COLUMBUS – The world’s fastest riders and the world’s most prestigious motocross championship are in full swing this summer, and this weekend, the series makes its annual trip to legendary Unadilla Valley Sports Center. The Rockstar Energy Unadilla National will commence on Saturday, Aug. 13, showcasing the best motocross athletes on the planet.
An intense, three-rider battle is shaping up for the premier 450 Class title, featuring three of the sports biggest stars in Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey and Chad Reed. After eight rounds of action, just nine points separate the three competitors, and each will be looking to add to their season win total at Unadilla.
Additionally, the rising stars of the sport in the 250 Class are also engaged in close competition for a national championship. With the opportunity to be considered the best 250-rider on the planet, these young guns, including Monroe, N.Y., native Justin Barcia, are willing to lay it all on the line.
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship features the world's fastest professional motocross racers, competing aboard state-of-the-art motorcycles on the roughest, toughest racetracks in the world. Motocross racing is the original extreme action sport. It is where champions such as Ricky Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath, and Travis Pastrana made their mark on the sport of motocross.
The 12-round series, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, begins in California with the Hangtown Motocross Classic in mid-May. The championship includes stops at the premier motocross racing facilities in America, with events in Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Professional competition is divided into two classes: the 450 Class for 251-450cc machines, and the 250 Class for 150-250cc machines.
Competitions are conducted on natural-terrain courses that feature a variety of obstacles, which include a unique blend of jumps, hills, berms and various other challenges. The race format for each class consists of two 35-minute races (“motos”), with the scores from each moto combined to determine the overall winner. Motocross has been recognized as one of the most physically demanding sports in the world.
Unadilla is one of the longest-running motocross facilities in the United States. The legendary track has played host to a number of epic events and has been a fixture of American Motocross since 1972. Unadilla is a favorite among the series’ competitors thanks to its “old school” layout, and characteristics in which obstacles within the natural terrain provide all the hang time and difficulty necessary for a standout motocross circuit. With sections of the circuit boasting names like Gravity Cavity, it is clear why Unadilla is a favorite amongst riders and fans alike. Nestled in the central portion of New York, Unadilla attracts 20,000-plus spectators and generates nearly $3 million in economic impact for New Berlin and the surrounding areas in Syracuse, Oneonta, Utica, and beyond. Also, a live network television broadcast will be presented exclusively on NBC Sports.
Media Day, previewing the event, will take place at Unadilla on Thursday, Aug. 11. The Rockstar Energy Suzuki team, featuring several of the most notable up-and-comers in the sport, will be in attendance. Riders will meet with the media for interviews, and ride the track for all press in attendance. Activities for Media Day begin at 1 p.m. EST.
For tickets, fan and racing information on the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log onto www.allisports.com/motocross.