ATVs Charge into Loretta Lynn's Ranch
2008 season finale is certain to thrill

Union City, Tennessee's Joe Byrd grabs a handful of throttle in Loretta Lynn's famous first turn.

HURRICANE MILLS, Tenn. (Aug. 5, 2008) -- The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited will wrap up the Loretta Lynn's Speedweeks this weekend with ATV Dirt Days at the popular venue outside Nashville. The event is the season finale for the 11-race national tour and is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

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.

Along with the premier ATV motocross action in the country, this weekend's event will feature country music recording artist Krista Marie in concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. A Women's Class ATV racer, as well as a singer/song writer, Marie will merge her two passions this weekend. The concert is free with race admission.

The event also represents the home plate of the $5,000 ITP Tires Grand Slam Presented by QUAD Magazine. The championship within a championship, being held at four of this year's Showcase Events, is offering monetary awards in the Pro Class, as well as special bronze, silver and gold medals in the Amateur Classes.

This weekend's Showcase will feature the popular RiderCourse ATV training program, as well as demo rides of the newest ATVs from Can-Am. The Showcase will also include other outdoor-themed displays and other entertainment opportunities for fans.

In addition, Friday's festivities will include a Kidz Karnival Featuring the Youth Contingency Program. The event kicks off with a Golf Cart Parade at 5:30 p.m., followed by carnival games staffed by the Series' Pro riders. The event concludes at 7 p.m. with the Youth Contingency Program featuring the Kidz Choice Awards.

The race will be telecast on Versus Network on Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m.

Dustin Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) wrapped up the Riders' Championship two weeks ago in Michigan, but the battle for second is in full tilt as two veterans prepare to do battle.

With a scant 19 points between two-time AMA Champion and Tennessee native Joe Byrd and ATV legend Doug Gust, the dirt is certain to fly here.

Byrd (No. 7 American Honda/Joe Byrd Racing School Honda) has three victories to his credit this year, including one at the most recent race in Michigan. Though plagued with bad luck early in the tour, Byrd is always a competitive force. With his hometown of Union City, Tenn. just 100 miles away, Byrd is definitely going to be the hometown favorite.

Gust (No. 55 Team Rockstar MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) with two wins this year, will likely show why he is veteran of all veterans in ATV competition. "Digger Doug," as he's known, would like nothing more than to add another victory his tally.

Josh Creamer continues to carry Team Kawasaki's banner strongly this season and his fourth-place slot in points demonstrates that. Creamer (No. 9 Team Monster Energy Kawasaki) has come close to a victory several times, netting three podiums, including a runner-up finish.

Jeremy Lawson (No. 16 Team Epic Can-Am) came into the season as a bit of a dark horse, but the Battletown, Ky. resident is currently leading the charge for Can-Am's new factory effort this year. With a pair of runner-up finishes on the new DS-450, Lawson will be one to watch here.

John Natalie (No. 13 Warnert Racing Can-Am), Harold Goodman (No. 708 American Honda/Houser Racing Honda), defending Loretta Lynn's winner Chad Wienen (No. 44 Team Rockstar MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki), Josh Upperman (No. 20 American Honda/Baldwin Motorsports Honda), and privateer Rocco Arno, Jr. (No. 101 Honda) round out the top ten in the championship.

Fast Facts -- ATV Dirt Days -- Aug. 9-10, 2008

What: ITP/Moose Racing ATV National Motocross 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: Aug. 9-10, 2008

Where: Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Directions: Located just west of Nashville, Take I-40 to exit 143. Turn right and follow Route 13 north seven miles. The Ranch is on the left.
Loretta Lynn's Ranch
44 Hurricane Mills Road
Hurricane Mills, TN 37078

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

2008 AMA Pro ATV National Points

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, 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.

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 at the rate of 25% in the past two 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.

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