Big News from the ABA 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 riders 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 Worlds 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, GT, Schwinn, Mongoose, Redline, Intense BMX, and Sponsorhouse.com.”