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It’s USA Vs. Japan in an International Struggle for Supremacy
on a rural Illinois motocross track with ATVs!

Seiya Sakuma
Walnut, IL (7/11/2007) - Sunset Ridge Motocross will be the sight of an international battle for All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) racing bragging rights next weekend (July 14-15) when Japan’s top pro ATV racer arrives to battle America’s best in an event that’s got the entire ATV industry buzzing - Round Ten of the 2007 ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series, presented by Parts Unlimited!

Suzuki-backed Seiya Sakuma, 22, who began racing ATVs at age ten, is the defending All Japan ATV Championship Race Series champion aSend is currently leading that series’ points chase this summer. Understanding the United States is the ultimate testing ground for ATV racers from all nations, along with the place to race and test the predominantly Japanese-built racing machines (Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda & Kawasaki), Suzuki and Japan have decided to send Sakuma here to race the pinnacle of American championship ATV racing – the ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series.

“For a long time I dream about coming to race here in the United States,” said Sakuma through an interpreter. “Now it is time. I look forward to the competition and making new friends. And I will do my best to hopefully win.”

Standing in Sakuma’s path to the top of the podium will be a formidable counterpart on Suzuki, Doug Gust. The multi-time ATV champion is widely considered to be America’s greatest ATV racer and would like nothing better than to send Sakuma back to Japan – the home of Suzuki ATVs – saying “Doug-san…VERY fast!”

“That’s great that Seiya is coming to race the ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series here at Sunset Ridge,” said Gust. “I’ve heard a lot about how good he is – so I guess we’ll be finding out once and for all next weekend!”

Joining Gust in the fierce but friendly battle with Japan’s top ATV racer will be another Suzuki-mounted ATV ace - local Chad Weinen (Galena, Ill.). Last year at Sunset Ridge’s inaugural ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series event, Weinen made the podium in 3rd place overall.

“Sunset Ridge is pretty much my home track, so I’m looking forward to not only getting after it against Doug (Gust), but also Yamaha’s Pat Brown and Chris Tait,” said Weinen. “Add to that Japan’s top racer and series point leader Joe Byrd and this event definitely could go down as one of the most exciting all year on the ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series tour.”

As mentioned by Weinen, Byrd tops the overall ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series by 18 points over Kentucky’s Jeremy Lawson, 398 to 380.

Kicking off the weekend’s racing events will be a Pro ATV autograph session at Gieson Motorsports in Rock Falls (Ill.). The event will feature the aforementioned American racers, along with drawings for prizes and such. Gieson Motorsports is located on 800 East Rte. 30, Rock Falls. The event runs from 4-6 p.m. For more information check out their website at: www.giesonmotorsports.com

For more information on this year’s ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series, presented by Parts Unlimited, check out www.atvaonline.com. For information on the Sunset Ridge event, Round Ten of the series – including ticket information – visit www.sunsetridgemx.com.

About the AMA ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross
Championship Series Presented by Parts Unlimited:

Sanctioned by the AMA and ATVA, the AMA ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series is the nation’s premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, and is hosted by many of America’s premier motocross facilities. The 12-round series approaches its 21st season with the Pro class newly under the wing of AMA Pro Racing. The 2006 series hosted over 8,000 entrants, making it America’s largest and longest-running ATV National Motocross series. Series sponsors include title sponsors ITP Tires and Moose, and presenting sponsor Parts Unlimited. Premier and feature sponsors include ATV Sport, MotoTees, Scott USA, Maxxis Tires, Elka Suspension and H-Bomb Films/Division Four. Associate sponsors include Weekend Warrior Trailers, Denton Racing, and Hinson Racing. Media partners include ATV Insider, ATV Rider and ATVRiders.com.

About AMA Pro Racing:
AMA Pro Racing is the professional racing division of the American Motorcyclist Association (“AMA”). 2007 will mark the inaugural year for AMA Pro ATV Racing, as the sport’s top pro riders will be recognized as professional-licensed racers by the AMA Pro Racing division. Founded in 1924, the AMA has an unparalleled history of pursuing, protecting and promoting the interests of the world's largest and most dedicated group of motorcycle enthusiasts. The AMA focuses on rights, riding and racing through its government relations work, by sanctioning road and off-road riding activities and overseeing professional and amateur racing events. For more information about AMA Pro ATV Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

About the ATVA:
The ATV Association (“ATVA”) is the official sanctioning body of the amateur divisions of the ATVA ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series Presented by Parts Unlimited. The 9,000 member ATVA is the sister organization of the 260,000 member American Motorcyclist Association (“AMA”). ATV racing has experienced phenomenal growth at the rate of 25% in the past two years alone, and continues to gain momentum and support, outselling off-road motorcycles annually. Each round attracts 600-700 racers who compete for bragging rights to one of 31 amateur national titles. For more information about ATVA, visit www.atvaonline.com.

About the ATVPG:
The ATVPG is comprised of the 12 individual promoters that host the AMA ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championships, presented by Parts Unlimited. The goal of the ATVPG is to raise awareness of ATV motocross through the production of professional and amateur championship racing events. For more information on the ATVPG and the ATV National events they produce, go to www.atvmotocross.com.

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