Reigning Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open Champion Carmichael Lines Up to Defend Title in 2006

AURORA, Ill. (August 31, 2006) – Team Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael announced today that he will defend his 2005 title at the eighth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 13-15.

For the first time in history Carmichael, who has won an unprecedented 15 AMA National  championships, and James Stewart, who is the reigning Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP champion, will race against one another inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Carmichael, of Tallahassee, Fla., has won three U.S. Open titles – more than any other rider in history – and is this year’s defending champion. In last year’s showdown Carmichael won both nights of racing, besting 2003 and 2004 champion Chad Reed.

“The U.S. Open is a special race for me,” said Carmichael. “Last year when I won the U.S. Open, it capped off my best season ever as I won the World Supercross GP, AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross championships. There will be an exciting new format this year that offers all of us a chance to win a lot of Live Nation’s money.”

At 26, Carmichael has established himself as the world’s greatest motocross racer with 15 AMA National championships. The Factory Suzuki rider won his fifth Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross championship in May and clinched his 10th AMA Motocross championship this summer.

2005 U.S. Open Final Standings

1. Ricky Carmichael
2. Michael Byrne
3. Kevin Windham

Past Champions
2005: Ricky Carmichael
2004: Chad Reed
2003: Chad Reed
2002: Mike LaRocco
2001: Ricky Carmichael
2000: Ricky Carmichael
1999: Jeff Emig
1998: Damon Huffman

Built into this year's Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open format 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. 

Tickets are now available for the ninth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 13-15, 2006 at www.ussx.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 702-474-4000 or the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Regarded as one of off-road motorcycling’s premier races, the Rock Star Energy Drink U.S. Open is the final ‘major’ race of the motocross season. Tickets are available for as low as $20 through Ticketmaster.com. Fans can upgrade their weekend experience with the X-Treme Package. X-Treme Packages include premium tickets for all 3 days, Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open t-shirt, hat, and weekend long pit pass. X-Treme Packages are only available through www.ussx.com.

About The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

The ninth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is an invite-only indoor off-road motocross race inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 13-15, 2006. Reigning champion Ricky Carmichael stages his defense of the title against the world’s top motocross racers competing for the world’s largest single race purse. Invited riders include 14-time AMA National champion Ricky Carmichael, two-time U.S. Open champion Chad Reed (Yamaha), two-time 125cc regional supercross champion and World Supercross GP Champion James Stewart (Kawasaki), former 125 Western Regional AMA Supercross Series champion Kevin Windham (Honda) and more to be announced after the upcoming Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. Live Nation is a leading live event and venue management company focused on creating superior experiences for artists, performers, corporations and fans. Live Nation owns, operates and/or has booking rights for 153 venues worldwide and produced more than 29,500 events in 2005. Live Nation operates more than 60 websites globally. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.” For more information regarding Live Nation and its businesses, please visit the company’s website at www.livenation.com.

About AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship presented by Parts Unlimited. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.