Series Hangtown pre-event news 2010-04-21

Fans Will Get Up Close and Personal With the World's Fastest Racers, Thanks to Open Pits at Hangtown

MORGANTOWN, W.V. (April 21, 2010) - The start of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship is just around the corner. The Rockstar Energy Hangtown Classic is set to take place on May 22, at the Prairie City Off-Highway Vehicle Park just outside Sacramento.

The Rockstar Energy Hangtown Classic is the longest running event on the AMA Motocross circuit, and to celebrate the 42nd edition of the honored event, the thousands of motocross fanatics in attendance will have the chance to get up close and personal with the stars of the sport by simply purchasing a ticket, as the Dirt Diggers Motorcycle Club and MX Sports Pro Racing are pleased to announce open pits for the 2010 season opener!

"Realizing the economic hardship many of us are experiencing coupled with the Dirt Diggers North's ongoing commitment to the sport and the fans, we made the choice to open our pits to all spectators," said Hangtown Director John Allen. "The sport should be accessible to all, not just those with the discretionary income. Plus, the chance to get up close with the teams, the bikes and the riders is something that every motocross fan should have the chance to experience at least once in their life. We're doing our part by giving them that opportunity."

Open pits provide the rare opportunity for each and every fan to get a behind-the-scenes look at the world's most renowned teams and the planet's most prestigious motocross series. The Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team, Monster Energy Kawasaki, Honda Red Bull Racing, Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda, Muscle Milk/Toyota/Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha, Jagermeister KTM, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki-they will all be out in full force for the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Last year's series champions Chad Reed (450 Class) and Ryan Dungey (250 Class) will now meet in the premier 450 Class, where they will be joined by 2009 race winners Mike Alessi, Josh Grant, Ivan Tedesco and Tommy Hahn, plus title contenders like Andrew Short, Davi Millsaps, Ben Townley, Justin Brayton and more. All of these riders, plus an entire paddock full of up-and-coming 250cc talent like Christophe Pourcel, Trey Canard, Jake Weimer, Justin Barcia, Tyla Rattray and Tommy Searle, among others, will be in their pits and everyone in attendance can count on the opportunity to get those always-appreciated autographs on raceday, from 9 a.m. until noon, when the pits go hot.

The gates drop on the Rockstar Energy Hangtown Classic and the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship on May 22 in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Festivities for the weekend kick-off on Thursday, May 20 on the steps of the California State Capitol in downtown Sacramento with a special press conference featuring the biggest names in the sport.

For tickets, fan and racing information on the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log onto www.allisports.com.

-source: ama