AMA & Two Strokes

[full_time]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Brandon Short
brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com
(949) 365-5752


MX Sports Issues Statement Regarding 250 Class for 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
CPSIA Lead Ban Cited as Top Priority

MORGANTOWN, W.V. (March 4, 2009) – After careful deliberation on a possible change in class structure, MX Sports, organizers of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, has decided not to suggest any immediate changes to the AMA Pro Racing rulebook concerning the 250 Class and the placement of 250cc two-strokes alongside 250cc four-strokes.

MX Sports was considering a plan to make the 250cc Class a “true 250 class” by allowing 250cc two-strokes to compete against 250cc four-strokes, rather than keep the two-strokes in the 450 Class which has long been the practice. However, given the current state of the industry in the wake of the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that bans the sale of youth motorcycles and ATVs due to lead content, devastating the American motorcycle industry, MX Sports realizes that the focus of the OEMs right now must be on reversing this law or gaining an exemption for off-highway vehicles and ATVs.

"The attention and the resources of the OEMs, dealers nationwide, the aftermarket vendors, and every rider and enthusiast in the motorcycle industry should be on the CPSIA right now, not changing the rulebook right before the series starts," said Davey Coombs, vice president of MX Sports. "Rather than asking the struggling OEMs and teams to focus on developing a two-stroke in the next eight weeks for outdoor motocross, we realize that it is more important to address a much more urgent situation that has placed the entire motorcycle industry in jeopardy. Once there is some resolution to this issue, and hopefully there will be soon, we will reconsider the idea for 2010. In the meantime, we will be adding several 250cc two-stroke support races to the 2009 schedule."

Since taking effect on February 10, 2009, the CPSIA has had a debilitating impact on the entire motorcycle industry, especially in regard to motocross. A significant portion of motorcycle sales in the U.S. have been affected by the CPSIA ban and, as a result, MX Sports has postponed discussions regarding the integration of two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles.

“MX Sports spoke to many team managers, riders, OEM and aftermarket representatives and found many voices both for and against the rule change,” stated MX Sports Director of Competition Jeff Canfield. “We realize this is a passionate debate among many enthusiasts, and we will continue to evaluate the situation with the two-strokes in the coming months."

"It was going to be difficult to make such a change in the middle of the season, given that there are also eight rounds of AMA/FIM Supercross to be run under the existing class structure,” added Coombs. “But the new challenges our industry is facing made it impossible. While the decision not to pursue a new class structure at this time will certainly disappoint some of our fans, we believe there are bigger issues to deal with right now; anyone who's visited a motorcycle shop since the ban went into effect on February 10, 2009, knows what we're all up against right now."

For more information, please contact Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or by telephone at (949) 365-5752.

About MX Sports
MX Sports, LLC, owns, manages and produces the two most prestigious and world-leading motocross championships – the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship and the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship.

MX Sports is a second generation family owned business that has been in operation for well over 26 years and is an industry leader in the segment of off road/action sports race promotion in the United States .

Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports fields more than 60,000 action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of active fans, spectators and enthusiasts. For more information on MX Sports, please visit MX Sports Online.

Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports
Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, is a global business that encompasses national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia production, and a consumer facing lifestyle brand. The Alliance includes: the Dew Tour, Winter Dew Tour, China Invitational, Maloof Money Cup, Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, King of Wake series, and the Free Flow Tour; Alli TV Productions, which creates original content, produces and presents content with partners, and distributes Alli content through a variety of channels. Alli is owned by NBC Sports and MTV Networks and represents a network of athletes, fans, brands and properties. Its mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action sports, through competition and lifestyle, for a new generation of fans and athletes. The Alli properties are home to more than 550,000 spectators each year and broadcasts more than 150 hours of original content in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide. More information can be found at Action Sports | BMX, FMX, Moto, Bike, Freeski Snowboard & Skate, Wake Videos, Pics, News, Community & Blogs | ALLI Sports.

Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, greases, 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, greases, and problem-solving 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.

Forrest Lucas and his wife, Charlotte, founded Lucas Oil Products in 1989 after he spent 20 years as a truck driver and owner of a nationwide long-haul trucking fleet. They experienced firsthand the need for better lubricants and fuel treatments to maintain their equipment.

Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.”

[MX_563]

What??? The OEMs need to focus on the lead ban? WTF? What exactly are they doing about it???

Besides, only KTM and Yamaha have smokers. So Suzuki, Kawi and Honda can continue to stay focused on their "extensive" lead ban efforts...pfff!!!!!

If anybody would show up to a national on a smoker it would maybe be a broke-ass privateer. It's not like Yamaha is going to clear out some space in the race shop to build up some factory YZ250s.

Man, what a load of BS.

[Bullitt4110]

Originally Posted by MX_563

What??? The OEMs need to focus on the lead ban? WTF? What exactly are they doing about it???

Besides, only KTM and Yamaha have smokers. So Suzuki, Kawi and Honda can continue to stay focused on their "extensive" lead ban efforts...pfff!!!!!

If anybody would show up to a national on a smoker it would maybe be a broke-ass privateer. It's not like Yamaha is going to clear out some space in the race shop to build up some factory YZ250s.

Man, what a load of BS.

I agree, the factory teams in all reality were most likely not to even think about the 2 stroke but it would be a cheap alternative for a privateer.

[countrykid631]

Originally Posted by Kenny199

People just hate 2 strokes. ha

its a sad world..

[MX_563]

Originally Posted by countrykid631

its a sad world..

That's exactly what I think about when someone I know grenades their thumper.... J/K

[RickyD]

I would like to see a 250 2Stroke out there, but a nice build 250 2st would eat up a 250f. I bet the factories n teams didn't want to spend the money n lose money on the F parts.

[mxdad100]

I race a 2-Stroke....quit you whining and go to the Glen Helen National in May, and watch this !!!!!!!!

AMA NATIONAL TWO-STROKE CHALLENGE :: twostrokemotocross.com

[MX_563]

Originally Posted by mxdad100

I race a 2-Stroke....quit you whining and go to the Glen Helen National in May, and watch this !!!!!!!!

AMA NATIONAL TWO-STROKE CHALLENGE :: twostrokemotocross.com

Don't get me started! MXA advertised that race by saying "you could participate". But it's a 40 rider gate and last time Albee won it. So yeah, I'm sure I have a chance. I'll just send Lori an email with my impressive Vet Novice qualifications and I'm sure I'll be in there rubbing elbows with a former World and AMA National champ...

Stupid MXA! Getting my hopes up with their false advertising.

[450Flyer]

However, given the current state of the industry in the wake of the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that bans the sale of youth motorcycles and ATVs due to lead content, devastating the American motorcycle industry, MX Sports realizes that the focus of the OEMs right now must be on reversing this law or gaining an exemption for off-highway vehicles and ATVs.


SO TRUE>>THAT RULE IS BS

[Old Moto Pro]

I miss the 2 stroke personally!!! Thats why I am completly stoked to have a invite to ride the 2 stroke challenge at the opening round of the Nationals!!!! Got the conformation today!! Now just gotta find a 2 stroke!!!