2005-2006 AMA National Arenacross Series Class Structure Revamped - News - Dirt Rider Magazine

Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division and AMA Pro Racing announced today additional details on the redesigned class structure for the 2005-2006 AMA National Arenacross Series. Kicking off its 23rd season at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y., the AMA National Arenacross Series will feature a revised competition program that is based on the successful event format of the THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series.In 2005-2006, riders will no longer have to compete in two classes to win the AMA National Arenacross Series championship. The focus of the AMA National Arenacross Series championship will be one premier class, now known as "AMA Arenacross." Riders competing in AMA Arenacross will only have to race one class, on one bike, in one main event each night. In doing so, riders will earn more purse money than in years past without having to race two classes and four main events over the race weekend. The new structure will help to reduce rider costs for additional bikes, parts and fuel.The approved equipment for AMA Arenacross will be in accordance with AMA regulations for motorcycle homologation and will allow the following machines in the class: 250cc two strokes, and 250cc and 450cc four strokes.The 125cc Pro-Am Support Class, now known as "AMA Arenacross Lites" is designed to attract the local expert in their district wanting to take their talents and test them in an arenacross environment without having to race against the world's top arenacross riders. There will be no series points awarded for the AMA Arenacross Lites class.Professional riders who finished in the top five in points from the previous year's AMA National Arenacross Series are not eligible to compete in the AMA Arenacross Lites class at the first event of the series. Beginning with round 2 this season, riders in the top five places in the current AMA Arenacross standings are not eligible to compete in the AMA Arenacross Lites class.The approved equipment for the AMA Arenacross Lites class will be in accordance with AMA regulations for motorcycle homologation and will allow machines that are produced as 125cc two-strokes and 250cc four-strokes."This year's AMA National Arenacross Series will not only prepare tomorrow's up-and-coming racers for a potential career in THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series, it's designed to reduce costs for riders by allowing them to focus on one class," said Todd Jendro, senior director of operations for Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division. "The riders will enjoy using the machine of their choice in the AMA Arenacross division starting this season. In addition, the increased consistency between the AMA National Arenacross Series and the THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series creates a progressive structure for the sport that the motorcycle industry has wanted for years."Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.tickets.com (Guthrie and Green Bay only), and www.centreevents.com (Rockford only).For more information on the National Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.