Born To Ride News

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to welcome Jack Penton to the position of AMA Director of Operations. Penton, an AMA Life Member who was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 in honor of his off-road racing success, will start on June 1.

As director of operations, Penton will report directly to AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, and will assist him in managing the day-to-day functions of the Association. Penton will also have direct responsibility for the Hall of Fame.

“Jack Penton’s breadth of experience in the motorcycle industry gives him a fresh perspective that I’m excited to bring to the AMA,” Dingman said. “His hands-on approach will help guide our staff as we continually seek better ways to serve our members and more effectively promote and protect the motorcycling lifestyle.”

Penton has more than 40 years of experience in the motorcycle industry. Early in his career he worked for Penton Imports developing Penton motorcycles, a brand founded by his father, AMA Hall of Famer John Penton. Later, he worked for Kawasaki Motors, Malcolm Smith Racing and KTM America. Most recently, Penton served with Tucker Rocky Distributing, a world leader in the distribution of motorcycle merchandise.

An AMA member for 45 years, Penton is also chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) Board of Directors, the fundraising body for the Hall of Fame, a position he will relinquish prior to June 1. Having served on the AMHF board for three years, Penton has watched the AMA make major improvements at a crucial time.

“I am eager to join the AMA staff, and I look forward to helping the Association become a more powerful voice for America’s motorcyclists,” Penton said. “The threats to motorcycling are greater today than ever before. Now is the time to secure the rights of motorcyclists in America, but to do so the AMA membership needs to grow many times over.

“The AMA has its priorities in order and has made the commitments needed to expand the organization,” Penton said. “Now is the time for motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere to join us so that we can respond with strength to the forces that want to take away our rights as motorcyclists.”

Effective June 1, those wishing to contact Penton can send him an e-mail at jpenton@ama-cycle.org, or call (614) 856-1900.

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.

Sonoma, Calif…Things definitely didn’t go according to plan for the Crozier Roberson/DNA Energy Drink Motorsports Team this past weekend at the West Coast Monster Jam at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. “Wow, what a weekend,” said team manager and co-owner Mark Crozier. “We started out really strong with Joey Pascarella qualifying his DNA Energy Drink Ducati in second place in AMA Pro Supersport West. Bobby Fong grabbed a 4th place slot on AMA Pro Daytona SportBike and Michael Beck followed up with a 12th on the starting grid. But as things began to unfold, it became painfully clear that that was all the good fortune that Lady Luck had in store for us over the weekend.” Riding the DNA Energy Drink Ducati for the first time, Pascarella powered off the Supersport starting line determined to land on the podium. Running strong, he ran up front for some laps and then settled into second. All was looking good and then disaster struck. Holding down the number 2 slot, Pascarella high sided and brought out the red flag. “Due to the number of laps completed, the red, flag ended the race and Joey had to take an 18th place finish.” explains Crozier. “The crew immediately swung into action rebuilding Pascarella’s DNA Energy Drink Ducati fore Sunday’s race.” Looking for a good day, Pascarella once again thundered off the start and was going full bore when he once again high sided coming out of the last corner. “Once again, the red flag came out,” continues Crozier. “But this time we were a little luckier. The crew managed to get the bike repaired just in time for the restart and Joey was able to make it from dead last to 8th place. He did an incredible job as did the crew and despite all our problems, Joey retained a 45 point lead.” For Bobby Fong, it really didn’t go much better. “On Saturday Bobby got a bad start,” says Crozier. “He managed to move up and was running in the lead pack until around lap 11 when he lost the front end and crashed giving him a DNF. Once again, the crew got to work rebuilding the bike. Things looked a little better on Sunday. Bobby got a great start and was once again running up with the leaders. Everyone had their fingers crossed, but it wasn’t our day. Excessive tire wear forced him to slow down and he came across the finish line in 6th place.” For Michael Beck Saturday went a little better. Running an extremely smooth and consistent race, Beck ended up taking an 11th place finish in his first race on the DNA Energy Ducati. “While Saturday was smooth, Sunday was a different story,” says Crozier. “While battling for 10th, a rider in front went down and Beck had nowhere to go but down. Once again, our crew wasn’t about to give up. Springing into action, the got Beck’s bike back into running order and he was able to restart. Putting his head down, Beck managed to move back up to 11th. Unfortunately, he high sided coming out of turn one and ended his day.” “If it could go wring, it did,” sums up co-owner Robbie Roberson. “I definitely take my hat off to our crew. They did a phenomenal job. I know our riders are determined, but that is nothing compared to our crew. There wasn’t a single moment that they contemplated giving up. It was all systems go from start to finish.’ “We have 16 days to get everything ready for the next round and threw is no doubt that we will be ready,” says Crozier. Hopefully Lady Luck will give us a smile next time out.”

Crozier Roberson Motorsports is sponsored by: DNA Energy Drink, Quality Brands, Inc., FMF, Arai Helmets, Race Tech, Motion Pro, Pit Bull, EBC Brakes, EK, Melillimoto Ducati, Moto-Heaven.com, XES, Thrust Company, HEL, Woodcraft, Armour Bodies, Puma, Held Gloves, GP Tech, Active, Zero Gravity and Christopher Bean Coffee.