Archive for August 2nd, 2011

(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill (August 2, 2011) – AMA Arenacross Series standout Vicki Golden captured the first X-Games Gold Medal of her career, winning the Women’s Moto X Racing Final Saturday at the Staples Center. Earlier this year Golden became the first female to qualify for an AMA Arenacross Series main event. It’s no surprise the Menifee, Calif., native lead from wire to wire. This year’s track was smaller than in years past, liking it to the track design on the 12-stop AMA Arenacross Series tour.

“It feels good and I can’t believe it happened,” Golden said after winning. “We’ve been putting in a lot of hard work and it feels good for it to finally pay off.”

A 2008 Amateur National Arenacross champion, Golden finished fourth, missing the podium by one position. Her AMA Arenacross Series experience was evident as she beat 2010 silver medalist Tarah Gieger and French rider Livia Lancelot. It was definitely a year of redemption for Golden after suffering multiple injuries from a practice crash, which occurred during preparation for the X-Games, two years ago that ended her season.

“I had so much fun racing arenacross and coming back to this was like coming home,” Golden said. “This reminded so much of racing arenacross. It felt so much more comfortable.”

In recent years, the once seemingly indestructible gender barrier within the sport has slowly deteriorated as the nation’s top female racers have become faster, more athletic, and now receive the necessary support from the sport’s manufacturers. Through this growth, the gap between men and women has narrowed and now Golden is making the breakthrough initiative to see where she stands in the more competitive division.

In the coming months, Golden will continue to train for the 2011-2012 AMA Arenacross Series championship.

“After I finish out the last three outdoor national races, I will set my sights on the 2011-2012 AMA Arenacross Series championship” said Golden. “My goal for next year is to use my experience and accomplishments over the past year as a springboard to get on the podium.”

For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series, log on to www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com

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About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz℠, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com

(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill. (August 2, 2011) – Feld Motor Sports® announced today that GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham, 33, of Centerville, Miss., will compete at this year’s inaugural Monster Energy Cup race set to take place October 15 from Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

“I don’t know anyone who would not put it all on the line for a million dollars,” said Windham. That’s a payday that will entice all the riders.”

After wrapping up his 17th Monster Energy Supercross season, Windham has since earned one Western Regional Supercross Lites class championship along with finishing runner-up three times in the Supercross class. Throughout his Supercross class career, Windham has 18 wins and an additional 56 podium finishes. He’s looking to add the Monster Energy Cup championship to his resume and is excited to see what track designers Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath create.

“We had a pretty exciting season in 2011, so it I think it’s going to be good no matter what (Ricky) Carmichael and (Jeremy) McGrath throw at us,” said Windham. “The competitiveness of the racing is at a whole new level. Carmichael and McGrath are two of the best riders the sport has ever seen, and it will be fun to ride a track that they design. Three shorter motos will for sure keep the racing tight and interesting. That will make it very difficult to sweep the night.”

Throughout the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season, Windham, who was selected as the “Fan Favorite” by the industry and fans, earned 12 top-10 finishes, with a season-best finish of second coming from Seattle’s Qwest Field.

The unique hybrid track will consist of supercross/motocross terrain and will have a tremendous motocross-style influence, making it unlike any other stadium race in the world. This track will be the perfect blend of supercross and motocross combined and created into the ultimate battleground. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and for the “first time ever” $1 Million will be paid to a rider that wins all three main events.

Tickets for the 2011 Monster Energy Cup can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, UNLVtickets outlets, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.MonsterEnergyCup.com, or by phone at (702) 739-FANS. Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only.

About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz℠, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

Wayne Rainey (left) and Bubba Shobert (helmeted) share a laugh before the start of the 1987 Mid-Ohio AMA Superbike race. It was a hot weekend and the two had taken shelter from the sun under the starter’s bridge. I believe that’s Darrel Dovel in the striped shirt. Dovel was AMA road racing referee back then and 20 years earlier had been one of the top racers in the country. Rainey and Shobert were factory Honda teammates.

Wayne Rainey (left) and Bubba Shobert (helmeted) share a laugh before the start of the 1987 Mid-Ohio AMA Superbike race. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Wayne Rainey (left) and Bubba Shobert (helmeted) share a laugh before the start of the 1987 Mid-Ohio AMA Superbike race. (Larry Lawrence photo)