May 16-17-18, 2008
McAlester, Oklahoma
Fast Bikes and Fabulous Food during the 38th Annual The Italian Festival weekend!
Motorcycle and Quads provide Motorsports entertainment during the Inaugural AMP Power-Fest
Indoor Motorcycle Racing returns to McAlester May 16-17, 2008
What is that sound coming from the eastside of McAlester? It is the sound of 100 plus Motorcycles and ATV Quads preparing for the AMP Power-Fest Races. Racing is scheduled for Friday and Saturday May 16-17 at the Lightning C Indoor Arena. The Arena is located 8 miles east of Hwy-69 on State Hwy 270. Motorcycles and ATVs have raced inside the Lightning C Arena several times since the building opened. Arenacross, and Short Track racing have both drawn large crowds to the races.
A new form of racing takes center-stage on Friday May 16 as the first ever Moto-TT race rolls into the Lightning C Arena. The AMP race production team describes the Moto-TT as Motocross meets Dirt Track.
AMP High-Point Champ Cody Yelton from Jones, Oklahoma competes in one of several youth AMP classes offered. Yelton's dad says, "We have struggled this past season the loss of our two racing ATVs made competing during the points series difficult. We lost our two specially built racing quads to thieves early in the fall. I had to rely on two production quads to keep my two boys in the point chase. We purchased the parts for two racing quads to replace those stolen. It took me a few races to finalize the set-ups and win the AMP High-Point Championship."
This is a family involvement sport, said John Williams the starter for the event. The riders are athletes who work out and train for top performance. Power-Sports racing such as Motocross and Short Track require extensive upper body strength and high cardiovascular stamina.
Open Pro-Single racers riding specially prepared 450cc singles will be racing Saturday night. AMP High-Point Champ for 2008 #59g Justin Thurman from Alma, Arkansas comes into the event with a trail of wins during the past Winter Indoor Season. Thurman turned heads in Dayton, Florida this past March during Bike Week by placing high in several AMA Sanctioned races held there. Thurman defeated two-time AMP High-Point title holder #81g Bret Sowders, Bethany, Oklahoma to pick up the "New Sheriff In Town" award.
The track is a full-blown TT course with right and left-hand turns and a ski-type jump. Motocross bikes and riders will take a different line to the traditional Dirt Track style of machines and riders on the tight course, said starter John Williams in an interview Saturday. The motorcycles and ATVs will be allowed to use Knobby Tires and front brakes for Friday night's Moto-TT. Use of knobby tires and a front brake is in sharp contrast to the Short Track race, which require a special racing tire. That race will be held Saturday night. Riders competing on motorcycles over 110cc in the Short Track race must use Class C Dirt Track tires specifically made for the oval closed courses. Motorcycles are also not allowed to have an operational front brake, relying only on the rear and engine for breaking.
Over 400 racers from five states have competed in the AMP Outlaw Winter Nationals races held earlier this winter in Oklahoma. The tour heads south to McAlester for a two-night stop at the Lightning 'C' Arena located near Bache, Oklahoma on Highway 270. The races run rain or shine inside the comfort of the two-wall covered arena. First Green Flags fly at 7pm both nights.
The 38th Annual Italian Festival held at the McAlester Fairgrounds, 12 miles west of the Lightning 'C' Arena on Hwy 270, runs from 10am till 5pm Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18. Visitors can take in the Moto-TT races action Friday night, stay over in McAlester at one of several motels in the area. There are vendors, a Car & Bike Show during the Italian Festival at the Fairgrounds. Visitors will have time on Saturday to enjoy shopping the vendors booths at the Italian Festival before driving 12 miles west to the AMP Power-Fest to enjoy another action packed night of Short Track racing.
Advance discount tickets are available by phone at 918-902-5786. Tickets will be available the night of the shows, gates open at 4pm for contestants and at 6pm for spectators. Adults $15 Kids 5-15 yrs-old $5 under 5 free. Advance adult tickets save $5 off. Adult Discount coupons at McAlester area Oreilly, Autozone, and Advance Auto stores and Powersports dealers. All Access Pit Pass $20 all ages, available the night of the show only.
Online at:
http://www.ampown.com http://www.italianfestival.org
