Walnut, IL (4/28/2009) -
Dustin Wimmer is back in action after he recouped
his loss to Joe Byrd at the Ballance National
to come out on top at Birch Creek. But with
the points lead tightening up, so is the competition,
as both Chad Wienen and Byrd have been pressuring
Wimmer at each round. The battle for the championship
resumes this weekend at the nationally recognized
Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, IL., as the fastest
motocross riders on four-wheels head to round
five of the chase for the most prestigious
championship in their sport. The event also
marks round four of the amateur portion of
the National program.
The event takes place at the Sunset Ridge
MX, a technically challenging track that takes
advantage of the terrain, as well as strategically
placed single, double and triple jumps. This
includes several table top jumps, whoops,
and sand sections. Tickets on Sunday are $15
for fans ($10 for ages 6-11), and admission
includes full pro pit access, and an autograph
session.
Wimmer came back strong at Birch Creek and
remains on top of the points standings. Byrd,
the 2006 and 2007 AMA Pro Motocross Series'
Champion from
Union City, Tennessee broke Wimmer's winning
streak with his victory a few
weeks ago at Ballance MX and just six points
behind in second. Josh Creamer, of the Monster
Energy Kawasaki team, took second at Glen
Helen and, despite a hard crash at the race
in Alabama, improved to come in fourth at
Ballance MX. He struggled at Birch Creek to
come in eighth, but is still third in the
point standings. Wienen improved at Ballance
MX, carrying solid 2-2 moto scores, and he
then won his first moto of the season at Birch
Creek. He needs another to move up into championship
contention. 2005 Champion John Natalie has
moved up to fifth in the points standings,
coming in with consistent fourth place finishes
at Birch Creek. In addition, nationally-recognized
stars including veteran Doug Gust, Jeremy
Lawson, Josh Upperman, Pat Brown and a crop
of hard charging rookies will make up a full
gate of talent in the AMA Pro ATV Class.
The pro class will feature two 20-minute
races on Sunday, taking place at noon and
3 p.m., with the combined scores of both races
determining the overall winner.
The pro riders will run as part of a full
schedule of amateur racing, including classes
for Youth, Women and veteran riders. Amateurs
will practice on Friday and race on Saturday
and Sunday. Pros will practice on Saturday
and race on Sunday.
To get to the track, take I-80 To Route 40
(Exit 45); take 40 North, 4 miles; turn Right
on Manlius Rd, just after the school. 1 mile
to CR1100; turn Left on CR1100; go approximately
four miles on CR1100.
About the ITP
Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV National Motocross
Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited
The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV National
Motocross Championship Presented by Parts
Unlimited is the nation's premier amateur
and professional ATV motocross series, and
competes at top motocross facilities nationwide.
The 11-round series features the Nation's
best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's
largest and longest-running ATV National Motocross
series with more than 20 years of competition.
The series continues to expand and produce
top talent from the amateur ranks, while keeping
close to the grassroots fun that makes people
love to go to the races. For more information,
please visit www.atvmotocross.com.
About the ATV
Association (ATVA)
The ATV Association ("ATVA") is
the official sanctioning body of the amateur
division of the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA
ATV National Motocross Championship Presented
by Parts Unlimited. The 9,000-member ATVA
is a sister organization of the 260,000 member
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). ATV
racing has experienced phenomenal growth in
recent years, and continues to gain momentum
and support, outselling off-road motorcycles
annually. For more information, please visit
www.atvaonline.com.
About the ATV
Promoters Group (ATVPG)
The ATVPG is composed of the individual promoters
that host the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV
National Motocross Championship 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, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.