This weekend, the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series will bring its West Coast swing to a close with two exciting nights of action from the Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nev. Current series points leader, Mahindra Tractors/Tuf Honda’s Jeff Gibson, leads a talented field into the Biggest Little City in the World as local friends reunite to witness what has become tradition in Central Nevada.
Reno Arenacross made its debut 18 years ago in December of 1991. Instantly a hit amongst the local residents, the race continued to evolve becoming a staple in the community and receiving the moniker “ArenOcross.” The unique and energetic competition was the brain child of Feld Motor Sports’ Arenacross Sales/Marketing Manager Robert Hansen, who calls the Reno area home.
“I was working on some things and trying to get started in the business,” stated Hansen. “I was working with a promoter for arenacross races in Canada and an event in Reno just kind of came up. It was my first real foray into promoting. It caught on and next thing I know it’s a huge annual event.”
The Reno Arenacross officially became a stop on the AMA Arenacross Series in the year 2000. Ever since, it has been a staple on the schedule. Traditionally a November race, the new condensed schedule that was introduced for the 2009 season moved Reno to the end of February as a part of what is now known as the West Coast swing.
“Moving the race has been a huge benefit to the race teams,” added Hansen. “Now for three weeks they have the opportunity to reduce their traveling and stay in one concentrated area. It’s also boosted ticket sales.”
With the largest floor space of any venue on the 2009 schedule, the Livestock Events Center allows for a refreshing change to the traditional AMA Arenacross Series track. In fact, the AMA Arenacross Series track crew creates a supercross-style layout that provides some of the most exciting racing of the season that allows the riders to twist their throttles a little more than normal. Furthermore, seating allows for the fans to get up close and personal with the action on-track.
Hansen continued by discussing the uniting element of ArenOcross. “Since I’ve been a part of this event I’ve met a lot of people,” he added. “These are faces I see only once a year but I can count on seeing them every year right here at ArenOcross. This race provides an opportunity for old friends to get together and have a good time. I like to think of it as a big party with a race in the middle.”
To add to the excitement of the AMA Arenacross Series invasion of Reno, a champion will be crowned on Saturday evening as the AMA Arenacross Lites Western Regional Championship draws to a close. In two races, the class has seen two different winners in GPF Babbitt’s Kawasaki’s Tyler Medaglia and Reynard Modifications Suzuki’s Cory Green. Medaglia currently holds a seven point advantage over Green with two bar-banging races remaining.
The permanent home of ArenOcross since its inception in 1991, the Reno Livestock Events Center is primarily home to rodeo contests, including the headlining Reno Rodeo. Situated on 43-acres of land, the center sits in a prime location and bears an astonishing 150 by 300 feet of floor space. It can seat 6,200 people, setting the stage for what is sure to be a packed house this weekend.
The first gates drop on ArenOcross Friday at 7:00 p.m. followed by an additional night of bar-to-bar racing on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Amateur Day concludes an exciting weekend of action on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.
Tickets for this weekend’s edge of your seat action are just $20 for adults and $7 for kids. All tickets are $2 more the day of the show.
The AMA Arenacross Series heads to the Live Events Center in Reno, Nev., next weekend, February 27-March 1 for the final round of the West Coast swing and round nine of the championship.
Tickets are available online at
www.arenacross.com,
www.ticketmaster.com,
www.tickets.com. For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to
www.arenacross.com.
