Dungey Is Latest To Announce U.S. Open Participation - Dirt Rider Magazine

Dungey Leads top Lites Riders at Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open Category: LifeNew Open Class Gives Lites Riders a Shot at Champs Stewart and ReedAURORA, Ill. (August 14, 2007) - The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open announced today that Suzuki rookie Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., will race the re-vamped 'open class' at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena October 12-14."I like it, as it will be a good opportunity for young riders like myself to ride against some of the best guys in the world," said Dungey, on having one open class.Dungey, who scored four AMA Supercross Lites victories earlier this season, will race against the top AMA Supercross class riders and AMA Supercross Lites riders in the much talked about open class at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open."It will be interesting to see if Dungey can continue his lucky streak after winning the Dave Coombs Sr. East / West Supercross Lites Shootout in Las Vegas last May," said Dave Prater, director of supercross, Live Nation. "Ryan will have a new challenge when the top AMA Supercross class riders in the world are added to the mix at the Rockstar Energy Drink US Open. Mixing the AMA Supercross and AMA Supercross Lites riders together at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open will give Ryan a whole new challenge."While the idea of racing against the top supercross racers in the world entices Dungey's competitive spirit, the thought of racing against his teammate Ricky Carmichael, who is considered the greatest of all time, is something he'd like to do before the 15-time AMA National Champion heads into retirement."I'm really looking forward to racing against the top guys, especially Ricky (Carmichael) if he decides to race. I would really like to race against Ricky one time before he retires."As an amateur, Dungey earned a spot to compete in the 2003 U.S. Open's 85cc Mini Invitation and finished a solid seventh place with 6-4-5-11 finishes on the weekend. One of only a few riders to transition their amateur career into a factory position, Dungey has turned in consistent results during his AMA Motocross Lites debut season where he currently sits in fifth place."I don't know how the 250's (four-stroke bikes) will go up against the 450's (four-stroke bikes) on such a tight course. I rode the U.S. Open a few years ago on an 80, but that was totally different than its going to be this year on a bigger bike. Personally, I believe the bike of choice is the 250F, and I guess we'll all get to see in October."Tickets are now available for the 10th annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 12-14, 2007 at www.ussx.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 702-474-4000 or the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Regarded as one of off-road motorcycling's premier races, the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is the final 'major' race of the motocross season. Tickets are available for as low as $20 through Ticketmaster.com. All tickets subject to 5% Las Vegas Entertainment tax.About The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open
The 10th-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is an invite-only indoor off-road motocross race inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 12-14, 2007, featuring the world's top supercross/motocross racers. Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London's Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV."About AMA Racing
AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. Accredited media outlets can also access an on line Press Room at www.amaproracing.com/pressroom. For amateur racing information visit www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/amasports.asp.