THQ U.S. Open preview

LAS VEGAS (October 3, 2002) - Friday night's competition for the 2002 edition of the THQ U.S. Open, which is held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 11-12, sets the stage for the two-day race for $300,000. With less than 10 days before the gate drops at the THQ U.S. Open, tickets are still available for Friday and Saturday.

"Friday night racing is always the most interesting since every rider gives 150% to have the edge on Saturday's final race," said THQ U.S. Open founder Eric Peronnard

Three of the four previous winners of the THQ U.S. Open have won Friday night's race.

THQ U.S. Open Past Winner
1998: Damon Huffman (2-2)
1999: Jeff Emig (1-2)
2000: Ricky Carmichael (1-1)
2001: Ricky Carmichael (1-1)

"Friday night is so important because it lays the groundwork for your confidence for the weekend," said Jeff Emig, winner of the 1999 THQ U.S. Open. "The two moto format places a lot of emphasis on the first night of competition. It's anyone's game on Friday and this year is no different."

Tickets for Las Vegas MGM Grand's 5th Annual U.S. Open (October 11-12, 2002), and the 2nd Annual Amateur Arenacross World Finals (October 13, 2002), are currently on-sale. Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000, the MGM Grand Box office, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com and www.ussx.com. Hotel space goes quickly for the U.S. Open, so for reservations, contact the MGM Grand Hotel at (800) 929-1111 or the Las Vegas Reservation system at (800) 233-5594. Book your rooms and tickets now, as space is limited.

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. It sanctions the AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship and the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship. More than 1.7 million fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2001 season.

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