provided by OMS Sports
June 29, 2004

ANAHEIM, Calif., (June 29, 2004) – Team AMSOIL/Chaparral/Factory Connection/Honda’s Mike LaRocco will return to action this weekend when the AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship series resumes with Round Five at the popular Red Bud Track ‘n Trail facility in Buchanan, Mich.

With Red Bud being a homecoming race for LaRocco (who hasn’t raced since the Vegas SX), the 250 class rider actually grew up just minutes away in the South Bend, Ind. In fact, Red Bud will mark the 17th year that LaRocco has raced the Outdoor National Series – a career spanning three separate decades.

“ That long, really?,” joked LaRocco. “Seems like just yesterday that Tim Ritchie (Red Bud promoter) called me and said “Hey man, you’ve gotta check out this jump I just built.”

LaRocco is speaking of course of his namesake jump at Red Bud, aka “LaRocco’s Leap.” Without a doubt the biggest, scariest, most intimidating jump on any motocross circuit here or abroad, LaRocco’s Leap – built in 1992 - is one of the many fine memories LaRocco shares with the Ritchie Family – National Promoters Group members and promoters of the Red Bud round.

“ He (LaRocco) was a young boy back then – fearless, just like Bubba (Stewart),” said Tim Ritchie of the massive 125-foot uphill double he built in 1992. “But what a lot of people don’t know is that Mike had a jump at his house (not far from the Red Bud track) that was 40 feet longer than the Leap. So this was nothing to him back then.”

Though LaRocco has never won the national at Red Bud, it’s safe to say that “Iron Mike” will arrive at Red Bud this Saturday as one of the most fit riders on the tour, despite two-month absence from racing. He’ll also no doubt be one of the favorites to podium at the long standing event on the nationals tour.

“ I’m really looking forward to returning to the nationals at Red Bud,” said LaRocco. “The last time I was there was this past fall when I got to watch my son (Ryder) race for the first time. Red Bud will always have very special meaning for me and my family and I’m excited to get back after it this weekend.”

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