[American Motorcyclist Association] - AMA Area Qualifiers to kick off this weekend fo

[Ninjette Newsbot]

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- America's fastest amateur motocross racers will begin to compete this weekend at AMA Area Qualifiers as the first step in securing a coveted spot at the Aug. 1-6 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by AMSOIL, in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

"This weekend marks the start of many of America's top amateur motocross racers' journeys to qualify to compete at the prestigious Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship," said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. "We've worked diligently alongside our promoting partner, MX Sports, to compile a schedule that includes some of the greatest tracks in the country. The AMA Area Qualifiers, which kick off this weekend, showcase the top racers at the local level who hope to advance to an AMA Regional Motocross Championship, and ultimately hope to be crowned an AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion. The competition will be intense, and we wish the competitors a safe and successful path to the championship."

Racers will compete in 56 Area Qualifiers that will funnel the top finishers into 13 AMA Regional Championships. Several thousand riders compete, but only 1,482 riders will 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 an amateur racer poised for success in the pro ranks.

"A lot of hard work and coordination has gone into this year's Area Qualifier schedule," said MX Sports Director Tim Cotter. "Together with the AMA, we have selected the best race tracks in the country to host these coveted events. Now it is time for America's amateur motocross athletes to start their journey."

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, Ryan Dungey and many more.

For more information about the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, see www.mxsports.com. For more information all AMA-sanctioned motocross competition, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com > Racing > AMA Motocross.

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Area Qualifiers

Northeast Area Qualifiers

• March 5-6: Elizabeth City, N.C.: Elizabeth City MX
• March 12-13: Hedgesville, W.Va.: Tomahawk MX
• April 9-10: Englishtown, N.J.: Englishtown
• April 16-17: Dillwyn, Va.: Actiontown MX Park
• April 23-24: Fredericksburg, Pa.: Sleepy Hollow MX
• May 7-8: Seward, Pa.: Pleasure Valley
• May 14-15: Winchester, N.H.: Winchester Speedpark
• May 21-22: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

Southeast Area Qualifiers

• Feb. 27-28: Jacksonville, Fla.: WW Ranch MX Park
• March 19-20: Sutherlin, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports Park
• April 2-3: Okeechobee, Fla.: Florida Cycle Park
• April 9-10: Hamer, S.C.: South of the Border MX Park
• April 16-17: Tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain MX Park
• April 23-24: Reynolds, Ga.: Silver Dollar Raceway
• April 30-May 1: Wytheville, Va.: Pro Sport Motocross
• May 14-15: Dalton, Ga.: Lazy River MX

Mid-East Area Qualifiers

• March 19-20: Altamont, Tenn.: Fast Farms MX Park
• April 2-3: Waynesburg, Ohio: Malvern Motocross Park
• April 16-17: Rossville, Ind.: Wildcat Creek MX
• April 23-24: Chillicothe, Ohio: ChilliTown MX
• April 30-May 1: Bronson, Mich.: Log Road MX
• May 7-8: Nashport, Ohio: Briarcliff Motocross
• May 14-15: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park
• May 21-22: Livingston, Tenn.: Thunder Valley MX

North Central Area Qualifiers

• March 12-13: Richwoods, Mo.: Romp MX
• April 2-3: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports
• April 9-10: Garwin, Iowa: Oak Ridge MX
• April 23-24: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX
• April 30-May 1: Maize, Kan.: Bar 2 Bar MX Park
• May 14-15: Little Falls, Minn.: Little Falls Raceway
• May 21-22: Mount Carroll, Ill.: McMotopark
• May 28-29: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway

South Central Area Qualifiers

• March 5-6: Conroe, Texas: 3 Palms Action Sports Park
• April 2-3: Fulton, Miss.: Veterans MX Park
• April 9-10: Grand Cane, La.: Desoto Motorsports Park
• April 16-17: Wellston, Okla.: Reynard Raceway
• April 23-24: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway
• April 30-May 1: Amarillo, Texas: Bowers MX
• May 21-22: Yantis, Texas: Johnsonville MX Farm
• May 29-30: Brush, Colo.: Sweney Cycle Park (Sunday / Monday races)

Northwest Area Qualifiers

• Feb. 13-14: Marysville, Calif.: MMX Racing
• March 19-20: West Richland, Wash.: Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex
• May 7-8: Junction City, Ore.: Eugene MX Park
• May 14: Billings, Mont.: Billings MX

Mid-West Area Qualifiers

• Feb. 13-14: Marysville, Calif.: MMX Racing
• Feb. 20-21: St. George, Utah: Saint George MX
• April 2-3: Turlock, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway
• April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park
• May 14-15: Hollister, Calif.: Hollister Hills SVRA
• May 21-22: Rocksprings, Wyo.: Rock Springs MX

Southwest Area Qualifiers

• March 5-6: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park
• March 12-13: Bakersfield, Calif.: Kern County Raceway Park
• March 19-20: Haleiwa, Hawaii: Kahuku Motocross
• April 2-3: Anza, Calif.: Cahuilla Creek MX
• April 9-10: Moriarty, N.M.: Sandia MX at Moriarty
• April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

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