14-Year-Old Kris Turner, Heading to Europe to Compete in Finals of Red Bull MotoGP Rookie Cup Chattanooga, TN (September 19, 2006) To be 14-years-old and running 120 mph on a Metrakit Pre GP 125 motorcycle in Spain sounds crazy. For Kris Turner from Chattanooga, Tennessee it is a dream come true. Kris began riding motorcycles at the age of 3 and is now competing in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookie Cup. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am going to work really hard to juggle traveling, racing and school in order to accomplish my dream of being a professional MotoGP racer,” explains Kris. When Kris was three he began riding motorcycles and by 7-years-old he had collected five wins in the 65cc Motocross class. Since then Kris has had over 50 podium finishes, with 42 of those being wins. This year Kris will step up to pilot the Honda RS125 in twenty-four races with hopes of winning the 125 National Championship. Some of Kris’ previous wins include Mega Series winner, Georgia/Alabama Series winner, Victory Sports Indoor Series winner, Xtreme Summer Series Champion, Southeastern Spring Classic Series Champion, and 2006 Semra 85 GP Series Champion. As if Kris did not already have a full schedule with school and the racing he is doing in the United States, he decided to try his hand at qualifying for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookie Cup in Spain. Kris was first chosen from 1100 other young talents through an application process. From there Kris made a journey across the seas to Valencia, Spain to compete against 165 other riders for a chance to make it into the top-20. The top-20 riders move on to compete against each other in a seven-race shoot out starting in 2007. The 165 young riders were judged based on numerous qualities. Their capability of riding a motorcycle was not the main focus. Instead, the general impression that a rider gave was equally as important: personality, racing spirit, fair play, and knowledge of racing set-ups. After two days of competition the group was narrowed down to 45 and on the third day the judges made their decision on who would move on to the seven-race shootout. Kris was notified on September 7th that he made it into the final twenty. Kris now moves on, throughout 2007, racing against the other 19 competitors in seven Red Bull Rookie Cup races. These races will be run on the Sunday of a GP weekend, immediately after the MotoGP premier class and in front of the corresponding crowds. Two of the seven races will be held on a Saturday. The ultimate goal of Kris and the other 19 racers is to qualify for the Red Bull MotoGP Academy, the world’s most comprehensive training program for young racers on their way to a MotoGP racing career. The purpose of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies program is an international talent search, created by Red Bull and MotoGP. The goal is to locate and identify the most exceptional motorcycle talents worldwide and then support them so that they have a chance at racing in the MotoGP series. Kris Turner is ecstatic and overwhelmed to be in the top-20 and given the opportunity that lies before him. He is one of three Americans chosen to compete. Though exciting it is going to be a tough road for Kris and his family. With racing comes sacrifice and that is exactly what the Turner family is facing. Kris is determined to make a name for himself in the motorcycle racing world and his family supports him 100%. In order to compete in the Red Bull Rookie Cup, Kris and his family will travel back and forth to Europe seven times, paying the expenses out of their own pocket. The determination being shown by Kris and his family is that of a true, full-blooded racer that is going to be very successful. “We will support Kris as far as we can. Hopefully we can find someone to take an interest in Kris and see his potential. Sponsorship is key in the racing world, so that is our next step, but I will do whatever I need to do in order for Kris to fulfill his dreams. I know he has the determination, the know-how and the talent to become a well-know racer,” commented Danny Turner, Kris’ dad. Starting next year, at the end of March, the racing will head to Jerez, Spain. From there the Rookie Cup travels to Mugello, Italy at the first of June and on to Assen, Netherlands later that month. July will take the young racers to Donington, Great Britain and Sachsenring, Germany. The last two races will be held in Brunn, Czechoslovakia and Valencia, Spain at the end of August and the end of October respectively. “It will be difficult to keep up with school and traveling all around the world to race, but I can do it. Luckily most of the races are throughout the summer so it will not be a problem,” Kris said. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for a 14-year-old. The future looks very bright for Kris Turner and he intends to work hard so that he can fulfill his dreams. It is rare to find a young kid that knows exactly what he wants to do with his life or much less put so much effort into making it happen. The Red Bull Rookie Cup will give Kris the opportunity he needs in order to accomplish the dreams he has instilled in himself. For more information on Kris Turner please contact Amy Welch at [email protected] or Danny Turner at [email protected]