ISOC Racing’s AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series, the nation’s premier Snocross racing circuit, today announced that Rio Tinto Stadium, one of Utah’s world-class sports and entertainment venues, will host the Western Nationals on Saturday, January 9, 2010. The first-time event is one of nine Nationals on the 2009-2010 schedule and the only one west of the Mississippi.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert said, “Adding Snocross to the growing list of action sports that Utah is hosting, which includes the Summer and Winter Dew Tours, Supercross, Red Bull Air Race and Red Bull Rampage, continues to showcase Utah as one of the premier action sports destinations in the world.
“Utah will receive significant benefit from this new event providing an anticipated $3-4 million in economic impact and national and international media exposure through its televised broadcast on Versus, said Jeff Robbins, president & CEO of the Utah Sports Commission.
The Western National at Rio Tinto Stadium will be the third National of the season. The first two events are the AMSOIL Duluth National in Duluth, MN and the Milwaukee Mile National in Milwaukee, WI. The versatile dimensions of Rio Tinto Stadium, which has hosted major concerts, international and MLS soccer games as well as a monster truck show during its first year of operation, allow it to become the first stadium of its type to host a Snocross race.
“Having another major sporting event showcasing Sandy and providing economic benefit to both our businesses and citizens is a terrific boost to our community in this challenging economy”, said Sandy Mayor, Tom Dolan.
The day-long, open-air event culminates with the Main Event, starting at 7:00 p.m. MT. The Main Event will feature the Pro and Semi-Pro racing, freestyle shows and other finals from the day’s qualifying racing. Tickets, pre-sale details and other event information will be posted online at www.RioTintoStadium.com as it becomes available.
“We have enjoyed great succes with a wide array of unique events already,” said Rio Tinto Stadium President Bill Manning, a member of the Utah Sports Commission’s Executive Committee. “We built Rio Tinto Stadium with the idea of attracting exactly this kind of race and are very excited to host racers and fans from all over the country.”
While the main attraction will be professional snocross racers and freestyle athletes from across the country, regional race participants will be able to experience racing at a National event for the first time. Prior to the 7:00 p.m. MT Main Event on Saturday night, amateur racers from ISOC Racing affiliate circuits MWR and XMR will compete in various classes from beginner racers to highly competitive regional classes.
“For a number of reasons, picking Utah to run an ACSS National at Rio Tinto Stadium is an event our entire industry is excited about,” said ISOC CEO John Daniels. “The combination of the world-class venue, the avid Utah sports market and the opportunity to push our series out West, where there is a huge Snocross following all combine to form the foundation for what we hope to make into an outstanding annual event.”
