Alliance of Action Sports

Image via WikipediaNEW YORK – NBC Sports and MTV, a division of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), announced today the creation of Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports™. Alli is a global business that joins the former Action Sports Tour properties (AST) with Maloof Money Cup, AMA Motocross Championship and King of Wake series to create the most diverse and robust action-sports offering in the world. The new umbrella brand, which will continue to be co-owned by NBC Sports and MTV, will offer a schedule of seven national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia content and production, a digital hub and consumer-facing lifestyle brand.

Building on the successful foundation of AST, Alli will serve as the owner and operator of the Dew Tour and Winter Dew Tour, Free Flow Tour, and the China Invitational. In addition, Alli has formed partnerships with industry leaders and premier properties: Maloof Money Cup, the AMA Motocross Championships, and the King of Wake series. Alli partners will continue to manage their respective events with the added benefit of television programming on NBC Sports and MTV, global media content distribution, sponsorship sales, and marketing and promotion across all platforms. A soon-to-be-launched digital hub will also serve as the online destination for all Alli properties and a leading source of all action sports content and news.

This announcement comes six months after the groundbreaking joint venture between NBC and MTV around the AST and its related businesses. This wide-ranging, strategic partnership expanded the business across NBC and MTV's multiple screens, including action sports competition and youth-focused lifestyle programming, cross-promotion, multi-platform content and distribution, consumer products licensing and an enhanced digital offering. Moving forward under the Alli brand, the partnership will include over 80 hours of original programming offered annually across NBC, USA Network, MTV and MTV2

“Alli’s mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action sports by showcasing both the competition and lifestyle aspect of these sports. We believe these are the sports of a new generation and Alli will bring together the best properties, athletes, and brands globally for the fans of action sports,” says Wade Martin, President of Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports.

“When NBC Sports launched the Dew Tour we knew there would be an opportunity to expand into other action sports. We are excited to bring the best programming across the entire action sports genre on multiple media distribution platforms to our audience,” says Kevin Monaghan, Senior Vice President, Business Development, NBC Sports &
Olympics.

Added Jeff Yapp, Executive Vice President of Program Enterprises for MTV Networks Music & Logo Group, “This is a major step in building the business we imagined when we first partnered with NBC Sports. Building our online platform, creating a lifestyle brand, and expanding original content will positively impact the network of partners, athletes, fans and the action sports industry as a whole, which is everything that the alliance represents”.

An overview of the Alli properties is as follows:

Maloof Money Cup
Held for the first time in 2008, the Maloof Money Cup, owned and operated by the Maloof family, has quickly become the premier skateboarding event within the community and attracts every top athlete. Including three professional competitions – Men’s and Women’s Pro Street, and Men’s Pro Vert – and the Amateur Championships, it boasts the largest single event purse in skateboarding with over $450,000 in prize money.

AMA Motocross Championship
AMA Motocross Championship is the top outdoor series in motocross and draws elite rider talent from all around the world. The MX Sports-organized series, which began in 1972, spans 12 races across the U.S., and at the end of each year, the AMA National Motocross Championship titles are awarded based on the riders’ performances over
the entire series.

King of Wake
As the elite pro wakeboarding circuit, the King of Wake series has attracted the sport’s top riders from throughout the globe. With more than $300,000 in prize money over the eight-event season, riders compete over the course of the year to be named the “King of Wake” – an award based on points accumulated at each stop of the series. Events include Wake Games, Pro Wakeboard Tour (5 events), WWA National Championships, and WWA World Championships. The King of Wake is organized by World Sports & Marketing – the leading wake event producers since 1988.

Dew Tour
The Dew Tour, the premier season-long series in action sports, consists of five major, multi-sport events, featuring skateboarding (park and vert), BMX (park, vert, and dirt), and FMX. Dew Tour is the most watched and attended action sports property in the world with over 250k spectators, 41 million total viewers and reaches over 100 countries worldwide. The events extend across the country, have a cumulative points system, and a $3.5 million competitive purse. The Dew Tour has been the cornerstone property of AST over the last four years, and its success has now enabled the formation of Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports. It crowns year-end champions including past Dew Cup winners Ryan Sheckler, Shaun White, Bucky Lasek, Jamie Bestwick, and Nate Adams.

Winter Dew Tour
The Winter Dew Tour is launching in December of ’08, and will expand Alli’s footprint into the winter action sports. It consists of three major, multi-sport events spanning across the country, with a cumulative points system, and a $1.5 million competitive purse. The tour will feature 29 hours of original television programming. Each event features men and women’s snowboard (superpipe and slopestyle), and men’s freeskiing (superpipe and slopestyle). Top athletes, Shaun White, Hannah Teter, Travis Rice, Simon Dumont, and Danny Kass, are already planning to compete.

Free Flow Tour
The Free Flow Tour, the Dew Tour’s official amateur series, provides amateur athletes the opportunity to earn a chance to compete against the pros in the Dew Tour. The Free Flow Tour consists of 50 events across 26 cities in the U.S.,
featuring skateboarding and BMX. The winners of the Free Flow Tour Finals compete against the pros at the Dew Tour's PlayStation Pro in Orlando, Fla. Past Free Flow Tour winners include Chaz Ortiz (2007 Dew Cup Winner, Skate Park) and Mike Spinner (2008 Dew Tour Second Place, BMX Park).

China Invitational
The China Invitational is Alli’s first international expansion initiative. The inaugural China Invitational was held in April 2008 in Beijing, China and featured the top skateboarders competing in vert and park disciplines before a capacity crowd.

Southwick National.... NJ report

The nationally renowned MX338 racetrack in Southwick Massachussets hosted the second to last round of the AMA National Motocross Series presented by FMF this past weekend. 5 New Jersey based riders signed up and attempted to qualify for the 40 man gate in each class.

For more visit: Southwick National NJ Report

Southwick Motocross Images

Check out the galleries from the AMA National Motocross Championship Series presented by FMF. There are 2 full galleries of racing images from Saturday’s practice and Sunday’s racing action.

Saturday images are HERE

Sunday images are HERE

Southwick National This Weekend.

Check out the press release below for more information on this weekends National in the sands of Massachusetts. Southwick is less than 3 hours away from many NJ locations so why not check it out.

August 19, 2008
AMA Toyota MX Heads to New England for Kicker Audio Southwick National
- press release -

SOUTHWICK, Mass. (August 19, 2008) – Motocross 338, New England’s pro motocross facility, welcomes the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF for the penultimate round of the 2008 season with the Kicker Audio Southwick Motocross National. On August 23-24, the world’s best riders will tackle the “Sandbox” for round 11 of the 12-race championship.

Moving from its traditional mid-season date, the circuit’s only sand track will present new challenges for the competitors with weather conditions expected to be at their warmest ever. Since hosting its first AMA Pro National in 1976, Motocross 338 has seen many of the sports greatest riders grace the winners circle. However, no rider has been more dominant at Southwick than Ricky Carmichael, whose nine overall victories are five more than any other rider. For the first time since 1999, a new face will sit atop the podium.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto have been the men to beat in the AMA Motocross and AMA Motocross Lites classes and both riders clinched their respective championships last weekend in Millville, Minn. For Stewart, it was his first career AMA Motocross title while Villopoto claimed AMA Motocross Lites crown number three. Heading into Southwick, Stewart is just four moto wins away from being the second rider in history to complete a perfect season while Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey guns for his third consecutive victory in AMA Motocross Lites.

Track manager Ralph Pittello has made significant strides to make the 2008 event at Southwick available to more fans, expanding the track’s VIP area as well as adding a large, yet limited number of bleacher seating free for those in attendance.

In addition to the excitement of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, the AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship Presented by Kawasaki competes in round five of its six-race season. Points leader Ashley Fiolek will lead the way while Massachusetts local Katlyn Crowley will have the hometown crowd on her side.

Mini Bike Nationals are scheduled to hit the track on Saturday, while the band Ten Man Push sets the tone on Sunday morning with a live show at 11:30 a.m. For fans watching at home, SPEED will present the final of three same-day coverage telecast of the season at 6 p.m. ET on August 24.

Ticket Information

Saturday-Sunday
Adult $40
6 and under FREE

Sunday Only
Adult $30
6 and under FREE

Interview opportunities are available to the media by contacting AMA Toyota Motocross Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email at Media@MXNationals.com or by phone at 951-203-2605.

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!. Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.

Credential requests for each round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF must be submitted via email to Media@MXNationals.com three weeks prior to the race. Media members interested in interviews with the riders of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF should contact Brandon at 951-203-2605 or email Media@MXNationals.com.

Check your Pulse...the Loretta Lynn's edition

The Pulse

Follow your favorite rider at Loretta Lynns

Want to follow your favorite NJ racer this week at Loretta Lynns?
Click the lriders name for the Amsoil Loretta Lynn's Championship results:

Grant Desiderio

Bryton Carroll

Brandon Hartranft

Jacob Hartranft

Luke Renzland

Kody Renzland

Frank Lettieri

Charles Sherby

Chris Duymich

Nick Myers

Tyler Wozney

Dakota Kessler

Anthony Roth

Brian Mulcahy

Darren Edsall

NJ Unadilla Report

NJ Unadilla Report

National Motocross comes to Unadilla

AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Makes Lone Trip to New York

AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Makes Lone Trip to New York

For Monster Energy National at Unadilla on July 19-20

NEW BERLIN, N.Y. (July 15, 2008) The first-ever AMA-sanctioned motocross event at Unadilla Valley Sports Center was held in 1972 and every year since the natural terrain circuit has been a fixture of American motocross. This season, the Monster Energy National at Unadilla Presented by Renegade Haulers will host round eight of the 12-race AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF on July 19-20.


For 2008, track promoter Ward Robinson is introducing three new sections to the circuit, while also resurfacing the layout. However, the old-school elements of Gravity Cavity, the Wall and Skyshot, all appropriately named sections of the track that are loved so dearly by riders and fans alike, return to provide high-flying action. Additionally, 13,000-cubic yards of sand has been brought in to challenge the riders. That’s enough sand to fill a football stadium three feet deep.


Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart continues his push towards a perfect season. The series points leader missed out on the action in New York last season due to injury but is eager to return and solidify his spot in second on the all-time win list at the circuit.


In AMA Motocross Lites, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto holds a healthy points lead as he makes his run at a third-consecutive title. An overall winner at Unadilla his rookie year, he had a rough outing in 2007 and hopes to return to the top step of the podium.


As the dust settles after the pros finish with practice on Saturday evening, New York’s very own Ten Man Push will bring Unadilla Valley Sports Center to life with the first of two concerts supporting the event. Playing tracks from their album “Kingdom of Fools” along with covers of some of the most popular mainstream hits, this fast rising foursome will set the tone for an energized evening with a 7 p.m. show. On Sunday, the band will bring the excitement to a boil with an 11:30 a.m. performance leading into the opening ceremonies.


Monster Energy steps up in 2008 as the event’s title sponsor while Renegade Haulers makes its return for the third year in a row as the presenting sponsor.


On track action can also be seen in the form of amateur racing on Friday and Saturday. One of the largest programs for a AMA Toyota Motocross Championship weekend, over 1,000 riders are from the United States and Canada are expected to compete.

Additionally, the inaugural Road to Recovery Golf Tournament on Friday, July 18 brings in local support and interest to the sport of motocross. Registration and lunch for the tournament are at 11:30 a.m. ET with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. ET. All the festivities take place at the Shenandoah Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Television coverage of the Monster Energy National at Unadilla Presented by Renegade Haulers can be seen on SPEED, with an AMA Motocross class one-hour broadcast on July 26, at 10 p.m. ET and an AMA Motocross Lites one-hour show on July 29, at 2 p.m. ET.

Ticket Information

Friday-Sunday

Adult $65




Children (6-12) $25




Saturday-Sunday




Adult $40




Children (6-12) $15




Sunday Only




Adult $30




Children (6-12) $15

Carl Stone Photo Report from Red Bud

NJ photographer Carl Stone has this photo gallery from this past weekends race at Red Bud over at Motonews. Check them out in the links below.

Motocross Class
MX Lites
Pit Photos...including Monster Girls

J-Law Suspension

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE AMA:
AMA Racing Suspends Motocross Rider Jason Lawrence
Posted: Jul 9, 2008


PICKERINGTON, Ohio--The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) announced today that it has suspended professional motocross rider Jason Lawrence for unacceptable behavior detrimental to the sport. According to AMA officials, Lawrence was arrested for disorderly conduct at Red Bud Track & Trail on July 4 while in Buchanan, Michigan, for round six of the AMA Toyota Motocross Series Presented by FMF. The incident follows a penalty and suspended fine issued in June for conduct detrimental to the sport at the Freestone County Raceway during round three of the series in Wortham, Texas.

"Mr. Lawrence is suspended indefinitely," said AMA Director of Motocross/Supercross/ATV Ryan Holliday. "In addition, the $25,000 fine that was issued after the June incident and suspended contingent upon the successful completion of a one-year probation will now be imposed." Holliday added that the AMA would not reconsider Lawrence's status until the conclusion of the 2008 season.

Lawrence was notified of the suspension at the race on July 5.

Same Day TV Coverage of the Nationals

June 25, 2008


Same Day Television Coverage and Schedule Changes at Lakewood
- press release -




LAKEWOOD, Colo. (June 25, 2008) – With the historic occasion of the first-ever AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF night race, the Toyota Trucks AMA National at Thunder Valley Presented by Division 7 Insulation will include same day national television coverage on SPEED.

For the first time in 2008, the SPEED will feature same day coverage of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF. Ralph Sheheen and Jeff Emig will bring the telecast to millions all over the country with a late-night showcase of the premier AMA Motocross class at 11:30 p.m. ET. The Thunder Valley coverage marks the first of three same-day broadcasts that SPEED will feature this season, which also includes Budds Creek and Southwick.

With the premiere of two of the most revolutionary moments for the sport, the 2008 Toyota Trucks AMA National will undoubtedly be an event to remember.

SPEED Air Dates

AMA Motocross Class - Same Day Coverage

Event Premiere Time

Thunder Valley Sat. 6/28/08 11:30 PM/ET

Budds Creek Sun. 7/13/08 10:00 PM/ET

Motocross 338 Sun. 8/24/08 6:00 PM/ET

Glen Helen Photos by Carl Stone

NJ Photographer Carl Stone is a well known contributor to many different publications and websites in the motocross field. Check out his Glen Helen National photo slide show from www.mxnationals.com SLIDE SHOW HERE

AMA Nationals on SpeedTV

Times subject to change. Check your local listings.
AMA Motocross Class Airings

Event Premiere Time

Glen Helen Sat. 5/31/08 9:00 PM/ET

Hangtown Sun. 6/8/08 6:00 PM/ET

Freestone Sun. 6/15/08 6:00 PM/ET

High Point Sat. 6/21/08 10:00 PM/ET

Thunder Valley* Sat. 6/28/08 11:30 PM/ET

RedBud Sat. 7/12/08 10:00 PM/ET

Budds Creek* Sun. 7/13/08 10:00 PM/ET

Unadilla Sat. 7/26/08 10:00 PM/ET

Washougal Sat. 8/2/08 10:00 PM/ET

Spring Creek Sat. 8/23/08 10:00 PM/ET

Motocross 338* Sun. 8/24/08 6:00 PM/ET

Steel City Sat. 9/6/08 10:00 PM/ET

* same day coverage

In addition, SPEED will air 12 one-hour broadcasts of the exciting AMA Motocross Lites class. Viewers can catch the Lites telecasts in the week following the Motocross Class premiere.

AMA Motocross Lites Airings

Event Premiere Time

Glen Helen Tues. 6/3/08 2:00 PM/ET

Hangtown Sun. 6/15/08 5:00 PM/ET

Freestone Tues. 6/17/08 2:00 PM/ET

High Point Sun. 6/29/08 2:00 PM/ET

Thunder Valley Tues. 7/8/08 1:00 PM/ET

RedBud Tues. 7/15/08 2:00 PM/ET

Budds Creek Thur. 7/24/08 2:00 PM/ET

Unadilla Tues. 7/29/08 2:00 PM/ET

Washougal Wed. 8/6/08 2:00 PM/ET

Spring Creek Tues. 8/26/08 2:00 PM/ET

Motocross 338 Tues. 9/2/08 2:00 PM/ET

Steel City Tues. 9/9/08 2:00 PM/ET

Lawrence 3rd overall at Glen Helen

Yamaha of Troy backed, New Jersey native(Estell Manor)Jason Lawrence used 1-5 moto scores to take home 3rd overall in the opening round of the AMA National Motocross Series at the Glen Helen race track in San Bernadino California. Jason sits tied for second in points with Ryan Villopoto as they go to round 2 at Hangtown California this weekend.