Benny Carlson will debut his new Aprilia at Stateline
March 8, 2007 - Primm, Nevada - When the 3rd annual Stateline Supermoto Challenge www.snvsupermoto.com, the largest supermoto race in North America, roars to life on April 13, U.S. race fans will see two new things in the Aprilia paddock: the astonishing SXV factory 450, and Darryl Atkins's new teammate, Benny Carlson, last year's Unlimited Supermoto champion.
"It's a very exciting time for our team," says Atkins. "We have Benny coming over with his #1 plate, a great new sponsor in Rip It (energy drink), and of course this new bike that took Giraudo to the (S2) world supermoto championship last year. 2006 was kind of a developmental year for us, but we've been doing our homework since last season and we'll definitely be ready to compete hard at Stateline."
Atkins was just one turn away from winning it all in '05, so his combination with Carlson creates quite the dynamic duo for the Aprilia camp. And this season they'll also have the equipment and support from the factory to do some damage.
The Stateline Supermoto Challenge, taking place April 13-15 at Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada, will be the first time in North America that fans will be able to get an up-close look at the Aprilia fuel-injected V-Twin that Atkins calls the "motorcycle of the future."
"Our pits are as open as can be," says Stateline Challenge organizer Marche Karger. "We want fans to be able to rub shoulders with the riders, check out their gear, and really get immersed in the event. They'll definitely get a good look at this new Aprilia, as well as the bikes that all the other teams will be racing this season. Part of what makes our event so big is that every single factory team will be participating."
Over 450 entries are already in from supermoto, quad and UTV racers, including '06 supermoto champions Jeff Ward, Cassidy Anderson, and Carlson, plus perennial contenders Chris Fillmore, Micky Dymond, Troy Herfoss, and many more from around the globe.
"We were looking forward to having Doug Henry out here too," notes Karger in sentiments that were also echoed by Atkins. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family that he'll be back on his feet soon."
Situated on the border between California and Nevada, Primm is just a couple of hours from L.A. and less than an hour from Las Vegas. Importantly, it's on the Nevada side, where Buffalo Bill's has carved out a unique niche as a destination resort, with plenty of attractions and distractions, including one of the world's tallest and fastest rollercoasters. One challenge: to enjoy everything that Buffalo Bill's has to offer, fans will have to tear themselves away from all the action on the Stateline Challenge track during the grand opening of the supermoto season, a feat that gets more difficult every year.
