AMA, NPG Introduce the Ricky Carmichael Hard-Charger Award for the 2008 Toyota Motocross Championship

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (May 19, 2008) – In recognizing the hard work and determination that became the trademark throughout Ricky Carmichael’s record-breaking career, the AMA and NPG have created a new award in his honor for the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF, named the Ricky Carmichael Hard-Charger Award.

The RC Hard-Charger Award will be given to the rider who passes the most competitors at each round, as counted by the AMA officials’ score sheets from one of the four motos on the day. Each winning rider will receive a $250 check from the NPG and a special award, an acrylic stand-up piece designed by Winner’s Choice Awards that will be personalized each week with recipient’s name, event and date.

It is this kind of never-surrender effort and die-hard characteristic that best symbolizes Carmichael’s standing as the sports winningest and most successful AMA Motocross Champion, during a prolific career that began in earnest in 1997 and ended last summer.

“When you think of AMA Motocross Champions the first person that comes to mind is Ricky Carmichael and his never-give-up attitude, said AMA Motocross/Supercross Series Manager Jeff Canfield. “Whatever challenges he faced on the racetrack, he always gave 100 percent. It’s that kind of attitude that made him a 10-time AMA Motocross Champion.”

The aptly-named Greatest of All Time (GOAT) retired last summer after winning all six rounds of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships that he participated in: Hangtown, High Point, Southwick, Budds Creek, Red Bud, and Spring Creek. His career total of 102 AMA Motocross race wins and 150 total wins are records that may never be broken. He is now pursuing a second career in stock car racing, but has plans to attend several rounds of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF.

“I am truly honored that an award like this will be handed out each week in my honor,” said Carmichael, who won a remarkable 10 consecutive AMA Motocross Championships. “I have a lot of great fans and memories from all of the racetracks on the circuit, and I am thankful that this award will help me stay connected with both the fans and the series.”

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!. Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.

About the National Promoters Group (NPG)

The National Promoters Group (NPG) comprises 12 individual promoters of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF which sanctions outdoor motocross events throughout the United States, and remains the Nation's premier outdoor motocross championship series. NPG's mission is to raise awareness of motocross racing through the production of professional championship racing events nationwide.

About AMA Pro 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.