- AMSOIL Arenacross is the world's premier indoor dirt bike racing series sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association. It's motocross amped up – more intense with highly technical tracks.
- The 2018 season consists of 12 rounds of competition, featuring one night of pro racing followed by amateur racing on Sunday. The tour – which kicks off in Dayton – will travel across 11 different states as riders compete for the coveted Ricky Carmichael Cup which will be awarded in May in Las Vegas.
- Racing consists of two classes of competition – 250AX and the AX Lites. The 250AX Class is considered the "premier" division with the most elite riders. This division competes in all 12 rounds of the season and is the only one that competes for the Ricky Carmichael Cup.
- The AX Lites Class is divided into East and West regions with seven rounds of competition in the east and six in the west. Two separate regional champions are crowned.
- Every AMSOIL Arenacross track is a specially built, custom-designed layout, unique to that arena. The 48-hour set-up process utilizes 3,000 tons of dirt – about 150 truckloads.
- The start is the real thrill in the Arenacross main event as 16 riders pack the starting gate in two rows of eight. When the starting gate drops, the field launches onto the track and races toward the first turn. The rider who exits the first turn in the lead earns what is termed the 'holeshot," meaning he has put himself in the best possible position to win.
- The track consists of several specific elements. "Whoops" are a series of small, rolling jumps that riders skip across. The "Rhythm Section" is a sequence of jumps that riders must navigate. Tracks feature a mix of flat and banked bowl turns in the "Corners." And the "Catapult" is the Arenacross signature jump where riders launch upwards of 30 feet in the air.
- The Track Party is a raucous pre-race gathering for the fans. Riders sign autographs and fans can run around the track, climb into a bulldozer and pose with the Ricky Carmichael Cup. Gates open at the Nutter Center for the Track Party at 5 p.m. for those with Track Party and event tickets.
- Arenacross names to know are Gavin Faith, the defending 2017 AMSOIL Arenacross champion, and Jace Owen, the 2017 runner-up. Jacob Hayes and Chris Blose are also contenders for this year's title from a field of athletes that trains year-round to battle for the crown.
- Check it out for yourself as racing gets underway at the Nutter Center at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $15 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Nutter Center box office.
WANT TO GO?
What: AMSOIL Arenacross
When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, 7 p.m.
Where: Wright State University Nutter Center
Cost: Tickets start at $15 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Nutter Center box office.
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