AMA Mid-America XC Championship is AMA Featured Series for 2012

The AMA welcomes the AMA Mid America XC Championship as an AMA Featured Series for 2012. The 10-round hare scrambles series includes events in Indiana and Illinois from March through October.

The AMA Mid America XC Championship includes both open cross-country style course sections as well as tighter hare scrambles trail. It is promoted by Mike Gibbs and Mid America XC in Monrovia, Ind. The full schedule is below.

"We're very happy to have Mike on board with this AMA Featured Series," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "The AMA Mid America XC Championship has a reputation for premier Midwest woods racing, with competitive classes at every level of age, skill and displacement. It provides excellent opportunities for AMA members to compete, and we're pleased to elevate the series for 2012."

Gibbs said he has seen steady expansion of the series since it was launched in 2010. He said much of that is due to Mid America XC's philosophy of putting riders first.

"My sons have raced hare scrambles, and I have a long sprint-car racing background, so we definitely bring a racer's perspective to promotion," Gibbs said. "Improving organization, registration, track quality and definitely payouts and recognition, have played a role in our growing rider counts. For example, our pro purse is a set amount each round -- it isn't dependent on rider counts -- and every other class down to beginner receives product awards in addition to trophies."

Gibbs said that AMA sanctioning, including stepping up as an AMA Featured Series for 2012, has been a critical component to his series' success.

"AMA affiliation has always been important to us," Gibbs said. "While we're out here competing, the AMA is in Washington, D.C., protecting our rights to ride and to race. The recent success of fixing the lead law to exempt youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles from the ban was a perfect example of that. Without the youth classes, our sport can't survive."

For more on the AMA Mid America XC Championship, see TheMAXC.com. For more on AMA-sanctioned events, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

AMA Mid America XC Championship Schedule
Series contact: Mike Gibbs, (317) 418-6084, gibbs11x@yahoo.com, TheMAXC.com

March 3: Greenfield, Ind.
April 21: TBA
June 9-10: Casey, Ill.
June 17: Springville, Ind. (Riley Hospital Miracle Trail Race)
July 21: Martinsville, Ind.
Aug. 11: Merango, Ind.
Sept. 8: Canaan, Ind.
Sept. 22: Spencer, Ind.
Oct. 13: Veedersburg, Ind.
Oct. 27-28: Casey, Ill.