IN
THE
WIND
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Honda Not Attending Loretta Lynn's
Amateur MX
A
merican Honda says it will not
have an "official presence"
at next month's AMA Amateur
National Motocross Champion-
ship at Loretta Lynn's Ranch
in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
Honda's decision stems from the
recent spike in Covid-19 cases in
its home base of California. The
race is scheduled for August 3-8.
Honda is still expected to
participate in the Lucas Oil AMA
Pro Motocross at Loretta Lynn's
which is scheduled a weekend
later on August 15.
Honda set out the follow-
ing release: Due to an array of
considerations stemming from
the Covid-19 pandemic, Ameri-
can Honda today confirmed
that they will not have an official
presence during the upcoming
AMA Amateur National Moto-
cross Championship at Loretta
Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills,
Tennessee. To help compen-
sate for the lack of in-person
support, Honda is extending a
$250 Red Rider Rewards bonus
to all Honda racers who have
qualified for the prestigious
event.
The decision was made in
the context of a spike in Co-
vid-19 cases, hospitalizations
and deaths in California, the
home state of American Honda
and Factory Connection Racing
(which operates the elite-level
Amsoil Honda amateur racing
effort). American Honda has not
been untouched by the corona-
virus, prompting the decision to
limit travel for staff. By reducing
the number of people on-site,
Honda hopes to contribute to
the safety of those for whom
attendance is understandably
more imperative.
"Missing Loretta's was a
difficult decision that we made
reluctantly, but it's what we
genuinely hope is in every-
one's best interest," explained
Brandon Wilson, American
Honda's Manager of Advertis-
ing & Motorcycle Sports. "Our
activity at this event has always
been about interacting with our
customers, their families and
the rest of the amateur MX com-
munity. Sitting it out this year is
a product of circumstance and
isn't a reflection of our sup-
port of amateur racing. We're
extremely proud of every Red
Rider who has qualified for Lo-
retta's and we'll miss spending
time with our friends and racers
in the pits at the Ranch this
year. We wish everyone there
a safe and successful experi-
ence, and we look forward to
seeing you and supporting you
in person in 2021." CN
Honda says it won't
be participating in the
Loretta Lynn's Amateur
MX this year.
