Clear Channel Entertainment`s Motor Sports division announced today that 2004 MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) Jeremy McGrath Scholarship winner Eric Salava, who graduated with perfect attendance and a 3.9 Grade Point Average from MMI, signed a contract with Team Subway Coca-Cola Honda for the 2005-2006 Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series.
While reading his copy of the American Motorcyclist Association's magazine, Salava, 31, became aware of the MMI Jeremy McGrath Scholarship and submitted his two-minute video tape explaining why he should be the recipient of the award. A few months later he was granted the scholarship, which paid his full tuition for the 57-week motorcycle technician program. Salava and his wife, Amy, moved from their hometown of Batavia, Ill., to MMI's campus in Phoenix.
"I have always had a passion for motocross," said Salava. "As a kid, my parents would not allow me to have a dirt bike nor could they afford one. I purchased my first dirt bike at the age of 24 and slowly taught myself how to ride and fell in love with the sport all over again."
"Clear Channel Entertainment and MMI let me know about the program, and I flew Eric out for an interview... now he's part of our team," said Chuck Schultz, owner, Team Subway Coca-Cola Honda. "He's a great kid, and he was MMI's top student in his graduating class of July 2005, so it was an easy decision for us. It's great to get a guy who has so much passion for the sport on our team."
Seven-time supercross champion Jeremy McGrath took to Salava's proficiency and helped him significantly after graduation.
"I told Jeremy (McGrath) he didn't make a mistake; he chose the right guy!" said Salava. "After graduating, I explained to Jeremy and Terry Emig of MMI, that I wanted to work in the pro motocross/supercross industry. Through the help of Jeremy, Terry and Clear Channel Entertainment, I landed my dream job as a pro motocross technician with Team Subway Coca-Cola Honda Racing."
"Our goal was to take three entities that want to give back to the sport that they love so much, Clear Channel, MMI and Jeremy McGrath, and create an opportunity for a young man to live out a dream," said Ryan McSpadden, senior director of sales, Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports. "I could not be more pleased."
Prior to enrolling in MMI, Salava spent four years in the Marine Corps., serving in Japan, Turkey and Australia.
Prospective mechanics looking to attend MMI can call 1-800-528-7995 and request the scholarship rules and entry form as well as information about MMI's programs. Each year the MMI Jeremy McGrath Scholarship winner is announced at the Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series finals in Las Vegas.
For more information about the Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series, please log on to www.supercross.cc.com. For media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig at 630-566-6305 or e-mail at dennyhartwig@clearchannel.com.