Ricky Carmichael To Race At 2012 Loretta Lynn Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship
Imagine if you could see Muhammad Ali back in the boxing ring again. Imagine if you could see Dale Earnhardt turn a few more laps at Talladega Speedway. Imagine if you could see Bob Hannah ripping one last time at Unadilla. Well, every now and then in history, a few rare windows of opportunity open up and bless us with a chance to see the greatest champions perform one last time. In 2012, one of those rare windows is about to open. Ricky Carmichael, ‘The Greatest Of All Time’ motocross racer, will be racing towards a checkered flag as the fastest amateur motocross racers in the world give chase. And the occasion happens to be at one of the most historic motocross events on the planet. The legendary #4 Suzuki rider will be competing in the 25+ class at the 2012 Loretta Lynn Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. To say we are excited would be an understatement. Carmichael is a true legend in every sense. Ricky Carmichael is to motocross as Michael Jordan is to basketball. Carmichael gives to the sport more than the sport will ever give back to him. Now retired, Ricky Carmichael’s life still revolves around the amazing sport of motocross…from hosting his school, ‘RC University’, to providing television commentary, to assisting in every other angle of the sport. We got to hang next to Ricky at the final Loretta Lynn regional qualifier, Millcreek, ensuring RC a spot on the starting gate at ‘The Ranch’ this August. ChronicMX will be there at Lorettas reporting results and posting photos all week long. Check out the above video, created in conjunction with RC’s longtime sponsor Fox Racing, of that day at Millcreek. Check out some great photos we captured of him tearing laps on that same day too … all posted in our Facebook album titled MillCreek: http://www.facebook.com/ChronicMotoX . If you like motocross, there really is no better place to be, than at ‘The Ranch’ on the first week of August 2012. Besides seeing the fastest amateurs in the world, tomorrow’s future stars, battle it out for a podium finish … you’ll also be one of the lucky few to catch ‘The Goat’ racing motocross again. Cheers, Chronic MX.
Dan
Is it just me or does this seem a little unfair. RC actually came through the amateur ranks at Loretta’s to become a pro. By using up a slot he is preventing a real amatuer from riding at Loretta’s this year. Granted, it would be the last guy in, but it still represents a lot of sacrifice and dedication to “just” get in these days.
Chronic MX
I think your statement is very fair and understandable. Certainly a lot of different opinions about it…and your comment is fair. Note that he is in the 25+ class…with guys 10 years younger…so not sure if that makes a difference to your point, but at least he’s not in the +35 class!
For the sport as a whole, it certainly helps that he is racing b/c it attracts much needed revenue, press and exposure to overall mx,…in a time when the sport is experiencing major cut backs, and the 450 pros are almost all on the sidelines… causing lower ticket sales and viewers. So definitely positives and negatives to RC out there…they key is which out weighs the other. That last spot may not exist if it wasnt for what RC brings to the industry.
Dan
No doubt it is great that RC will be there AND racing. If I made it into the same class, I would welcome all that he brings. But maybe somehow create a “pro/celebrity” entry. Just not bump another amatuer.
Johnny
I do agree that RC attracts the fans, but he should not be allowed to race an amateur event regardless of what class he’s entered. The only class he should be allowed to run is in a Pro class. That just bumped an amateur racer out of the biggest amateur race in the world, that opportunity for him could have been his last chance to prove himself to all the sponsors who will be there. I like RC, but disagree with this decision. My son will be racing for a shot at Loretta Lynns next year and would be disappointed if this is how he didn’t make it there!!!