Wrap It Up: 42 Semi-Finalists Ride At Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Selection Event Judges will now Make Decisions for the 2009 Rookies Cup Line-Up Leeds, Ala. (October 6, 2008) — The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Selection Event wrapped up at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday, with 117 teenagers riding in front of the judges during the three days. Monday saw the 42 semi-finalists for next year’s Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup giving their best in two more sessions. The judges, Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Riders Coach and 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz, Red Bull MotoGP Riders Coach Gustl Auinger, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Press Officer and MotoGP paddock insider Peter Clifford, and noted motorcycling instructor Danny Walker, will now make their final decisions on which riders will be offered positions in the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup. The announcement of the 2009 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup team will be made at a later date. The semi-finalists showed fine form and marked improvement in the final day of the selection event. While lap times are part of the criteria used to pick the next wave of Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup racers, it isn’t the only one. “It’s a good experience to be here and also to talk to Kevin Schwantz,” said Ben Young, a racer originally from Scotland but now living in Canada. “We’ve got a lot of help here and if you have a question, you can ask anyone. The bikes were fun to ride and I had a good time.” Monday’s weather was ideal at Barber Motorsports Park and the semi-finalists enjoyed their time riding Metrakit 125 machines on the technical 2.38-mile circuit. The riders were limited to small groups of seven, which allowed the riders to work with a clear track. “Getting to ride was the most fun and I got to make a lot of new friends,” said Cody Wyman of Macedon, New York. “I was really excited when I got accepted to try out and I have been ready to get out there ever since then. The first day I worked up to speed and then today I took what I learned and was able to go faster.” The final selections will not be easy ones, according to the judges. “It was interesting to watch the kids build on what they were learning about themselves, the racetrack, and the motorcycle,” said Riders Coach Kevin Schwantz. “It’s a great opportunity that Red Bull’s putting forward and the kids are putting in a good effort. Now the judges have some homework to do before we make out final decisions. With the mix of the kids we have coming back next year with these that we will bring in, everyone has to lift their level of competition even more. We had a lot of success with our first season of Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup racing and I see that trend continuing.” For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit www.redbullrookiescup.com and www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup.