Born To Ride News

Johnstown, Ohio… When the Green Flag signals the start of the AMA Pro SuperSport event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, July 16-18, young Ryan Kerr will be hoping for that all important extra edge.

“This is the only track in the series that I know,” says Kerr who works part time as an instructor for the Mid-Ohio Motorcycle School. “I have never ridden on any of the other tracks. However, this time out, I know the track and am hoping that my experience here will put me on the podium.

Currently tied for 5^th place in the SuperSport East standings, Kerr’s best finish to date has been a 9^th place at Road America.

“Before this year, I had never competed professionally,” continues the Ohio native. “Every race is a new challenge and so much fun. I’ve known for a long time that racing was what I wanted to do and having the chance to follow my dream this year is totally awesome.”

A hard-charger, Kerr’s goal this season is to finish every race and so far he has done just that.

“Up until this race, we have only had one race bike,” continues Kerr. “Every time I went out, I knew if I crashed we were done for the day.  Now we have two Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R’s, so if I have a major problem in practice, we will still be able to run the race, which is a big relief for me and the entire Ryan Kerr Racing crew. It definitely makes their life a little easier.”

Quiet, serious and unassuming, Kerr is very likable and quite humble about his ability on two wheels. He tends to watch and listen, obviously intent on learning everything he can that will help to make himself a better racer.

“This coming race is really important to me,” he continues.  “Mid-Ohio is my home track and it is the one time that my entire family and all my friends can come and watch.  If I was going to pick the one place to shine, this would be it. What could be more outstanding that to really do well with everyone I really care about looking on.”

One of best known race tracks in the country, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a favorite with two-wheeled fans from all over. Boasting a 2.4 mile track with 15 turns, its picturesque layout showcases the exciting action-packed racing that the Honda Super Cycle Weekend is famous for.

“The AMA Pro SuperSport class features two 17-lap races,” says Kerr. The racing is really tight. There are a number of riders that can win at every race and the margins of victory are incredibly close. Our races are 40 mile sprints and you have to be on your toes every second. We are definitely ready and everyone on the team has their fingers crossed for a good finish.”

Ryan Kerr Racing is sponsored by MJ USA, 614Paintworx, Leo Vince, Arai, Di-Digital Impressions, Woodcraft, KobieC.com, Kawasaki and MJ Motorgear, and Mid-Ohio School.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Teamwork wins titles. That virtue was on full display at the 2010 AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, July 9-11 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, as longtime friends Cory Buttrick and Adam Giddings tied for the top American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) off-road honor at the event.

The AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships were part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, a fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Buttrick, from Logan, Ohio, and Giddings, from Little Hocking, Ohio, tied in points for the Off-Road Grand Championship award. Each rider won all four of his A-class vintage motocross motos, won his hare scrambles class and finished second in his trials class.

“These young racers had a phenomenal weekend, and I want to congratulate them on their Grand Championship award, as well as the national championships they won as part of the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “With identical results in all of their classes and no head-to-head competition, tie-breakers provided for no clear distinction between the riders. So, as we have done in the past with other special awards at our Grand Championship events, this was one of those rare times when AMA Racing decided that both riders equally earned the honor.

“Unfortunately, with the rain and cancellation of Friday’s dirt-track program, we were unable to award an AMA Vintage Track Racing Grand Champion this year,” Bromley added. “We look forward to that award returning in 2011.”

Now in its second year, the AMA Vintage Grand Championships offer national recognition for vintage competitors in numerous disciplines. In addition to recognizing the AMA Vintage Grand Champions, national championships were decided in trials, vintage motocross and hare scrambles, post-vintage motocross and hare scrambles, and roadracing. Results from all classes will be at AMARacing.com, while participant photography will be available shortly at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

The 2010 event’s highest racing honor, however, was the AMA Vintage Off-Road Grand Championship. To share this distinctive award, Buttrick and Giddings had to beat some of the best vintage racers in the country not only with speed, but also with consistency and versatility across multiple disciplines.

In vintage motocross, Buttrick finished first in the 201-250cc A class with a 1-1 moto score and first in the 251cc-Open A class with a 1-1 moto score. In hare scrambles, he won the 201-250cc A class, and in trials he finished second in Vintage Old School behind Dave Perrett.

“A lot of racing went down and we all came out even in the end, which is great for the team,” Buttrick said. “We weren’t expecting that at all, and I didn’t even realize it was that close until after the trails. Vintage racing is fun. It’s a challenge. You definitely know not to go too fast on the old bikes, but you can still go really fast on one. This place is always packed with good people, and it was great to win another championship here.”

The 19-year-old Buttrick was the reigning AMA Vintage Off-Road Grand Champion, having won the honor in its inaugural year in 2009. Buttrick races for the factory KTM squad in the Grand National Cross Country Series and the AMA Racing National Enduro Championship Series. He is currently third in points in the premier XC1 class in the GNCCs and second overall for the Enduro title.

In vintage motocross, Giddings finished first in 126-200cc A class with a 1-1 moto score and first in 101-125cc A class with a 1-1 moto score. In hare scrambles, he won the 86-200cc A class. In trials, Giddings finished second behind Fred Ellis for the Vintage Factory championship.

“We all came out on top, so it was a good weekend, and we had a lot of fun,” Giddings said. “The motors on those things are pretty similar to modern motorcycles. It just comes down to the suspension and brakes. I’ve ridden this event the past six years, and there are some really quick guys out there. That 125A class has been stacked.”

The 21-year-old Giddings raced in GNCC youth classes before injuries sidelined his career. Recently, Giddings has re-ignited his amateur racing effort, competing mostly in AMA District 11 hare scrambles events.

Both Buttrick and Giddings raced vintage Penton motorcycles in the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships. In the late 1970s, the Penton brand — which was founded by American off-road racing legend and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer John Penton — was sold to KTM, Buttrick’s current sponsor. The Pentons that Buttrick and Giddings raced are owned and maintained by Team Pentovarna’s Kent Knudson, with additional help from Gary Roach, James Giddings and Dennis Buttrick.

“Vintage racers are some of the most-enthusiastic, most-dedicated racers in the AMA fold, and it’s our honor to recognize these competitors with national awards,” Bromley said. “Despite racing bikes that in many case are older than they are, these riders show up to win and have a good time. I’m personally looking forward to awarding them their AMA Racing No. 1 plates at the AMA Racing Champions Banquet this November.”

The AMA Racing Champions Banquet will take place at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas this Nov. 21 as part of the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend. The weekend will kick off with the induction ceremony for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Friday, Nov. 19. On Saturday, Nov. 20, some of the country’s finest restored and original-condition classic motorcycle will take part in the 2010 AMA Concours d’Elegance. Also part of the weekend is the final round of the Geico Powersports AMA Endurocross National Championship Series, held at The Orleans Arena. Ticket and reservation information are available at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

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 the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.