EnduroCross Final Packed With Talent - 2008 AMA Maxxis EnduroCross Championship - Dirt Rider Magazine

ANAHEIM, Calif. (November 18, 2008) The AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series presented by Lucas Oil, will wrap-up it's six-race national series on Saturday night in Las Vegas and crown the 2008 AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Champion; but crowning the pro-level champion is not the only order of business at this incredibly exciting event. The Orleans Arena fans will see dozens of amateur competitors from around the nation battle for their chance at a national title in the inaugural AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships (EXGC).In the expert class, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ricky Dietrich is leading the championship by 10 points over his veteran supercross teammate, Damon Huffman (111 to 101). Lucas Oil KTM's Colton Haaker sits in third with 86 points, while international standout, Taddy Blasuziak, of Red Bull KTM has fought his way back into fourth place with 81 points after missing two races due to injury earlier in the season. Zip-Ty Suzuki's Nick Brozovich and Christini/KTM/BTOSports.com's Geoff Aaron sit in fifth and sixth respectively (76/75 pts). Wrapping up the top 10 are Team Green Kawasaki's Jamie Lanza, Zip-Ty Suzuki legend, Ty Davis, Canada's Bobby Prochnau and trials convert, Phil Smage.The battle for the championship between Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ricky Dietrich and Damon Huffman, along with a virtual who's who of world renowned off-road racers in the field, has set a very interesting stage for "The Vegas Finale." As Monster Energy Kawasaki would likely be assured of the championship if either of their two guys makes the main event, Team Red Bull KTM is attempting to make that feat very tough by stacking the field full of their KTM factory backed riders. Joining Blasuziak at this Saturday's event will be recent EnduroCross convert Mike Brown, ISDE captain Kurt Caselli, GNCC star Nate Kanney, WORCS standout Justin Soule, as well as KTM factory test rider and retired supercross star, Sebastian Tortelli!Also joining them in the battle will be previous Vegas Finale podium finishers, FMF Suzuki's WORCS racer, Nathan Woods and current World Enduro Champion Mika Ahola of Finland, who will be riding for Carey Hart's Rockstar Hart & Huntington team! Add Monster Energy Kawasaki's 4-time AMA/FMF Racing National Hare & Hound Champion, Destry Abbott and Am-Pro Yamaha's AMA National Hare Scrambles East champ, Jason Raines... and you have a stacked field of riders making it impossible to predict the results!"This is easily the most talented field of riders we have ever seen for a Maxxis EnduroCross," claims series originator, Eric Peronnard. "Just making the Main Event is going to be tough... let alone winning the race! It's going to be a battle for both the event win and the championship!"As the premier level championship will certainly be the Main Act of the night, it will be well supported by the newly organized amateur championships, the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships. Similar to motocross' Loretta Lynn's championships, and designed specifically for amateur level racers, the EXGC winner-take-all format allows a competitor to qualify at a regional event, then earn a #1 plate by winning at the Las Vegas Finals. EXGC champions will be crowned in four separate championship classes and the unbelievable racing action will offer more than its share of entertainment.EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of Off-Road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole... and even a few special obstacles like giant tires! Known as the "toughest racing on two wheels," this indoor version of extreme off-road racing will keep you on your feet! The series, presented by Lucas Oil Products, will be captured by the Versus Network, to be aired on the popular grassroots racing program, the Lucas Motorsports Hour. With its excitement and unpredictability, the series championship has come down to the wire and looks to be an amazing event in Las Vegas! Don't miss your chance to see AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross and be sure to log-on to www.Versus.com for local airing dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour.Tickets On-Sale NOW at the Orleans Arena, 888-234-2334; or online at www.OrleansArena.comAMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series
Tentative TV Broadcast Date/Time. *July 5; Las Vegas, NV - Orleans Arena (8/2/08, 6:00PM Eastern)
. *August 16; Guthrie, OK - Lazy E Arena (9/7/08, 6:00PM Eastern)
. *September 13; Florence, SC - Civic Center (10/5/08, 6:00PM Eastern)
. *September 27; Denver, CO - National Western Complex (10/19/08, 6:00PM Eastern)
. *October 4; Columbus, OH - Ohio State University (11/16/08, 6:00PM Eastern)
**. **November 22; Las Vegas, NV - Orleans Arena (12/14/08, 6:00PM Eastern)**
*EXGC Regional Qualifier; **EXGC FinaleFor rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sourceinterlink.com. For TV airing dates/times visit www.motorsportshour.com_Source Interlink Media Motorsports: Encompassing the highly successful AMA/Maxxis MiniMotoSX, the AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series and the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships, the Source Interlink Media Motorsports brands reach millions of motorcycle enthusiasts with live events, DVD packages, web sites, television and magazine coverage. Visit www.minimotosx.com or www.endurocross.com._