Monster Energy Supercross Military Appreciation Race Returns at First Ever Visit to San Diego’s PETCO Park

2014-11-11 18:33
In honor of Veteran’s Day, Feld Motor Sports® has announced the return of the Military Appreciation Race at the first ever Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, visit to San Diego’s PETCO Park on Saturday, February 7. The world’s premier off-road motorcycle racing series will once again pay tribute to the members of the United States Armed Forces in support of Operation Homefront, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides assistance to service members and their families with a focus on wounded veterans who served on or after 9/11.

In recognition of their dedicated honor and services, members of the military can save $10 on tickets at Ticketmaster with the code OPHOME. Military members will also be granted FREE access to the pit party by showing a valid military ID (limit one entry per ID).

Last year’s inaugural Military Appreciation Race received full support throughout the racing industry with riders and bikes adorning special military themes. Over 53,000 fans were on hand to pay their respects to the men and women who serve our country and witnessed defending two-time Champion and Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart cap the night off with his first win of the season.

Following the race, Stewart and many other Monster Energy Supercross athletes auctioned off their race-worn gear, raising over $25,000. Sponsor and team fundraising efforts resulted in a combined total of over $50,000 raised for Operation Homefront.

“It is great to be working again with Feld Motor Sports and Monster Energy Supercross this year,” said Jack Chirrick, executive director of Operation Homefront – California. “Last year, Feld Motor Sports helped raise more than $50,000, which provided much-needed emergency assistance to military families and wounded veterans. We anticipate that the needs of our military community will grow in the upcoming year, and partnerships like these are a vital part of ensuring we are there to assist our military families and wounded veterans when they cannot cover basic necessities like food and rent.”

In addition to the pledge of support from Feld Motor Sports, the Military Appreciation Race will once again host a charity auction following the San Diego race, featuring the gear worn by the riders during competition. Last year Stewart, Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed, Ken Roczen and more all donated their race-worn gear to the auction, and even more contributions are expected for the 2015 race.

“The Monster Energy Supercross community is known for coming together for a good cause and the inaugural Military Appreciation Race was a testament to that,” said Dave Prater, director of supercross, Feld Motor Sports. “With a year of awareness under our belt and a brand new venue in PETCO Park set to host the festivities, the experience will be even more compelling. We’re all looking forward to putting the spotlight back on our service men and women, and can’t wait to add to the memorable legacy we have in San Diego.”

Home to Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres, PETCO Park opened in 2004 and sits in the heart of downtown San Diego within the famous Gaslamp Quarter. The 2015 Monster Energy Supercross season marks the first time ever the world’s best riders will compete in the shadow of the San Diego skyline, mere feet from the Pacific Ocean. The sixth stop of the 17-race schedule has long been one of the most popular destinations of Monster Energy Supercross with 31 years of tradition and signifies the final Southern California stop of the 2015 season. The San Diego area is home to several military installations, which makes this stop of Monster Energy Supercross a perfect fit to honor to the men and women that have served the country.

Tickets to the first ever race at PETCO Park are on sale now and start as low as $20 for Treadhead seats! Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or at the Petco Park Box Office (reopens on January 5). For additional race and ticket information, log onto SupercrossOnline.com.

Headlining the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross television package will be the first-ever live FOX network broadcast from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Saturday, April 25 at 3pm E.T. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast 12 races live and FOX Sports 2 will broadcast 3 races live. Each race will include a next-day re-air on FOX Sports 1. In addition, the authenticated Fox Sports Go app will live stream each race.

As a precursor to the live television, don’t forget to catch all of the pre-race coverage with Supercross Race Day Live, which will stream on SupercrossOnline.com from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. local race time each Saturday during the season. Practice, qualifying, behind the scenes features, and key rider interviews will all be highlighted on the Supercross Race Day Live webcast.

Source: Feld Motor Sports

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