NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT

Championship Off Road Racing Rounds Cancelled at Bark River Raceway Officials from Bark River Raceway, The Lions Club and Championship Off Road have agreed to cancel the racing rounds of our club members, staff, volunteers, vendors, that were to be held at the track in midsponsors, racers, and race fans cannot be August. Officials were forced to cancel overlooked. the event citing Michigan’s Coronavirus We look forward to the summer of 2021 when we executive orders on gatherings, will provide our fans with the best professional performances and events. short course, off-road racing in the country. Our Michigan rules prohibit events to have commitment to host a world class event, and to no more than 500 people in attendance. the safety of everyone involved will continue to The Bark River races traditionally draw be a priority. But most importantly, the Bark River thousands of fans. Lions Club will continue to support the projects The Lions Club released a statement that and organizations that the proceeds from this read: event impact the most. Although we are disappointed to make A race at ERX Motorsports Park was added this announcement, we understand that August 15th and 16th in place of the cancelled the best interests of the health and safety Bark River event.

Dirt Series Cancels Lake Elsinore Grand Prix The annual Lake Elsinore Grand Prix has been cancelled for 2020. The event normally takes place in November.

The Lake Elsinore Grand Prix has been happening for over 51 years and features thousands of motorcycle racers and spectators from all over the world.

The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing safety mandates have forced the promoters to cancel the event this year and work on the 2021 event.

SEMA Has Been Cancelled For 2020 The Specialty Equipment Market Association has announced it is cancelling the annual SEMA show for 2020. The show attracts thousands of people worldwide from the automotive industry and is held every year in Las Vegas.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the main facilities used by SEMA will not be available along with

several other facilities and services needed to make the show happen. SEMA had been working on safety protocols required t host the event.

SEMA is looking at options to host a virtual show. “The SEMA Show is committed to furthering businesses in the automotive specialty-equipment market, and to best opportunity to connect, promote new products and discover new trends,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We appreciate the spirit, hard work and innovation our industry puts into the SEMA Show each year. While we are disappointed

providing manufacturers and buyers with the circumstances prevent us from hosting the Show in November, we look forward to getting everyone together in 2021 for another outstanding event.”

Vendors will receive full refunds.

Chase Sexton Signs with Team Honda HRC Chase Sexton will now be riding a CRF450R for Team Honda HRC. Sexton is fresh off his second consecutive Supercross Championship in the 250 East class. The Honda motorcycle is not new to the championship rider. He rode both seasons for Geico Honda.

Sexton was recently spotted testing the bigger bike with the team. He is expected to ride in the upcoming Lucas Oil Outdoor Motocross Championship season.

SCORE Inks Deal with Ensenada to Host the Baja 1000 SCORE International has inked a deal with the city of Ensenada to host the 2020 Baja 1000. The official agreement signed by Mayor Armando Ayala and the Ensenada city council ensures the race will start and finish in the town. Baja’s Governor, Jaime Bonilla and Senator Gerardo Novelo were also involved in securing the deal. SCORE has struggled to plan a race in Baja with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The SCORE Baja 1000 will be part of the economic reactivation of Ensenada and will take place under the strict guidelines of the Baja California State Secretary of Health.” 6 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM

“We are grateful for the support of Baja California Governor Jaime Bonilla who played a very key role in order for the race to take place in Ensenada along with the Ensenada business community and the tremendous work by SCORE in putting together the details and health protocol plan for the event, ” said Armando Ayala. The Baja 1000 is scheduled for November 17th-22nd

Chip Ganassi Racing is now the first to have a complete Extreme E race team. Pro-4 driver Kyle Leduc was signed to co-drive with Sara Price in July. Price and Leduc will drive a 550-horsepower electric SUV in the most extreme environments on earth in the Extreme E series. NORRA is Cancelling All Events for 2020 The continued outbreak of Coronavirus in Baja is forcing the cancellation of all NORRA events for 2020. The Mexican 1000 was originally moved to October. Organizer Mike Pearlman says NORRA doesn’t want to add additional an burden on businesses and hospitals in Baja. He also says he wants everyone to be safe. “The last thing we want to see is anyone getting sick,” Pearlman says. NORRA is already planning for the 2021 season. Next year’s Mexican 1000 will start April 23rd in Ensenada.

Chip Ganassi Racing Signs Kyle

Leduc to Extreme E Racing with my family and to see the desire and determination in Chip and the entire team to be successful and win in this newly developed form of motorsports has given me the drive to bring victories to this program. The 2021 Extreme E series is going to be groundbreaking and we are going in with the goal of victory! I’m looking forward to working with my teammate, Sara Price. Some of the unprecedented features of this new series will be splitting these races 50/50 and racing worldwide in climate-affected areas. This is a huge opportunity for all involved and we cannot

“I am beyond excited to announce that I will The series, which gets underway next be driving in the Extreme E series for Chip year will bring attention to damaged Ganassi Racing. Not only do I get to drive these environments affected by climate change. fully electric 4-wheel drive cars around the Racers will be given virtual courses and will world, but I get to do it for the man himself, the use onboard technology for navigation. The biggest team in motorsports, Chip Ganassi race is expected to be televised by using Racing. I was born and raised around racing drones and onboard cameras.

wait to get this thing started!” said Leduc.