Aerial view of the Gatorback Cycle Park Facility in Gainesville, FL

Tennessee’s Joe Byrd maintains the early season lead in the Pro class over John Natalie, Jr. in second, and Doug Gust in third. Byrd, after building momentum during the ’05 season with three 2nd place finishes coming at High Point, Daniel Boone and Unadilla, and a 1st place finish at the final round at Loretta’s, is on fire. He’s what they call “HOT…HOT..HOT!” and focused on getting something he’s never had, a National ATV MX Championship.

This ATV MX season has already proven to be one of a topsy-turvy nature. Young guns in the Pro class are stepping up their competitive intensity and so far, after the Glen Helen round in California and the Wrangler at Oak Hill in Texas, not only are the Pros and Pro/Ams doing some rather gritty racing but the amateur classes are going at it like cats and dogs as well.

Starting at 5 p.m Thursday evening, there will be a party and Pro autograph session at the Ale House Restaurant and Bar at 3950 SW Archer Road in Gainesville. Pro Riders John Natalie Jr, Jason Dunkelberger, Joe Byrd will be in attendance along with Women's Class Champion, Heather Byrd and Michelle Reiser. Also, attendees can register to win the opportunity to be a Yoshimura/Suzuki Race Team Member for a day at the Gatorback, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Riders will practice on Friday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and amateurs will race on Saturday and Sunday with the racing action beginning around 9 a.m, March 11-12. The pro racers practice and qualify on Saturday. Pro racing begins with moto one at 12 p.m. and the second moto at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.

Spectator passes for adults run $35 for Friday through Sunday, $30 for Saturday through Sunday, and $15 for Sunday only. Children 6 – 12 cost $25 for Friday through Sunday, $20 for Saturday through Sunday, and $10 for Sunday only. Children under six are free. Local riders are invited to race the event, as the ATV Nationals offer classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. Riders can sign up at the track. The amateur racer entry fee is $40.

To get to the track, from South of Gainesville take I-75 North exit on SR-26 (exit #387). Head West on State Road 26 eight miles to NW 202, then North three miles to 46th Ave. Gatorback is on the left. For more information about the Gatborback, contact Unlimited Sports MX at 813-470-7498, email info@unlimitedsportsmx.com, or log onto www.unlimitedsportsmx.com.

The ITP/Moose ATVA National Motocross Championships, presented by Parts Unlimited, is the nation’s premiere ATV motocross racing series. The 14-round series is produced by members of the ATVA Promoters’ Group, LLC (“ATVAPG”) and is sanctioned by the 9,000 member ATV Association (“ATVA”), the sister organization to the 260,000 member American Motorcyclist Association (“AMA”). ATV racing has experienced phenomenal growth at the rate of 25% in the past two years alone, and continues to gain momentum and support, as ATV outsell off-road motorcycles annually 3 to 1. Each round attracts 600-1000 racers who vie for bragging rights to one of 31 national titles. ATVA National Motocross feature sponsors include FMF, Scott, Maxxis, Custom Axis, Hbomb/Division Four, ATV Sport Magazine, and Moto-Tees. Associate sponsors include Weekend Warrior, Houser Racing, Denton Racing, Outerwears, Hinson Racing, FOX Shox, ATVriders.com, ATV Source, and Terry Racing. For more information about the series, log on to www.ATVMotocross.com

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