The first round of the MotoSport.com AX Tour starts on Saturday in Lufkin, TX with 14 riders contending for the Amateur Arenacross Championship. The 11-round series presented by ArTrax tires covers the southern United States and wraps up Feb. 8, 2014 in Tunica, MS.

The Jetwerx produced AX Tour started in 2011 by Justin Thompson, CEO of Jetwerx USA Inc., as a way to build a foundation for riders looking towards the next level of racing. Jetwerx provides track building, design, consulting and maintenance programs, among other services. The AX Tour utilizes tight tracks constructed to challenge the pros and develop the skills of amateurs. More than $70,000 in cash prizes and contingencies await the riders.

"Motosport has long supported the people who love to ride and race, we're riders and racers ourselves," said Jarrod Rogers, Director of Marketing with MotoSport.com "We share the same passion and visions as Jetwerx in supporting the grass roots of the sport and the stars of tomorrow. MotoSport proudly puts our name on the AX Tour, were all in and it's going to be great."

The top pro riders compete in the AX and AX Lites classes and the best riders of both classes compete head-to-head in their respective categories in the 20-lap main event entitled "MotoSport.com Clash for Cash" at each stop in the tour. Cole Thompson is back to defend his #1 plate. The Arenacross Tour also features pro quad races and new this year is professional women's motocross.

"We are looking forward to a great season of racing and entertainment, the content we have planned for our shows is going to bring an already exceptional spectating and racing experience to brand new level of entertainment that is bar none in the arenacross market," Justin Thompson said.

AX Tour races run in a motocross format rather than the traditional arenacross format which gives riders more track time. Riders receive Arenacross tour points according to their finish and at the end of the tour cash bonuses are awarded to the top riders in each class. The first tour featured more than 30 amateur AX and quad classes in an 8-round tour.

The AX Tour riders are:

  • Jason Perry #918
  • Jake Lowry #231
  • Grandon Powers #583
  • Chad Crain #271
  • Wesley Holifield #187
  • Johnny Moore #140
  • Steven Brady #934
  • Carey Smith #426
  • Shane Mills #258
  • Justus Vance #01
  • Kyle Gills #521
  • Wesley Day #423
  • Cole Thompson #16
  • Billy Wichers #522