2003-2004 teams announced

Teams Announced for the 2003 - 2004 National Arenacross Series

AURORA, Ill. (October 17, 2003) -- Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division announced the confirmed teams to date for the 20th Anniversary of the National Arenacross Series.

The 2003 - 2004 National Arenacross Series teams will make their debut next weekend at the opening round at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y. The new season may be one of the most competitive ever with several riders switching teams along with several new faces to the series.

Josh Demuth will return backed by his Shogun Motorsports, Motion Cycle Sports, Thor Factory Yahama ride and his teammate, Tommy Hofmaster. Also returning for the season fully healthy is Canadian Darcy Lange aboard his Chevy Truck Team Green Kawasaki along with teammates Shawn Clark and Jeff Northrop, managed by Billy Whitley.

Buddy Antunez, former five-time National Arenacross champion, will be stepping out onto the arenacross track riding a different bike. He'll make his debut in Albany riding a Honda this year along with American Honda,Troy Lee Designs, Pro Core teammates Justin Brayton and Brad Hagseth.

Joining 2003's Regional Arenacross champion, Jim Neese, on the Empire Racing Factory Suzuki team is former supercross rider, John Dowd. Several other riders including Jeff Willoh, Robby McQuary, Brandon Bartz, Ryan Huffman, Chad Johnson and '95-'96 arenacross champion, Jimmy Gaddis, will also be returning to the series making the competition that much tougher.

"The arenacross series and all of my championships have never been easy, "said Antunez. "It's going to be a tough year, but I'm definitely going to be a threat because I'm 100% healthy and I want to get my championship back."

A media day will be held on Friday, November 7 from 11:00 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m. at the Pepsi Arena featuring Josh Demuth, Tommy Hofmaster, Darcy Lange, John Dowd and Buddy Antunez. Media will have the opportunity to interview all of the riders and film them riding an arenacross track for the first time of the season.

There is a lot of anticipation leading up to the 20th Anniversary season of arenacross. A championship, $100,000 points fund and over $1.6 million in contingency prizes is on the mind of all of the riders, including returning two-time champion, Josh Demuth.

Last season, more than 620,000 fans enjoyed the 43 stops along the arenacross series as Yamaha backed Josh Demuth broke the all-time arenacross win record with 33 in 2003 and captured his second National Arenacross championship.

-cce-