Born To Ride News

AMA announces top awards nominees for 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is proud to announce the 2009 nominees for special year-end awards presented to standout individuals and organizations involved in AMA-sanctioned competition. These awards will be presented at the 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, on Friday evening, Dec. 4, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

“These riders and representatives of the sport have really stood out during the 2009 season, and they’ve earned an opportunity to stand among the best in all the disciplines recognized by AMA Racing,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “In addition, we’re proud to introduce a new award this year: The AMA Racing Club of the Year Award, which will recognize an AMA-chartered club that has demonstrated outstanding dedication to amateur motorcycle competition during the preceding season.”

In addition to these special honorees, hundreds of champions will be recognized at the 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, held this year at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 4.

The racing banquet is the first part of a celebration weekend that also features the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The 2009 AMA Hall of Fame inductees include industry innovator Robert Bates, off-road champion Randy Hawkins, motorsports giants Bob and Geoff Fox, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, longtime motorcycle safety advocate David Hough, legendary race team manager Gary Mathers and iconic dirt-track racer and tuner Chuck Palmgren.

The program will also include the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance, presented by Fox Shox, on Saturday morning, and will feature some of the most beautiful motorcycles in existence. In addition, attendees will be able to meet the 2009 AMA Hall of Fame inductees and other AMA Hall of Famers at an autograph session held earlier in the day.

Advance ticket purchase is required for both evening events at a cost of $49 per person per single event, or $89 per person for both events. Tickets will remain on sale at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/LetsRock through Nov. 29. Admission to the Hall of Fame autograph session and the Concours d’Elegance, presented by Fox Shox, bike show is free.

AMA Racing Special Awards

AMA Racing Athlete of the Year Nominees

• Russell Bobbitt, Fayetteville, Ga., AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Champion Series, presented by Moose Racing
• Greg Hancock, Costa Mesa, Calif., AMA/USA Speedway National Championship
• Russ Pearson, Henderson Nev., AMA Racing Hare & Hound National Championship

AMA Racing ATV Athlete of the Year Nominees

• Chris Borich, Sunbury, Penn., Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
• Paula Shank, Petersburg, Penn., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship, ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship
• Brandon Sommers, Millersburg, Ohio, AMA Racing National ATV Hare Scrambles Championship

AMA Racing Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year Nominees

• Randy Blackwell, Owensville, Missouri, AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships
• Sam Gaige, Rochester, N.Y., AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships
• John Grewe, Cedar Springs, Mich., AMA Racing Arenacross Championship Series

ATV Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year Nominees

• Lee Dickerson, Middletown, Penn., AMA Racing National ATV Hare Scrambles Championship
• James Perry, Adolphus, Ky., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship
• Dave Simmons, Painesville, Ohio, Can-Am Grand National Cross Country

AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year Nominees

• Maria Forsberg, Brier, Wash., WORCS, International Six Days Enduro
• Erin Hunter, San Francisco, Calif., AMA National Land Speed Record Holder
• Kacy Martinez, Sunol, Calif., WORCS, AMA Racing West Hare Scrambles Championship

ATV Female Rider of the Year Nominees

• Angel Atwell, Grove City, Penn., Can-Am ATV Grand National Cross Country
• Heather Byrd, Union City, Tenn., ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship
• Paula Shank, Petersburg, Penn., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship

AMA Racing Youth Rider of the Year Nominees

• Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships
• Jake Lewis, Princeton, Ky., AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships
• Gage McAllister, Lincoln, Calif., AMA Racing Supermoto Championship

ATV Youth Rider of the Year Nominees

• Daniel Bennett, Winterville, N.C., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship
• Doug Howarth, Cortland, N.Y., Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
• Mark Madl, Kathleen, Fla., ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship

AMA Racing Media Award Nominees

• Dick Lague, Ignition 3 TV: ISDE and Bonneville Speed Records Video Productions
• Vurb Moto: Premier online source for Amateur Motocross
• Steve Berkner: ISDE coverage

AMA Racing Event Promotions Award

AMA Racing Motocross Organizer of the Year Nominees

• MX Sports LLC: Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships
• Reads Racing: Fulton County MX, Sweet 16, D&D Motorsports, Hangtime MX Park, Sweet 16 MX, Trojan Raceway, Fulton County MX.
• Unlimited Sports MX: Florida Gold Cup, Mini O’s, Florida Winter AM Series, Winter National Olympics

AMA Racing Off-Road Organizer of the Year Nominees

• NATC (North American Trials Council): NATC Observed Trials National Championship Series
• NEPG (National Enduro Promotions Group): Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing
• WFO Promotions: Hare Scrambles and Enduros (Illinois)

AMA Racing Track Racing Organizer of the Year Nominees

• Baja Acres: AMA Racing Ice Race Grand Championships
• BUB Racing Inc.: International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB
• WERA Motorcycle Road Racing: AMA Vintage Road Race Grand Championships

AMA Racing ATV Organizer of the Year Nominees

• Miles Mountain MX, Ekland, Penn.: Motocross and Hare Scrambles events
• Victory Sports Inc.: Motocross and Dirt Track events, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
• Racer Productions Inc.: Grand National Cross Country Series

AMA Racing Club of the Year Nominees

• Dayton Motorcycle Club, Dayton, Ohio: Grand Tours, Motocross, Dirt Track, Hare Scrambles, future home of AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships
• Madison Motorcycle Club, Madison, Wisc.: AMA Charter No. 2, Poker Runs, Hare Scrambles, Enduro and Dual Sport Rides
• Square Deal Motorcycle Club, Port Crane, N.Y.: Mud and Snow Scrambles, Dirt Track, Hare Scrambles

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.