Published: July 07, 2009 11:58 pm      

Key ATV race back at Pleasure Valley

America’s largest all-terrain vehicle (ATV) series will return to Pleasure Valley Raceway in Armagh on July 18-19.

It is the second time that nationally recognized Pleasure Valley will host the event which will mark Round 9 for the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) ATV Motocross Championship and Round 8 of the amateur portion of the national program.

The Suzuki Summer National will feature the top professional riders in the country competing on a closed-course motocross track featuring jumps, bumps and corners. Riders will race on custom-built 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Pleasure Valley is considered a technically challenging track that takes advantage of its western Pennsylvania terrain. The rolling hills form massive jumps and high-speed corners, and also provide a great view for spectators.

Pro riders, who will be battling for a large purse and contingency bonuses as well as competing for the national title, will practice on Saturday and race on Sunday.

Chad Wienen of Galena, Ill., is the current series points leader. Despite struggling with an injury, defending series' champion Dustin Wimmer of Lehigh County is right behind.

After two rough races at the Steel City ATV stampede in Pennsylvania and Unadilla in New York, Wimmer returned to top form at Muddy Creek Raceway in Tennessee, taking 1-1 moto scores and grabbing enough points to close to within five behind Wienen, who came in third at Muddy Creek.

Joe Byrd of Union City, Tenn., is third in the point standings with defending Pleasure Valley race winner Doug Gust of Salem, Wis., fourth, and Josh Upperman of Louisville, Ohio, fifth.

Houtzdale’s Joe Natalie, the 2007 series champ, is currently seventh in the points race.

The pro class will race in two 20-minute races on Sunday, with the best-combined scores of both races determining the overall winner.

The weekend also includes a full slate of amateur racing, with classes for riders as young as 4 r-yearsold, as well as veteran divisions for riders over 50.

Practice, qualifying and racing will take place on Saturday, with final amateur and pro moto taking place on Sunday.

Last year’s event drew over 500 riders.