Bret Michaels is kick-starting the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season by creating the “Rock Hard-Ride Hard Award”. The award honors the hardest charging, comeback supercross rider who ultimately proves to push the limits in a quest towards winning the Monster Energy Supercross championship.
In the spirit of strength and survival, Michaels is donating thousands of dollars of his own money as an award to a deserving rider. The award will be presented to the rider, who just like Bret, battles through the most adversity either on or off the track throughout the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season. Michaels will personally present the winner with the award at the season finale at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium on May 7.
In conjunction with Monster Energy Supercross – which includes broadcasts on SPEED TV and CBS Sports – the “Rock Hard-Ride Hard” Award winner will be determined by a combination of votes from race fans and a rider’s position in the points standings. Details on how race fans can vote will be released soon.
SPEED and CBS Sports supercross play-by-play broadcaster Ralph Sheheen had these thoughts on the new award, "Bret and I have been friends for quite some time, not only does he know how to rock an audience but he can rip off a killer lap time on a dirt bike,” exclaimed Sheheen. “He is a true motorcycle enthusiast who has a real passion for supercross, which is why this award is a perfect fit for Bret and the sport."
“It isn't whether you are going to go down, but when and how hard,” stated Michaels. “It’s how you roll with the punches and how you get back up that counts. This award is about recognizing the hard charging rider that overcomes the worst odds and makes an amazing recovery.”
Michaels adds, “The Feld Motor sports team has been wonderful to work with and I am looking forward to continue working with them throughout the season."
Michaels and supercross fans alike will be tuning in to find out who will be the strongest survivor to rock through the adversities of this hard riding competition. With riders flying their motorcycles 70 feet in the air bar to bar over massive triple jumps, and slamming into each other in huge bowl turns, it isn't a surprise that Monster Energy Supercross has become the fastest growing motorsport on the planet.