The 2009 AMA Arenacross Series talent pool became a little
deeper as Monster Energy® Kawasaki Team Green announced it
signed Michael Willard to ride the 11-race season.
After surprising all in attendance and serving notice to the
industry by taking the victory in three out of four of the
weekend's events in Des Moines, Iowa on a stock bike, Willard
was rewarded with a spot on a competitive, factory supported
ride.
"After Des Moines, I got a call from (Team Green Motocross
Supervisor) Ryan Holliday and it kind of went on from there.
It's a pretty cool deal. It's my own thing with my own sponsors.
I went down to Mini O's and did some riding and ended up second.
That really helped the process along."
While not a member of the Babbitt's Monster Energy® Kawasaki
team, Willard will join defending champion Chad Johnson and 2008
runner-up Kelly Smith as Team Green riders in the premier AMA
Arenacross class. Additionally, Willard will ride the final
three rounds of Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World
Championship, at the conclusion of the arenacross season as a
member of the AMA Supercross Lites class.
"This is a great opportunity for me. The main reason I went
to the race in Des Moines was to try and earn a ride for the
season and it worked out. I've been in the gym staying fit and
I'm going to head down to Georgia to get the bike dialed in and
ready for (Grand Rapids). Hopefully I'll be right there battling
for the championship."
Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com,
www.ticketmaster.com,
www.tickets.com.
For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.