(Note to parents: If your kid has been accepted into the Red Bull program, send an e-mail with the kid’s name, age and racing history to [email protected] .)

At least nine American kids have been accepted for the Red Bull Rookies Cup run-off scheduled for Valencia, Spain August 28-30. The program is for kids aged 13-16.

Red Bull has not issued a press release announcing the names of Americans selected for the program and we don’t know the selection process. However, from e-mails and BBS postings by proud parents and supporters we have learned that Americans selected for the program include Cameron Beaubier, 13; Rey Dominguez, 13; Brent Lyskawa, 14; Matt Myers, 13; Tyler Odom, 13; Drew Price, 15; Corey Rech, 14; James Rispoli, 15; and Kris Turner, 14.

The Red Bull program involves Metrakit 125s and KTM 125s.

Beaubier is a front-runner in Western Region USGPRU and WERA West 125cc and 250cc races, riding a Honda RS125. Dominguez is the product of the Metrakit racing program put together by Florida-based Cycle Imports. Lyskawa is a dirt track racer who also races a Honda RS125 with LRRS. Myers has never road raced but rides dirt bikes. Odom races a RS125 with CMRRA and WERA West and competes in NASMOTO SuperMoto. Price has been racing a Honda NSR50 in SCMiniGP events in Southern California. Rech races in WERA Lightweight Novice events. Rispoli has been racing dirt track, SuperMoto and 125cc GP. Turner is racing a Honda RS125 in WERA Novice events. None have been able to compete in Eastern Region USGPRU events due to insurance problems which now restrict participants in USGPRU races held in conjunction with CCS events to age 16 and up.

The Americans face an uphill battle at Valencia, a track none of them has seen, competing against a strong contingent of Spanish kids who have come up through an extensive mini and 125cc program.

Relative late announcement of the selected riders means that the families of the Americans have to organize plane tickets less than three weeks before the event in Spain, adding to their costs: Selected riders must pay their own way to the event in Spain.

More, from an unedited press release issued by USMINIGP:

It is probably common knowledge by now that the MotoGP academy in conjunction with Red Bull are having their tryouts Aug 28-30 to help identify the group of young riders that will make up next years 20 rider “boot camp of racing.”

Out of the thousand plus applicants 450 were chosen based on space, resume and origin. A handfull of kids were extended invitations. Among them one American confirmed Rey Dominguez from Miami, FL. who got an invite from Metrakit by way of Cycle Imports INC. and USMINIGP. Metrakit plays an ultra important role in the tryouts as the bike chosen/used for the event is the Metrakit Pre GP125 on DOT tires. you can see the bike at www.cycleimports.com and Yes you read right! DOT tires, not slicks.

Rey Domingues started racing with help from OZBIKE and Cycle Imports in the USMINIGP series three years ago at the age of 10. He has been a consitent winner at the USMINIGP and is on a similar path on his 125. Rey says “I have never been nervous about racing before, but I am getting buterflies as the date approaches” If he can keep it on two wheels he has a good chance of being among the fastest 50 or so.

An event of this magnitude can not be shrugged off or taken lightly, this could be a huge stepping stone to bigger and more serious things to come considering his tender age of 13. It is rumored that some 20 Americans will be making the trip to Valencia, Spain among them Tommy Aquino of CA. and James Rispoli of kool Skunks.

More, from the parent of another selected kid:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

You can add my 13-year-old son’s name to the list! We are so excited no one got any sleep last night! My son’s name is Matt Myers from Napa, CA. Interestingly enough, he has NO road racing experience, although has been riding dirt since he was 6. Great kid, outgoing personality, and pretty damn good lookin’ if I do say so myself! We are now in a mad scramble to get him the necessary gear, and gather the needed funds for travel. His interview/ride is scheduled for 8/28 at 8AM.

Any suggestions or ideas you might have would be appreciated. This may sound crazy, but I posted on Craigslist and BARF an email ([email protected]) that I’m hoping might receive some corporate or personal “sponsorship” funds via Paypal. Just to legitimize his acceptance, here’s the notification he received posted below”¦.please let me know any ideas you might have for support.

Thanks,

Bill Myers Napa. California

—– ——- Original Message ——- —–

From: “Red Bull Selection”

To: “Red Bull Selection”

Sent: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 19:49:16

RedBull Rookies Cup

Dear MotoGP Rookie,

Thank you for your application to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup which has been read with great interest. We are delighted to inform you that you have been selected from more than 1000 world-wide applicants to join us at the Run Off in Valencia, Spain.

Run Off will take place between 28th and 30th of August 2006.

Your personal Run Off date: MONDAY, 28th of AUGUST 2006 / 8:00 AM

It is important that you are potentially able to stay until Wednesday afternoon.

Everything else you need to know can be found in the attached documents. Should you have any further questions, feel free to contact us by using the contact details in the Invitation Letter.

Please send us a quick reply whether you are able to attend the Run Off in Valencia or not to our email address [email protected].

We really hope you will be able to join us at the end of this month and look forward to meeting you at the race track in Valencia.

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Team

Attachments

– Invitation Letter and Information Package containing all necessary information on the event as well as advices for your travel arrangements (RB Selection Inv.PDF)

– Waiver and Disclaimer.PDF: Please print out, fill in the information requested and bring a signed copy to Valencia.

– Notary Power of Representation.PDF: Example of a notary power of representation which you will need if you are not travelling with one of your parents to the Run Off. The wording might vary depending on the country you live in.

More, from more parents:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

As one of the parents of the kids going to Spain, I have set up a MySpace site for us to share info with each other. The address is www.MySpace.com/RedBullRookiesCup

Thanks for all your support.

Andy Price 

Redondo Beach, California www.DrewPrice.com

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Cameron Beaubier was sellected to attend the run off in Valencia. Cameron is 13 years old and is from Roseville, California. Cameron has been racing with the USGPRU and WERA West this year. His first year of road racing other than a few one-off mini rides. He has an extensive Supermoto resume including an AMA National title and several Nor-Cal Championships. Cameron recently won a WERA West race at Buttonwillow, setting a lap record for a 125. He also won the USGPRU round at Reno/Fernley raceway this year.

Jeff Beaubier 

Roseville, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Kris Turner received an invitation to test at the Redbull MotoGP Academy. Recently, he has won six WERA races including two at the Cycle Jam and set a new track record for 125s at Carolina Motorsports Park.

Furthermore, he won three races at CMP the same weekend. Two weeks later, he won three races at Jennings GP in Florida. He started motard racing on asphalt in 2005 and won the SEMRA GP85 Championship in his rookie year. In 2006, he started with WERA on a 1993 RS125 which he campaigned until the Cycle Jam, where he got on his newer 1996 RS125 and won two out of three races the first weekend out.

Like many others, it will be very hard for us to go to Spain, but we plan on going and any help or advice would be greatly appreciated .

Danny Turner 

Chatanooga, Tennessee

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

James “The Rocket” Rispoli has been accepted for the RedBull MotoGP run-off in Valencia, Spain. James just turned 15 and has been racing dirt track since the age of seven. In 2006 James won 6 AMA Amateur National Titles on short track, TT, Half Mile and Mile events in the 250cc four-stroke class, 250cc two-stroke class and 450cc mod classes. James is ranked National #2 in the 250cc two-stroke modified class and 250cc four-stroke modified class for 2006. He is ranked National #5 in the 450cc modified class his first year competing in that class. James has also been riding 125cc GP, 250cc and 450cc SuperMoto for the last two years. James is a fun kid to be around and a product of a supportive family, terrific sponsors and great training by American Supercamp’s Danny Walker and 7 time Grand National Dirt Track Champion Chris Carr for 6+ years. James is sponsored by “adopt a kid racer” for the Valencia run-off. American racers will have a significant challenge in Valencia. Team Coolskunk KyDs wishes all those selected for the run-off the very best experience. For more information about James and Team Coolskunk KyDs go to www.coolskunk.com or contact [email protected] .

Philip Rispoli 

Attica, New York

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

The Bruce Transportation Youth Road Racing team announces that one of its riders, Brent Lyskawa has been accepted to try out for the Red Bull/ KTM Rookies Cup Series. The try outs will occur in Valencia, Spain on August 28-30, and include over 400 youth riders from all around the globe. Only 20 riders will be selected from the 400 invited. The 20 chosen riders will race a seven race series during the summer of 2007 at several World Championship courses in Europe, including circuits in France, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, and Belgium.

Brent Lyskawa, who is currently 14 years old and resides in Londonderry, New Hampshire, has been dirt track racing since the age of five but just started road racing last year, competing in the Loudon Road Race Series. Brent quickly progressed through the Novice and the Amateur ranks qualifying him for an Expert classification while using a Bruce Transportation Prepared 2004 Honda RS125. Brent said “It’s kind of scary, but I am excited to see how my skill levels will measure up to world youth competition.” In addition, he said ” I owe a great deal thanks for the following people who helped me develop my racing skills, Jason Routhier and Shane Narbonne from Derry, New Hampshire, Dan Frisbe from Canterbury, New Hampshire, and Paul Duval, Bruce Leung, from Massachusetts. They are all great riders who have shared their knowledge with a young kid like me.”

For information on Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: www.redbullrookiescup.com [email protected]

Bruce Lyskawa 

Londonderry, New Hampshire

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Hi everyone, it’s me, Tyler. I just wanted to tell everyone what I have been up too since my last update in June. I received an invite to race in the MOTO GP ROOKIE CUP in Spain at the Valencia track on August 28-30, they selected certain riders from all over the world to race in this event. I have watched this track on MotoGP and I can’t wait to ride it, it has a lot of left turns in it, I really like fast lefts. My mom will be taking me to the event and we have never been out of the country, she is getting our passports this week. I look forward to representing my sponsors and my country at the event.

My plan for July was to race a WERA race at Buttonwillow and a SuperMoto race at Willow Springs but those plans didn’t last long when I highsided my 125 in practice and I got knocked out, my dad took me to the hospital to make sure I was OK, then I had to rest for a few weeks before I could ride again.

I have been riding again doing track days for road racing and SuperMoto practice at The Grange.

Tyler Odom 

Torrance, California

Roadracing World’s Unofficial List Of Known American Selectees, As Confirmed By Their Parents Or Sponsors: 

Cameron Beaubier, 13 

Rey Dominguez, 13 

Brent Lyskawa, 14 

Matt Myers, 13 

Tyler Odom, 13 

Drew Price, 15 

Corey Rech, 14 

James Rispoli, 15 

Kris Turner, 14