Rider Files

(NEWS RELEASE)

Los Angeles, CA, June 15, 2012 - Just six weeks after receiving his wife Kim McGrath’s diagnosis of Leukemia, with the help of friends, family, fans, sponsors, and colleagues, the 7 time Supercross champ’s efforts, on behalf of Team KIM, have brought in close to 3,000 new potential donors and raised much-needed funds for the non-profit organization, BE THE MATCH^®.

“As we moved into our sixth week of Marrow Drives for Team KIM, it was brought to my attention the importance of funding to help offset the costs associated with testing and adding new members to the Be The Match Registry^®.”  “I put out just an initial ask for some monetary assistance to help keep the funding going for the great, life-saving work being done at Be The Match and within hours the Hendrick Marrow Program was emailing us back with its $200,000.00 donation!

Like Kim, 70 percent of searching patients will not find a match within their family.  That leaves thousands of patients searching the Be The Match Registry^® for a life- saving match.  Costs are approximately $100 for each donor tested, therefore, every $100 raised helps add another new member to the registry!

Immediate TEAM KIM fundraising activities include the Del Moto Inaugural Pro Am at Del Mar this Sunday, June 17^th; a pre X Games online auction featuring spectacular memorabilia from many of the top X Games’ athletes past and present; and a “text to donate” campaign kicking off June 28^th.

To make a donation, simply visit www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/kimmcgrath. Info on Team KIM:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-KIM/221085671342637

About the HENDRICK MARROW PROGRAM: Rick Hendrick, Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Motorsports, established the Hendrick Marrow Program in 1997 after he was diagnosed with leukemia. Even though he did not need a marrow transplant himself, he wanted to help other patients waiting to find a marrow match and a second chance at life.

The Hendrick Marrow Program works with Be The Match Foundation^® to support the National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP). Specifically it raises money to add more potential marrow donors to the NMDP’s Be The Match Registry^® increasing the chances that more patients can find their match. It also helps patients with uninsured transplant costs, which are often a barrier to treatment.

Since its inception, the Hendrick Marrow Program has raised more than $10 million, added more than 100,000 marrow donors to the Be The Match Registry, and eased the financial burden of nearly 6,000 patients with grants from the Hendrick Family Fund for Patient Assistance.

The Hendrick Marrow Program, Be The Match Foundation^®, and the NMDP are dedicated to creating the opportunity for all patients to receive the life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to announce that Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has signed on to sponsor the association’s long-running selection of the summer’s best touring rallies, along with the all-new AMA Flash Tours for riders who follow the AMA on Facebook.

The AMA Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Premier Touring Series encompasses a great variety of AMA-sanctioned rides and rallies that are open to all riders, from mega-events like AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Americade and the Golden Aspen Rally, to national-level events like the Rally In The Gorge, to Gypsy Tours and Signature Events. The full slate of AMA-sanctioned road rallies can be found at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/street/eventsandseries.

New for 2012, the AMA Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Flash Tours are Facebook-based riding challenges that encourage motorcyclists to ride to towns or roadside attractions near them, where they take pictures and submit them to be published on the AMA Facebook page. A winner is chosen at random to receive prizes. With Kawasaki’s new sponsorship, prizes will include gift certificates to the voluminous Kawasaki product and accessories catalog.

“Kawasaki’s involvement really ties the long-standing AMA Premier Touring Series and the all-new AMA Flash Tours together, and showcases the road-going potential of the Vulcan Vaquero,” said Grant Parsons, the AMA’s director of communications and marketing. “Whether you like to attend the best rallies in the country, or just need another reason to get on your bike and ride somewhere near you, the AMA and Kawasaki have you covered.”

To kick off the new partnership, a special, Kawasaki-themed AMA Flash Tour will be launched on www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist. Celebrating the Vulcan Vaquero V-twin’s heritage and alliteration, the challenge will be to ride to a town near you starting with or containing the letter “V,” taking your picture at a sign showing the name, and emailing it to flashtours@ama-cycle.org. Other creative submissions also will be accepted, such as a photo with a tree that has grown into a perfect “V” formation. See www.americanmotorcyclist.com/flashtours for more information. The new Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Flash Tour will start June 18, and will conclude on July 1.

“This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate exactly how well suited the Vaquero is to this ideal audience,” said Chris Brull, Kawasaki’s marketing director. “The spirit of the Vaquero demands pointing its front wheel at the horizon, so it’s a natural fit with so many riding opportunities.”

A full complement of AMA Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Premier Touring Series events can be found at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/street/eventsandseries. Follow the AMA Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Flash Tours on Facebook at www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill. (June 15, 2012) – Feld Motor Sports® announced today that Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider Thomas Covington, of Murrieta, Calif., will race the Amateur All-Star Class 2012 Monster Energy Cup at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium on October 20 for the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green team.

Covington, 16, finished sixth overall at last year’s Monster Energy Cup, scoring 8-5 finishes in the two Main Event format. Covington is one of 22 top amateur riders at this year’s event that will represent the next generation of racers as they compete on the world’s biggest stage with 3.5 hours of live television coverage. Consisting of two, five-lap Main Events, the Amateur All-Star Class features the graduating class of top amateurs that will turn professional the following season.

“The Monster Energy Cup is one of my favorite races of the year,” said Covington. “Getting to ride supercross and get my feet wet before I turn pro is an awesome opportunity. Before the Monster Energy Cup, we will start riding a little supercross at the Kawasaki test track. I am looking forward to it this year.”

Covington began riding at age four and scored his first AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s in 2003 and subsequently added three additional titles to his resume. Along the way, he became friends with 15-time AMA National Champion Ricky Carmichael, who will be designing this year’s Monster Energy Cup track.

“It’s cool that Ricky [Carmichael] is designing the track,” said Covington. “I know it will be a good track.”

The 2012 Monster Energy Cup features an all-new track design inspired by five-time Supercross Class Champion Ricky Carmichael. The Carmichael-inspired track design will consist of supercross and motocross obstacles unlike any other racetrack design in the world. More than 200’ of the track will be built into the grandstands, and the riders exit the stadium and race through the Monster Energy Fan Zone outside of the stadium and through the pit area before they catapult back into the stadium. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and any rider that wins all three Main Events will take home $1 million.

For more information on the Monster Energy Cup, log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow the Monster Energy Cup on Facebook and Twitter, log on to www.Facebook.com/VegasMECup and www.Twitter.com/VegasMECup.

Tickets for the 2012 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.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is encouraging all motorcyclists to help demonstrate the practical benefits of commuting to work on a motorcycle on Monday, June 18, in celebration of the 21st Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day — and to ride responsibly and safely while doing it.

“Motorcyclists know that motorcycles are fun to ride as well as an economical way to transport yourself from one point to another, and Ride to Work Day is a great way for us to demonstrate that to other road users en masse,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “AMA members ride responsibly and, with the summer riding season upon us, it’s a good time to exercise safe riding practices and to request that other motorists be aware of motorcyclists on our roadways.”

Started in 1992, Ride to Work Day is now an international event, with participation in cities around the world and recognition by the federal and local governments in the United States. For millions of workers, motorcycles and scooters are an economical, efficient and socially responsible form of mobility that save energy, protect the environment and provide a broad range of other public benefits.

According to the United States Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation, over 80 million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride to Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a large number of America’s motorcycles are ridden to work.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

The dealership network lost a veteran this past week when longtime Harley-Davidson dealership owner Bob Fletcher died June 9. He was 90. A memorial ride will start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Fletcher’s Harley-Davidson, 16485 U.S. 19 N. in Clearwater, Fla. The ride starts at noon from Fletcher’s and ends at Anona United Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, for a 1 p.m. memorial service and 2 p.m. celebration of life. Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

All Motos to be Featured Live on FUEL TV and NBC Networks

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (June 15, 2012) – The 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will celebrate Father’s Day Weekend with its fifth round tomorrow, June 16, at the Red Bull Budds Creek National. Famed Budds Creek MX Park, in Mechanicsville, Md., will host the world’s best riders with a full slate of live broadcast coverage set to kick off at 1 p.m. Eastern.

The opening moto of the highly-competitive 250 Class can be seen live on FUEL TV at 1 p.m. Eastern, followed immediately by the 2012 network television debut on NBC with the first 450 Class moto at 2 p.m. Eastern. Both motos can also be seen live online at AlliSports.com.

Second moto coverage will kick off at 3 p.m. Eastern with a live broadcast of the final 250 Class moto on FUEL TV. NBC Sports Network will cap off the day of action with live coverage of the second moto of the 450 Class at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Additionally, coverage of both second motos can be seen internationally on SPEED Australia, ESPN Brazil, FUEL TV Europe and throughout the Americas on ESPN Latin America. The chart below shows the times for SPEED Australia and ESPN Brazil.

SPEED Australia: 9:30 a.m. AEST (on June 17)
ESPN Brazil: 16:00

*Check local listings for respective air times from FUEL TV Europe and ESPN Latin America

For easier access domestically, here are FUEL TV and NBC Sports Network channels from some major television providers:

FUEL TV
DIRECTV – Channel 618
DISH Network – Channel 398
Verizon FiOS – Channel 198
AT&T U-verse – Channel 536

NBC Sports Network
DIRECTV – Channel 603 & 604 (Alternate)
DISH Network – Channel 151
Verizon FiOS – Channel 90 & 590 (HD)
AT&T U-verse – Channel 640 & 1640 (HD)

*Check local listings for cable operators

Festivities for the Red Bull Budds Creek National begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, with practice and qualifying. Opening ceremonies start at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.

For fans that missed any of the action from the fourth round of the season at High Point, all four moto archives from the 250 and 450 Classes, in addition to the weekly highlight show, are available on AlliSports.com.

Tickets for all 12 rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found at www.allisports.com.

For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.

For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.

MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious motocross series – the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.

Alli Sports
Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.

AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.

NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast’s 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.

FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.

When the subject of Mike Hale’s success as a road racer is brought up, most people point to the proving ground of the Harley-Davidson 883 Series as the flat tracker’s stepping stone to pavement racing. And while it’s true that Hale became one of the all-time elite riders on 883 Sportsters, the Texan also racked up valuable experience by endurance racing.  This photo shows Hale racing the Fastline/MCM II Suzuki GSXR600 at Road America in June of 1993, en route to finishing runner up in the GTU class that weekend in the EBC Brakes 3-Hour Team Challenge. Hale was joined by Craig Gleason and Jeff Stern on the squad.

Mike Hale races aboard the Fastline/MCM II Suzuki GSXR600 at Road America in June of 1993. Hale helped the team finish runner up in the GTU class in that weekend in the EBC Brakes 3-Hour Team Challenge. He was joined by Craig Gleason and Jeff Stern on the Fastline/MCM squad. (Larry Lawrence photo)

At the MotoGP™ grid heads to Silverstone for the Hertz British Grand Prix, motogp.com brings you some interesting facts and figures about the event. Read more.