Everything You need To Know About the Glen Helen National – May 24-25

 
Memorial Day weekend will start off with a bang at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 24, for the opening round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF. A series of exciting invitational races highlight the morning activity and set the stage for the first round of pro practice and qualifying for the 13th Annual Giant RV Outdoor AMA National at Glen Helen Raceway Park.
 
The action kicks off with the ITP Tires/Yamaha Quad Pro Invitational, a part of the Southwest’s premier ATV racing series. Defending series champion Dustin Nelson of Team Yamaha and Team Polaris’ Doug Eichner will lead a field of top pros out of the gate in a 20-minute, $1,500 purse moto. The race is scheduled for 9:45 a.m.
 
The day’s second event is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m., with the L.A. Sleeve/Pro X   2-Stroke Pro Race. A field full of upper division riders, including veteran racers David Pingree and Jimmy Lewis, will compete in a 20-minute moto for a $2,000 purse.
 
Rounding out the day’s competition will be the Legends Invitational at 12:40 p.m. Some of the most accomplished riders in the history of the sport have been invited to compete in a true all-star open event, with each rider aboard the bike of his choice. The entry list will be a who’s-who of former motocross champions, including Jeremy McGrath, Greg Albertyn, Jeff Emig, Jeff Stanton, Steve Lamson and Jeff Ward. Add colorful freestyle motocross icons Mike Metzger and Brian Deegan and this exciting 15-minute moto is expected to be a thrill for the fans. Following the race, all participants will be available for an autograph session scheduled from 1:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
Saturday’s action-packed schedule will conclude with AMA practice and qualifying beginning at 3:00 p.m as the world’s top motocross riders make their season debut. Defending class champions Grant Langston and Ryan Villopoto lead a long list of hopefuls that include perennial front-runners in veterans Kevin Windham, Timmy Ferry, David Vuillemin and Nick Wey. Mike Alessi, Ben Townley, Davi Millsaps and Andrew Short top a crop of young stars eager to get off to good starts.
 
In addition, Team Kawasaki’s James Stewart is also expected to make his return from a knee injury that forced him to miss the tail end of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships Presented by FMF and the majority of this season’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross. If healthy, Stewart figures to make a strong run at earning his first AMA Motocross title.
 
Tickets to the opening round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF are now on sale.

General Admission for Wednesday-Sunday
Adults                                      $45
Juniors (6-12 years)                  $30
Children 5 and under                FREE
 
Sunday Only Tickets
Adults                                      $30
Juniors (6-12 years)                  $20
Children 5 and under                FREE
 
2008 Glen Helen AMA National Saturday Schedule

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.                ITP/Yamaha Quad Pro Practice
9:45 a.m.                                  ITP/Yamaha Quad Pro Race (20 minutes)
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.            L.A. Sleeve/Pro X and Legends Practice
11:30 a.m.                                L.A. Sleeve/Pro X 2-Stroke Pro Race (20 minutes)
12:30 p.m.                                Legends Parade Lap
12:40 p.m.                                Legends Exhibition (15 minutes)
1:10 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.               Legends Interview and Autograph Session
3:00 p.m.                                  AMA Motocross Practice and Qualifying
 
For more information about the weekend festivities, log onto www.glenhelen.com or call the track’s 24-hour information line at 909-880-3090.