AMA: U.S. Open of Supercross: It's Official
19 June 1998
WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- American Motorcyclist Association Pro Racing today confirmed that the U.S. Open of Supercross will be held Oct. 10 and 11 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. A large contingent of top-ranked U.S. and international riders will compete in the stand-alone, 250cc race for a record purse of $250,000.AMA Pro Racing director of competition Merrill Vanderslice predicted that the U.S. Open of Supercross will be a landmark event. "The high-stakes purse and the prestige of the MGM Grand will make the U.S. Open of Supercross a top-shelf destination for racers and fans alike," said Vanderslice. "Having the race in Las Vegas adds a lot of international appeal. We expect the U.S. Open of Supercross to draw audiences from around the world."
Many riders have already qualified for the invitation-only race by virtue of their overall finishing positions in the world's key championship series. Invitees include the top-15 riders of the 1998 AMA Thor/Parts Unlimited 250cc Supercross series; the top three riders in the 1998 AMA 125cc Eastern and Western Region Supercross divisions; the 1998 AMA Arenacross Champion and the 1998 125cc and 250cc Federation Internationale Motocycliste World Supercross Champions. Moreover, ten additional riders will be invited by event organizers.
Thus far, the following riders have committed to entering the U.S. Open of Supercross: Greg Albertyn; Jimmy Button; Ricky Carmichael; Mike Craig; John Dowd; Jeff Emig; Doug Henry; Damon Huffman; Ryan Hughes; Steve Lamson; Ezra Luzk; Jeremy McGrath; Mickael Pichon and Larry Ward. The organizers are currently in negotiation with a number of other top caliber racers.
While the fact that McGrath and Emig -- the previous two AMA Supercross Champions -- automatically bring the new event world-class status, many fans will flock to Las Vegas in order to watch American 125cc phenomenon Ricky Carmichael make his first competitive appearance aboard a 250.
"I'm very excited," admitted Carmichael from his parent's home in Florida, where he was training with Ezra Lusk and Larry Ward before heading on to the Budds Creek National in Maryland. "It will be my first 250cc Supercross race, and all in all, it will be a big and new race for us. I don't know how I will do yet, but I'm really looking forward to going to Las Vegas and doing it."
Adds 1997 AMA Supercross Champion Jeff Emig, now back from an injury-battered 1998 campaign: "I'm real excited about the race, mainly because of the $100,000 and the excitement of it all. I think the race will be a step into the future and for the riders, it will make things better. For Fox to come in and back this race is just fantastic for us."
In an effort to leave their mark on the premier running of the U.S. Open, the Big Four Japanese manufacturers are all reportedly making plans to arrive at the MGM Grand in force. "We'll be there with the big 18-wheel truck," declared Team Honda motocross manager Cliff White from his office in Torrance, California. "We'll support our racers, Ezra Lusk and Steve Lamson, wherever they may be. From the amount of exposure this race will generate, we feel it's a very worthwhile event."
The U.S. Open of Supercross will use a two-race format: the first race will be held the evening of Sat., Oct. 10, and the second on Sun., Oct. 11. Riders will be scored as they would in a two-moto AMA National Championship race, with the overall winner taking home $100,000.
Already creating a major buzz in America, Europe and Asia, the first running of the U.S. Open of Supercross will be an epic occasion for all fans fortunate enough to make the trek to Las Vegas.
The U.S. Open of Supercross is produced as a joint venture among AMA Pro Racing, race promoters Mike DeStefano and Eric Peronnard, and title sponsor Fox Racing. Associate sponsors Chaparral, Pro Circuit and No Fear have joined in to support the mega-event. Ticket and event information for the U.S. Open of Supercross are available at www.ussx.com, or by calling Chaparral Racing, (800) 841-2960, or Ticketmaster, (702) 474-4000.
