Arenacross Notebook: Youngstown Ohio

Courtesy of Feld Motorsports
AURORA, Ill. – Through five rounds and eight races of the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series season, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/Ti Lube Kawasaki’s Tyler Bowers has been the rider to beat in the premier AMA Arenacross class, posting six victories – including a five-race winning streak. This weekend, the series heads to Youngstown, Ohio and the Covelli Centre for the first time since 2008.

In recent years, Ohio has served as a hotbed for the sport of arenacross. In a state known as the birthplace of aviation pioneers, it is no wonder that so many high-flying riders in the AMA Arenacross Series hail from the Buckeye State. With hard winters and sparse riding opportunities during most of the year, dirt-bike riders in Ohio go indoors for competition and learn a heightened sense of bike control that translates into every discipline in motocross.

This season, five of the series’ top riders call Ohio home but many more possess Ohio roots. The Ohio army is led by reigning series champion Jeff Gibson, who hails from Thornville. A veteran motocross competitor for many years, Gibson joined the AMA Arenacross Series for the first time last season and he quickly acclimated himself to the intimate, technical competition, recalling the many indoor events he competed in when he was younger.

Another veteran rider who grew up in Ohio is Gibson’s Tuf Honda teammate Brock Sellards, from Sherrodsville. A perennial front-runner and championship candidate, Sellards is a name synonymous with the sport. His ability to make a late-season push is uncanny and now that the season is reaching its halfway point, eyes will be on Sellards as he prepares for his annual charge in the second half.

Another well-known face and past champion Josh Demuth may call Texas home these days, but his blood is in Ohio, born and raised in Dover. Demuth is one of the most successful riders in the history of the AMA Arenacross Series and a significant contributor to his success is that, like so many of his peers, he grew up competing indoors during the winter months, honing his craft on small, technical tracks.

Perhaps the biggest commonality between all three of these competitors is that each possessed the dream and the passion to become successful at the supercross level, competing for a number of years at the pinnacle of the sport but only achieving moderate success. Now, each rider is writing their own legacy in the discipline that kicked-off their careers, capturing numerous race wins and accolades along the way. For each rider, the AMA Arenacross Series has served as somewhat of a homecoming and each has found a place in the heart of the sport and a genuine appreciation for the high level of competition the series provides.

In addition to the veterans, the Ohio youth movement in the AMA Arenacross Series is led by the up-and-coming Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda trio of Nathan Skaggs, of Chillicothe, Willy Browning, of Pleasantville, and Zach Ames, of Prospect. Each rider is a representative of not only the youth movement within Ohio, but the surge in the AMA Arenacross Series as well. Each rider holds the potential to be future stars in the sport with both Skaggs and Browning achieving early success while Ames is on the verge of breaking through into a consistent challenger.

The Covelli Centre is the state-of-the-art home of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantom’s and is a short drive from Pittsburgh. The arena opened in 2005 and has played host to several entertainment acts since, including the AMA Arenacross Series back in 2008.

The arena has an occupancy of 5,700 and is seen as the center point of the rejuvenation of the Youngstown area.

The first gates drop on the Youngstown Arenacross Friday, February 12 beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by another night of action on Saturday the 13th at 7:30 p.m. The action concludes with Amateur Day on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.

Advance tickets are available for this weekend’s Youngstown Arenacross at the Covelli Centre Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.

Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5:00-6:00 p.m. for the chance to meet the riders and get autographs. Simply recycle any MONSTER ENERGY can at the gate entrance for FREE admission. Must have valid Saturday event ticket to enter.

Tickets for all rounds of the 2010 season can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and www.arenacross.com.

For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.

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 Monster Jam®, SuperBull?, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz?, Gravity Slashers?, 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.Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

Grand Rapids Arenacross Night-One Results

Courtesy of AMA Arenacross
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (January 8, 2010) – An excited crowd filled Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Friday night as the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series kicked-off its season with a come from behind victory by two-time champion Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis. Defending Central Regional champion Kurt McCabe, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, captured the AMA Arenacross Lites class victory.

A tacky track greeted the riders and the tricky conditions made for memorable racing in each class. As the gates dropped on the AMA Arenacross main event, Johnson found himself in seventh place after lap one. Traditionally, a poor start spells disaster in the tight, technical layout but the Babbitt’s Monster Energy TiLube Kawasaki put on an impressive charge, working his way through the field. During his charge, Johnson and his Babbitt’s teammate Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., came together with Johnson gaining the advantage. In the closing laps, Johnson moved in on reigning champion Jeff Gibson, of Thornville, Ohio, and made the winning pass with just four laps to go. Gibson would hold on for the runner-up spot aboard his Tuf Honda, leading the majority of the main event on a 250 as opposed to his 450-mounted counterparts. Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Zach Ames, of Prospect, Ohio, finished third.

A young, talented lineup rocketed out of the gates in the AMA Arenacross Lites main event. McCabe, aboard a Storm Lake Honda, found his way to the front of the field early and never looked back, maintaining the momentum he garnered at the Des Moines prequel in November. As he completed the final lap, McCabe scaled back his pace, allowing a determined GPF/Babbitt’s Kawasaki rider in Daniel Aulsaybrook, of Ortonville, Mich., to close in at the line for a photo finish. Foremost Insurance Yamaha’s Tyler Bright, of Lexington, N.C., rounded out the podium in third.

The season-opening Grand Rapids Arenacross continues tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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.

AMA Arenacross Class Results, (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
1. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
2. Jeff Gibson, Thornville, Ohio, Honda
3. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda
4. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
6. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Yamaha
7. Colton Facciotti, Aldergrove, B.C., Yamaha
8. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Honda
9. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki
10. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Kawasaki

AMA Arenacross Class Lites Results (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
1. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda
2. Daniel Aulsaybrook, Ortonville, Mich., Kawasaki
3. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Yamaha
4. A.J. Catanzaro, Middlefield, Conn., Kawasaki
5. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Kawasaki
6. Justin Kelly, Lelumia, Ill., Kawasaki
7. Chad Wages, Frederick, Md., Suzuki
8. Matt Schneider, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Yamaha
9. Randy Woodring, Spring Lake, Mich., Yamaha
10. Seth Caldwell, Cheswig, S.C., Yamaha

AMA Arenacross Class Points (After Race 1 of 19)
1. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 25
2. Jeff Gibson, Thornville, Ohio, Honda – 22
3. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 20
4. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 18
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 16
6. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki – 15
7. Colton Facciotti, Aldergrove, B.C., Yamaha – 14
8. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Honda – 13
9. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki – 12
10. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Kawasaki – 11

AMA Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 1 of 19)
1. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda – 25
2. Daniel Aulsaybrook, Ortonville, Mich., Kawasaki – 22
3. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki – 20
4. A.J. Catanzaro, Middlefield, Conn., Kawasaki – 18
5. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Kawasaki – 16
6. Justin Kelly, Lelumia, Ill., Kawasaki – 15
7. Chad Wages, Frederick, Md., Suzuki – 14
8. Matt Schneider, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Yamaha – 13
9. Randy Woodring, Spring Lake, Mich., Yamaha – 12
10. Seth Caldwell, Cheswig, S.C., Yamaha – 11

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 Monster Jam®, SuperBull?, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz?, Gravity Slashers?, 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.

Inaugural Gravity Slashers Freestyle Motocross Tour Schedule and Riders Announced Gravity Defying Freestyle Motocross Contests Coming to an Arena Near You

Courtesy of Feld Entertainmemt
AURORA, Ill. – Feld Motor Sports announced today the inaugural Gravity Slashers Freestyle Motocross tour, kicking off in Charlotte, N.C. on January 2, 2010 and concluding in Cleveland, Ohio on March 6, 2010. The 15-stop tour will feature some of the world’s best freestyle motocross pros as they attempt to one-up each other with gravity-defying tricks.    

The sport is freestyle motocross and with Gravity Slashing tricks like Cliffhangers, Sterilizers, Tsunamis, and Hart Attacks, fans are sure to be on the edge of their seats all night! These feats may sound like accidents waiting to happen, but in reality, they are some of the most astounding aerial acrobatics you’ll ever see.

In freestyle motocross, the name of the game is “anything goes” in this adrenaline-filled contest staged in mid-air. Riders launch their bikes off ramps that propel them towards the rafters, performing mind-bending acrobatic moves as they soar through the arena airspace. The only way to properly experience this spine-tingling sport is from the very edge of your seat as these daredevils fly high overhead.

“We are proud to introduce the Gravity Slashers tour and continue Feld Motor Sports’ longstanding tradition of world class freestyle motocross competition,” said Todd Jendro, senior director of operations, Feld Motor Sports. “These riders push the limits of reality and thousands of fans all over the country will have the chance to witness the action up close throughout the winter season.”

Gravity Slashers, this action-packed event, will be invading an arena near you so be sure to check your local box office or Ticketmaster outlets. Keep track of all the news on www.GravitySlashers.com 

2010 Gravity Slashers Tour Schedule

Date/s                          Day/s               City, State                     Venue              
Jan 2, 2010                   Sat                   Charlotte, NC                Time Warner Cable Arena
Jan 8-9, 2010                Fri/Sat              Portland, ME                 Cumberland Civic Center
Jan 15-16, 2010             Fri/Sat              Pensacola, FL               Pensacola Civic Center
Jan 16, 2010                 Sat                   Portland, OR                 Rose Garden
Jan 22-23, 2010             Fri/Sat              Bridgeport, CT              Arena at Harbor Yard
Jan 30-31, 2010             Fri/Sat              Salt Lake City, UT          Energy Solutions Arena
Jan 30, 2010                 Sat                   Greensboro, NC            Greensboro Coliseum
Feb 5-6, 2010                Fri/Sat              Wichita, KS                   Intrust Bank Arena
Feb 12-13, 2010            Fri/Sat              Little Rock, AR              Verizon Arena
Feb 19-20, 2010            Fri/Sat              Toledo, OH                   Lucas County Arena
Feb 19-20, 2010            Fri/Sat              Sacramento, CA            Arco Arena
Feb 26-27, 2010            Fri/Sat              Moline, IL                      I Wireless Center
Feb 27, 2010                 Sat                   Phoenix, AZ                  US Airways Center
Mar 5-6, 2010                Fri/Sat              Wilkes-Barre, PA           Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
Mar 6, 2010                   Sat                   Cleveland, OH               Quicken Loans Arena

2010 Gravity Slashers Athletes

Ben Veyna        (Las Vegas, NV)
Derek Burlew     (Cliffwood Beach, NJ)
Derek Cook       (Clinton, OK)
Drake McElroy  (Fernley, NV)
Dustin Nowak    (Mammoth Lakes, CA)
Greg Hartman    (Greencastle, PA)
Heath Frisby     (Boise, ID)
J.J. Romans     (Flagstaff, AZ)
Jack Rowe        (Chicago, IL)
Jeff Banks        (Campbell River, B.C.)
John Distler      (Gilbert, AZ)
Julian Dusseau  (Humbolt County, CA)
Justin Stoltzfus (Philadelphia, PA)
Keith Sayers     (Butte, MT)
Nick Dunne       (Redding, CA)
Rich Kearns      (Prospect, CT)
Sean Nielsen     (Gunnison, UT)
Shawn Connors (Dorset, VT)
Vince Morgan    (St. Johns, AZ)

For more information on the Gravity Slashers tour, please contact Scott Roegner at scott@nextlevelsportsinc.com or by phone at (949) 365-5750.

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 Monster Jam®, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motocross, 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.