (Youth/Amateur), Washougal, Wash., (360) 601-5347

Midwest Regional

• June 4-5: Prairie City (Youth/Amateur), Rancho Cordova, Calif., (740) 297-6686

Southwest Regional

• June 11-12: Pala Raceway (Youth/Amateur), Pala, Calif., (740) 297-6686

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