World’s top motocross riders headed for MGM

Friday, Oct. 13, 2000 | 11:48 a.m.

The top motocross riders on the planet will be in Las Vegas this weekend for the third installment of the world's richest motorcycle race, the THQ U.S. Open.

A field of 26 riders will be competing for a grand prize of $100,000 from the $300,000 purse in the two-day event, which runs Saturday and Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Ricky Carmichael, Damon Huffman, Sebastien Tortelli and Kevin Windham will headline the invitation-only event, which features the top 16 250cc Supercross riders in the country, the top three riders from the Arenacross series and the top three riders from both the 125cc West and East regional Supercross series.

Fourteen starting positions in the Saturday's and Sunday's main events will be determined through qualifying heats, semifinal races and a last-chance qualifier each day.

The qualifying format will be in place both days and overall points from Saturday and Sunday's main events will be used to determine the winner.

Racing begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Jeff Emig dominated last year's THQ U.S. Open and captured the $100,000 first prize while Huffman posted two second-place finishes in the main events in 1998 and finished first overall.

The event also will include the White Brothers Four-Stroke Championship, an 80cc invitational and a freestyle exhibition by Las Vegan Carey Hart.

Hart, who recently became the first freestyle rider to successfully complete a back flip, is expected to attempt the feat this weekend.

The 80cc Open, which will follow the same two-day format as the U.S. open to determine an overall champion, features the top 14 finishers from the prestigious Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals.

Tickets, priced at $50 and $100, are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and through Ticketmaster at 474-4000.