Morgantown, W.Va. (September 2, 2009)
- DirecTV and VERSUS were unable to come to terms on contract renewal and as of Monday, DirecTV customers no longer have VERSUS in their lineup, which means loss of coverage of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, the Lucas Oil Women's MX Championship, the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships from Loretta Lynn Ranch presented by Amsoil and ATV Dirt Days, the AMA Pro ATV MX Finals from Loretta Lynn Ranch.
The GNCC Series and the Women's Motocross Championship will air throughout the month of September. The AMA Amateur Nationals from Loretta Lynn Ranch airs Thursday, September 24 at 4 p.m. EST), and the ATV Dirt Days final airs Sunday September 27th 2:30p.m. EST.
The following is a prepared statement from VERSUS with instructions on helping bring the network back to DirecTV:
"We are hopeful that DirecTV will make the right decision for its customers and put VERSUS back on the air so sports fans can continue to enjoy all of the network's marquee programming. In the meantime, we urge you to call 1-800-642-1923 to demand that DirecTV puts VERSUS back on or visit www.VERSUS.com for more information about how to switch to another video provider; all of which carry VERSUS."
Versus has set up a Web site for viewers to submit a request to DirecTV letting them know they want Versus back. To submit a request, Click here.
About GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1973, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. Riders compete for more than $3 million in prize money, which draws talent from all over the U.S. Europe, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised and airs every Saturday and Thursday on the Versus Network. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
About the Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships
Produced by MX Sports, Inc., the Air Nautiques/AMA National Motocross Championships is the world's largest amateur motocross race. Hosted annually since 1982 at the home of country music star Loretta Lynn in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., the event is the premier amateur motocross race in the world. Approximately 25,000 racers attempt to qualify in 33 classes for the 1,386 available gates at the finals. The National event, christened "The World's Greatest Motocross Vacation", is held the first week of August annually. As proof of the significance of winning an AMA Amateur National Championship title, most of today's top motocross and Supercross stars, including Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and Ryan Villopoto, won championships at Loretta Lynn's. For more information, please visit www.mxsports.com.
About the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV National Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited
The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV National Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited is the nation's premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, and competes at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 11-round series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's largest and longest-running ATV National Motocross series with more than 20 years of competition. The series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while keeping close to the grassroots fun that makes people love to go to the races. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.