Carmichael, who has 11 AMA National Championships, added the prestigious THQ World Supercross GP title to his collection. Since the inception of THQ World Supercross GP in 2002, Yamaha’s Chad Reed and Heath Voss have been crowned with the championship.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Carmichael about his first world championship. “I’d like to thank Clear Channel for making this possible. I’m pumped to win this title and it’s just a good feeling after having made a commitment to world supercross. I’d also like to thank the Seattle fans for coming out since the weather has been less than favorable for the last few days. I liked Seattle and I look forward to racing here again.”
“We are very proud of Ricky for winning the THQ World Supercross GP,” said Charlie Mancuso, president, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports. “Not only is Ricky amazing on the track, he’s a great ambassador for the sport and this series. As this championship continues to evolve, we look forward to all of the teams’ participation. The global television package is at an all-time high and translates into global marketing opportunities for the sport, the teams and all of the sponsors of the series and race teams, not to mention the broad fan base we are developing via this platform.”
Starting at Toronto’s SkyDome December 4, Carmichael finished first in THQ World Supercross GP points at 14 of 15 races. Carmichael missed the entire 2004 supercross season with a knee injury and switched teams prior to entering the THQ World Supercross GP.
“Doing those first two races back in December really helped me,” he added. “I’d miss the previous season and I’d just started riding the Makita Suzuki RM250, so I really needed those two races. I’ll definitely be back in 2006, and I think more riders will participate because it’s the right thing to do.”
The two international races coupled with 15 of the domestic races (excluding the Daytona Supercross) comprise the 17-round THQ World Supercross GP. Last season Heath Voss, of Mico, Texas piloted his Mach 1 Yamaha to the THQ World Supercross GP championship, earning top honors and giving Yamaha its second world championship in as many seasons.
Info Supercrossmedia – Denny Hartwig, photo copyright TFS
