2005-'06 AMA Regional Arenacross...
2005-'06 AMA Regional Arenacross Champion, Jeff Willoh
Honda's Jeff Willoh, of Glendale, Calif., won his second AMA Regional Arenacross championship and drove away with a brand new 2006 Toyota Tacoma Truck.
Willoh, 29, capped off his 2005-'06 Toyota AMA Regional Arenacross season by scoring 91 points at the final event in Omaha, Neb., this past weekend. Coming into the final race of the year, Willoh trailed Honda's Michael Chiudioni, of Las Cruces, N.M., by 29 points and Dave Oettel, of Guilford, Ind., by 13.
The miracle that was needed for Willoh to win the championship came to life when Chiudioni fell in Friday night's AMA Arenacross Lites main and finished in 10th place as Willoh scored a second place finish. That started a weekend of lack-luster results for Chiudioni, who finished 10-8-4-7 and opened the window for Willoh. Willoh went on to finish 2-1-2-2 on the weekend.
"I was worried about Dave (Oettel) and Mike (Chiidioni) coming into the weekend, and I didn't think it was possible to win the championship until Friday night when Mike finished 10th," said Willoh. "I felt great over the weekend and the start was so important in each race."
In Friday night's AMA Arenacross class, Willoh turned in his best race of the weekend, beating Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series standout Jeff Northrop and former AMA Supercross star James Povolny respectively for the win.
"I knew if pulled the holeshot, I would be ok," Willoh continued. "I got out front and rode a great race, which put me in a great position for Saturday night. I enjoyed the track's layout because it was like an arenacross and outdoor motocross track rolled into one."
Although this is Willoh's second AMA Regional Arenacross championship, he regards this year's title the best of his career.
"Having Toyota involved in this year's championship made a huge difference," said Willoh. "I started out racing a different series and when they announced that they were giving away a truck over here, I switch series and chased after the Tacoma. This was very special to me. I had my Dad and friends on hand to watch this final race. This is by far the best championship I have earned throughout my career."
Willoh plans on racing in a few of the remaining Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series races under his national number 214. He also said he will be back to defend his Toyota AMA Regional Arenacross championship in 2006-'07.
"With the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series and Toyota AMA Regional Arenacross championships being determined at the last race of the season says a lot about the future of the sport," said Robert Hansen, director of arenacross, Toyota AMA Regional Arenacross. "I was 100% impressed with the way Toyota supported the hard working racers in this year's championships and look forward to working with them next year."
About Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series and Arenacross
In its 22nd year, the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series is the premier indoor motocross series in the U.S. playing to sold-out arenas nationwide. In addition to the marquee national tour, the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series is supported by a regionally based Arenacross tour which provides both professional and amateur motocross riders the opportunity to race in front of sold-out arenas. Information on the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series and other Arenacross events may be found at www.arenacross.com.
About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.