Area and Regional Qualifier Dates Released

Dec. 7, 2016      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Media contact: James Holter Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280 E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org Click here for an action photo of a 2016 event: http://gallery. americanmotorcyclist.com/ AMAMedia/Racing/n-gvHTH/i- hFGgKCH/A

2017 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship announces dates for Area Qualifiers and Regional Championships   PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to announce the AMA Area Qualifier and Regional Championship schedule for the 2017 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by AMSOIL.   The qualifying program takes place in 33 states, starting with the 55 Area Qualifiers that begin in February and run through the end of May. The 13 Regional Championships will run in eight major geographical regions throughout the United States, taking place from late May through June.   "The AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship program has become the most prestigious amateur motocross competition in history, and the 2017 program will live up to that legacy," said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. "The AMA along with the program's organizer, MX Sports, has worked diligently to create an Area Qualifier and Regional Championship schedule that has calendar balance, geographic balance and features some of the country's best tracks and facilities. We're very pleased to be involved and provide AMA members and their families with the exclusive opportunity to race for an AMA National Motocross Championship."   The AMA Area Qualifiers serve as the first step in qualifying for the world's largest and most celebrated amateur motocross championship. The AMA Regional Championships then serve as the next step to seed riders into the annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. Only riders who finish in a qualifying position at a Regional Championship are eligible to race the amateur national event in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.   "The logistics of scheduling venues and organizers, at the same time being sensitive to the local race community and longstanding events, makes the scheduling process very difficult," said MX Sports Director Tim Cotter. "In addition, the AMA has done a great job cultivating race tracks across the country. There are more racetracks in America that are capable of hosting an Area Qualifier or Regional Championship than ever before, making the process very competitive."   This year's lineup includes many historic tracks, such as Unadilla MX and High Point Raceway in the Northeast. The tour also returns to other favorites, such as the Southeast's Muddy Creek Raceway, RedBud MX in the Mid-East and Thunder Valley MX Park in the South Central region.   To view the 2017 AMA Area Qualifier and AMA Regional Championship schedule, see www.mxsports.com/events.   For additional information, visit the series official website at www.mxsports.com or call (304) 284-0101. Also follow the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for exclusive content and to catch the latest news.   About the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is the world's largest and most prestigious amateur motocross racing program. The national qualifying program consists of AMA Area Qualifiers (February through May) and AMA Regional Championships (May through June), hosted at select motocross facilities across the country. The qualifying system culminates in the AMA National Championship (the first week in August) hosted annually since 1982 at the home of country music star Loretta Lynn in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Nearly 22,000 racers attempt to qualify in 38 classes for the 1,482 available positions at the national event. Christened "The World's Greatest Motocross Vacation," the AMA National Championship has launched some of the biggest names in professional motocross and Supercross competition, including Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Dungey, James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto. The national program is produced by MX Sports Inc., a West Virginia-based race production company, and sanctioned by AMA. For more information, please visit www.mxsports.com.