OK, here's the details.....

Hello everyone,

I hope this email finds you well. We here at ABA have been working hard towards our upcoming 2006 ABA BMX National Series. We have big plans for next year, and this is just the first of the exciting news we have planned for the 2006 season. We hope this press release shows ABA’s commitment to Pro Racing and the sport of BMX.


Press Release:
ABA Debuts New Pro Program for 2006

The American Bicycle Association, with collaboration from many of the top professional athletes and manufacturers, is proud to announce an exciting new pro program for 2006 which features increased payouts per event and expanded year-end awards. The new pro series will feature a reduced fourteen race weekend series for the AA Pro, Girl Pro, Pro Cruiser and Veteran Pro classes to determine the #1 Pro in each division.

Also new for 2006, the ABA Race of Champions held on Friday, the day before the Grand Nationals, will be included in the pro points chase. During the day, pros will transfer from the motos to compete in the qualifying rounds and main events, which take place at the ticketed Friday night Pro Spectacular/NAG 5 Challenge. The Race of Champions has never before been available for pro points in any of the above classes, and this change will add an exciting new aspect to the Pro Series.

The A Pro structure will not change as ABA will still offer an A Pro class at all ABA National Events. ABA is also bringing back the Pro Open class, which will be available at all ABA National events offering a 100% payback pro purse.

With the reduced number of ABA Pro events, ABA will also reduce the number of required scores for the AA Pro title. The AA Pro rider’s top ten scores plus the Grand Nationals, which count as double, will be calculated in determining the overall Pro rankings. Girl Pro, Pro Cruiser and Vet Pro requirements will also be increased to match those of AA Pro in determining their respective standings.

The pro purses will be determined by the number of athletes who participate in each of the classes at the fourteen events. The pro purse structure awards will be as follows:


Summary

AA Pro

Top ten scores earned from Pro events, Race of Champions plus the Grand Nationals, which will count double. The purse will be determined as follows:

Riders Purse
36 and Over $7,000
35 to 31 $6,000
30 to 26 $5,500
25 to 21 $5,000
20 to 17 $4,500
16 to 11 $4,000
10 or Less $3,500

Girl Pro

Top ten scores earned from Pro events, Race of Champions plus the Grand Nationals, which will count double. The purse will be determined as follows:

Riders Purse
26 and Over $2,000
25 to 17 $1,500
16 or Less $1,000

Pro Cruiser

Top ten scores earned from Pro events, Race of Champions plus the Grand Nationals, which will count double. The purse will be determined as follows:

Riders Purse
31 and Over $2,500
30 to 26 $2,000
25 to 17 $1,500
16 or Less $1,000


Vet Pro

Top ten scores earned from Pro events, Race of Champions plus the Grand Nationals, which will count double. The purse for each event will be determined as follows:

Riders Purse
26 and Over $2,000
25 to 9 $1,500
8 or Less $1,000
Never less than 100% payback

A Pro

A Pro will be offered at all ABA National events. The purse for each event will be determined as follows:

Riders Purse
26 and Over $2,000
25 to 17 $1,500
16 or Less $1,000
Never less than 100% payback

Pro Open
Pro Open will be offered at all ABA National events. The purse will be 100% payback.

For questions regarding this new program please contact Shannon Gillette

E-mail: shannon@ababmx.com or by phone at (480) 961-1903.


The American Bicycle Association is the World’s largest BMX sanctioning body. The American Bicycle Association sanctions 284 local BMX Race facilities, publishes the BMXer magazine, will sanction over 11,000 events in 2005 and promotes a 27 race National series. Sponsors include Hyundai, Yamaha Waverunner, Game Stop, Industrial Ride Shop, Fly, O'GIO, GT, Schwinn, Mongoose, Redline, Intense BMX, and Sponsorhouse.com.