American Motorcyclist For Kids May 2024

contributors

FOR KIDS AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST

With nearly 20 years of editorial and marketing experience, Joy Burgess has worked to support youth and women riders throughout every step of her career. Now the AMA’s director of marketing & communications, Burgess continues to uplift riders of all backgrounds, and was the driving force behind the AMA’s Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month.

Alex Boehm, 27, grew up around motorcycling thanks to his advertising-VP-for-Honda mom and magazine-editor dad. And while he didn’t get hooked on bikes until 8 or 9, his love for the sport continues to grow in his sales and event specialist job with the AMA, which has him working on magazine and digital advertising, event partnerships, and events themselves.

As one of moto-journalism’s most noteworthy figures, with more than 50 years of experience in the industry with stops at Motorcyclist, Cycle World and American Honda, Mitch Boehm has served as the editorial director of American Motorcyclist since 2021. “Our goal is pretty simple,” he says. “Build the most compelling, informative and entertaining magazine we can each month.”

Although new to the moto-journalism scene, Jack Emerson dove headfirst into the world of motorcycles when he started at the AMA in 2023. Jack works as the AMA’s communications manager, helping spread and share the overall message and mission of the AMA.

After writing about athletes that scored touchdowns and hit home runs, Keaton started telling stories about young and old motorcyclists that claimed trophies and accomplished great feats outside the track. He arrived at the AMA in 2021, and now serves as managing editor of American Motorcyclist. He has enjoyed telling the stories of all who call the motorcycling community home.

Joy Burgess

ALEX BOEHM

JACK EMERSON

KEATON MAISANO

MITCH BOEHM

Happy

Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month!

During this epic month of riding fun, the AMA takes the time to recognize our youngest members and their overwhelming impact on our mission to promote motorcycling and preserve the motorcycle lifestyle. At the same time, we aim to encourage all kids — no matter their age — to hop on a dirt bike and enjoy the freedom of two wheels. There’s truly nothing like it.

In this special edition of American Motorcyclist, we tell the stories of some of the incredible kids who have made a difference in the world of motorcycling. Whether it’s on the racetrack or the steps of Capitol Hill, kids have all the power in the world to make real change, especially within our community of riders.

We can’t wait to celebrate this month with all of you and hope you take the opportunity to get out and ride!

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AMA-Zing

EVENTS

BY JACK EMERSON

A look at some of the exciting AMA events in store for 2024

Permco AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS presented by yamaha

ome one, come all to the largest celebration of vintage motorcycling!

There are so many opportunities, both for beginners and skilled riders, at this year ’s Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha — which runs July 26–28 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

With riding courses set up by STACYC and Strider, as well as racing opportunities for kids as young as 4, there are plenty of ways to get on two wheels. Don’t forget to take a quick break to check out the Wall of Death and MotoMotion stunt shows and watch the pros work their motorcycling magic.

Those are just a few of the sweet events happening at VMD. Check out more at https://VintageMotorcycleDays.com/.

Where is this year’s Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha?

a) Indianapolis Motor Speedway

b) The Milwaukee Mile Speedway

c) Daytona International Speedway

d) Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Answer on Page 25

AMA HALL OF FAME DAYS

Meet your heroes at AMA Hall of Fame Days!

Running Oct. 10–13 at the AMA Campus in Pickerington, Ohio, AMA Hall of Fame Days will be the center of the motorcycling universe for those few days. With a large collection of the sport’s legends in town for the event, the AMA will welcome a new class of Hall of Famers on Thursday, Oct. 10.

But the fun doesn’t end there! The rest of the weekend includes an open house at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, a STACYC and Pit Bike exhibition and a Bike Night with plenty of food, vendors and, best of all, motorcycles!

Head over to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/events/hall-of-fame-days/ for all of the details!

MISSION FOODS AMA FLAT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Get your steel shoes on and be ready to kick up some dust!

At the 2024 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship in Du Quoin, Ill., competitors, as young as 4, take to the dirt track in search of AMA National No. 1 plates. What’s cooler than that?

With amateur flat track racing in four disciplines — Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track and TT — the racing action will be pretty much non-stop from June 30–July 6.

Go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/events-4/ama-flat-track-grand-championship/.

AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Fast bikes and big air are two of the best ways to describe the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship!

Held at Loretta Lynn’s iconic ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is the premier amateur motocross event in the country. With a wide range of classes, there’s sure to be racing opportunities for riders of nearly all ages. This year’s rendetion runs July 29–Aug. 3

To learn more, visit mxsports.com/event/amateur-national-motocross-championship.

Kayla YaakovFASTFEARLESS &

BY JOY BURGESS

Kayla Yaakov isn’t your ordinary high school junior. At just 16 years old, she’s already making waves in the world of professional road racing. But what makes Kayla special isn’t just her speed on the track — it’s her determination, skill, and love for the sport.

From a young age, Kayla had a passion for racing, inspired by her dad who used to race motorcycles. She started riding when she was only 4 years old and hasn’t stopped since. Whether it’s motocross, flat track, or road racing, Kayla has always been eager to compete and win.

Even though she’s a girl in a sport dominated by boys, Kayla never lets that hold her back. She’s been racing against them since she was in elementary school, and she’s been winning too. With over 400 race wins and 47 championships under her belt, Kayla proves that skill knows no gender.

In 2024, Kayla took on one of the biggest challenges of her career — the Daytona 200. It’s a legendary race where the best racers from around the world come to compete. Despite being her first time at Daytona and racing on a new bike with a new team, Kayla showed her talent by finishing 11th out

of 66 racers.

“I was really excited to be on the grid at Daytona,” Kayla told us after the race. “To be part of that field and qualify so well, with so many great riders all around me, was so encouraging.”

What makes Kayla so good on the track? Well, besides her natural talent, she trains hard. She’s not just fast; she’s fit too. Kayla works out to stay in top shape, pedaling on her bicycle and doing exercises to strengthen her body. She even had to overcome injuries to her knees, but she didn’t let that stop her.

Off the track, Kayla enjoys playing

NEVER AFRAID OF THE BIG STAGE, KAYLA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HER OPPORTUNITY AT THE 2024 DAYTONA 200 IN MARCH, PLACING 11TH AGAINST SOME OF THE FASTEST ROAD RACERS IN THE COUNTRY.

music and spending time with her family. She’s a talented musician who plays the saxophone, guitar, and is learning the bass. In fact, “If I wasn’t racing motorcycles professionally,” she told us, “I would definitely be playing music.”

When she’s not racing, you might find her at the skatepark or practic-

ing on her Supermoto bike on the track that surrounds her home in Pennsylvania.

But racing isn’t just a hobby for Kayla — it’s her dream. She wants to keep winning and climbing to the top of the racing world. With the support of her family and her team, Kayla’s future looks bright.

What’s next for Kayla? Well, she’s aiming to win the MotoAmerica Supersport championship this year.

For now, though, Kayla is focused on doing what she loves — racing motorcycles and having fun. And with her speed, determination, and talent, there’s no doubt she’ll continue to shine on the track for years to come.

PASTRANA UNPLUGGED!

11 Questions with AMA Hall of Famer Travis Pastrana

hat did you want to be growing up?

The only thing I ever wanted to do when I grew up was race moto. As a kid I dreamed of racing AMA Supercross and winning championships. Never really had a Plan B.

Who taught you to ride and what bike did you learn on?

My first bike came from Santa Claus

and it was a Honda Z 50cc. My mom and my dad both rode motorcycles but it was mostly my dad who helped me learn the first couple of days. It was December in Maryland, so we had really cold and rainy/snowy weather but all I wanted to do was ride.

Who was/is your moto hero? I really looked up to Guy Cooper and [Hall of Famer] Doug Henry. Cooper

always found the biggest jumps and threw the biggest whips. Doug was the nicest guy in the pit area and they both loved riding so much. First or last, they had a smile on their face.

What is your most cherished riding/ racing memory?

I remember my first practice day at a local track we called Aquasco. I couldn’t make it up most of the hills and I was on the ground in tears more than I was on my bike… but the thought of flying around the track like the other kids were that day made me want to ride even more.

What is your favorite non-motorcycling thing to do?

I love to drive cars and Can-Ams. Similar feeling but you don’t fall down as often.

What are your go-to pizza toppings? BBQ chicken and pineapple

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Vanilla

Who is your favorite musician?

Tim Montana

What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

Scooby Doo

You are on a deserted island, what are three things you are taking with you (given you have enough food and water)?

My wife, my kids and our dirt bikes…

TRAVIS PASTRANA, WHO WAS INDUCTED INTO THE AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME IN 2023, HAS A RESUMÉ THAT IS JAM-PACKED WITH DAZZLING ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INCLUDING BECOMING THE FIRST RIDER TO LAND A DOUBLE BACKFLIP ON A MOTORCYCLE DURING A COMPETITION. AS A STUNTMAN, HE EVEN BROKE RECORDS SET BY HALL OF FAMER EVEL KNIEVEL!

technically that’s more than three.

What is the greatest piece of advice you could give to kids today? Anything you enjoy doing is not a waste of time. No matter the end result. If dirt bike riding ever be comes work, you’re doing something wrong.

two truths and a lie

Which is not true about Travis Pastrana?

a) His 2000 AMA 125cc National Motocross Championship made him the youngest rider to ever win the title.

b) He opened a deli in his hometown of Annapolis, Md. It is famous for its “Travis Pastrami” sandwich.

c) He was the 2018 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year

Answer on Page 25

KIDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Young motorcyclists rallied against dirt bike ban in 2008, which could have ended youth riding and racing

BY KEATON MAISANO AND JACK EMERSON

Imagine a world where you couldn’t ride your dirt bike. It’s almost too scary to think about, but in 2008, this nightmare almost became a reality. Thanks to the AMA, its members — which included plenty of kids willing to stand up for themselve industry leaders, the ability for kids to enjoy riding their di protected.

Signed into law in 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improve ment Act — better known as the “Lead Law” — was designed to protect children from swallowing lead, which is a dangerous metal that can cause diseases. As a result, some books, bicy cles, telescopes and, you guessed it, dirt bikes faced potentia bans, despite the fact that kids would likely never chew or eat them.

The AMA quickly called upon its members for help, and parents across the country quickly responded with letters and emails in defense of kids’ right to ride dirt bikes.

Motorcyclists also brought the fight directly to Congress’ doorstep, rallying at the U.S. Capitol Building to voice their displeasure toward the law. Kids made their voices heard during these events behind a united rallying cry: “Please give me my dirt bike back. I promise not to eat it.”

To recognize their impact and willingness to fight for their dirt bikes, the AMA recognized kids as the 2009 AMA Motorcyclists of the Year.

Two years later in 2011, kids once again made a difference when they showed up to the 2011 AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb in Washington, D.C. With hundreds of kids attending the event and speaking up for their rights, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act ultimately passed in 2011 to give kids their dirt bikes and ATVs back.

“We really couldn’t have done it without our members and all the grassroots support,” said AMA CEO and President Rob Dingman. “Had we not succeeded in getting the law changed, it is hard to fathom where we would be today. It is difficult to think about what would have happened if youth riding was effectively banned.”

While the AMA and its adult members fought hard against the ban, kids like you made the ultimate difference. Remember, no matter how small or

young you are, you can always speak up for yourself and defend your right to ride. And the next time you hop on your dirt bike or ATV, pause a moment to silently thank the kids that fought for your right to ride. Without them, the world could be a lot less fun.

Within a month of the “Lead Law” being signed in 2008, how many letters and emails did parents write in defense of kids and their dirt bikes?

a) less than 5,000

b) 10,000

c) 50,000

D) more than 70,000 Answer on Page 25

TO ENSURE THEIR VOICES WOULD BE HEARD, KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS VISITED CAPITOL HILL ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS TO FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHT TO RIDE DIRT BIKES. THEIR EFFORTS PROVED EFFECTIVE AS THE KIDS JUST WANT TO RIDE ACT PASSED IN 2011.

Ryan Dungey 10 QUESTIONS WITH

Catching up with AN AMA Supercross Legend

hat did you want to be when you grew up?

At a young age, I wanted to be a pro motocross racer and make it to the big leagues. I saw it on TV, and that was the goal.

Who taught you to ride, and what bike did you learn on?

My dad actually taught me how to ride. He rode growing up and then when he had us kids, my brothers and I, he got us a bike and introduced us to it.

Who was/is your moto hero?

There’s [AMA Hall of Famer] Jeremy McGrath because that’s who I first saw on TV and going to all the races. And then, it was [AMA Hall of Famer] Ricky Carmichael.

AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAMER RYAN DUNGEY HAD ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL 10-YEAR RUNS IN AMA SUPERCROSS AND PRO MOTOCROSS HISTORY, CLAIMING FOUR AMA SUPERCROSS 450SX TITLES AND THREE PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE 450 CLASS BETWEEN 2007 AND 2017. DUNGEY WAS INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME IN 2023.

What is your favorite non-motorcycling thing to do?

I like to play golf and go fishing. I would say those are the two things I find the most enjoyable away from the dirt bike track and when I can get out to do them.

What is your favorite candy? Snickers

What’s your ideal vacation?

It’s two pieces. One, with the family probably sitting on a beach and doing something fun in that regard. Or going up to the mountains, Telluride, Colo., just kind of getting away from it all.

What is your go-to karaoke song? I’d say anything country.

What was your favorite cartoon/ TV show/movie growing up?

As a kid, it was probably The Road Runner Show. Growing up, too, I also liked That ’70s Show. That was a good one.

You are on a deserted island, what three things are you taking with you (given you have enough food and water?)

I’d bring my family, a dirt bike and a fishing rod.

What is the greatest piece of advice you could give to kids today? I would say don’t be afraid to fail. Obviously, you need to work hard but don’t be afraid to fail. It’s going to be tough and you’re going to face some high-pressure situations. You’re going to come up short sometimes, and that’s OK, just don’t let it beat you up and keep pushing and know it’s all making you better.

How many AMA Supercross championships has Ryan Dungey won?

a) one b) two C) three D) four

Answer on Page 25

MOTOGO GO!KIDS

An educational program putting the fun back into learning

BY KEATON MAISANO

Ever dreamt of trading in your pencil for a wrench and learning in a garage rather than a classroom? Thanks to the Motogo program in Cleveland, kids are doing just that!

Motogo is an educational program designed to teach middle school and high school students to solve problems through working on motorcycles.

Emphasizing working with your hands and building selfconfidence and a sense of community, Motogo offers schoolkids the chance to rebuild 1970s Honda CB350 engines in one program and the entire motorcycle in another with the objective of sparking a newfound confidence in each student.

“We’re essentially bringing shop class back,” Motogo coach Brian Schaffran said. “It used to exist in all the schools until recently, except instead of doing lawnmowers and birdhouses, we’re doing motorcycles, so that’s the hook.”

“I don’t want our class to feel like a class,” Brian continued. “I don’t want them to associate it with sitting at a desk, so I try to make it feel as unlike

school as possible.”

Elise Kavalchek is one student that has enjoyed the Motogo program and benefited from it. The 17-year-old senior has been through the Motogo program twice — once with the CB350 engine rebuild and again with the whole-bike rebuild. She elected to take the engine rebuild program as part of her school’s Immersion Week because it aligned with her interest in becoming a mechanical engineer.

“It wasn’t just about learning how to work on engines,” she said. “It was also problem-solving, because they’re not new engines and there will be problems with them. I learned a lot about problem solving through this experience.”

Each Motogo program ends with Kickstart Day, an opportunity for the students to kickstart a motorcycle and see the culmination of what they have been working on throughout the class. “You can see how your work goes into the entire motorcycle,” Elise said. “And it’s pretty cool to see a whole motorcycle when we were just working on a small part of it.”

FAR LEFT PHOTO: BRIAN SCHAFFRAN STANDING NEXT TO HIS WIFE, MOLLY VAUGHAN, THE CREATORS OF THE MOTOGO PROGRAM. THE PAIR RECEIVED THE 2022 AMA BESSIE STRINGFIELD AWARD.

Working in the motorcycle industry is not only possible...it’s fun!

BY ALEX BOEHM

G from kid TO CAREER

rowing up, riding in the desert with family, and racing minis and 125s with my dad, I never thought about a career in the motorcycle industry.

For me, and probably for you, too, riding motorcycles was all about fun, not a job. And besides, my working life was far, far away. After all, I was 8 or 9, or in my early teens.

But time flies when you’re having fun, and now that I’m in my 20s and working for the AMA, I’m finding I absolutely love working in the motorcycle industry.

Think about it…you’re going to have a job anyway, right? So you might as well do something you love. It’s something my dad always told me growing up.

Like a lot of you, my first dirt bike experience was at age 4 or 5 aboard a blue Yamaha PW50.

And like a lot of you, I fell off the first time I rode it…and didn’t want a thing to do with motorcycles for years.

Luckily, a family friend named Jan Plessner from Kawasaki held a kids’ ride event at Kawasaki’s HQ when I was about 8, and my dad and I went, along with my buddy Ben. We had the absolute time of our lives that day, even if I did learn the hard way about looping out. I was hooked.

After that I didn’t want to do anything else. We started going to the desert, to track days at Glen Helen and Milestone MX Park, and racing on occasion, in SoCal and as far away as Mid-Ohio for VMD and at Ohio International Raceway. Racing scared me at first, but you get used to the pressure!

I took a little hiatus during my football years in 7th and 8th grade and through high school, but once that ended I found

myself back on the bikes. My love for the sport never waned.

After years of working smaller jobs and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I got an incredible opportunity to work at the AMA last year, and the last 12 months have been a revitalization of my love for this sport and everything that comes with it. I have never been happier!

I grew up around this industry and always enjoyed just being around motorcycles… and now I get amazing opportunities to promote the AMA and help folks love the sport as I do. It doesn’t get much better!

Alex now.

ALEX IN FLIGHT ON HIS KAWASAKI KX125 AT GLEN HELEN YEARS AGO.

MARSHALL MANIA

Threebrothers — withthehelpoftheirgrandfather andfather — dashthroughthesandtofourclasstitles

BY KEATON MAISANO

They say good things come in threes, and for the Marshall family, the notion certainly rings true.

The Marshall boys, Joel, Micah and Caleb, have followed in both their father and grandfather’s footsteps — or, better yet, tire tracks — and taken to riding and racing motorcycles. In 2022 the brothers proudly represented their family name by collecting four class titles in AMA District 37 desert racing.

“At the beginning of the year it seems like it’s not possible,” Zach Marshall, father of the boys, said, “and at the end of the year, you’re not sure how it all came together. But it’s impressive to see.”

Zach Marshall picked up his love of riding from his father, Ray Martin. A professional flat tracker in the ’70s,

Martin grew up in a Southern California home that was next door to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bob Hannah, whose father helped Martin learn to ride.

Martin’s passion has since been passed down to his son and grandsons.

“[Zach and I] rode the desert a lot and had a lot of fun sharing that,” Martin said. “He has three kids, and even at an early age, they’re learning how to use the tools, learning how to deal with reality, climb mountains and do all kinds of things.”

While the boys love the thrill of race days, it is their willingness to work and ability in the garage that shows their maturity and commitment.

“As far as tuning and working on dirt bikes, that’s on the boys,” Zach Mar-

shall said. “If they test on the weekend and they say, ‘My carburetor feels a little sticky,’ or ‘My sparkplug needs to be swapped out,’ that’s important for them to take care of.”

Just like their father and grandfather before them, the boys continue to develop and deepen their love for riding.

Hill-Preppin’ POOCH

John Radke’s 6-year-old pit bull has become District 14’s beloved mascot, and a staple of hillclimb events

Atypical hillclimb event involves fans looking up as riders brave hills that reach toward the sky, but spectators in District 14 occasionally find themselves looking down and asking a simple question: “Where’s Heywood?”

Heywood can be found at national hillclimbs and other motorcycle events, where he steals the show with four paws rather than two wheels. Event promoter John Radke adopted the 6-year-old pit bull rescue in spring of

2021 from the Humane Society of West Michigan, and nearly 25 racing events later, Heywood has adjusted quite well to his new motorcycle-centric lifestyle.

“The very first week I had him, we were prepping for the Ironman at the Muskegon Motorcycle Club,” Radke said. “He fit right in and hopped up in the backhoe we have out there that I was running. He rode around in the backhoe with me while we were prepping the hill and going around in quads just like it was something he had always done!”

As quickly as Heywood accepted his new life, his newfound community welcomed him just as fast. Following an abusive upbringing that left his face scarred, Heywood was in need — and certainly deserving of — plenty of love from his new family and friends.

“They just love him,” Radke said. “The weekend of nationals at Mount Garfield he just spent the weekend going trailer to trailer and everybody was feeding him and petting him. They just really enjoy him because he’s a dog that doesn’t cause issue with other dogs and just wants to be petted — petted or fed.”

“Everybody knows him from all the districts, and they all love him just the same,” Radke continued. “Once you meet him, you’re a buddy of his.”

After plenty of brightened days from his smiling face and wagging tail, Heywood stepped away from his duties as District 14’s unofficial mascot to enjoy retirement on a farm. He will forever remain one of the goodest boys.

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Full Carbon silencer

Collins Knuth may come off as a polite and shy 8-yearold girl, but on race days, there is nothing quiet about her racing ability.

The oldest of four girls, Collins followed in her father’s footsteps, racing different disciplines — such as flat tr ack, arenacross and motocross — and traveling the country like her father Shea and his grandfather Gene had done decades earlier.

“Everybody always asks me if I’m going to have another kid to try and have a boy,” Shea Knuth said, “I always tell them ‘No.’ I’ve got Collins and she’s into what I was into, so to share that with her now is pretty awesome.”

While her father may have more experience on a bike than her, Collins — who began riding at age 3 — laughed and said she could beat her dad in a race. She’s already making a name for herself across the country after winning the 50cc Aircooled (4-8) Limited class in the East, West and national series during the 2022-23 AMA Arenacross season.

RACER SPOTLIGHT Collins Knuth

BY KEATON MAISANO

As for her dreams, Collins aspires to take her talents under the lights and onto the AMA Supercross stage. So, in the future when the best riders in the world are dashing toward the finish line, it may be a blonde-haired rider named Collins Knuth who flies through the air to light the torches in front of tens of thousands screaming fans.

Collins Knuth follows her father into the world of racing

LEFT: COLLINS WITH PLENTY OF HARDWARE AT THE 2022 AMA FLAT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP. COLLINS WORKS HARD AND TRAINS FOR MOMENTS LIKE THAT. SHE SPENDS A LOT OF HER TIME TRAINING AT THE NEXT LEVEL TRAINING FACILITY IN GEORGIA, AND SHE ALWAYS REMEMBERS TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

Tsakanikas Takeover

THE TSAKANIKAS FAMILY OF SEVEN SHARES A LOVE FOR RACE DAY

BY KEATON MAISANO

Bound by blood and bonded through motor oil, the Tsakanikas family is no stranger to motorcycles and race day.

Andrew, who grew up in a racing family, and Meagan Tsakanikas are married with five kids, the oldest four of which have followed in Andrew’s footsteps — and tire tracks — by competing in off-road events.

“It’s just honestly something we bond over,” Andrew said. “I don’t know how they grew into the passion, but it just came and it’s what we talk about at dinner; it’s what we look forward to doing on the weekends. It’s a life that we created.”

Both 15-year-old Austin and 12-year-old Mason were the first two kids to ride off-road, and now they serve as mentors to their younger siblings — 9-year-old Aubrey and 7-year-old Maura. The youngest of the group is 3-year-old Alden, who will have plenty of teachers as he grows and gets into the full swing of things.

While there is undoubtedly support among the kids, Andrew said there is still some friendly competition as well.

“My boys are very competitive with each other,” Andrew said. “They’ll talk around the dinner table, on the way to the races, after the races. They definitely push each other to get better, and everybody wants to be the one that got first on the weekend. And the kids for the most part can win.”

Beyond the competitions, Andrew instills in his kids the need to be of service within the world of motorsports. Serving as a trail boss for enduro and hare scrambles, Andrew — with the help of his family — has worked to set up courses for different events.

“We’re not just racers,” Andrew said. “We also try to give back as much as we can to the sport because we love it.”

When it comes to the kids’ futures within motorsports, Andrew said it is up to them to decide what they want to do and how far they want to take it.

“Their mother and I just give them every opportunity,” Andrew said. “We’ll give them every opportunity to chase this as far as they can, and if they want to get into something else, we’d support them just as well.”

Where was the AMA’s First Headquarters?

a) Chicago, Illinois

b) Pickerington, Ohio

c) Los Angeles, California

d) Cleveland, Ohio Answer on Page 25

PAGE 8:

Where is this year’s Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha?

D) Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

PAGE 13:

Two Truths and a Lie: Which is not true about Travis Pastrana?

b) He opened a deli in his hometown of Annapolis, Md. It is famous for its “Travis Pastrami” sandwich.

PAGE 15:

Within a month of the “Lead Law” being signed in 2008, how many letters and emails did parents write in defense of kids and their dirt bikes?

D) More than 70,000

PAGE 17:

How many AMA Supercross championships has Ryan Dungey won?

D) Four

PAGE 19:

What year was the first motorcycle built?

b) 1885

PAGE 23:

Where was the AMA’s First Headquarters?

A) Chicago, Illinois

AMA Celebrates 100 Years!

s the AMA continues to celebrate its 100th anniversary throughout 2024, it is important to remember that kids like you will write the story of the next 100 years. Your passion and energy toward motorcycling create a confidence in all motorcyclists that the future is bright in the sport. One day when you are older, you will be charged with guiding motorcycling and teaching the next generation the sport we all love, but in the meantime, have a blast every time you ride your motorcycle.

You also have a responsibility when you ride to be a good representative of the motorcycling community. Be nice to your fellow riders and be a good example to non-riders of how wonderful the motorcycling community is. You have the power to make a difference now and into the future.

Thanks for reading the very first edition of American Motorcyclist For Kids! We hope you enjoyed the stories and games held within this magazine. Safe and happy riding to each and every one of you! We are excited to see where you take motorcycling and the AMA in the next 100 years!