The following is a release from Clear Channel…
Clear Channel Entertainment-Motor Sports announced today that tickets will go on sale for the 2005-2006 AMA National Arenacross Series on July 25, 2005. Individuals who register through the “Cross Club” option at the AMA National Arenacross official website, www.Arenacross.com, can purchase tickets on July 15, 2005.
The AMA National Arenacross Series and its affiliated AMA Regional Arenacross program will kick-off the new season on Friday night, October 28, 2005, at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York. In 2004-2005 the AMA Arenacross Series made 26 stops across the United States with riders competing for championships at both the National and Regional levels, with Richmond Kawasaki rider Darcy Lange winning his second consecutive National title, while Jeff Willoh rode his John Burr Cycles Honda to the Regional title.
The AMA National Arenacross Series will also be returning to SPEED Channel for 2005-2006. This year’s AMA National Arenacross Series has been featured on SPEED with more than 26 hours of event broadcasts with average ratings more than double last year’s ratings on OLN.
A major highlight of the 2005-2006 National Arenacross Series will be an updated event format designed to bring a new level of excitement to each evening’s racing. In the past a rider accumulated points for the National Arenacross Championship by competing in two separate displacement classes each night. For the all-new 2005-2006 Series, riders competing for the AMA National Arenacross Championship will earn points from a single Main Event each night.
According to Todd Jendro, senior director of operations for Clear Channel’s Arenacross and supercross programs, the change will enhance the experience for both riders and spectators. “By focusing the Championship from a combination of classes to a single class we also focus the entertainment experience for our fans with a single ‘winner-take-all’ evening race format, patterned after the THQ AMA Supercross Series. By dropping the requirement for riders to compete in two separate classes each weekend, we also make it much easier for individual riders to compete for the National Title. I am excited about the plan to modernize the AMA National Arenacross Series and to bring its structure more in line with the supercross program. AMA National Arenacross has always been a complimenting program to the THQ AMA Supercross Series and the changes that will be adopted in 2005 – 2006 only help to reinforce that relationship.”
Jendro further reported, “The AMA National Arenacross Championship will be open to Pro riders competing on any size approved motorcycle from 125cc two-strokes to the thundering, 450cc four-strokes. This displacement range has been used for many years for the National Arenacross Series and we’re simply allowing riders to make the choice for themselves as to what size machine they feel best meets their performance needs and riding style.”
In addition Jendro explained, “As we put the finishing touches on the plans for the 2005-2006 Arenacross programs, we are working on a schedule for the AMA National Arenacross Series that is coordinated with the schedule for the THQ AMA Supercross Series that would have the National Arenacross Tour wrap-up prior to the start of the 125 Eastern Regional Supercross Series, which will allow riders to compete for titles in both programs by avoiding overlapping schedules.” The complete schedule for the 2005 – 2006 AMA National and Regional Arenacross Series’ will be released prior to the announced on-sale date and fans can keep up on all the latest Arenacross news at www.Arenacross.com, the official internet site for Arenacross.