Alessi Brothers Make Open Class Debut at 10th Annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open
>
> AURORA, Ill. (July 20, 2007) – The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open announced today
> that brothers Mike and Jeff Alessi will compete at this year’s 10th Anniversary race
> inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 12-14.
>
> Mike Alessi, 19, of Apple Valley, Calif., won the 2002 85cc Mini Invitational at the
> U.S. Open, dominating both nights of racing. En route to winning the championship,
> Mike scored two wins in the four- moto event, beating AMA Supercross Lites champion
> Ryan Villopoto. Mike’s success began early with 11 AMA Amateur National
> Championship, and now, he’s ready to compete against the world’s best riders.
>
> “Racing the mini class at the U.S. Open was an experience of a lifetime, and
> certainly set the stage for racing supercross as a professional,” said Mike Alessi.
> “Now, the U.S. Open will mark our first indoor race in the open class.
>
> The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open has introduced a new ‘open class’ this year,
> where racers can compete aboard a 250 or a 450 four-stroke motorcycle all in one
> class. While the Alessi brothers look forward to moving onto the big bikes, they know
> the 250 four- stroke is a viable machine that will add to the excitement of the racing.
>
> “Having one open class is a great addition to the U.S. Open,” said Mike Alessi.
> “It will be interesting to see how the weekend unfolds. The MGM Grand Garden Arena
> is a facility that offers advantages and disadvantages to both bikes, so the playing
> field will be close to even.”
>
> Known for his great starts, Mike believes he can run up front with the top racers.
>
> “I think that my fast starts will put me near the front, and in the mix with the
> lead riders,” said Mike Alessi. “Racing supercross is super unpredictable and with
> the U.S. Open, it’s even more of a challenge. One night you can win, the next night
> you might be fifth, so I think it’s anyone’s race. The $100,000 could be as much
> mine as any of the other competitors.”
>
> Younger brother Jeff, 18, also lives is Apple Valley, Calif., and competed in the 85cc
> Mini Invitational in 2003. After winning the opening moto on Friday night, he crashed
> in the second moto, forcing him to miss the rest of the event.
>
> More exciting announcements about the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open will be made
> shortly. Stay tuned to www.ussx.com for more news and information.
>
> Tickets are now available for the 10th annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the
> MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 12-14, 2007 at www.ussx.com,
> www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 702-474-4000 or the MGM Grand Garden Arena box
> office. Regarded as one of off-road motorcycling’s premier races, the Rockstar
> Energy Drink U.S. Open is the final ‘major’ race of the motocross season. Tickets
> are available for as low as $20 through Ticketmaster.com. All tickets subject to 5%
> Las Vegas Entertainment tax.
>
> About The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open
> The 10th-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is an invite-only indoor off-road
> motocross race inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 12-14, 2007, featuring the
> world’s top supercross/ motocross racers. Live Nation is the world's largest live
> music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We
> are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest
> entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We
> create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the
> biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand,
> Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or
> have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music
> venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at
> Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are
> the second most popular entertainment/ event websites in the United States, according
> to Nielsen// NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical,
> specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected
> nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events
> in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live
> Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”
>
> About AMA Racing
> AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the
> leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional
> properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross
> Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts
> Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto
> Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA
> Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110
> thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit
> www.amaproracing.com. Accredited media outlets can also access an on line Press Room
> at www.amaproracing.com/pressroom. For amateur racing information visit
> www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/amasports.asp.
