Bailey Gets Motocross Nationals TV Gig

Cycle News Staff | May 11, 2009

The following is from MX Sports…MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli Sports are pleased to announce the television personalities that will call the action for the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Jason Weigandt will handle play-by-play, with legendary racer David Bailey providing analysis and Erin Bates reporting from the pits. SPEED coverage begins with the opening round of the series on Saturday, May 23, with same-day coverage of the South Point Hotel & Casino Motocross National at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif. The first show, featuring the 450 class, will air on same-day delay at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT).

Weigandt has worked his way up through the announcing ranks for a number of years, serving as the recognizable voice for a variety of motorcycle shows. In recent years, Jason has been most recognized as the host of the Supercross Live!, the online coverage of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. He is also the voice of a variety of other ventures, including SPEED’s AMA Arenacross Series shows, Racer TV’s coverage of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC), and the popular Racer X Motocross Shows online.Bailey is a living legend both on and off the race track. As a Team Honda factory rider, he won three AMA Motocross Championships, as well as the 1983 AMA Supercross title and the ’83 AMA Grand National Championship. After his career came to a premature end in 1987, Bailey transitioned into television, working with his old partner Art Eckman to deliver some of the most memorable race coverage in the sport’s history. Never losing that competitive nature and will to push himself to the limit, Bailey became an Ironman Triathlon Champion in 2000 and continues to be inspiration to countless moto enthusiasts.

Bates has a face and voice that SPEED and AMA Motocross/Supercross fans have become very familiar with, becoming arguably one of the most recognized names in the sport. She has been the pit and podium reporter for both series over the past few years, bringing viewers the inside story lines from the riders, mechanics and team managers.

MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli Sports plan on also having a revolving door of special guests throughout the season as part of the unprecedented television package that will feature the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Past champions like Ricky Carmichael, Jeff Emig, Travis Pastrana, Doug Henry, Grant Langston, and more will grace the broadcast booth with their presence and bring the fans a little closer to the action with their in-depth analysis from the racer’s point of view. For a complete listing of show dates and times, check out www.SPEEDTV.com.For more information, please contact Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or by telephone at (949) 365-5752.For fan and racing information on the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log onto www.allisports.com.