Joe Byrd to Run 2016 Season as a Farewell Tour
- Updated: March 1, 2016
photo by Ken Hill
Joe Byrd announced recently that 2016 will be his final season competing for an AMA ATV Motocross National Championship. The two-time champion announced the news saying that he plans to retire from professional racing as he enters his 28th and final full-time season with the 2016 ATV Motocross National Championship presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship, series.
Byrd began his racing career at the early age of 9 before progressing up the ranks of ATV racing, where he won two coveted AMA Pro Racing National Championship titles in 2006 and 2007. With over 35 professional class wins to date, Byrd captured the heart of fans rather quickly with his dedication for racing on four wheels. Today Byrd serves as the oldest racer in the AMA Pro class where he will race the 12-round series one last time.
Though his days of full-time competition on the No. 7 Honda are drawing to a close, Byrd will still have his eyes set on adding one last AMA National Championship to his resume.
“The plan is for this year to serve as my farewell tour,” said Byrd. “I’ve been blessed with such a successful career and it’s been great. I plan on staying involved in the sport as a team owner and a trainer for the next National Champion.”
Besides his success on the track, Byrd is also known for the Byrd Training Facility which opened in 2014. However, Byrd has been giving back to the sport by training the future stars with his racing schools since 1993. He even opened an aviation company where he has the opportunity to fly racers to long-distance events.
“Joe has been a tremendous ambassador for our series. His work both on and off the track has made a difference in the lives of many of our racing families,” said MX Sports Pro Racing CEO Carrie Russell. “We will greatly miss having Joe on the race track next year.”
The 2016 ATVMX series begins Tuesday, March 8, for the second annual FLY Racing ATV Supercross at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 2016 series continues throughout the Eastern half of the United States taking place at renowned motocross tracks before ultimately concluding at the Edge of Summer MX at Soaring Eagle Resort and Casino in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
For more information on the 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship, visit the series official website at www.atvmotocross.com. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #ATVMX and #FasterOnFour.
