Press Release

Monster Energy® Supercross Returns to Salt Lake City

Utah Governor Huntsman, Utah Sports Commission’s Jeff Robbins, Rice-Eccles Stadium’s Mark Burk and Chad Reed Discuss Monster Energy® Supercross’ Return to Rice-Eccles Stadium



AURORA, Ill. (August 29, 2008) – Today at Rice Eccles Stadium Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, the Utah Sports Commission’s Jeff Robbins, Rice Eccles-Stadium’s Mark Burk and defending AMA Supercross champion Chad Reed welcomed Monster® Supercross, an FIM World Championship, back to Salt Lake City for the first time since 2004. Before a host of local television, print and radio media, Monster Energy® Supercross received a warm welcome in anticipation for the April 25 race.


“Over the past four years we have work extremely hard deliver world-class action sports and motorsports to the state of Utah,” said Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. “We are committed to make Utah the hub of action sports, and bringing supercross back is a step in the right direction.”


Governor Huntsman, an avid motocross rider himself, recognizes the importance of Monster Energy® Supercross’ return to the state of Utah.


“At different functions over the past few years, I’ve run into several fans that have asked me when supercross was going to come back to Salt Lake City. Today, I am proud to announce its return,” said Governor Huntsman. “It’s important for the younger generation of riders to be a part of what the greatest racers in the world are doing. By bringing the race back to Utah, we will give those younger riders a chance to watch their heroes live.”


Recognized as one of the top action and extreme sports destinations in the world, the state of Utah looks forward to hosting the world’s greatest supercross racers in their capital’s premier venue, Rice-Eccles Stadium. The estimated $9 million economic impact to Salt Lake City is a testament to the popularity of Monster Energy® Supercross.


“Rice-Eccles is a great venue to host Monster Energy Supercross,” said Burk, director of stadium and arena event services, University of Utah. “The design of Rice-Eccles is almost custom built for supercross with the great seating and pit layout, not to mention the beautiful mountains around the stadium.”


In 2003 Reed won the main event in his first full season in the AMA Supercross class. That was a banner year for the Australian native as he won the last six races of the season over five-time AMA Supercross class champion Ricky Carmichael. The following season he won his first AMA Supercross class championship.


“It’s pretty amazing to see what kind of support supercross receives here in Utah with Governor Huntsman and the Sports Commission,” said Reed. “It’s always great to return to a stadium that we haven’t race at in a few years. Fans will be in for one exciting night of racing. This year’s AMA Supercross class will be the best it’s been in years. I’ve got a pretty good record here; I won one of the two races that I competed in here, so I looking forward to April 25.”


The first supercross race held at Rice-Eccles Stadium took place in 2001 where 42,135 packed the home of the 2002 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies to watch Ricky Carmichael race to victory.


James Stewart, who is the 2007 AMA Supercross class champion, won the AMA Supercross Lites class race in Salt Lake City in consecutive years (2002 & 2003). Stewart, who did not race last year in the AMA Supercross class due to knee injury, aims to become the only rider to win the event in each division.


Tickets are available at www.SupercrossOnline.com, www.utahtickets.com, by phone at 801-581-UTIX and the Rice-Eccles Box Office. Goldcircle seats are $40; Mid-Level seats are $20 for adults and $10 for kids; Treadhead seats are $10. All seats are $2 extra on the day of the event. Practice and qualifying times begin at 12:30 PM with the main event beginning at 7:00 PM.


Past Winners in Salt Lake City

AMA Supercross Class

April 24, 2004: Kevin Windham

April 26, 2003: Chad Reed

April 27, 2002: Ricky Carmichael

April 28, 2001: Ricky Carmichael


AMA Supercross Lites Class

April 24, 2004: Ivan Tedesco

April 26, 2003: James Stewart

April 27, 2002: James Stewart

April 28, 2001: Ernesto Fonseca


For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com.

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