MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli Sports announced Monday that Lucas Oil has renewed as the title sponsor of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. With another three-year commitment, Lucas Oil will become the longest-running title sponsor in series history, outlasting former series sponsors such as Toyota, Chevy Trucks and Mazda.
"Their presence here is a testament not only to the series itself but the athletes and their teams that have continued to support and help grow motocross over the past three years, through what have otherwise been trying economic times," said Davey Coombs, president of MX Sports Pro Racing.
Lucas Oil originally came to motocross in 2009. In three short years, the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has generated its largest audiences to date -- onsite, online and on-air. The television broadcasts are produced by Lucas Oil's production arm and in 2012 that TV package will feature more than 58 hours of original race programming to air across NBC and NBC Sports Network, including 10 hours of live action.
The 2012 season of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, begins May 19 at Hangtown in Sacramento, Calif., and ends Sept. 8 in Lake Elsinore, Calif. The addition of Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park event is new for 2012. It replaces the Pala Raceway round, which served as the finale of the series in 2010 and 2011.
Featured in 1971 in Bruce Brown's Academy Award-nominated documentary "On Any Sunday" LEMS was a popular practice and training spot for riders of all levels, including professionals. Two years ago, the park closed its doors.
Redesigned by track builder Marc Peters, the new park features multiple elevation changes, new obstacles, and easy access for the fans. The facility was designed with riders and spectators in mind.
"This is a brand-new facility that was built from the ground up to host such an event, and offers riders one of the best layouts of any track in the country," Coombs said. "We like to close out the summer where the sport of motocross thrives, and we believe we've found the perfect place in Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park."
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