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AMA: Travis Pastrana namedRookie Of the year

27 September 2000

                     Travis Pastrana -- Rookie Of the year

     PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Adding another accolade to his already impressive

resume, Suzuki's Travis Pastrana has been named as AMA Pro Racing's

Motocross/Supercross Rookie of the year. This award is presented each year to

the rider, with the most championship points, participating in their first

full-year of competition.

     Pastrana started strong during the AMA EA Sports 125cc East Supercross

series, placing on the podium five times, never placing outside the top-5. That

performance was good enough to give Suzuki's newest phenom third-place in the

series, just 8 points behind 125cc East Champion, Stephane Roncada.

     The 17-year-old Annapolis, Md., native went on to endear himself to the

fans of motocross, narrowly winning the 125cc AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Championship

by a 2-point margin at Steel City, Penn., and showing his appreciation with the

most emotional, fan centered lap of the track yet to be witnessed. Pastrana

wheelied near the fences, exchanging high-fives with every fan in reach, and

then delighted them with what they have come to expect from the perennial

X-Games favorite -- acrobatic jumps, lots of them.

     Then it was off to France as part of the Chevy Trucks Team USA Motocross

des Nations team, where Pastrana once again showed his talents and helping Team

USA bring home the gold.

     Pastrana began his impressive career riding a 50cc machine at the age of 4,

and has won the Loretta Lynn's Amateur Nationals championship 5 times including

the 125A and 250A classes. In 1999 he was awarded the AMA Horizon Award, the

AMA's most prestigious amateur honor bestowed on the rider most likely to

continue their winning ways in professional competition. In the off season

Travis participates in several freestyle motocross competitions, which usually

focus on outrageous jumps and stunts, where he has won various X-Games and

Gravity Games gold medals with his fearless stunts.

     For immediate post-race results, rider information, AMA Pro Racing notes

and news, check amaproracing.com.