AMA ATV MOTOCROSS SERIES READY FOR BLUEGRASS SHOWDOWN

Pat Brown (left) and Joe Byrd fight it out at Ballance Moto X.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (April 8, 2008) -- The ITP/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA ATV Motocross National Championship Series Presented by Parts Unlimited brings it traveling show to Ballance Moto X this weekend, April 12-13, for the ATV Bluegrass Nationals. The Nation's premier national ATV racing series features America's best pro riders, as well as Amateur, Pro-Am and Junior racers.

The Bluegrass National is the first of the five "ATV Showcase!" special events this year. "ATV Showcase!" events will feature OEM demo rides from Can-Am, outdoor expo exhibits and displays from community dealers and vendors, and other entertainment and activities, above and beyond the action-packed ATV racing.

The ATV Motocross Series features the top professional and amateur ATV riders in the country, competing at preeminent motocross facilities across the nation. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.

The riders will be vying for the most coveted honor in ATV racing: The AMA National Championship and the AMA No. 1 Number Plate.

The event takes place at the venerable Ballance Moto X. Designed by eight-time GNCC ATV National Champion Bill Balance, the natural terrain 1.3-mile lighted track is home to multiple AMA events as well as the ITP/MOOSE ATVA National Motocross Championship, since 2006.

The event will feature the third round of Pro competition, as well as second event for the amateur classes.
The race will be telecast on Versus Network on Aug. 18 at 3:30 p.m.

Team Suzuki and Dustin Wimmer continued their dominance at the most recent race, held two weeks ago in Alabama. Wimmer dominated the first moto in Alabama, and then overcame a tough start to win the second mot, making him unbeaten this season in ATVA competition. Wimmer holds a 31-point lead over his teammates Doug Gust and Chad Wienen, who are currently in a numerical tie for second in the title chase.

Two-time Champion Joe Byrd showed experience and poise this season. Byrd, who suffered mechanical woes in the first event, overcame a flat tire to finish an overall second in Alabama and remains right in contention for the title. As the defending winner here, Byrd will definitely be up front when it counts. Also riding Hondas here are Harold Goodman, who sits sixth in points, as well as Jason Dunkelberger (eighth) and John Ragon (10th).
Showcasing the greatness he's honed over his long career, John Natalie, Jr. led the first laps ever in ATVA competition for Can-Am on its new DS-450 quad in Alabama. Natalie, who sits fifth in points, is known as "Iron Man" for his tough, take-no-prisoners riding style and will certainly be one to watch here. Natalie is joined by a bevy of top riders in the Can-Am stable, including Kentuckian Jeremy Lawson. Cody Miller, Greg Gee, Sage Baker, and Richard Pelchat complete the Can-Am team.

Monster Energy Kawasaki, meanwhile, continues to prove its new KFX450R's competitiveness as Josh Creamer sits seventh in points, but right in the thick of the case. Creamer is joined on the Kawasaki squad by veteran rider Keith Little, as well as the up-and-coming Russell Shumaker.

Team Yamaha is buoyed by New Jersey rider Pat Brown. Brown, always a favorite among the fans and media, alike, will certainly be in contention here.

The race will also feature other top Pro riders, including Nate Morello, Rocco Arno, Jr., Michael James Brown and many others.

Fast Facts -- Blue Grass ATV Nationals -- April 12-13, 2008

What: ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, America's premier ATV racing series. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.

When: April 12-13, 2008

Where: Ballance Moto X. Directions: Take I-65 North to exit 28 "Corvette Museum"; right off the exit ramp on 31W; go approximately nine miles on your left.

Who: Top Pro racers, including Kentuckian Jeremy Lawson, Keith Little, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust, Chad Wienen, John Natalie, Jr., Josh Creamer, Joe Byrd, Pat Brown, Harold Goodman and many others. The Series also features the top Pro Am, Amateur, Women, and Youth riders in the country.

About the ATV Association (ATVA)
The ATV Association (“ATVA”) is the official sanctioning body of the amateur division of the ATVA ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series Presented by Parts Unlimited. The 9,000-member ATVA is a sister organization of the 260,000 member American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). ATV racing has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years, and continues to gain momentum and support, outselling off-road motorcycles annually. Each ATVA round attracts hundreds of racers who compete for bragging rights to one of 31 amateur national titles. For more information, please visit www.atvaonline.com.

About the ATV Promoters Group (ATVPG)
The ATVPG is composed of the individual promoters that host the AMA ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championships, presented by Parts Unlimited. The goal of the ATVPG is to raise awareness of ATV motocross through the production of professional and amateur championship racing events. For more information on the ATVPG and the ATV National events they produce, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.

About the ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series Presented by Parts Unlimited
The AMA ITP/Moose ATV National Motocross Championship Series Presented by Parts Unlimited is the nation’s premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, and competes at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 11-round series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America’s largest and longest-running ATV National Motocross series with more than 20 years of competition. The series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while keeping close to the grassroots fun that makes people love to go to the races.

Series sponsors include title sponsors ITP Tires and Moose Racing, and presenting sponsor Parts Unlimited. Premiere and Feature sponsors include ATV Sport, Moto Tees, Scott USA, Maxxis Tires, Elka Suspension and H-Bomb Films/Division Four. Associate sponsors include Weekend Warrior Trailers, Denton Racing, and Hinson Racing. Media partners include ATV Insider, ATV Rider and ATVRiders.com. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.