It’s USA Vs. Japan in an International
Struggle for Supremacy
on a rural Illinois motocross track with ATVs!
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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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Fighting for your
Rights
All Terrain Vehicle Association
P.O. Box 800
Pickerington, OH 43147-0800 |
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