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Emig Begins Title Defense at Supercross Season Opener in Los Angles

30 December 1997

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Reigning Supercross Champion Jeff Emig begins his
title defense at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Jan. 10, 1998, where Toyota
Trucks will present the season opener of the Thor/ Parts Unlimited AMA
Supercross Series.  Emig had a stellar year in 1997, winning both the AMA
250cc Supercross and Motocross Championships. Emig also received the 1997
AMA/Speedvision Pro Athlete of the Year Award in recognition of his
two-title sweep and nine years as a contender in both arenas.

Emig, of Riverside, Calif., returns to the 1998 Supercross Series with Team
Kawasaki. He will be challenged by an ambitious and highly-talented field
of Supercross veterans, including four-time Supercross Champion Jeremy
McGrath.

McGrath, of Menifee, Calif., was the runner-up for the 1997 Supercross
championship and dominated the world of Supercross from 1993 - 1996 with
four consecutive championships. McGrath is riding a Team Chapparal Yamaha
in 1998. 

Ezra Lusk is eager to capture his first Supercross championship in 1998,
and proved he has what it takes last season. Lusk won the 1997 Orlando,
Fla., and Pontiac, Mich., Supercross rounds and was ranked third overall
for the season. Lusk, of Bainbridge, Ga., is riding for the Yamaha factory
team in 1998.

The 1998 AMA 125cc Western Region Supercross Series will also kick off at
the Los Angeles Supercross round. Corona, Calif., resident and 1997 125cc
Western Region Champion Kevin Windham has moved to full-time competition in
the 250cc Supercross Series, leaving top-ranked 125cc riders Robbie
Reynard, of Norman, Okla., Casey Johnson of Murrieta, Calif., and David
Vuillemin of France to battle for the 1998 Western Region title.



American Motorcyclist Association