Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/798489
IN THE WIND P20 MX SPORTS/AMA MAKING IT LONG-TERM M X Sports Pro Racing announced, in conjunc- tion with AMA Pro Racing, a long-term extension to remain managing partner of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Champi- onship. Additionally, MX Sports Pro Racing revealed a strategic partnership with Youthstream, organizers of the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), to provide cooperative support sur- rounding the USGP, one of the key stops of the world champi- onship. "The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship is the foundation of professional motocross in America, with a legacy that spans more than 45 years. Since earning the right to oversee the implementation of the championship eight seasons ago, MX Sports Pro Racing and the Coombs family have man- aged Lucas Oil AMA Pro Moto- cross with the respect and hon- or it deserves," said David Atlas, Managing Member and Principal of AMA Pro Racing. "The heri- tage of the sport has remained at the core of their efforts, but they continue to make strate- gic improvements to both the competition and entertainment sides of the series, broadening the reach of the championship to an ever-growing audience. This long-term extension will al- low that growth to continue, and we couldn't be more excited for what the future holds." MX Sports Pro Racing's cooperative supporting partner- ship of the USGP will help usher in a new era for the sport's global footprint. For the past two seasons MXGP has made the overseas trip to bring Europe's finest racers onto U.S. soil and close out the championship alongside the biggest names in American motocross. This new strategic alliance will begin this season with the 17th round of the championship on Labor Day weekend, September 2-3, and will continue for years to come. Currently the USGP does not have a designated home for the 2017 season and beyond, and will serve as the first priority of the new partnership between MX Sports Pro Racing and Youthstream. "Bringing Youthstream and MX Sports Pro Racing together for the USGP will ensure that the event enjoys continued success and becomes a fixture on the global racing calendar," said David Luongo, Vice President of Youthstream. "No one knows the sport of motocross and its illustrious history in America bet- ter than the Coombs family, and that expertise will help make the USGP a new motocross tradition for fans to celebrate, bringing the planet's best riders together in one place for a true showcase of this incredible sport." In addition to the USGP, MX Sports Pro Racing will also serve as a cooperative partner to Youthstream in bringing the legendary FIM Motocross of Nations to U.S. soil every four to five years. "Since the final checkered flag flew at Ironman Raceway last August, MX Sports Pro Racing has diligently worked to enhance the scope of Ameri- can motocross for 2017 and beyond," said Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing. "Renewing our partner- ship with AMA Pro Racing will allow us to continue to build on our vision of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship for the foreseeable future, continuing to make the world's most presti- gious championship entertaining for our current fan base while also pushing to make the sport more appealing to a new, larger audience. Moreover, welcom- ing a new strategic relationship with Youthstream presents an exciting opportunity to create some unity between MXGP and American motocross, enhancing the presence of both the USGP and the Motocross of Nations by showcasing the sport's true international scope." CN