Parts Unlimited OMA Nationals... It's Go Time!

The Parts Unlimited Off-road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA) Nationals kicks off its eighth year of presenting some of the best long-distance, single-track woods racing with three new venues incorporated into the 10-round schedule. Round one will be the Hill Jack Cross-country National, presented by Johnny Signs Graphics, in Medora, Indiana, on April 17-18, There has never been a race at this private location. (one of the new venues). After that, the OMA tour will run through October, visiting eight states, with the world-famous Moose Run in Illinois on October 16-17 the finale. We are proud to announce the events announcer, John Wolven a.k.a. Johnny O’Hannah. Many of you may be familiar with the Racer X contributor, those of you that are not familiar… you are in for a treat! He’s an amazing entertainer. A “never dull moment” kinda guy.

While even Whibley himself concedes it's going to be a tall order to win all 10 rounds, he'll likely be even more motivated than last year. Riding for the Am-Pro Yamaha team (his third different team in three years), he's had bad luck at the first rounds of the GNCCs, where he's also the defending champion, leaving just one series to assert himself: the OMAs.

But he'll also face a larger and hungrier cast of competitors eager to dethrone him, starting with his two former JG Off-road/GEICO Powersports/Monster Energy Kawasaki teammates, Jimmy Jarrett and Scott Watkins. Jarrrett, of course, is the winningest racer in OMA history with four consecutive championships (2004-2007), and a wrist injury last season helped slow him to "only" third in the series. Watkins burst onto the series for the first time last year and learned the ropes quickly to earn the number two plate. They'll be joined on the starting line by a number of others, of course, guys with solid credentials like Whibley's new teammate Thad Duvall periodically, Husaberg's Nick Fahringer, FMF/KTM Factory Off-road Race Team's Kailub Russell at times, 2009 MXC Champion, Adam Bonneur will be returning on a Kawasaki, recent OMA Winter Nationals Champion, Shane Klimek, who has stepped up his training regime. Also newcomers in the Pro Class, Jake Fiddler, Jordan Ashburn, Tristan Redferrin, and others vying for a piece of the $20,000 series purse.

On the Pro ATV side of things, 2009 OMA Champion, Kyle Martin and 2008 OMA Champion, Bryan Hulsey, and fellow Missourians will be returning to battle it out for the 2010 OMA ATV Championship. There is nothing better than a few buddies out for blood on the track, and traveling back home together with some good post race stories.

One note to the Professional racers: Blue backgrounds and yellow numbers.

The Pro motorcycle racers will appreciate the OMA's new format which will have C riders, Super Seniors and Women competing on Sunday mornings while the Pros, A's and Bs will square off on Sunday afternoons for 1 hr 50 minutes plus a lap. ATVs will still race on Saturday on a largely separate course to accommodate their greater width. The new format will be discontinuing the 50cc classes from the OMA Nationals classes offered. However, there will be 50cc classes ran when co-sanctioning with other series. These rounds will be Rounds 1 & 10. This applies to the mini atv’s also. A new addition to the format is motorcycle classes for Sunday will run practice on Saturday after the atv event. This is included in your race entry fee. All Sunday afternoon (Pro, A, B brackets) classes will be eligible for this practice. So we encourage you to make use of this opportunity.

There will again be plenty of swag for racers to shoot for, thanks to both new and returning sponsors like Moose Racing, Maxxis, FMF Racing, K&N Filters, Rekluse, Johnny Signs, DP Brakes, Motion Pro, SIDI, KalGard, Wiseco, Race Tech, Dirt Tricks, RK Chain/Excel and Scott/Acerbis. Long time loyal partners and friends, Moose Racing has been supporting the sport of off-road racing more so than any other riding gear manufacturer. Please remember those who support you and your sport the most. Manufacturers offering contingency awards include Can-Am (ATV racers only), Kawasaki, KTM, Yamaha, and the new Maxxis CASH contingency program. Do not forget to get your registrations and requirements filled out completely for these manufacturers to qualify for these programs. FMF, Maxxis, Rekluse and other vital sponsors will also provide trackside support at selected rounds. K&N Filters plans to provide cash holeshot awards for the Pro ATVs as well as the Pro motorcycles, $200 for Pro m/c’s and $100 for Pro atv’s.

Once again, OMA will be running what we like to call the “Wrap-Up Report”, photos of Pro’s, but mostly amateurs after each event. Due to the fact this project is time consuming watch for within a week after each event. We also have launched the product review page for our sponsors for you to keep updated on new products, sales, and all updates with the sponsors.

One last note to all, OMA Winter Nationals will be kicking off this late Fall. We will be posting the dates for the series soon. Congratulations to our OMA Winter Nationals Champions Shane Klimek (Suzuki-MC) and Richie Brown (KTM-ATV)!

For more information see our Rulebook (Updated for 2010!), Welcome 2 OMA, and Event Info.