AURORA, Ill. (October 20, 2010) – With plans
underway for the inaugural Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World
Championship, race at Dodger Stadium on January 22, Feld Motor Sports℠ presented the media
with a preview of the conversion plans from a baseball field to a supercross
facility.
Feld Motor Sports Senior Director of
Operations Todd Jendro and Director of Supercross Dave Prater provided details
of the historic undertaking of converting one of the most legendary stadiums in
the country into a venue to host the world’s best supercross riders.
“Today marks a historic day not only for
Monster Energy Supercross, but Dodger Stadium as well,” said Jendro. “This
venue has a historic past and will now welcome 150 of the best riders on the
planet. We feel that given the iconic image of Dodger Baseball and Dodger
Stadium that it is the perfect fit to host an event of this caliber.”
Los Angeles Dodgers’
Chief Revenue Officer Michael Young welcomes Monster Energy Supercross to
Dodger Stadium
(Photo Credit:
VitalMX.com)
Never before in the 48-year history of Dodger
Stadium has an event of such a unique nature and logistic complexity been held
at Chavez Ravine. Known for being the home of one of the most prominent Major
League Baseball franchises of all time, 550 truckloads of dirt will sit on the
Dodger Stadium floor for the first time ever, signifying a new era for the
venue.
“We did the initial site visit a year ago,”
added Prater. “When surveying a potential facility, we check out everything to
see if it will work logistically ranging from the press box to the paddock.
Dodger Stadium has one of the most valuable fields in the country and we are
honored to be welcomed with open arms.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, who
won seven AMA Supercross class races last season, was on hand to discuss his
approach to racing in a new venue for the first time. Villopoto is coming off a
season-ending injury suffered at the St. Louis round and will return to action
for the first time during the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season.
The inaugural Monster
Energy Supercross at Dodger Stadium unfolds January 22
Photo Credit:
VitalMX.com
“It’s always a different track no matter the
stadium,” Villopoto said. “It really comes down to the dirt as some is really
soft while others are really hard. If it is anything like the dirt we have at
other rounds in California, it should be good. I’m really looking forward to
the season coming up and I feel like I’m going to be more ready than I’ve ever
been before.”
As a sign of their gratitude for allowing
Monster Energy AMA Supercross to compete at Dodger Stadium, Feld Motor Sports
presented Michael Young, Chief Revenue Officer of the Dodgers and known
supercross fan, with a special customized Thor jersey.
“I’m very excited for this,” said Young. “I’m
excited to expose this venue to millions of supercross fans across the world
that have never had the opportunity to come to Dodger Stadium and hopefully
convert them into baseball fans. This is an amazing sport and the growth of
supercross is staggering, particularly in a time when many sports are
shrinking.”
Dodger Stadium
Assistant Director of Turf and Grounds Eric Hansen discusses the field’s
irrigation system.
Photo Credit:
VitalMX.com
Additionally, Feld Motor Sports introduced
Eric Hansen, Assistant Director of Turf and Grounds at Dodger Stadium, to the
media. Hansen explained the complexity of laying dirt down on the field and
what it means for what many consider to be the top playing surface in the
country.
“I have all the confidence in the world in
the Feld Motor Sports crew,” said Hansen. “All we have to worry about is
replacing the actual grass once the dirt is removed and from what I’ve been
told, (Feld) is the best in the world at what they do so my anxiety level is
extremely low.”
For more information on the Monster Energy®
AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all
media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or
630-566-6305.
About Feld Motor Sports℠
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader
in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld
Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy®
Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz℠, and IHRA®
Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld
Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.
For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.