Carmichael, LaRocco to compete at US Open of Supercross

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2001


Torrance, CA -- American Honda announced today that Honda Racing$B!G(Bs Ricky
Carmichael and Factory Connection's Mike LaRocco will compete in this weekend$B!G(Bs
THQ U.S. Open of Supercross at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The
Supercross is a two-night event with races on Friday, October 12 & Saturday,
October 13.


At the Honda dealer convention on September 20, Carmichael had initially said
that he would not be competing in the Las Vegas Open.


"American Honda and Ricky Carmichael agreed to compete based on Ricky$B!G(Bs level
of comfort to race this event," said Motorcycle Sports Manager Chuck Miller.
"Our 2002 race team has not had a lot of time to test yet, and our main concern
was to make sure that Ricky felt 100% comfortable going into his first race
aboard a Honda."


Carmichael has already won seven AMA championship titles in his young career and
is coming off of a stellar season in 2001, winning both the AMA 250cc Supercross
and Outdoor Motocross Championships. Carmichael won the U.S. Open event in 2000,
and will race a factory-prepped Honda Racing 2002 CR250R in this weekend$B!G(Bs
event.


Carmichael's entry in the race marks his first competitive appearance on a
Honda. "I always dreamed I would ride on a Honda someday," said Carmichael.
"It$B!G(Bs no secret out there among the riders which is the fastest bike. It$B!G(Bs why
I decided to Ride Red."


With Carmichael's first outing on a Honda just days away, he begins his quest to
further his already considerable success and secure his name in the record
books.


Media contact: Greg Wright: 310.781.5139


END