Dates for the 13th annual Red Bull Tennessee Knockout (TKO) have been confirmed for August 18-20, 2023, at the Trials Training Center, Sequatchie.

Following the announcement the Red Bull Tennessee Knockout would not be part of the Hard Enduro World Championship in 2023, organisers of the TKO were quick to point out that definitely did not mean the event was canned, in fact far from it as Eric Peronard explained to Enduro21 in our interview last month.

Read that here: “It’s fuelling anti-FIM/World Championship sentiment” – TKO’s Eric Peronard

The only thing in fact left hanging was the actual date which they were awaiting nailing down due to confirmation and collaboration with of the US Hard Enduro series and major race teams for best date to suit all concerned.

Well, it’s finally here as entries open today, January 18, at 18:00 (US Central time) for the ’23 TKO which will again serve as the AMA Grand Championship for Extreme Off-Road and is expected to attract the top North American and International Hard Enduro racers.

Enter quick for reduced fee

The entry fee will be $100 (this includes a transponder rental fee) for participants that enter before March 31, 2023. The entry fee will increase to $120 after March 31.

Amateur riders can enter the TKO via this link (a separate link will be sent directly to the pre-qualified Amateur and Pro riders).

TKO race format

The racing format will be like past years with a Prologue on Friday to set amateur racer starting positions followed by two rounds of amateur racing on Saturday and a multi round Sunday competition for the pro riders, which will include the top thirty finishers from Saturday. The ECR eMoto electric motorcycle class that was a huge success in 2022 will be back and a few other exiting ideas are being developed.

TKO will again pre-qualify the top riders to the multi round Sunday competition. This will include top riders from major US and international off-road racing series and events. Any rider that finished in the top 35 on Sunday at the 2022 TKO, as well as riders that have qualified for a previous TKO Sunday main event, will be qualified directly into the 2023 TKO Sunday programme.

The Saturday programme will include two rounds of racing and will serve as the AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship for Amateur riders. The overall Amateur winner will be awarded the AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship number one plate. Classes will be available for A, B, C, Women Pro, Women Amateur, 45+, Youth and eMoto.

The top 50 amateur finishers from the 2022 TKO will earn a spot directly into Saturday round two. Amateur riders will also be able to earn spots directly into round two via several AMA Hard Enduro regional championship events.

Riders who do not qualify via one of the AMA regional events can sign up for one of 500 open spots that will compete in a morning qualifying race that can earn a spot in the championship final on Saturday. The top 30 finishers from Saturday will be invited to Sunday’s expert programme.

 

More information: www.tennesseeknockoutenduro.com