Cumming, GA (3/1/2010)
- The 2010 version of the Media Allstars
is set, and ready for action. The biggest changes
in team history will make for an exciting new
chapter in the Media Allstars story. For starters,
the team is venturing into the Pro Class with
a strong two man effort in the way of rookie Pro,
and long time team member #18 Cody Grant, and
veteran Pro #99 Pat Brown.
Backing the Pro effort are long time team sponsors
Maxxis, Maxima Lubricants, Yoshimura R&D
of America, G4 Graphics, Hinson Clutch Components,
Powermadd, Uni Filters, Outerwears, Quad Tech,
Precision Steering Stabilizers, EVS, O’neal,
& Rath Racing. Joining them are title sponsors
Lonestar Racing, & Golden West Cycles, as
well as HiPer Technologies, and Galfer Brakes.
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Media
Allstar's Cody Grant |
It’s an exciting, yet scary time for
the Team. We’re jumping into the deep
end of the pool, and while we’re confident
in our abilities, it’s still the deep
end. Luckily we’ve got the best support
in the sport, Yoshimura’s motors are undeniably
at the top of the food chain, Lonestar is getting
ready to shock the industry with the products
we’re using, and Golden West has backed
some of the best racers in the sport. When you
combine that backing, with two Pro riders with
something to prove, there’s potential
for greatness.” said Team Manager Jorge
Cuartas.
While Cody Grant will stick to his trusty,
and proven Suzuki City backed Suzuki LTR450,
Pat Brown will be aboard a Honda TRX450R. “Believe
it or not, the main reason we chose two different
brands this season was our sponsors; companies
want to highlight their entire product line
these days, and thankfully we were able to accommodate.”
The last difference between the two machines
will be shocks; Cody will ride Öhlins suspension,
while Pat rides Fox Racing Shox.
Long known as an amateur team, the 2010 foray
into the Pro ranks is a natural progression.
“Cody has been on the team for four years
now, and with the economy the way it is, companies
weren’t exactly fighting over rookies,
and he was going to be stuck on his own. He’s
been a huge asset to us since ’07 on and
off the track. He picks up the slack for me
when I’m swamped, and we weren’t
about to let him do this by himself. I’d
be lying if I said that the timing is perfect,
but we’re attacking this the same way
we always do: half assed.
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Media
Allstar's Pat Brown |
Seriously, we’re hoping to make a splash,
and that’s where Pat Brown comes in. Pat
and I have been friends for years, and while
he didn’t exactly set the world on fire
last season, he’s got more untapped potential
and speed than just about anybody, he’s
also a true professional in every sense of the
word. He doesn’t require much hand holding,
and knows what it’s going to take to compete
at this level. He’s leading the charge
for us in more ways than one.”
As for amateurs, they’re not exactly
being left out in the cold. Long time Media
Allstar Chase Cunningham, and his Morehead Motorsports
shop will be taking over the Amateur team support
with plans to keep the Media Allstars the top
amateur team in the sport. When asked about
the deal, Cuartas had this to say, “I’ve
gotten offers from people in the past about
franchising, or subbing out the [Media Allstars]
name, and it’s never been the right fit.
Chase has been behind the scenes with the team
forever, and he knows what I expect, and how
to run things. He’s a go getter, and that’s
what it takes to stay ahead in this game. I’m
100% confident that the 2010 Media Allstars/
Morehead Motorsports Am team will be among the
best yet.”
Chase added, "I'm really excited to have
a support team roster that is so deep on talent,
we've got several 2009 national champions on
board and just about everyone has seen time
on the podium, so we should be up front all
season long!"
"The support team is basically a farm
system for us this year. The Media Allstars
name has always been associated with top-notch
amateur support and domination. This year we
decided to branch out and offer more support
to the grass roots of the sport with the C and
B classes."
"In the end it's our intention to use
our support team to fill our main amateur team
roster for 2011 and continue to be the cream
of the crop when it comes to amateur support!"
continued Chase.
"Sponsor wise our Amateur and Support
teams will use most of the sponsors that our
Pro team is using this season, with the main
differences being that our Am/Support programs
are getting title sponsorship from Morehead
Motorsports. We'll also be running Fox shox,
ITP tires, testing for both ATV Rider Magazine,
and ATV On Demand.com, and wearing ONE Industries
gear."
Lastly, the team will continue its’ Side
By Side/ UTV Racing efforts through Josh Starrett,
Jorge Cuartas, and Jake Brattain. The three
Polaris RZR mounted racers will contest the
UTV rounds of the GNCC series, as well as Indiana,
Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, & Tennessee
regional races, and local series. All three
RZRs are backed by different sets of sponsors
but you can bet they’ll all be at the
top of the results.
The Media Allstars plan on stepping things
up across the board for 2010, and GNCC, Snow
Cross, Supercross, and Women’s Motocross
are just a few of the steps that are in the
works.
About
the Media Allstars
Established in 2004, the Media Allstars Amateur
ATV MX Team has racked up an impressive Ten
National Champi-onships, 91 Overall Wins, 211
Moto Wins, & 390 Podium Finishes. The Team’s
unique business model which focuses on presence,
and sponsor representation, while grooming future
champions has kept them out front since the
Team’s inception. The UTV Team was created
in 2008 with three drivers; Josh Starrett, Dustin
Shuler, and Jorge Cuartas, all three are ex-Motocrossers,
and fathers. Year one has yielded two Championships,
not to mention Countless Wins, Ex-perience,
Memories and Fun. Bring on 2009.
