Born To Ride News

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) congratulates the nearly 1,500 qualifiers who’ve earned a start at the world’s premier amateur motocross event: the 30th Annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by Amsoil, at the Loretta Lynn Ranch Monday, Aug. 1, through Saturday, Aug. 6, in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
“The AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship holds a unique place in the hearts and minds of motocross racers not just in America, but the world over,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “For 30 years, this event has provided amateur riders a world-class venue to showcase their skills against their peers. For some of those racers, this race will launch them on careers at the highest levels of the sport. For others, it will be the race of a lifetime — a rare moment in the spotlight among the world’s best.

“The AMA is proud of all the racers who earned a spot on the starting line at the Loretta Lynn Ranch this summer,” Bromley said.

Dave Coombs Sr. and Paul Shlegel founded the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship in 1982. Since then, the event has upheld the virtues of fairness, safety and fun. It has provided tens of thousands of families a priceless motocross experience every summer since.

“I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since the first AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at the Ranch,” said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow, himself a former amateur national champ. “It seems like yesterday that I was competing against the likes of Jeff Matiasevich, Mike Kiedrowski and Ty Davis in the 125 A class when, in fact, it was back in ’86!

“So many riders who have done so well in the pro ranks raced at the Loretta Lynn Ranch,” Bigelow added. “Whether it’s a rider in the 50cc shaft drive class or a Pro-Sport rider, you know that some of them will become top riders in the years to come, and you just can’t help to wonder which of the riders it will be. Without any doubt, the Ranch has the best amateur riders in the world, and I look forward to a week of outstanding racing.”

Event promoter MX Sports manages a nationwide qualifying system that ensures equal representation from AMA members all over the country, while the world-class track is reserved for this one event, providing a level playing field for all competitors.

“The success of the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, its longevity and its reputation, hinge on the experience of MX Sports,” Bromley said. “We wish the riders, their families, as well as the track and operations crew, a safe and fun week of racing.”

To see that future as it plays out in 37 classes running 99 motos, keep an eye on MXSports.com for the latest results as they become official.

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

S&S Hires Former CFO Stephen Iggens as President

(Viola, WI) S&S Cycle Inc. of Viola, Wisconsin is pleased to announce the hiring of Stephen K. Iggens as company President. The duties of President have been handled by Executive Chairman and CEO George B. Smith since late 2008. Iggens first official day on the job will be August 8, 2011 and he is planning on attending the rally in Sturgis, SD for a few days to meet customers and other industry leaders.

George Smith will continue as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors at S&S Cycle and lend his industry expertise and experience to Steve to effect a smooth and seamless transition.

Iggens is no stranger to S&S Cycle and the motorcycle industry having served as Executive Controller, Director of Finance/CFO and CFO/Vice President of Finance at S&S between 2003 and 2006. The management team is very pleased to welcome Steve back to S&S in his new role as company President.

Iggens, a licensed CPA in the state of Wisconsin and MBA graduate from Marquette University, has obtained broad business experience with company COO leadership positions in diverse industries of printing, die casting, machining and non-ferrous metals casting. Those experiences shared many similar challenges to S&S Cycle in the recent economic downturn and give him an excellent perspective to capitalize on current S&S Cycle opportunities.
According to Chairman and CEO George B. Smith, “Steve Iggens is a very competent and capable guy and knows S&S Cycle and our industry. I don’t think we could have found a better match to lead the S&S Team to take advantage of the opportunities facing us and the positive initiatives currently in the works. With his past experience here at S&S and additional business and manufacturing experience he gained the last five years, I’m confident that he will be able to continue the growth exhibited the past year and help develop effective future strategies.”

Iggens enjoys traveling and spending time with this wife Kate and his young son Mick. He is also a bit of a motor head and in his spare time rides his S&S powered Harley-Davidson® Road King® and works on his classic cars. According to Steve, moving back to the beauty of southwest Wisconsin and leading S&S is a dream come true.

“My family is very excited to be moving to beautiful southwest Wisconsin, and I am personally very honored to have the opportunity to come back to a first rate company like S&S Cycle as President!”

S&S Cycle has been a leading manufacturer of performance engines and replacement parts for v-twin motorcycles for over 50 years. The company’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are based in Viola, Wisconsin. More information can be found at www.sscycle.com.

Sacramento, CA — The stage is set and the entire field of AMA Pro Flat Track racers are ready for the curtain to rise on the return of the famed Sacramento Mile, Saturday July 30 at Cal Expo.

Back after a decade, this extremely popular race promises to be one of the most exciting events of the year.  The points are incredibly close and each and every rider is determined to better his position.

Leading the championship battle is Sammy Halbert with 206 points.  Sitting just 3 points back is Jared Mees.  Both riders have three wins each and both want to emerge as the winner of the Sacramento Mile. However, the rest of the field has the exact same goal.  Defending champion Jake Johnson sits in third place with 197 points and two wins so far this season. Fourth is former Grand National champion Kenny Coolbeth Jr. who has 176 points and two wins to his credit and fifth is rookie sensation and former Pro Singles champion Brad Baker.

Another rider looking to claim the distinction of taking the Checkered at the return of the Sacramento Mile is native Californian and seven time Grand National champion Chris Carr.  Born and raised in Stockton, Calif., Carr is retiring at the end of this season and nothing would please him more than being victorious on Saturday night.

Predicting the outcome is impossible, but what is for sure is the action will be incredible as a full field of riders battle their way to the finish.

Adding even more excitement for the fans will be the AMA Pro Single event.  Comprised of the county’s best upcoming young riders mounted aboard 450cc machines, the Pro Singles is also a battle from beginning to end.

Gates open at 1:30 pm.  Riders will run practice in the afternoon with open ceremonies taking place at 6:30 pm.  Racing begins at 7:00 pm.  A special autograph session will be held immediately following the last practice.  Fans can meet their favorite riders, take pictures and get autographs.

Tickets are available on line at boxoffice@calexpo.com or call the Cal Expo Box Office at 916-263-3295.

Advance ticket prices are $85 for the Turf Club, $75 for the Legends Club House, $65 for Box Seats and $50 for Reserved Grandstands.  All tickets are $10 more at the gate.  All tickets also include same day admission to the Fair.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — With the conclusion of 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days featuring Kawasaki, Marque of the Year, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) extends its thanks to the fans, attendees, racers, vendors, seminar speakers and sponsors who made this year’s event successful.
The AMA organizes the annual fundraiser to benefit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The event brings together racers, enthusiasts, collectors, restorers, fans and other organizations in a 3-day celebration of motorcycling’s heritage. Highlights include North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, national championship vintage racing in numerous disciplines and a historical retrospective of a classic brand.

This year that brand was Kawasaki, which was on hand with company representatives, a product display, demo rides of new models, as well as Motorcycle Hall of Fame off-road champion Jeff Fredette, who greeted fans and competed in vintage off-road competition.

Jack Penton, AMA director of operations who is also a Motorcycle Hall of Famer, said this year’s event owed its success to everyone involved.

“In addition to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, our partner in this event, I particularly want to thank Kawasaki for its extraordinary efforts to showcase its storied motorcycling history at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days with its displays, demo rides, seminars and autograph signings,” Penton said.

“And I can’t say enough about Jeff Fredette, whose stellar off-road racing career aboard Kawasakis earned him a spot in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” Penton continued. “As the grand marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Fredette was an iron man — rushing here and there to sign autographs, race, and to take part in other special activities. Thanks, Jeff.”

AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley thanked a number of individuals who supported the racing program.

“On the racing side, we owe a tip of the helmet to WERA Motorcycle Road Racing for its extraordinary work to move our vintage road racing program forward,” Bromley said. “But the WERA crew was just one part of the vintage racing show. Several other partners came together to support the competition events as well.”

Those groups and individuals included the Dayton Motorcycle Club, Ohio Trials Inc., Mandi Mastin and her family, Jim Pooler, Kim Adams, Don Miller of MetroRacing.com, Alex Morros with the Legends of Motocross display, and Bart Newman and Jeff Beerbower of Log Road MX Park in Coldwater, Mich.

Penton also thanked the Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Club, organized by John Basore. The club contributed to the success of the event by displaying rare and historically significant machines as this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Classic Club.

“I also want to thank Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter, who brought his Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge to the event to promote interest in creating more fuel-efficient transportation,” Penton added. “Then, there are the AMA Life Members who joined us for the AMA Life Member Appreciation Breakfast. We couldn’t do any of this without your support.”

Others deserving thanks, Penton said, include announcer Griff Allen, Café Racer magazine for its expansive display and bike show; the numerous clubs that participated in the club corral, Kane “Insane” Friesen for his extreme motorcycle stunt show; Kawasaki, KTM North America and KYMCO for bringing their demo fleets; all the seminar speakers who enlightened and entertained; the bike show participants who brought out their stunning examples of motorcycle history and technology; the racers who took part in vintage and post-vintage motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track competition; and a small army of volunteers who braved the record heat to support the event.

“Of course, we must thank all the vendors who turned out to make the 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days swap meet one of the best ever,” Penton said. “The swap meet is a premier attraction of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for many of our attendees, and the event simply wouldn’t be the same without our vendors.

“Finally, a special thanks goes out to all the motorcycle fans of all things vintage who attended AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to enjoy the festivities and help support the Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” Penton continued. “The Motorcycle Hall of Fame is a critical part of preserving our two-wheeled heritage, and everyone who lends a hand in making AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a success is helping further that mission.”

Located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, the Hall of Fame celebrates, elucidates and preserves the rich tradition of motorcycling in America. Its exhibits honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling.

For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame’s website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

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