 Q: So how is the Rockstar Energy Drink US Open coming together?
A: Really well Steve, the supercross team has been hard at work all summer planning the event and adding some exciting new elements and format changes to the Rockstar Energy Drink US Open this year.
The first change was to start the evening program one hour earlier than last year, 7pm instead of 8pm , which will allow the fans to get out one hour earlier and go enjoy Las Vegas .
Secondly, we changed the track diagrams each night; historically we have not done that between nights. Each night the track will have a different track diagram that will run in the opposite direction. This is an exciting enhancement for the fans as well, as it completely changes the strategy with the Toyota Trifecta on the line.
Thirdly, and one of the highlighted features of this years event will be the three part Toyota Trifecta bonus program that will pay additional money to the fastest qualifier for each night's event, a bonus to each night's Progressive Direct Holeshot winner and a bonus for any rider that can complete the Toyota Trifecta challenge by being the fastest qualifier, getting the Progressive Direct Holeshot and winning the main event. Any rider that hits the Toyota Trifecta will earn a $50,000 bonus each night in addition to the regular event purse and any rider that can "Double Down" and hit the Toyota Trifecta both nights will walk away with $250,000 for the weekend.
The "Fast Qualifier" element of the Rockstar Engery Drink US Open will kick off each night's program, with a dozen riders taking to the track in single lap - single rider qualifying runs to determine a "Superpole" fast qualifier. The Superpole winner each night will receive a $10,000 bonus and that rider will then become eligible for that night's full "Trifecta" bonus. The twelve eligible riders for the "Trifecta" Superpole qualifying will include past winners of the US Open, past and current AMA and World Supercross champions and past and current AMA Supercross Lites champions. In addition to the ten pre-seeded supercross champions, the top two riders based on practice times from the day's practice sessions, will also be included in the fast qualifier program.
The second element of the "Trifecta" bonus program will be the Progressive Direct Holeshot for each supercross main event, with each night's Progressive Direct Holeshot winner taking home an additional $5,000, with the third element of the "Trifecta" being based on the winner of each night's main event.
As another benefit of the Toyota Trifecta, one mechanic will be awarded a brand new 2007 Toyota Tundra. Toyota will award the truck to the mechanic of the rider that wins the Toyota Trifecta. In the event that a rider does not win the Toyota Trifecta, the Toyota Tundra will be awarded to the mechanic of the rider that wins the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open championship.
Q: Have you heard reactions from riders on this new money?
A: Yeah, James Stewart said he’s taking home the money, and that I might as well endorse the check over to him right now!
Q: What kind of TV package will it have?
A: The 2006 Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open, from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, will air on CBS Sports for the first time ever Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (EST).
The 90 minute package will capture the two-nights of racing, behind-the-scenes interviews and highlight the new racing format that includes the Toyota Trifecta. CBS Sports, which is home to Amp’d Mobile Supercross, will showcase the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open as the lead into the network’s coverage of the South Eastern Conference college football game of the week.
Q: Hey I would not want to be gated next to Kyle Lewis in a main, would you? I bet he pins it for the chalk line.
A: (laughs) I think Kyle has a very good chance at the Progressive Direct Holeshot but I also know Kyle has also hit just about every Tuff Blox we own.
Q: Are you keeping the Amateur Arenacross World Finals on Sunday October 15.
A: Yes, the Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals in an exciting event, and each year it gains momentum. During the 2005-2006 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series the nation’s top amateurs contend in their respective arenacross regions for a spot to compete in the Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals. Divided into six regions across the U.S., race officials will advance the top three finishing riders in points to Las Vegas. This year a record 306 of the top amateur racers will make their way to the MGM Grand Garden Arena and compete for the coveted Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals championship, making this year’s Toyota Amateur Arenacross World Finals the largest in its history.
Toyota has been instrumental in supporting our sport from the top level professionals to the hard-working amateurs, and we are proud to have them involved in this year’s race,
There is nothing else like it. It’s like the Loretta Lynn’s of Arenacross. It’s a great program.
Q: It is exciting just to talk about….can’t wait for supercross to start.
A: The Rockstar Engery Drink US Open has become one of supercross’ premier weekends and the changes that will be incorporated into this year's program will help to add to the excitement of this great event. With the addition of the revised format, Superpole Fast Qualifier sessions, the Toyota Trifecta program and different track diagrams each night, this year's US Open is set to be the one of the most memorable and potentially one of the most financially rewarding for riders in the history of the event. We are confident the changes that are in store for the spectators at the 2006 US Open will make the trip to Las Vegas even more enjoyable.”
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