Arenacross Riders Kick Off the New Year at the DCU Center

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Adam Joseph Drici, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

A total of 170 truckloads of dirt will convert the DCU Center into a high-flying, close-quarters indoor motorcycle race as AMSOIL Arenacross revs up its 2013 season in Worcester this weekend.

Sometimes affectionately referred to as "Supercross in a blender," Arenacross riders maneuver their dirt bikes and jockey for position on a man-made course full of whoops, rhythm sections, berms and catapult jumps all packed onto the DCU's floor.

"It makes for a lot of excitement," said Media Relations Manager Brandon Short. "Everybody's very close together, everyobody's flying through the air, guys are banging into each other. It's just bound to be action-packed."

A lap time on an AMSOIL Arenacross track can be between 28-38 seconds. A track is typically 1,000-feet in length, meaning riders will cover approximately 30 feet per second on a layout filled with tight turns and challenging obstacles.

With 16 riders tearing up the course at a time, Arenacross is a sport that favors skill, and a little bit of luck, over speed. And while some design elements are present in almsot every track, each one is different, and the competitors will only ride the DCU track for the first time after crews sculpt it on Wednesday, tacking on an additional variable to the high-speed contest.

"Every track is unique at every venue," said Short. "Because it's such an intimate configuration anybody can literally win at any time."

Central Mass residents will be treated to two nights of action this weekend, with professional action for the Worcester stop of AMSOIL Arenacross kicking off on Friday, followed by a second night of competition on Saturday. The always-exciting Amateur Day closes out the weekend on Sunday, January 6, as hundreds of local riders of all ages, skill levels, and genders take their chance to compete on a world-class track.

The events, kicking off the first round of AMSOIL Arenacross' 2013 season, mark the tour's first visit to Worcester since 2004, and Short said this year's new format will not disappoint.

Friday and Saturday races will each contain their own main event, whereas in previous years there would only be one for both nights. Riders will take qualifying practice runs throughout the afternoon before suiting up for heat races based on their times in the evening. Those heats will filter down through elimination rounds to each night's main event, which will pay points toward AMSOIL's championship.

"It's another element of adding more excitement to our championship," said Short.

For all the amateur riders getting revved up from watching the pros on Friday and Saturday, Sunday will offer them a chance to take the DCU course for a spin on their own bike.

"It's an open canvas for essentially anybody that enjoys racing," Short said.

Classes for all ages and skill levels will be offered, though riders must have their own bike and register in advance to participate.

The flag drops on Friday's racing at 6:30p.m. with doors opening at 5:30p.m. Saturday's race will have the same start time, but it will be preceded by a Monster Energy Track Party from 4:30-5:30p.m. Sunday's amateur racing beings at noon, with doors at 8:00a.m. Tickets for adults are $15 to $20 and $10 for kids age 2 to 12. All tickets will be $2 more day of show, so plan ahead.

Tickets are available at the DCU Center Box Office, online at Ticketmaster, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

"This is going to be a new event for a lot of people to see," Short said of the memorable and family-oriented weekend in store for Central Mass.

"It's a good time no matter how old you are."