OCTOBER 2013
Fun & Mud at BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
Photo Je Guciardo
Matt Bisceglia Wins AMA Motocross Horizon Award
THE JOURNAL OF THE
AMA REWARDS
Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefits as an AMA member.
AMA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE The Best Deal In Towing For All Your Vehicles Maximize your riding time and minimize the inconvenience of a mechanical breakdown with AMA Roadside Assistance, which offers peace of mind for you and all your family members.
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STAYING INFORMED American Motorcyclist
Each month, you receive the best magazine covering the motorcycle lifestyle with two versions to choose from: street or dirt.
THE ESSENTIALS AMA Roadside Assistance
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FEATURED BENEFITS
Parts And Gear
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Ride Where You Want In the United States, call Federal Companies, an agent for Specialized Transportation, Inc., at (877) 518-7376 for at least $60 off standard rates. For international shipments, call Motorcycle Express at (800) 245-8726. To get your discount, be sure to have your AMA number handy. Motorcycle Express also offers temporary international insurance.
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VICTORYMOTORCYCLES.COM *OFFER SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL. OFFER MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, AND MAY BE EXTENDED OR TERMINATED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. TERMS UP TO 36 MONTHS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASES BASED ON CREDIT-APPROVAL CRITERIA. FIXED APR OF 0.99%, 3.99%, OR 5.99% WILL APPLY. AN EXAMPLE OF MONTHLY PAYMENTS REQUIRED ON A 36-MONTH TERM AT 0.99% IS $28.20 PER $1,000 FINANCED. AN EXAMPLE OF MONTHLY PAYMENTS REQUIRED ON A 36-MONTH TERM AT 5.99% APR IS $30.42 PER $1,000 FINANCED. TERMS UP TO 72 MONTHS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASES BASED ON CREDIT-APPROVAL CRITERIA. FIXED APR OF 2.99%, 5.99%, OR 7.99% WILL APPLY. EXAMPLES OF MONTHLY PAYMENTS REQUIRED OVER A 72-MONTH TERM AT A 2.99% RATE: $15.19 PER $1,000 FINANCED; AND AT A 7.99% RATE: $17.53 PER $1,000 FINANCED. SEE PARTICIPATING RETAILERS FOR COMPLETE DETAILS AND CONDITIONS. OFFER ENDS SEPT. 30, 2013. **THE FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY IS AVAILABLE ON NEW 2011 THROUGH 2013 VICTORY® MODELS. OFFER IS VALID ONLY IN THE U.S. AND CANADA AND DOES NOT APPLY TO PRIOR PURCHASES. FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY CONSISTS OF 12 MONTHS’ FACTORY WARRANTY, PLUS 48 MONTHS’ POLARISTAR® POWER PROTECTION ESC. SUBJECT TO $50 DEDUCTIBLE, NO MILEAGE LIMITATION. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. REBATES VARY BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR. MUST PURCHASE A 2011 THROUGH 2014 VICTORY MODEL BETWEEN JULY 30 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2013. OFFER MUST BE REDEEMED BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2013. VICTORY OR POLARIS® DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS OFFER. VICTORY AND VICTORY MOTORCYCLES® ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION, AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, AND OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. ©2013 POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
! s e k a t s p e e w S
JOIN OR RENEW your AMA membership in 2013 and you could win!
2013
YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ
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Or a
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One lucky winner will take home this Tucker Rocky Custom Road Glide with high-end components from S&S, Progressive Suspension, Arlen Ness, PIAA and many other Tucker Rocky partner companies.
Plus
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$100 GIFT CARD from BIKEBANDIT.COM The best part? You’re automatically entered when you join or renew between Jan. 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2013.
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NAVIGATION
Navigation Photo
BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring the riders and champions of Husqvarna, took riders on a trip back through time this July 19-21. Nowhere was that more obvious than at the Ashland County Fairgrounds where vintage dirt-track racers competed under the lights and in the shadow of a classic grandstand. Read more about the event starting on page 38. Photo by Jen Muecke
10. LETTERS
You write, we read.
12. WAYNE ALLARD
Fighting motorcyclist discrimination.
14. RIGHTS
Explaining the ethanol problem, off-highway access and understanding looming exhaust regulations for California. American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2013. Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $10 covered in membership dues; $15 a year for non-members. Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.
October 2013 Volume 67, Number 10 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com
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20. RIDING
Dual-sport riders have fun in Colusa County, Calif., AMA award nominations, sanctioning news, and rides and tours.
34. HALL OF FAME
Craig Vetter’s “High Mileage Luxury Touring Bike,” Hall of Famer Bob Hansen.
38. REAL LIFE VINTAGE
They just don’t make memories like they used to, unless you’re making them at BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.
43. GO RIDE
What to do, where to go.
50. LISA HATCH
Remembering the trip of a lifetime.
www.kiska.com Photos: R. Schedl, H. Mitterbauer
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EDITORIAL OFFICES
AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org
Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ about/board Maggie McNally, Chair Albany, N.Y.
James Holter, Managing Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Jen Muecke, Designer Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing/Communications Specialist
Russ Brenan, Vice Chair Irvine, Calif. Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.
ADVERTISING Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org
Perry King, Executive Committee Member Northern California
Zach Stevens, National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854, zstevens@ama-cycle.org
John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif. Sean Hilbert, Hillsdale, Mich.
All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA. American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2013.
sEAT HEATErs
Scott Miller, Milwaukee Art More, Sun City West, Ariz. Stan Simpson, Cibolo, Texas Jim Viverito, Chicago
(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AMA STAFF pOrTABLE HEATEd VEsTs
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EXECUTIVE
AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued)
Rob Dingman, President/CEO Rhonda Hixon, Administrative Asst./Litigation Manager Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration Jeff Massey, Vice President, Operations Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Corporate Member Programs Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs
Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager D’Andra Schwabel, Organizer Services Coordinator Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager
ACCOUNTING
DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES
Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator Ed Madden, System Support Specialist Peg Tuvell, Member Fulfillment Specialist
John Bricker, Mailroom Manager Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Sean Maher, Director Renee Bock, Receptionist AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
HEATEd Grips i HEATEd sEATs i HEATEd AppArEL
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Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations Beth Myers, Donor Relations Specialist Paula Schremser, Program Specialist Katy Wood, Collections Manager AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES Kip Bigelow, Amateur MX Manager Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager Jacki Burris, Organizer Services Coordinator Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator Lana Cox, Administrative Assistant Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations Bill Cumbow, Director of Special Projects Sandi Dunphy, Road Riding Coordinator Dave Hembroff, Road Riding Manager Alex Hunter, MX Operational Coordinator Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator
COMMUNICATIONS Grant Parsons, Director of Communications
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Marie Esselstein, Government Affairs Assistant Danielle Fowles, Grassroots Coordinator Nick Haris, Western States Representative Sean Hutson, Legislative Assistant Sharon Long, Legislative Coordinator Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Imre Szauter, Government Affairs Manager - On-Highway INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Rob Baughman, Network Administrator John Boker, Developer Dave Coleman, Network Architect Amy Hyman, Senior Programmer/Analyst Bill Miller, Enterprise Architect MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative Linda Hembroff, Member Services Representative Darcel Higgins, Member Services Manager Kimberly Jude, Member Services Representative Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative Angela Warren, Member Services Representative
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MEMBER LETTERS
Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.
LETTER OF THE MONTH USING YOUR HEAD
I noticed your letter and comment about helmet disposal in the Each month, a lucky AMA member wins a Bike September issue. Bandit gift card worth $100. Didn’t win? No One day, for no explainable reason, I worries. You can still take advantage of your made a birdhouse from my helmet. 10% AMA member discount at BikeBandit.com. It was quick, easy and makes a great birdhouse with good insulation. Actually I’ve made two. I kept one and donated the other to a local charity auction. (I have no idea if it sold.) Chuck Foster Yountville, Calif.
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT On behalf of myself and the other volunteers at Lost for a Reason Inc., I cannot thank you enough for helping us to get the word out about our cause! Since you published the article (“Adventure With A Purpose,” August issue), our incoming donations have reached over $3,000! The article came out at a perfect time. We were just about to depart for our work trip in Kayenta, Ariz., to assist a family of seven living in a one-room house, as well as the fantastic staff at the Tohdenassai Shelter Home. We had originally planned to just build a floor and get the ball rolling on the work at the family’s home, but then with the increase in donations, we were able to purchase new roofing and also do much more in the way of paint and landscaping, and carpentry repairs on the shelter home than we had planned. The staff at the shelter home was really happy, as was the family who really needed more space. Even more important,
they needed to know that there were people out there who cared, people in the adventure and motorcycle community in general. I just really appreciate the help. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to do nearly as much for the children and families who need us. Ron Grace Lost for a Reason A TECHNOLOGY CRUTCH I just finished reading your article on V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) technology (September issue). I share your concerns with privacy and security, but I think you barely touched on the most dangerous part: drivers just assuming they don’t have to look around anymore because a computer system is doing it for them. For an example, try asking anybody who depends on GPS exclusively for driving directions. They are absolutely clueless on the lay of the land. They have no clue where one city lies in relation to another. They are unable to even read a map. They are incapable of studying the best way to get anywhere. One can only imagine how dangerously these types of people will drive when they assume the V2V will “drive” their doorslammer for them. Keith F. Lutz Sinking Spring, Pa.
Ron Grace
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RIDING WITH FAMILY When I read Rob Dingman’s recent
column about riding with his family (“A Family Affair,” August issue), I was on the way home from a weekend dirtbiking trip with my family. As usual, I had myself comfortable in the passenger seat with some reading material, while my husband handled the task of towing the off-road vehicles for our family of four on our flatbed trailer. Though my husband reads your magazine cover to cover every month, I have to admit, I usually can’t seem to find the time. But sitting in the car with over an hour drive, I settled in and got to reading. Fresh from the trail, the title of Rob’s article “A Family Affair” caught my eyes. Our family’s off-road story came along in a bit different way, but it also had many similarities. Starting slowly and gaining momentum with experience was one of them. I have to admit I got a real chuckle reading the last part of Rob’s article about his good-natured wife taking a spin and getting “banged up pretty bad.” It brought back memories of my first few rides... throttling when I shouldn’t and braking when I couldn’t! It was a bumpy road to say the least (especially where we ride in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado), and after the first few rides I had to ask myself what I was thinking to take up this sport now. But I couldn’t deny the adrenaline rush I got when I was riding, or the feeling of accomplishment when I got off the bike— with or without bruises. I decided to live by the slogan “do something that scares you every day” and then set my sights on simply getting better with every ride. Our story started with our six-year-old daughter Erin, who since the age of three would say, “I want a ‘dort’ bike.” So when a friend of ours told us he was selling his son’s Yamaha 50, we couldn’t resist. Erin was thrilled and took to it like a fish to water. Not long after that, my husband ran into another friend of his who also had a dirtbike. He offered up his KTM 450 for Keith to ride “anytime,” and of course my husband, who has been riding road bikes since the 1990s, could not resist. He found a used KTM 525 the following spring. Interestingly enough, the heavens must have been in alignment because when the guy arrived to show Keith the KTM, he also had a Yamaha TTR 230 in tow. Yes, it too was for sale. Uh oh. I’m in! That left my oldest daughter Britt, who preferred to have four wheels on the ground, so we later purchased a used Polaris 500 ATV for her. A visit to the cycle shop and we were all suited up and ready to go. That was several years ago. Now we go every chance we get. While I, my
provides many opportunities for us to drive home important concepts, like “Where there’s a will there’s a way” and “You can if you think you can!” We continue to improve with every outing. It doesn’t hurt that our bikes take us to some of the most magnificent scenery in the country, either! As Dr. Seuss says, “Oh, the places you’ll go!” | “You’re off to Great Places!” | “Today is your day!” | “Your mountain is waiting,” | “So... get on your way!” This is one family that fully supports the AMA’s efforts to stay on top of the burning issues and fight to preserve our freedom to ride. Hopefully the hard work we do today will ensure riding access for generations to come. Families that play together, stay together! husband, and our oldest daughter, Britt, have stayed put with our trusty steeds, Erin is now on her fourth dirt bike, moving from her Yamaha 50 to a Honda 70, and then a Honda 80 to her now current ride, a Yamaha TTR 125. Riding is a passion we share, as it allows us to have fun together as a family, while challenging ourselves as individuals. The Colorado terrain
Karen M. Boyle Pine, Colo. SOUNDS FAMILIAR Your August issue column, “A Family Affair,” reminded me of my own experiences with the kids. Our youngest daughter was the best rider of our kids when they were small, and she still rides her dirtbike and has had to teach her
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husband to ride. Our son, our oldest, was a timid rider when he was small, but then got really good on the trails in his teen years. It got to where he sometimes had to ride my bike through particularly challenging spots on the trail. It was great watching him develop those skills. Don’t give up on the wife just yet. It took me a while to get my wife riding, and then she got pretty darn good at it. We ride ATVs now, and last summer she put over 1,200 miles on her ATV on a month-long Utah camping and riding trip with friends. Mom, 90 years old, is still riding her own ATV, and I hope she can for years to come. Clark Collins Pocatello, Idaho YOU GOT MY BACK This is a short note of thanks for offering the AMA Roadside Assistance program. A tow brought me home, and I fixed my flat. I don’t know who I would have called. I have been commuting for more than 10 years. A flat is bound to happen. Thanks for being there. I’ve been a loyal member since 2002. Bill Fong Sacramento, Calif.
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TRIM SAFETY
VIEWPOINT
Fighting Discrimination Against Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists face discrimination. It’s a fact of life, and something we encounter every day. To be effective in fighting for motorcyclists’ rights, we want to know when you are discriminated against, and we need help from motorcyclists at the local, state or national level, depending on the issue. Consider bike bans, for example, or healthinsurance discrimination. By Wayne Allard When motorcyclists are banned from high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, public beachside parks, gated communities or public land, we want to know about it so we can fight back. Many times motorcyclists win, such as in the case of HOV lanes and public roads, but sometimes we aren’t successful, such as the case of bans on private property. We have decades of experience fighting these forms of discrimination and certainly can provide valuable help to our members. City officials at one time considered banning motorcycles from Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive. Motorcycles initially were banned from HOV lanes. One of the most famous battles the AMA fought involved D.W. Field Park in Brockton, Mass. The Park Commission there banned motorcycles from the public streets of the 700-acre scenic park around a natural lake in 1987. The AMA, with the support of its members, went to court to overturn the ban. The Park Commission banned motorcycles because of perceived excessive sound and speeding. But the AMA argued that those issues should be dealt with through police enforcement covering all park visitors, rather than simply banning motorcycles The AMA also said that the state recognized motorcycles as a legal means of transportation, so they couldn’t be banned from the park’s public roads. At first a local court disagreed, but AMA members fueled a legal fund that helped the AMA take the case to the state supreme court on behalf of Massachusetts resident Jim Slade. The AMA won, five years after the ban was put in place. This was a tremendous victory for all motorcyclists. As a result of that decision, other communities could no longer use the Brockton case as a legal precedent for banning motorcycles from public places. Right now, the AMA is fighting health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and needs your help with specific examples of motorcyclists being targeted as a result. We want to show lawmakers that the discrimination is very real, and affects real people. Health-insurance discrimination—excluding coverage for motorcycle-related injuries in health insurance plans— is discrimination that has been going on for decades. The AMA and other motorcycle rights organizations fought for the inclusion of language that clarified that the legislative intent of
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Bike Bans, Health Insurance And More
Congress was to eliminate such discrimination when it passed the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in 1996. However, the federal agencies charged with implementing the law told employers they could refuse to cover injuries related to riding a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, horse, etc. The AMA is lobbying Congress now to try to end this discrimination. While the AMA is hard at work on Capitol Hill, it’s important that you look at your health insurance policy to be sure that you are covered if you are involved in a motorcycle crash. Check your policy under “Exclusions” to see if it excludes coverage for motorcycle-related injuries. The wording can be ambiguous, with language that denies coverage for injuries suffered while participating in “extreme” activities, without defining what those activities are. If you learn that motorcycle-related injuries aren’t covered in your company’s or organization’s health-insurance policy, we want to know. Contact us at grassroots@ama-cycle.org. Your confidentiality will be protected. The AMA needs your help to fight insurance discrimination and other threats to motorcycling. You can also act individually to protect riding freedoms. The AMA provides many valuable tools to help you fight for your right to ride. Sign up to receive AMA News & Notes at http://capwiz.com/ amacycle/mlm/signup/ to keep informed on hot topics, news affecting the motorcycling community and opportunities to communicate with your elected officials. You can also opt in to receive AMA Action Alert emails by signing up at the same link. When you receive AMA Action Alerts, you will be notified how and when you can make a difference on important issues. Each of us can do our part to protect our riding freedoms by being AMA members and inviting our family and friends to join the AMA. More members mean more political clout, and with more clout we will have a better chance of ending health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and other threats to our riding freedoms. Wayne Allard is AMA vice president for government relations.
AmericanMotorcyclist.com SAFETY
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AMA Responds To Congressional Questions Related To Ethanol U.S. Sen. David Vitter Asked AMA For Information
The U.S. Environmental availability of gasoline that has Protection Agency used only no ethanol, or gasoline with one test to determine whether only a 10 percent blend, for the new E15 fuel blend is safe use in motorcycles and ATVs,” for vehicles before allowing it he wrote. into the marketplace, the AMA “Moreover, the EPA used told a key federal lawmaker. only one test to determine if That’s one of the reasons E15 is safe for vehicles before the AMA has urged the agency granting a waiver. The AMA to allow for an independent has urged the agency to allow scientific study by the National for an independent scientific Academy of Sciences on the study by the National Academy U.S. Sen. David Vitter effects of E15 on vehicles, of Sciences into the effects including motorcycles and all-terrain of E15 on vehicles. We also request that vehicles. motorcycles and ATVs be included in such Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for a study,” Allard added. government relations, provided written Allard went on to say recent studies comments in response to a letter sent to show that the majority of motorists don’t AMA Board Chair Maggie McNally from know the difference between E10 and Ranking Member David Vitter (R-La.) of regular gasoline, and he believes the the Senate Committee on Environment problem is potentially worse with E15. and Public Works. “Additionally, a National Marine “In October 2010, the U.S. Manufacturers Association study has Environmental Protection Agency shown that mislabeling is already approved the use of E15, a blended fuel occurring where E15 is sold, which may that includes up to 15 percent ethanol by lead to inadvertent misfueling,” Allard volume, in model year 2007 and newer wrote. light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks Allard went on to detail the AMA’s and medium-duty passenger vehicles). misfueling concerns. Then, in January 2011, the EPA added “On Feb. 7, the EPA posted a new model year 2001-2006 light-duty vehicles option for retailers on its website...to try to to the approved list. No motorcycles avoid misfueling by consumers. Under the or ATVs are currently on the list,” Allard new option, retailers who use a blender wrote. pump to sell E15 and E10 fuel through “The AMA has expressed concerns the same hose must also have a separate about E15 being mistakenly used and E10/E0 fuel pump,” Allard wrote. possibly damaging engines in motorcycles “Those retailers would be required to and ATVs, and about the continued have a label on the blender pump that
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reads: ‘Passenger Vehicles Only. Use in Other Vehicles, Engines and Equipment May Violate Federal Law.’ Retailers would also be required to have signs indicating the location of the dedicated E10-or-lower fuel pump. There would be no minimumfuel-purchase requirement at that pump,” Allard explained. “The AMA can only imagine how many motorists and motorcyclists will be lining up at that single pump to get E10-or-lower fuel,” he added. “Another label on a blender pump that already has many labels will not suffice to avoid misfueling and could be easily overlooked,” he told Sen. Vitter. “The misfueling mitigation plan calls for no physical barriers in the fueling nozzle/ receptacle as was provided for when the nation went from leaded to unleaded fuel. History tells us that, even with these physical barriers in place, misfueling still occurred. “Retailers who want to sell E15 also have the option of having a dedicated E15 pump or hose, or a pump that dispenses E15 and higher ethanol blends through a single hose,” he wrote. Allard concluded by saying: “The AMA wants access to safe fuels for motorcycles and ATVs. Given marketplace realities, wherever E15 is sold, there will very likely be inadvertent misfueling issues. Motorcycles are not approved for E15 use, and inadvertently misfueling a motorcycle has the potential to void a manufacturer’s warranty. “The loser of any inadvertent misfueling is the motorcyclist,” he added. “The AMA stands behind not only its member motorcyclists, but all riders, in calling for more extensive testing for E15, and more thorough misfueling safeguards.”
Motorcyclists honored the late Dan Gallatin at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle, Pa., on July 11, celebrating the life of a motorcyclist killed by a driver who was allegedly texting at the time of the crash. Gallatin, 68, a 20-year AMA member who lived in Scott Township in Pennsylvania, was riding his motorcycle in New Castle on May 7 at about 1:30 p.m. when he was struck from behind and killed by an SUV driven by 43-year-old Laura Gargiulo of Volant. Gargiulo allegedly told police that she was texting at the time of the crash. A police search of her cellphone allegedly revealed Gargiulo had received, and opened, a text message when her SUV hit Gallatin. She faces a variety of charges including homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, prohibition of text-based communication, careless driving and reckless driving. Distracted driving is a major concern for the AMA and its members. While the AMA believes that banning cellphone use and texting while driving is a positive step, that action alone is not enough. The association maintains that all vehicle operators must be held accountable. “The AMA advocates for enhanced penalties for violations resulting in injury or death to other roadway users,” says Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. “We commend Pennsylvania for having laws with penalties to fit the seriousness of distracted driving-related deaths.” To read the AMA’s official position on the distracted driving issue, go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/PositionStatements/ DistractedAndInattentiveVehicleOperation.aspx.
©iStockphoto.com/Kali Nine LLC
AMA Member Killed By Driver Who Was Allegedly Texting Driver Faces Multiple Charges
Industry Group Warns manufacturers May Stop Selling Certain Motorcyles In California Blames New California Air Resources Regulations
Certain motorcycles may not be sold in the future in California because of new California Air Resources Board rules, the Motorcycle Industry Council warned on July 25. The dire prediction could affect both on- and off-highway motorcycles, and maybe even allterrain vehicles. The Motorcycle Industry Council, based in Irvine, Calif., notes that the California Air Resources Board on July 25 adopted regulations related to controlling evaporative emissions of off-highway recreational vehicles that could mean the end of the sales of certain machines in that state. Specifically, the MIC says the regulations, to be phased in from 2018-2021, establish emission standards to reduce evaporative emissions produced by off-highway recreational vehicles due to permeation of gasoline through plastic tanks and rubber fuel lines, tank venting, liquid leakage, and spillage. “To meet the new regulations, vehicles will need to be equipped with activated carbon canisters or a pressure relief valve on the vent of the fuel tank,” the MIC says. “Low permeation materials will need to be used for fuel tanks and fuel lines. Newly designed ATV fuel tanks greater than 3.5 gallons will also be required to meet the filler pipe sealing surface requirements.” The MIC adds that it expects similar evaporative emissions regulations to
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be proposed for on-highway motorcycles in the state of California within the next two years. “The reduction in OHRV sales due to the Great Recession makes complying with the newly adopted regulation by 2022 economically infeasible for certain models,” the MIC says. “The regulation would, in effect, force the removal of these models from the California market. To address this issue, the MIC requested a two-year delay in the regulation’s implementation during the July 25 Board meeting in Sacramento, Calif. The Board denied MIC’s request, but committed to reviewing the state of the market in the coming years.” The council says that for the past seven years while these regulations were being developed, the MIC worked closely with CARB to ensure the regulations wouldn’t severely limit product availability or performance or significantly increase the cost to buyers. The group says that its persistence resulted in significantly less stringent
standards and test procedures, a multiyear extension of the implementation and phasein period, the removal of refueling emission controls for most vehicles, improvements to the emissions inventory model, and other important revisions to CARB’s initial proposal. The MIC also maintains that it convinced CARB to walk away from an 11th-hour proposal to consider evaporative controls at this time on “Red Sticker” OHRVs—vehicles that aren’t required to comply with exhaust emission standards. Instead, CARB will hold industry workshops in the coming months to explore whether the Red Sticker program needs to be revisited, the MIC says. “The MIC OE Technical Committee has worked diligently to find solutions that will further improve California air quality, while at the same time protecting off-highway recreation for the state’s enthusiasts,” says MIC Vice President Pamela Amette. “California’s ever-changing and increasingly stringent regulations require an ongoing, intense effort by committee members to fight to prevent unintended consequences of well-meaning but ill-advised proposals, and those efforts have made a significant impact today.”
AMA’s Nick Haris Active On California Safety Panel Committee Reviews Motorcycle Safety Programs
AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris took part in his first meeting as a member of the California Motorcyclist Safety Program Advisory Committee late this summer. The committee, which meets annually, reviews the California Highway Patrol’s motorcycle safety program and awareness campaigns. Haris was appointed to the panel in April.
s tat e wat ch IDAHO
NEVADA
About 5,620 acres are now closed to motorized travel—and another 1,620 acres allow motorized travel only on designated trails—under new restrictions for public land next to Big Willow Creek in Payette County. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced the restrictions to protect the Packard’s milkvetch. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the plant as a candidate for federal Endangered Species Act protection.
U.S. Sens. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.) introduced S. 1167, the Elko Motocross and Tribal Conveyance Act. The act would convey 275 acres of land currently managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management to Elko County, Nev. This land would be eligible only for motocross, bicycle, off-highway vehicle, or stock-car racing use. Ask your federal lawmakers to support this bill by going to http://www.capwiz.com/ amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=6272.
ILLINOIS
RHODE ISLAND
People authorized by local authority to direct, control or regulate traffic would be able to do so under House Bill 1539, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Dunkin (D-Chicago). The bill, which was requested by ABATE of Illinois, cleared the full legislature and was sent to the governor on June 19 to be signed into law. Also, Rep. Kay Hatcher (R-Yorkville) introduced House Resolution 524, which urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 875 to scientifically determine the effects that E15 fuel will have on internal combustion engines of all types.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee has signed into law House Bill 5061, sponsored by Rep. Arthur Corvese (D-North Providence), which increases penalties for those convicted of, or pleading guilty to, a right-of-way violation that results in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death to another roadway user. The Rhode Island Motorcycle Association pushed for the new law. In addition, a motorcyclist can now use a headset installed in a helmet and worn so as to prevent the speakers from making direct contact with the user’s ears so that the user can hear surrounding sounds. The new law is the result of Senate Bill 275, sponsored
by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown). SOUTH DAKOTA Ray Fitzgerald has been named to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame’s Freedom Fighters. He was a charter member of the Nevada Association of Concerned Motorcyclists and worked to get motorcycle-friendly political candidates elected. He moved to Arizona where he helped create ABATE chapters. He was an officer of ABATE of Arizona, and was the Motorcycle Rights Foundation’s first Sustaining Motorcycle Club representative. TEXAS The El Paso Police Department is reminding residents about free motorcycle safety courses offered on the first Saturday of each month. The class runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is held at Barnett HarleyDavidson at 8272 Gateway Blvd East. To sign up for the class, call the El Paso Police Department’s Traffic Safety Coordinator, Margaret Petrozza, at (915) 564-7352. Remaining classes will be held this year on Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7.
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AMA HELPS OHIO MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
U.S. REP. JEFF DENHAM Transportation And Parks Concerns U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) holds a seat on the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that has jurisdiction over all U.S. Transportation Department programs. Because of that, and since we know he’s a rider, we asked him a few questions to see what he thinks about motorcycling issues on Capitol Hill. American Motorcyclist: What do you ride? U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham: A HarleyDavidson Road King. AM: What is your favorite place to ride? JD: I like to go up to Jamestown and Oakdale [in California] to ride through the countryside. AM: What are the biggest issues facing motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle users today? JD: A big challenge for me and my kids going out on our quads or our [utility vehicles] is seeing a lot of these places shut down. AM: What are the biggest issues in Congress for riders? JD: With sequestration and other
MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS TARGETED IN MISSOURI Lawmakers Stop The Discrimination
Missouri is the latest state to take action to stop the discriminatory practice of motorcycle-only checkpoints. On June 27, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law Senate Bill 282, introduced by Sen. Jay Wasson (R-Nixa), which prohibits law enforcement agencies from establishing roadside checkpoints based on a particular vehicle type—except for commercial motor vehicles. The new law took effect Aug. 28. Other states taking action are New Hampshire and Illinois, which prohibit using federal funding for law enforcement to set up motorcycle-only checkpoints; and Virginia and North Carolina, which have banned them.
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budget cuts, oftentimes our parks are used as a pawn in the negotiating scheme to say that’s the first place we’re going to cut back and close down. I’m very vocal against that in making sure our parks remain open for everyone to use, especially our motorcycle enthusiasts. AM: How can motorcyclists and ATV riders get more involved with the members of their congressional delegations to influence their decisions on issues? JD: I see two ways to get involved. First of all, get involved with your congressional delegation on a quarterly or annual basis to make sure that members understand how important [riding] is in every community across the nation. Secondly, those who ride every week are the first ones to know when a trail has been shut down or a park has been closed. They need to immediately call somebody and let us know so that we can fight to get it back open again. AM: Is there anything else you would like to add? JD: I love to ride, and I love the AMA!
“Officials say they set up these motorcycle-only checkpoints to pull over motorcyclists to check for safety violations, but if officials are really concerned about motorcyclists’ safety, then they need to stop discriminating against motorcyclists with these checkpoints and start supporting programs that prevent motorcycle crashes, such as rider safety training and driver awareness programs,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. The AMA began tracking motorcycleonly checkpoints when they first appeared in New York in 2007. In 2011, using funds provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the state of Georgia conducted roadside motorcycle-only checkpoints as thousands of motorcyclists rode through the state on their way to
L-R: Rollin Kiser, Rob Dingman, John Born, the AMA’s Imre Szauter
Daytona Beach, Fla., for Bike Week. Another motorcycle-only checkpoint was conducted in northern Virginia during one of the nation’s most visible motorcycle rallies—Rolling Thunder—over the 2011 Memorial Day weekend. Motorcycle-only checkpoints were also conducted in Utah when thousands of riders attended a world-class road-racing event. ©iStockphoto.com/FreeTransform
6 Questions With…
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Campus Hosts Celebrations The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame campus in Pickerington, Ohio, bustled with activity on Aug. 3 as Motorcycle Ohio celebrated its 25th anniversary with activities on the campus. Motorcycle Ohio is part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services. It’s committed to reducing the severity and frequency of motorcycle crashes through rider education, public information campaigns and licensing improvement. There were riding demonstrations, food vendors, activities and remarks by AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, Ohio Department of Public Safety Director John Born and Motorcycle Ohio State Coordinator Rollin Kiser to honor Motorcycle Ohio’s 25th anniversary.
For more than 25 years, Al Holtsberry has supported the AMA. Now we’re offering something special for him and all other AMA Life Members. Welcome to Life Member Plus! We designed the new Life Member Plus program to stay connected with our Life Members and reward them for their years of dedication to the AMA. Offering up a package that includes American Motorcyclist magazine and AMA Roadside Assistance at a special discounted rate, Life Member Plus is a money-saving value. The new program is 100 percent optional, so if you choose not to enroll, you still receive all the current benefits of life membership—a voice on behalf of motorcycling in the halls of government, the ability to sign up for AMA-sanctioned events, money-saving benefits and more. With Life Member Plus, you get all that, plus AMA Roadside Assistance and American Motorcyclist magazine. And stay tuned for additional Life Member benefits to come. AMA Life Member Plus Includes: • FREE AMA Roadside Assistance • 12 issues of American Motorcyclist magazine • AMA Life Member Plus Membership card, pin (first year), and decal with your renewal • A voice protecting motorcyclists’ rights at the federal, state and local levels • Continued access to AMA Rights, Riding, Racing and Rewards—including money-saving discounts
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Country’s Best Converge At AMA Motocross Nationals
The AMA welcomed do. I won the AMA Horizon 36 new amateur national Award, and I was real happy champions following with that. It’s an honor to a tremendous week of win that award. It has been motocross racing at the Red a dream of mine since I was Bull AMA Amateur National nine years old and watched Motocross Championship in Ryan Villopoto win it my first Hurricane Mills, Tenn., July 28 year at the nationals.” through Aug. 4. Bisceglia, whose father “The Red Bull AMA Don raced at the pro level, Amateur National Motocross started his pro career the Championship is the country’s weekend following the premier amateur motocross amateur nationals at the event, and the riders who Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross raise AMA No. 1 plates over Championships on Aug. 10 at their heads here can count Unadilla in New Berlin, N.Y. Matt Bisceglia themselves among the best of “It almost feels like it’s not the best,” says AMA Motocross Manager real,” says Bisceglia. “It’s something I’ve Kip Bigelow. “We congratulate all the been working on my whole life. It’s always riders for excelling on the national stage, been in the back of my mind that it would and we once again thank our promotional go this far, but to see it becoming a reality and organizational partner, MX Sports, for is really exciting.” providing an exceptional experience for Bisceglia says the key to reaching thousands of AMA members, from track the top of the amateur ranks is, not prep to the awards ceremonies.” surprisingly, hard work and desire. Among the most decorated racers “Anybody can do it,” Bisceglia says. over the week of competition was AMA “It’s who wants it most. I got 16th my Motocross Horizon Award winner and first year at the nationals. I didn’t have a Amsoil/Factory Connection Honda rider factory ride growing up on 60s and 85s. I Matt Bisceglia from Weatherford, Texas. had to work for everything I got. Nobody Bisceglia swept all three motos in the is going to just give you anything, but Open Pro Sport class and scored two anyone can earn it. You just have to want firsts and a second in the 250 A class for it and work hard.” two national titles. The AMA Youth Motocrosser of the Year “The week was great,” Bisceglia says. was Cobra rider Jet Reynolds. Reynolds, “I rode smart and put in six good motos. I from Bakersfield, Calif., dominated the just got good starts and did what I had to 51cc (7-8) class and 65cc (7-9) class,
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winning all six motos. The last rider to win a 51cc and 65cc title at the amateur nationals was Davi Millsaps in 1997. In the Vet ranks, Dade City, Fla.’s Timmy Ferry claimed the AMA Vet Motocrosser of the Year award. Ferry, who finished second to the 2012 top Vet rider Robbie Reynard in the Vet (35+) class, swept all three motos in the Junior 25+ class to claim that AMA national championship. A full list of the 2013 champions from the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is on page 21. For complete results from the week, see results.americanmotorcyclist.com.
National Recognition
The Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship presented by Amsoil is one of the most diverse national championships in America. It includes classes for riders from 4 years old to 50-plus on motorcycles ranging from 51cc minibikes to state-of-the-art highly modified 450cc motocross machines. The success of the national championship has produced a long list of AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross superstars. Riders who have progressed through the program include AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeremy McGrath, as well as Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Windham, Travis Pastrana, James Stewart, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto and many more. The AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship represents one of the longest-running motorsports championships in the country. The AMA launched the national championship
Photos David Smith/racedaypix.com
MATT BISCEGLIA WINS AMA MOTOCROSS HORIZON AWARD
program in 1975. That year, a series of regional races qualified 135 riders in three classes—125cc, 250cc and Open—for the championship round in Baldwin, Kan. The program evolved over the next few years to include additional classes, with championship finales run in varying locations across the country. In 1982, the AMA partnered with MX Sports, and the event moved to its current location at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. There, the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship continues to crown the country’s top amateur motocross racers every summer.
2013 AMA National Motocross Champions Open Pro Sport Matt Bisceglia (Weatherford, Texas)
450 C Derek Valenzuela (Athol, Idaho)
51cc (4-6) Special Limited Daxton Bennick (Morganton, N.C.)
Mini Sr (12-14) Limited Joey Crown (Metamora, Mich.)
250 A Matt Bisceglia (Weatherford, Texas)
Two-Stroke B/C (16+) Jerry Robin (Hamel, Minn.)
51cc (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited Levi Bolton (Smyrna, Ga.)
Mini Sr (12-14) Joey Crown (Metamora, Mich.)
250 B Limited Jordon Smith (Belmont, N.C.)
College B/C (16-24) Josh Cartwright (Bartlett, Tenn.)
51cc (4-6) Limited Casey Cochran (Arlington, Tenn.)
Super Mini 1 (12-15) Mitchell Harrison (Cairo, Ga.)
250 B Aaron Plessinger (Hamilton, Ohio)
Junior 25+ Timmy Ferry (Dade City, Fla.)
51cc (7-8) Limited Jett Reynolds (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Super Mini 2 (13-16) Ashton Hayes (Rockford, Mich.)
250 C Limited Adam Nickerson (Chico, Calif.)
Vet B/C 30+ Michael Mitchell (Union Grove, N.C.)
65cc (7-9) Limited Jett Reynolds (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Schoolboy 1 (12-16) B/C Ryan Surratt (Corona, Calif.)
250 C Tauan Brenner (Antioch, Calif.)
Vet 35+ 65cc (10-11) Limited Robbie Reynard (Oklahoma City, Okla.) Aiden Tijero (Ripon, Calif.)
Schoolboy 2 (13-16) B/C Ryan Surratt (Corona, Calif.)
450 A Luke Renzland (Hewitt, N.J.)
Senior 40+ Keith Johnson (Carver, Mass.)
65cc (7-11) Ty Masterpool (Paradise, Texas)
Girls (12-16) Hannah Hodges (Deland, Fla.)
450 B Limited Aaron Plessinger (Hamilton, Ohio)
Senior 45+ Trampas Parker (Okmelgee, Okla.)
85cc (9-11) Limited Jalek Swoll (Silver Springs, Fla.)
Girls (9-11) Jazzmyn Canfield (Deltona, Fla.)
450 B Tyler McSwain (Shelby, N.C.)
Masters 50+ Kevin Foley (Orange, Calif.)
85cc (9-11) Garrett Marchbanks (Coalville, Utah)
Women (14+) Mackenzie Tricker (Australia)
October 2013
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Mike Burley
Two Bikes Better Than One AMA Life Member Rides, Races, Wins
Wally Mika, an AMA Life Member from Elizabeth, Ill., loves to ride on the street. He also loves to race, and occasionally he puts the two together as he chases hare scrambles points in AMA District 17. “I’m not really sure why I started pulling the dirtbike with the bagger,” he says. “I guess I just looked at the bike, figured it had
AWNING S CUSTOM M
enough frame and put a hitch on it.” Mika, who races in the 50A Super Senior class as a 60-year-old, didn’t always prefer bikes like his KTM 450 to his ’87 HarleyDavidson FLH. He started riding cruisers as a V-twin mechanic in Chicago, but then a move out of the city sparked a desire to get an off-road bike.
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“I started in motocross at Byron Motorsports Park and got a taste of it,” he says. “I got a rock in the knee riding motocross and then started with the hare scrambles.” Mika has won the 50+ class in District 17 the last three years, riding 20 or more races a year. He says the keys to doing well aren’t complicated. “I don’t really do anything but work on the bike and work in the landscaping business all week,” he says. “I avoid all the bling-bling stuff. I just make sure I keep up on my maintenance. Don’t bring a junk bike to a race. That’s no fun. Spend time riding the bike. You need to learn to ride smart—remember the course and think ahead as you ride. I guess most of all you have to have a competitive nature.” Although Mika admits it might look cool rolling into your local harescrambles race pulling your KTM with your Harley-Davidson, he doesn’t recommend it. “Guys pull trailers with bikes all the time, but there are small campers designed for it—and then what I’ve done,” he says. “I actually don’t recommend it at all. It’s more of a novelty. Just rolling along at speed isn’t bad. Getting initial movement is hard. Going slow down gravel lanes is pretty hard. You might drop your bike in the race, and that happens, but before the race? Nah, a truck is probably a better way to get to the track.”
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AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
INDuCTION CeReMONy — and —
LeGeNdS ReCeptioN October 18-19, 2013
Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino • Las Vegas, Nevada
CLASS OF 2013:
Ricky Carmichael Danny Hamel Norm McDonald Randy Renfrow Diane Traynor Mike Traynor FEATURED LEGENDS:
Torsten Hallman Mark Blackwell
2013 LEGENDS WEEKEND The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday night, Oct. 18, will see the Motorcycle Hall of Fame class of 2013 take to the stage to be inducted. The next morning will see the all-new Dave Mungenast Memorial Legends Reception, where the Class of 2013 and other Hall of Famers from previous years will be honored. www.motorcyclemuseum.org | (800) 342-5464
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From Oregon to Alabama to Arizona, AMA clubs around the nation put a lot of effort into creating new off-highway riding trails and maintaining existing ones. Here’s a look at some of those clubs and what it takes to open and maintain trails. The cooperation between the city of Jacksonville, Ore., the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the federal Bureau of Land Management and the Motorcycle Riders Association has never been better, says Steve Croucher, MRA president. But it hasn’t always been that way. It took years to create these positive relationships, which this year led to a property exchange between the MRA and Jacksonville that increased the MRA’s off-highway riding area by more than 300 acres. “Over several years, [and] too many town hall and city council meetings to count, we slowly broke down barriers and misconceptions with the community so that a large outdoor recreation area was conceived, voted on and approved by the Jacksonville City Council that includes OHVs,” Croucher says. The Motorcycle Riders Association is a non-profit off-highway motorcycle club in southern Oregon. The 49-yearold club owns 714 acres and has easement access to 187 acres, which means the club has 901 acres open to the public at no charge. Plus, the property is adjacent to BLM offhighway vehicle land.
“We have improved parking areas, a campground, day-use facilities, cabin/ clubhouse and some of the best riding in Oregon,” Croucher says. In the 1970s when public riding areas became increasingly under attack, the club’s founding members saw that they needed to acquire land to ensure that they, and others, would have places to ride. They bought 180 acres, but club members knew they needed more. So, about 10 years ago, the club president asked some adjoining property owners whether they would be willing to sell their land. “It was perceived, and reported in the local papers, that we were trying to purchase property that would be converted to OHV use, which would devastate the local communities,” Croucher says. “Specifically, the historic town of Jacksonville, Ore.” Against that backdrop, it wasn’t long before OHV opponents throughout the area were banding about anti-OHV statements, which were picked up by the local news media. Based on some of the reporting, “one could conclude that OHVs had already destroyed southern Oregon,” Croucher says. “That was followed with petitions being presented to the Jacksonville City Council and our county commissioners condemning our organization, OHVs, and there were attempts to compromise any ongoing communication.” Continued on page 26
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Efforts Lead To Riding Trails
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“We were able to follow up with meetings arranged by the commissioners and the media,” Croucher says. “We had their attention.” While offhighway vehicle use was now on the radar of politicians and the news media, club members knew they needed to do more to promote a positive image of the recreational pastime. So they decided that the club should go out of its way to be the best neighbor possible. “We conducted trash cleanup days where we cleaned all the adjacent properties regardless of their friendliness toward OHVs,” Croucher says. “We did road maintenance on shared access roads. We supported the establishment of law enforcement and we helped adjacent property owners close areas to OHVs if that helped with their property management. “If there was a project, we tried to be involved,” he says. It took some time, but local politicians eventually began to recognize off-highway riders as a civil group and began to talk with them, particularly politicians in Jacksonville. The Motorcycle Riders Association, city officials, politicians and others came together on a plan that would benefit not only off-highway riders but other outdoor recreationists as well, such as hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The talks focused on land owned by the Motorcycle Riders Association and the city of Jacksonville. “The overriding problem was, we and the city had commingling properties,” Croucher says. “Our club owned a 40acre parcel used as an OHV staging area right in the middle of the city’s proposed hiking area. The city approached us about an exchange of land so that we could separate users. And, back to our good neighbor policy, we were committed to
Tyler Maddox
Steve McIntyre (left) and Steve Croucher
Continued from page 24 Five years passed and the club decided to take another stab at buying more land. The first thing the club wanted to do was show the local politicians and the community that there are many offhighway riders in the area, and they are just regular folks. “We were being hammered by the news media and some politicians, so we had a rally at our local park,” Croucher says. “We contacted the AMA for insurance, we rented the park, and we gave one simple instruction [to attendees]: bring your hauler with your ATVs. “On a Sunday, in the rain and snow, highs in the low 30s, we had 1,200 users show up with their EZ-ups and their OHVs,” Croucher says. “As far as one could see in any direction it was trucks, OHVs and EZ-ups. What a beautiful sight.” At the rally, organizers urged attendees to take time the next day to call politicians, and the local news media, to explain the benefits of outdoor motorized recreation. “Without going into detail, let me describe it like this,” Croucher says. “The county commissioners caved in by 11:30. The media caved in by 1:30. To quote one official responding to the volume of calls they were receiving: ‘Can you please make this stop.’
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make something work out.” The plan was to create a large OHV area that also would accommodate hikers, horse riders and others. The Motorcycle Riders Association would manage the OHV land and the city would oversee the non-motorized use areas. But not everyone in the area liked the idea. “Through Oregon’s Parks and Recreation Department, funding is available for property purchases such as this but, needless to say, the anti-OHV crowd was already positioned to oppose our grant request,” Croucher says. “Certainly, a bike club should not receive this level of funding [$684,000]. “Moreover, we were required to get 11 different state agencies to review and approve the land exchange [between the city and the club that was part of the proposed deal] in addition to multiple letters of support for a complete [grant] application,” he says. The Oregon Parks Commission, which approved the grant in May, said: “Ranked No. 1 on this list [of grants] is the city of Jacksonville/Motorcycle Riders Association land exchange… The proposed land exchange was extensively studied by the city of Jacksonville and is consistent with recommendations in a larger BLM OHV planning area. During a series of town hall meetings hosted by the city of Jacksonville, environmental and social impacts associated with various alternatives were considered. Finding that the land exchange would be in the best interest of a majority of community members, the Jacksonville City Council approved the exchange and established a memorandum of understanding between the city and the MRA.” The grant money comes from gas taxes paid on fuel used by OHVs. The plan calls for the Motorcycle Riders Association to use the $684,000 grant to buy 380 acres in a 1,800-acre watershed area known as Forest Park from the city of Jacksonville. That 380 acres in the upper watershed is adjacent to 180 acres the club already owns. Under the deal, the club also is giving the city 40 acres in the lower watershed that the club owns and had developed into a parking area. The entire deal was finalized after July 1 when the grant money became available. There are mountain-bike and hiking trails in the area, which the city intends to manage, while OHV use would occur on the MRA land. It took a lot of effort but it all paid off. Who knows what the future may bring. “We are looking forward to continued partnerships,” Croucher says.
to getting the project up and running, says Hubbard and Cheaha Trail Riders Something similar has been occurring President Glenn Myers. In fact, committed in Alabama, thanks to the Cheaha Trail volunteers are necessary for creating Riders organization. The Cheaha Trail any riding areas and trails, not only for Riders know what it takes to create a educating politicians and others but also major OHV riding area, since it has created for cleanup and other projects. several over the years. Danny Hubbard, the driving force behind the organization’s newest riding National Trails Day Efforts area—which is known as TOPTRAILS in That’s certainly true in Arizona, where Talladega County, Ala.—says Cheaha Trail the Coconino Trail Riders volunteer to Riders members consider TOPTRAILS do trail work in the national forest. The to be the organization’s premier group is dedicated to off-highway riding accomplishment for creating OHV trails. and works with government officials and “TOPTRAILS is currently open to others to create and maintain trails. the public and is under construction,” The Coconino Trail Riders was formed Hubbard says. “This trail system could in the mid-1980s as an informal group of become one of the leading parks in the riding friends. It organized formally in 2003 United States for OHV activities and all with several goals: kinds of other sports. Currently, it has •To work with the U.S. Forest more than 2,800 acres with around 75 Service and other land managers to miles of existing trails and the promote single-track riding potential of up to 150-200 opportunities in northern miles of OHV trails.” Arizona, and to provide a The Cheaha Trail Riders is voice for responsible offa family-oriented organization highway motorcyclists. with members in Alabama, •To promote AMAGeorgia Illinois, Arizona sanctioned off-highway and other states. The club, motorcycle events. formed in 1988, is a non-profit •To have fun while organization that advocates participating in a sport they for OHV safety, education and love. OHV trail building. Club members take part The TOPSTRAILS project in “trail days” every month was in the works for about in which they help create five years before it got off the and maintain trails. One of ground a couple years ago. those cleanups was held on Getting to that point wasn’t National Trails Days, June 1. easy. “We had an awesome Danny Hubbard Cheaha Trail Riders National Trails Day in the members made presentations about the Coconino National Forest,” says Warren proposal to county commissioners, city Williams, president of the Coconino Trail officials and others beginning in 2007. Riders. “We pulled a record 272 volunteers Talladega County commissioners were from all over Arizona. We even had noncool to the idea of a large OHV park at first moto groups work on this motorized multibut eventually came around because they use trail system. saw the potential economic benefit. “This was a first for the Coconino The land was the Coosa River National Forest,” Williams says. “Usually, Ammunition Storage Annex but the Army National Trails Day [involves work on] nonstopped storing munitions there in 1982. motorized trails.” The facility closed in 1988. It eventually Besides the Coconino Trail Riders, the came under the control of the U.S. Arizona Trail Riders took part in the project National Park Service. to work on part of The Park Service gave the Kelly Motorized the property to the Trail System, which For more information: city of Lincoln to be now has about 11 Motorcycle Riders Association used for a park. miles of trail but will www.motorcycleridersassociation.org Lincoln joined with eventually include 94 Talladega for joint miles. The Arizona Cheaha Trail Riders control and created Trail Riders group, www.cheahatrailriders.com an entity called the like the Coconino Trail Coconino Trail Riders Public Park Authority Riders, is dedicated www.coconinotrailriders.org to oversee the park’s to responsible offdevelopment. highway recreation Arizona Trail Riders Dedicated and the preservation www.arizonatrailriders.org volunteers were vital of off-highway riding. Ricky Robertson
Persistence And Volunteers Are Key
Other groups and agencies that took part in the cleanup, hosted by the USFS, were the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department, the Arizona Trail Association, Coconino Horsemen’s Alliance, American Conservation Experience, and the Coconino Rural Environmental Corps. For information on starting your own club, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com > Clubs & Promoters > Start A Club.
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ON ROAD AND OFF IN COLUSA COUNTY Sheetiron 300 Dualsport Is One Of Country’s Most Popular By John Notch and Judy Holliday
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The Oakland Motorcycle Club’s Sheetiron 300 Dualsport, an AMAsanctioned dual sport ride, is popular for the scenic routes and challenging trail. But what really keeps participants coming back—and why you’ll want to sign up as soon as possible to guarantee a slot on the 2014 ride—is the camaraderie with an amazing group of fellow riders. “I am utterly stoked about how many nice guys I met during the weekend,” says Evan Arkush of San Francisco. “You’ve got a great culture there, and I felt extremely fortunate to be a part of it.” The 21st Sheetiron took place on May 18-19. This year’s ride included 500 registered riders and 50 volunteers, sponsors and guests. It covered more than 300 miles from Stonyford, in beautiful Colusa County, to Fort Bragg and back to Stonyford the following day. While motorcycle enthusiasts ride throughout the year, the unique popularity of this OMC event is due to many factors, the most important probably being the diverse and challenging route options, designed and previewed by OMC members before every run. Routes range in difficulty, length and terrain, and they include a combination of on- and off-road choices, single-track trails, and easy and more difficult splits through the Mendocino National Forest. Participant’s comments over the years support the rides’ reputation. • “Just wanted to send a big thank you for a great motorcycle ride this weekend. My dad and sister have been touting
the Sheetiron for a few years now, and I finally rearranged my schedule so I could join them. I had a wonderful time. I was completely impressed by the route to Fort Bragg and back, as well as the more challenging harder splits. Everyone on our ride was full of smiles.”— Valerie Elliot of Creve Coeur, Mo. • “Thank you, Oakland Motorcycle Club for another great Sheetiron 300. Great route, well organized, and much fun. Yeah, some dust, but the cold drinks, hot dogs and chili at the finish made for an excellent weekend.”— Bob Pushwa, a 12-time Sheetiron veteran from San Leandro, Calif. • “I shook your hands on Sunday and said ‘Thank you,’ but that was not enough. Once again, thank you to ALL the OMC for a fantastic event. Everyone is so nice and helpful. It was amazing! It just seems to keep getting better every year, as you guys find new ways to improve on the process.”—Kevin Friend, El Dorado Hills resident and multi-year Sheetiron enthusiast The weekend begins Friday afternoon, or as early as 5 a.m. Saturday, with checkin for riders and their overnight bags for their stays in Fort Bragg. Riders submit their bikes for noise, spark arrester and license plate inspection, and then begin their chosen route. The journey is an adventure. Each rider arrives at the Fort Bragg destination by whatever route or combination of routes he or she chooses to follow. Riders regroup as they stop for food and gas along the way. Some will experience
SANCTIONING NOTICE
The Rules Of Racing By Jeff Massey
engine or mechanical trouble or other kinds of mishaps that require assistance. Stonyford, a quaint ranching town of 150 people, comes alive for two events each year, the first of these being the Colusa County annual rodeo, and then the Sheetiron two weeks later. This tiny, congenial town was chosen because of the easy entry it provides to the East Park Reservoir and the Mendocino Forest. Camping is provided for free at the Stonyford Rodeo Grounds. Sleeping arrangements in Fort Bragg are the responsibility of the participants at a hotel or campground of their choice. OMC members transport participant bags to Fort Bragg, unload them from the trucks, and return them to their respective owners when they arrive. If a bike is disabled or a rider is moderately injured, the club will sometimes transport both the rider and the bike back to Stonyford the following day. On Day 2 (Sunday), once again personal bags are checked in for transport back to Stonyford and reloaded onto the trucks by OMC members, friends and family members. At the end of the day, riders are greeted by friendly faces, great sponsorprovided raffle prizes, individual photos that were taken in Fort Bragg at the end of Saturday’s ride, and free hot dogs, chili and cold drinks. Many leave that night while others choose to camp out, swap stories with other riders, relax, and leave the next morning. The 106-year-old club opens registration for the popular event on April 1 and closes that window about 48 hours later, when the 500-rider limit is typically reached. Want to be a part of this amazing ride? The club’s website is www.oaklandmotorcycleclub.camp9.org. Bookmark it now.
Since approximately 1924, a primary objective of the AMA has been to provide its members and affiliates with a comprehensive rules package aimed at enhancing the sport of motorcycle racing. The AMA Rules of Racing are evaluated and modified annually by the AMA and AMA Congress to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of motorcyclists as the sport changes over time. Motorcyclists recognize utilization of the AMA Rules of Racing as an assurance that their racing experiences will be well managed and fairly conducted. However, only when a racing event is sanctioned by the AMA can the AMA ensure that its Rules of Racing are appropriately followed and enforced. The AMA has recently become aware of non-AMA sanctioned events that are advertising use of the AMA Rules of Racing. This practice is confusing and is not supported by the AMA. The AMA prohibits others from falsely implying to the public that an event is sanctioned by the AMA when it is not. By advertising or otherwise informing the public that AMA rules are in place at an event, the riding public is deceived into thinking that event is an AMA-sanctioned event. This will not be tolerated by the AMA and is unfair to riders who believe
AMA points will be awarded at the event and, more importantly, who believe that AMA safety guidelines are being followed when they are not. If you are an organization offering a racing event and would like to advertise and partake in utilization of the AMA Rules of Racing, information on obtaining an AMA charter and applying for an AMA sanction is available online at www. americanmotorcyclist.com or by calling the AMA at (800) AMA-JOIN. The AMA looks forward to working with you toward offering a racing event that meets the expectations of its participants through the proper application of the AMA’s Rules. If you are considering racing in an event that is not AMA sanctioned, please understand that the AMA cannot ensure that proper rules are being followed, even if the event purports to use the AMA Rules of Racing. If you have been falsely led to believe that an event is AMA sanctioned, and you later discover it was not, please write to the AMA at 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43417 or email jmassey@ama-cycle.org and let us know the name, date and location of the event. We appreciate your help in this regard. Jeff Massey is the AMA Vice President of Operations.
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Husqvarna is proud to sponsor the 2013 AMA National Dual-Sport Series
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Narrowly losing the 2013 AMA Supercross 250 West Title to Ken Roczen, GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac has been a man on a mission to claim the 250 AMA Pro Motocross Championship this summer. Not only does he want to beat archrival Roczen, he also wants to end his 250 career on a high note before moving up full-time to the 450 class next year. American Motorcyclist: Eli, let’s begin with the announcement that you will remain with the GEICO Honda team, moving up to the 450 class next year. Eli Tomac: It’s good to be staying at home, and for me it will be an easier transition for jumping into the premier 450 class because that class is the pinnacle of our sport. This is really the best situation for me, as well as being the best deal. I don’t think there is a better way to start my 450 career than with being on the team that I am on. AM: At the opening rounds of the outdoor championship, it looked like a four-way battle. Now it’s down to you and Ken Roczen. What are your thoughts?
AmericanMotorcyclist.com AMA_Husqvarna_Natl_Dual_Sport_Series_SeatConcepts_rev.indd 7/16/13 1 3:02 PM
Tomac: There definitely are a lot of top riders in the 250 class this year, but as you said, for the title it’s between Ken and myself. At times it does appear that we have an edge on the rest of the field, but if you don’t get a good start, it’s not very easy to go through the pack. There are multiple guys that can win a moto, so that makes it very tough. In Supercross, it was between Ken and me, but I ended up losing that one. You could blame it on my crash in Oakland, or some mistakes in Salt Lake City, but that’s what gives me the drive to go out there and try to snag this outdoor title. AM: How do you feel in terms of matching your potential right now? Tomac: I feel good about where I am with my riding. I’m often the fastest qualifier, and I think I have five or six of the fastest qualifying times. I learn the tracks pretty fast, and go for setting the best lap times so I can get a good gate pick. I’m definitely feeling it this year, and my bike setup is great. Everything is clicking.
U.S. JUNIOR MX TEAM CAPTURES WORLD TITLE We Get Back The Cup
The U.S. Junior Motocross Team won the 2013 FIM Junior Motocross World Championships in Jinin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 10-11. The Czech Republic team finished second, and Spain was third in the team-based competition. In addition to the team title, U.S. rider Aiden Tijero, from Ripon, Calif., earned the individual world championship in the 65cc class at the event, which broke participation records with 231 entries and 41 countries taking part. Rock River Racing Yamaha rider Chase Sexton, from La Moille, Ill., was the top U.S. rider in the 85cc class, finishing fourth overall, while Cernics Racing’s Jarek Balkovic, also on a Yamaha, from Camp Hill, Pa., led the U.S. team among 125cc riders, finishing sixth overall. “I can’t begin to say how proud I am of the entire team,” said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. “After finishing on the podium in third last year, the riders and the families knew that winning the team championship was not going to be easy. However, the team spirit was at an all-time high and working together was really important to everybody. I’m exceptionally proud of Aiden on his 65cc FIM World Championship. Aiden and his teammate Max Miller played a big role in this victory as the only two riders in the 65cc class.” Tijero, who is a member of the KTM Orange Brigade, was joined in the 10-12 year-old 65cc class by fellow KTM rider Miller, from Springfield, Ore. In the 11-14 year-old 85cc class, Sexton was joined by Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki rider Sean Cantrell from Newbury Park, Calif.; Bonamigo Suzuki’s Michael Mosiman from Seabastopol, Calif.; and KTM rider Mitchel Falk from Carlsbad, Calif. Also in the 13-17 year-old 125cc class with Balkovic were Rock River Racing riders Cole Barbieri from Ukiah, Calif., and Tristan Charboneau from Tenino, Wash; KTM rider Alexander Frye from Huntington, Md.; and Josh Mosiman from Seabastopol, Calif., on a Bonamigo Suzuki.
HONORING EXCELLENCE
Submit Nominations Now For AMA Awards Program The AMA Awards Program is looking for deserving individuals and organizations to be recognized in 2013. Overseen by the AMA Board of Directors, the program encourages AMA members to suggest those to be considered for the following awards: • AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award: Acknowledges the highest level of service to the AMA. It was first presented in 1970. • AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award: Recognizes activities that generate good publicity for motorcycling. It was first presented in 1987. • AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award. Recognizes someone who has contributed to protecting on-highway motorcycling rights. • AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award: Recognizes someone who has contributed to protecting off-highway motorcycling rights. • AMA Bessie Stringfield Award: Honors someone who has been instrumental in introducing motorcycling to emerging markets. • Friend of the AMA Award: Presented to those in the motorcycling community who have strongly supported the AMA mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. Submissions should include the individual’s or organization’s name, contact information, and accomplishments in 500 words or less. Send to submissions@ama-cycle.org. Mail: AMA Awards Program, American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, Ohio 43147. Deadline: Monday, Dec. 2, 2013.
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Terry Cunningham
Champions Crowned In AMA Vintage Nationals Terry Cunningham Among New Off-Road Champs
Several vintage motocross and hare scrambles champions got their AMA No. 1 plates at the season finale of the AMA Vintage Motocross and Hare Scrambles National Championship Series, presented by JT Racing. The series’ final round was at BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 19-21, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. This year’s AMA vintage national champions included off-road icon Terry Cunningham. Cunningham, who won four AMA Grand National Enduro Championships in the 1980s, competed in the hare scrambles Super Senior A class. “I have not done much vintage racing before this year,” he says. “In 2010, a friend from Wisconsin, Craig Hayes, lent me a WR 430, like the one I race now. I tried it and decided to compete for the title this year. I wanted to win the series. That was my goal. I’m happy to win, but what I really enjoyed was seeing old friends and finding out how much the other racers still remembered me from my championship days.” Cunningham discovered that fans never forget their heroes. Those who followed him during his professional career frequently approached him at the vintage races. “It was great to interact with the fans again, and a series like this is great for the
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sport, especially when former pros come to the events,” Cunningham says. “When the AMA brought out this series for 2013, I really wanted to be a part of it.” Cunningham says he’s now hooked on vintage racing and that he plans to return to the series in 2014 to defend his AMA No. 1 plate. “I’ll be back to race next year,” he says. “I love it.” On the motocross side, Steve Ellis from Irvine, Calif., won two AMA vintage motocross national titles: the Super Senior A title and the 201-250cc A title. “I decided to attempt another national championship 40 years after my first one, which was in 1973,” says Ellis, who competed on a 1973 Honda CR250. “This is the 40th anniversary of that event. The 40th anniversary of the Honda Elsinore and Gary Jones won the pro championship on the Elsinore 40 years ago when the bike came out, so I pulled it all together, you could say.” Another coincidence that Ellis didn’t plan occurred during the awards ceremony. The Michigan native was presented his series AMA No. 1 plate by AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. In 1973, Kip’s father and AMA District 14 (southern Michigan) representative Dick Bigelow gave Ellis his award. “Vintage racing gives people an opportunity to get back to something that
they did in their youth, enjoying the golden era of motocross,” Ellis says. “To come back to vintage racing, get those juices flowing, and have a great series like this AMA championship, that’s awesome.” Racers travelled from as far away as California to contest the five-round series in its inaugural year. Rounds were held in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Illinois before the final round at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “In previous years, our national vintage champions were determined by the singleevent AMA Grand Championship format,” says AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. “Dirt track evolved to a series a few years ago, and for 2013, motocross and hare scrambles also made the transition. We’re pleased that more vintage riders were able to participate thanks to the additional rounds, and we’re looking forward to gaining even more momentum next year.” Vintage racing features motorcycles from the past competing on periodcorrect tracks. Competitive balance is achieved by machine- and era-based categories, as well as by age and skill divisions. “Vintage motorcycle racing has a very broad appeal,” Massey says. “It’s easy to see why. The relatively low expense of older dirtbikes makes vintage competition an affordable option, while the historical significance of the bikes themselves, and nostalgia for the glory days, brings out riders of all kinds—including some of the sport’s biggest legends.”
AMA ROLLS OUT IMPROVED ONLINE RESULTS REPORTING
All AMA-Sanctioned MX Results In One Location
AMA racers now have access to a new online portal for amateur race results. AMA Race Center, available at http://results. americanmotorcyclist. com, offers a number of enhancements to previously available online motocross results. Although still in beta, the system features several exciting features, including results and advancement points for all classes, cross-linked results by rider or track; rider performance charts; upcoming events; speedy performance; a comprehensive search function; and an easier-to-navigate user interface. “Phase one of the all-new AMA Race Center is a major upgrade to our race-reporting capabilities,” says AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. “AMA Competition Members can see their complete results in one online location for all AMA-sanctioned motocross events. They can also track their advancement in motocross and enduro competition, using both raw numbers as well as charts.” AMA Race Center includes results for all AMA-sanctioned motocross, Arenacross and ATV motocross races as soon as those results are delivered from the individual event promoters. The platform also includes enduro B-to-A class advancement points. Massey adds that future versions of the AMA Race Center will include results for all disciplines sanctioned by the AMA. “In addition to results for additional disciplines, we will enhance the functionality over time,” he says. “We invite all members to check out the new AMA Race Center and let us know what works, what doesn’t and how we can improve it going forward.” Feedback or bugs to report? Drop us an email at amaracecenter@ama-cycle.org.
SOFT LANDINGS
Roadracing World Action Fund Provides Soft Barrier Deployment AMA members who competed in the road race program during the AMA Vintage Grand Championships July 19-21 were better protected in the event of a crash, thanks to the Roadracing World Action Fund. “We appreciate the Roadracing World Action Fund stepping up to provide softbarrier deployment,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. The Roadracing World Action Fund, a charitable organization whose mission is to prevent racetrack injuries, provides soft barriers, known as Airfence, at road race and dirt-track events. The inflated barriers are positioned in front of walls and other trackside obstacles to reduce the force of impact in the event of a rider crash. WERA was the AMA’s organizational partner for the road race program at the AMA Vintage Grand Championships. WERA CEO Evelyn Clarke says she
welcomed the cooperation of the Roadracing World Action Fund. “The Roadracing World Action Fund has always been there for the safety of the riders, and WERA and its riders have always supported and done what we can for the Roadracing World Action Fund,” Clarke says. John Ulrich, founder and president of the Roadracing World Action Fund and an AMA board member, says charitable contributions fuel the effort. “We’re happy to assist the AMA with the additional soft barriers needed above and beyond the 50 Airfence sections deployed by AMA Pro Racing,” Ulrich says. “The purpose of the Roadracing World Action Fund is to help improve rider safety and deploying 26 additional sections—780 linear feet—of Airfence brand soft barriers will make a significant difference. We’d like to thank all the people who have contributed to the Roadracing World Action Fund for making this and other deployments possible.” Info: actionfund.roadracingworld.com.
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Sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
www.yamaha-motor.com
CRAIG VETTER’S “HIGH MILEAGE LUXURY TOURING BIKE” Swoopy, Dramatic And Evocative Of A Streamlined Space-Age Future AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter may be best known for his iconic Windjammer fairings in the 1970s, but those were only part of Vetter’s obsession with streamlining. In the early 1980s, Vetter was concerned that fuel-efficient cars were beginning to get better mileage than motorcycles, and he wanted to do something about it. He created the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests in 1980 to challenge designers to think green. His own entry was classic Vetter—swoopy, dramatic and evocative of a streamlined, space-age inspired future that Vetter still very much believes in. It started life as a fairly pedestrian single-cylinder Kawasaki KZ250, which Vetter chose because he figured that it would have enough power to propel a rider efficiently. Wanting to minimize the frontal profile for maximum streamlining, Vetter chose a comfortable position that most closely approximated a reclining chair, moving the foot controls up near the front wheel to accommodate it. That position has come to be known as “feet-forward,” and is still used in alternative motorcycle designs, but at the time, Vetter was more concerned with comfort. Hence the name for his design: “The High-Mileage Luxury Touring Bike.” Real-world conditions were important to Vetter. Building a high-mileage bike that couldn’t do something like carry groceries wasn’t his goal. So the entire rear section was hollow, and could be accessed by tilting the
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seat forward. On the road, the streamlining helped tremendously—so much so, that the engine could be geared up. Experiments with smaller carburetor jets just made the engine overheat, so ultimately the jetting remained the same. Still, the aerodynamically slick machine was capable of 125 miles per gallon. Even today, Vetter says, it was a great testbed. “We learned from that machine that in side by side travel, real streamlining allows your fuel to take you twice as far when you travel at highway speeds like 70 mph,” Vetter says. “This is especially significant in electric bikes because streamlining doubles the distance electric vehicles can go.” Vetter also learned a few other things that profoundly influenced his thinking since then. First, he realized that you
Photos Jeff Guciardo
don’t need 250cc to achieve real-world performance in streamlined vehicles. About 10 to 20 horsepower is all that’s required. Second, designing around a vehicle powered by 125cc or 200cc makes more sense because they tend to be lighter and, therefore, more fuel-efficient. He used that knowledge in the latest version of a high-mileage bike, built around a Honda Helix scooter. And with that bike, he re-launched his high-mileage contests in 2010, often holding them in conjunction with AMA events like AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends Weekend. Vetter donated his “High-Mileage Luxury Touring Bike” to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, where it is on display. To learn more about Craig Vetter and the other men, women and machines featured in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, go to www.motorcyclemuseum.org. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, features the people and machines that have defined the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling in America. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that receives support from the AMA and from the motorcycling community. For info and directions, visit www. motorcyclemuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.
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Hall of Famer
BOB HANSEN
Jaydie Putterman
Racer And Race Team Manager
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Bob Hansen was a key figure in motorcycle racing during the 1960s and ’70s. He’s best known for running the American racing teams for Honda and, later, Kawasaki. Under Hansen’s direction, Honda won its first Daytona 200 in 1970 with Dick Mann at the controls of a CB750. A few years later, Hansen headed up Kawasaki’s successful racing team during its early U.S. efforts with riders such as Hall of Famers Yvon DuHamel and Gary Nixon. Hansen had been a well-known racer in the Midwest in the 1940s and ’50s. He went on to become a much-sought-after tuner before going to Honda in the early 1960s. Born in Racine, Wis., on Oct. 15, 1919, Hansen first became interested in motorcycles when he was in high school. By the time he was 18, he was competing in just about every form of motorcycle racing, from hillclimbing to TT and flat-track. By the late 1950s, Hansen was tuning for -- and sponsoring -- several racers, primarily on BSAs. By 1960, he opened a motorcycle dealership in Racine and was one of the first dealers in the Midwest to sell Honda motorcycles. Hansen became a Honda dealer and later joined the company, moving up the ladder and eventually relocating to Honda’s headquarters in Southern California to run the service department. While with Honda, Hansen headed up several racing efforts with the company’s lightweight and middleweight motorcycles. Most notable was a semifactory Honda effort at Daytona in 1967 with a trio of HRC-prepared CB450s. When Honda introduced its revolutionary CB750, it wanted to prove the speed and reliability of the new machine by racing in the 1970 Daytona 200. Hansen was given the responsibility of heading up the effort on the American side. The CB750s—of which there were four factory entries—had plenty of speed, but there was a problem with the cam-chain tensioner on the high-speed Daytona circuit. After the problem was discovered, Hansen made the decision to keep Mann off the bike during the final day of practice so that the machine could be totally rebuilt. Mann’s bike was the only factory Honda to go the distance and he won the race. Just a few months after Honda’s victory at Daytona, Hansen accepted an attractive offer to work for Kawasaki coordinating its racing efforts. Under Hansen’s guidance, Kawasaki won its first AMA National roadrace with Yvon DuHamel and soon became a powerhouse in U.S. racing. By the mid-1970s, Hansen had moved out of the motorcycle industry. Bob Hansen was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. To read more about Hansen and other members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, go to www. motorcyclemuseum.org.
YOU CAN HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
AMA members do it all—long-distance rides, offroad races, cruising main street, vintage dirt track... To better serve our broad membership base, American Motorcyclist magazine is now published in two versions. The dirt version includes more off-highway and racing content. The street version includes more articles for road riders. Want to switch? Just call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services and tell them which version you want. Want to read both versions? Call the above number to get both delivered to your home for just $10 more a year. Members can read both online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.
Put yourself in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
YOUR NAME HERE
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is YOUR hall of fame—we couldn’t exist without the generous support of our donors. Now there’s a new way for you to show that support in a very visible way: My Hall of Fame. The idea is simple: A $20 donation gets you a 3-inch-square space on the wall in the Hall of Fame entrance foyer that hangs during the campaign year. Want a bigger space? A 6-inch square is an $80 donation, and a 9-inch square is a $180 donation. You also get an official certificate noting that your picture is on display in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Hang your picture, your kid’s picture, your company logo, almost anything. It’s up to you! Get in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame today!
9” 6” 3” 3”
6”
$20
$80
donation
donation
www.motorcyclemuseum.org/myhalloffame or call 1-800-342-5464 for assistance
9”
$180
donation
‘America’s Original Extreme Motorcycle Thrill Show’ With a name like “The American Motordrome Wall of Death” you have to be cool, and cool these guys were, wowing packed crowds all weekend with their vertical stunt show on vintage motorcycles. The team of Charlie Ransom (below), Wahl E. Walker (above), Jeremiah Lightning and Dallas Dan captured the authentic spirit and appreciation for the past that permated BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. “This is America’s original extreme motorcycle thrill show,” Ransom says. “This is what entertainment is all about. It’s a live performance. It’s not for TV. It doesn’t translate into video or pictures. This is a throwback to the carnival days, this is real life, and you have to live it to really experience it.”
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. Not just because memories get better with age, but because it’s the better things that we remember. Our first bike. Our first ride. Our first two-wheeled thrill. More than just memories, though, these experiences came to life again at America’s grandest celebration of motorcycling’s heritage: BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, presenting the riders and champions of Husqvarna. Here’s a slice of the fun that happened this July 19-21 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington. For thousands of more photos from this unforgetable event, see the online gallery at gallery.americanmotorcyclist.com.
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Yve Assad
Real Life Vintage
Photos Yve Assad
L-R: Brad White, Matt Westbrook, Dan Green and Chad Francis of Louisville Vintage Motorworks
Start Them Young Grandfather John Walsh and his grandson Jason Ramey cleaned up in the bike shows, winning awards for a 1966 Gilera-Sears M106, a 1962 Ducati Falcon 50 and this 1979 Italjet.
Above: Rolling Masterpieces Bikes of all makes and eras were on display at BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, including this immaculately retored 1968 Triumph Bonneville owned by Dave Williams (right). Williams’ Triumph won Dick Burleson’s Grand Marshal’s Choice Award at the AMA AllYears Bike Show. Top: Louisville Vintage Motorworks Old motorcycles are great, but people who love old motorcycles are even better. That’s what Brad White, Matt Westbrook, Dan Green and Chad Francis learned after starting Kentucky’s Louisville Vintage Motorworks. The group got off the ground in 2008 with bike nights and other get-togethers, and they immediately realized that they tapped “something real in the local community,” White says. “We had people coming from all over, and soon there were 150 bikes packed in a tiny parking lot, and it just kept growing.” White, Westbrook and Francis also run vintage motorcycle garage Retro Wrench. “We’ll have old guys come in on vintage Indians, kids just learning to ride on CBs,” White says. “We just love bikes. Run what you brung. There’s no judgement. There’s no brand loyalty. We all have a huge respect for everything with two wheels.”
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Right: Del Hickle and Michelle Ravenscroft found a classic Triumph sign, while Gatlin Donohew from Ripley, W.Va., bought this coil for a Honda Z-50. Below: Italian Treasure Dean Cruciani from Jermyn, Pa., took home this original 1965 Ducati Bronco.
Photos Jeff Guciardo
Right: Jack Roach from Columbus, Ohio, will no doubt put a lot of miles on this 1970 Honda SLRS.
Below: Another Man’s Surplus... Clockwise from top left: Brandon Bishop from Mansfield, Ohio, with a tank for a 1980s Yamaha RX50; Taren Coleman from Wayne, Ohio, and his café racer seat for a CB500T; Jordan Vierling from Fairview Erie, Pa., and his new Alpinestars boots; Tom Davis from Columbus, Ohio, scored this Suzuki T500 brake drum; Drew Enggasser from Cleveland, Ohio, bought this front fender for a Yamaha CS3; and Johnny Freidli from Nashville, Tenn., with a new-to-him 1982 Can-Am 175 frame.
American-made Jack McHale from Scranton, Pa., knew he wanted it the moment he saw it: this 1974 Harley-Davidson Sprint.
Jeff Guciardo
Yve Assad
Enthusiasts gather around the classic bikes on display during the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame bike show.
Above: Artists, including Alicia Vanderelli were creating on location in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame tent throughout the event.
Jeff Guciardo
Below: Owning The Track The world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been circulated by some of motorsports’ most technologically advanced machines. But it also hosts rolling history such as this vintage Triumph.
Above: Husqvarna’s Riders and Champions In addition to Hall of Famer and Grand Marshal Dick Burleson, other legends of the sport were on hand, including Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith (left) and Mike Melton.
Yve Assad
Jeff Guciardo
Below: Living History The vintage racing at BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days attracted hundreds of riders, including Trevor Kline from Hebron, Ohio. Kline also races modern bikes and is a member of this year’s International Six Days Enduro team.
Right: AMA Vintage Off-Road Grand Champion Chris Wentzel (left) and AMA Vintage Senior Grand Champion Jeff Fredette
Photos Jeff Guciardo
Below: Team New Zealand Kevin Jury (center) from Auckland, New Zealand, was joined by (l-r) Richie Weston, Greg Pulley, Glenn Davies and Richard Vanderuyt.
AMA Dud Perkins Award AMA leadership honored former AMA Board Member Andy Goldfine with the 2013 AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award. Shown are (l-r) AMA Board Chair Maggie McNally, Art More, Goldfine, Perry King, Ken Ford, Jim Viverito and AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.
L-R: Dale Sonnenschein, Richard Heins and Rick Heins hang out between vintage motocross motos.
Try it Before you Buy it KTM, along with Kawasaki and Kymco, brought demo bikes to to event. In KTM’s case, riders got to rip around the infield of the road race course.
Youth Movement Vintage racing isn’t just for the older generation. Josh Roper from Glendale, Ariz., demonstrates that kids like old bikes too.
A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.
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The finale of the AMA Pro Hillclimb National Championship Series is set for Oct. 13 in Oregonia, Ohio, hosted by the Dayton Motorcycle Club. If you haven’t seen the pros in action lately, the Devils Staircase Pro Hillclimb is an event you won’t want to miss. Info: www.daytonmc. com.
The Big Bike Weekend, Oct. 11-13, in the Northern California town of Redding is a great destination for street riders looking for a fun time with numerous traditional rally activities. This year’s event benefits the American Red Cross, the Missing in America Project and a pre-Thanksgiving Food Drive (Stuff The Truck) Info: www.bigbikeweekend.com.
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2013 AMA Championship Banquet, Jan. 18, 2014, at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus, Ohio
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GO RIDE
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If you’ll be in the Hicksville, N.Y., area on Oct. 20, then plan to take part in the 17th Annual Tombstone Tour, a recreational road ride poker run hosted by the American Spirit Motorcycle Club. Info: www. americanspiritmcinc.com.
The warriors of the dirt oval close out their season this month in AMA Pro Flat Track action on Oct. 12 at the Pomona Half-Mile in Pomona, Calif. For more info, see page XX.
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One of the top events on the riding schedule in the AMA Premier Touring Series is the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally, which is an AMA National Convention set for Sept. 18-22 in Ruidoso, N.M. Ideal fall temperatures, great roads and good company combine to make this rally worth attending. Info: www.motorcyclerally.org.
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If you’re looking for a good time on your adventure-tourer or dualsport machine, then head over to the Howlin’ at the Moon event hosted by the Arizona Trail Riders. Oct. 26-27 in Payson, Ariz. This event is part of the AMA Husqvarna National Dual-Sport Series and the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. Info: arizonatrailriders.org.
COMING UP
Make your reservation now for one of the greatest motorcycling events of the year: the AMA Legends Weekend Oct. 18-19 in Las Vegas, Nev. The gala features the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Legends Reception. Get more info: www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
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OCTOBER EVENTS ARIZONA RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE OCT 26: PRESCOTT: 2 DAY EVENT, ARIZONA TRAIL RIDERS, (602) 692-9382, ARIZONATRAILRIDERS.ORG DUAL SPORT RIDE OCT 26: PRESCOTT VALLEY: 2 DAY EVENT, ARIZONA TRAIL RIDERS, (623) 826-1092, ARIZONATRAILRIDERS.ORG POKER RUN OCT 20: GILBERT: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG ROAD RALLY OCT 19: BENSON: SOUTHERN ARIZONA HARLEY RIDERS MC, (520) 249-3939, SAHR.US.COM CALIFORNIA
COLORADO COMPETITION ENDUROCROSS OCT 12: DENVER: SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, (303) 297-1166, NATIONALWESTERNCOMPLEX.COM CONNECTICUT COMPETITION OBSERVED TRIALS OCT 27: MERIDAN: MERIDEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (203) 235-9669 FLORIDA RECREATIONAL POKER RUN OCT 27: FT. WALTON BEACH: SAND DOLLAR MC, INC., (850) 244-0376, SANDDOLLARMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUN
DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD
OCT 13: UMATILLA: CENTRAL FLORIDA CRUISERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (352) 396-3239, CENTRALFLORIDACRUISERS.ORG
OCT 11: BISHOP: VENTURA COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (805) 857-2522, HTTP://VCMC.INFO/ OCT 27: LANCASTER: LOST COYOTES, (661) 951-7078 POKER RUN OCT 5: POINT RICHMOND: RICHMOND RAMBLERS MC, (510) 620-0762, RICHMONDRAMBLERSMC.ORG ROAD RUN OCT 6: FAIRFIELD: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG OCT 20: CARDIFF: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG COMPETITION DESERT SCRAMBLES OCT 6: (Includes ATVs) EL CENTRO: OVER THE BELT RACING, INC, OTBRACING-D38. NET OCT 20: (Includes ATVs) EL CENTRO: INTERSTATE 8 DEZERT RACERS, (619) 241-3292, I8DEZERTRACERS.COM ENDURO OCT 6: SHASTA LAKE: NORTH VALLEY MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, INC., (530) 953-7272, REDDINGDIRTRIDERS.COM OCT 20: OAKLAND: OAKLAND MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (510) 828-1494, OAKLANDMC.ORG OCT 27: (Includes ATVs) GORMAN: VENTURA COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (805) 485-5271, VENTURACOUNTYMC. COM OCT 27: GRIZZLY FLAT: POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (916) 221-0834, POLKADOTSMC.COM HARE SCRAMBLES OCT 12: SAN JOSE: 2 DAY EVENT, TIMEKEEPERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (408) 739-5762 OCT 19: PATTERSON: 2 DAY EVENT, NORCAL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (916) 295-9294, NORCALMC.NET SPEEDWAY OCT 11: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-RACE, FASTFRIDAYS.COM SHORT TRACK OCT 5: LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-7182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COM TTS
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OCT 6: LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-7182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COM
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
COMPETITION MOTOCROSS OCT 6: OKEECHOBEE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC, UNLIMTEDSPORTSMX. COM OCT 6: REDDICK: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC, UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM OCT 20: DADE CITY: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC, UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM OCT 27: GAINESVILLE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC, UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX. COM GEORGIA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN OCT 5: ALPHARETTA: FUN AND RELIABLE TIDDLERS, (770) 923-1685, DREAMHOUSE500.COM ILLINOIS DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD OCT 27: LEAF RIVER: FOREST CITY RIDERS M/C, (815) 624-6535, FORESTCITYRIDERS.COM TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL OCT 6: (Includes ATVs) OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM COMPETITION ENDURO
MASSACHUSETTS
SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM OCT 11: DUQUOIN: RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM OCT 13: (Includes ATVs) MASON: CROSSROADS MX AND OFF-ROAD PARK, LLC, (618) 686-2769, CROSSROADSMX. COM
COMPETITION HILLCLIMB OCT 6: (Includes ATVs) MONSON: QUABOAG RIDERS INC, (413) 267-4414, QUOBOAGRIDERSMC.COM MICHIGAN
OCT 20: (Includes ATVs) WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9534, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM
RECREATIONAL
OCT 26: (ATV only) FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4255, SPLINTERCREEK.COM
OCT 6: GRAND RAPIDS: PARA-DICE MC, (616) 363-1060
OCT 27: FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4255, SPLINTERCREEK.COM OCT 27: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM INDIANA COMPETITION ENDURO OCT 13: MATTHEWS: MUDDOBBERS MC INC, (765) 998-2236, MUDDOBBERSMC. ORG HILLCLIMB OCT 5: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (217) 247-2216, PLEASURERIDERS.NET HARE SCRAMBLES OCT 6: COLUMBUS: STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 342-4411, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM MOTOCROSS OCT 6: WABASH: WABASH CANNONBALL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (765) 669-3005 OCT 19: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (309) 838-5062, PLEASURERIDERS.NET OCT 20: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (309) 838-5062, PLEASURERIDERS.NET IOWA ENDURO OCT 6: BARTLETT: C C RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (712) 313-0256, IERA22.COM HARE SCRAMBLES OCT 13: ATALISSA: IOWA CITY COMPETITION RIDERS, (319) 530-1554, IERA22.COM MOTOCROSS OCT 5: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORG KANSAS
POKER RUN
COMPETITION MOTOCROSS OCT 5: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM OCT 6: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM OCT 13: MILLINGTON: BULLDOG RIDERS M/C, (248) 284-5570, BULLDOGSMX.COM OCT 26: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM OCT 27: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM OBSERVED TRIALS OCT 12: VERMONTVILLE: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (616) 8216920, MOTATRIALS.COM OCT 13: VERMONTVILLE: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (616) 8216920, MOTATRIALS.COM MINNESOTA RECREATIONAL TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL OCT 19: AKELEY: 2 DAY EVENT, PAUL BUNYAN FOREST RIDER MC, (218) 7395525, PAULBUNYANFORESTRIDERS.COM COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES OCT 6: BROWERVILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (218) 8942826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM OCT 13: MAZEPPA: GOLDEN EAGLES CYCLE CLUB, (507) 843-5754, GOLDENEAGLES.ORG MOTOCROSS OCT 6: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, BERMBENDERS.COM OCT 6: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 244-9996, MOTOKAZIE.COM OCT 13: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS
OCT 20: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (618) 946-4316, CCDIRT. COM
RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN
OCT 12: NORTH MANKATA: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 935-1887, UMTA.ORG
GRAND PRIX
OCT 5: BENTON: MARCH OF DIMES-KS, (316) 267-9255, BIKERSFORBABIES.ORG/ WICHITA
OCT 13: NORTH MANKATO: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879, UMTA.ORG
OCT 6: BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM OCT 13: OREGON: KI TRACKS MX, (815) 732-3073, KITRACKSMX.COM HARE SCRAMBLES OCT 5: (Includes ATVs) PLAINVIEW: 2 DAY EVENT, WFO PROMOTIONS, (309) 3143343, WFOPROMOTIONS MOTOCROSS OCT 5: (Includes ATVs) WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9534, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM OCT 5: BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM OCT 6: (Includes ATVs) WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9534,
MARYLAND RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN OCT 6: MECHANICSVILLE: MARCH OF DIMES-MARYLAND NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA CHAPTER, (571) 257-2310, BIKERSFORBABIES.ORG/ SOUTHERNMARYLAND
OCT 26: RED WING: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879, UMTA.ORG OCT 27: RED WING: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879, UMTA.ORG MISSOURI RECREATIONAL
COMPETITION
ROAD RUN
MOTOCROSS
OCT 13: MARYLAND HEIGHTS: MARCH OF DIMES-MO, (314) 513-9968, BIKERSFORBABIESMO.ORG
OCT 26: LEONARDTOWN: BUDDS CREEK MOTOCROSS PARK, (301) 475-2000, BUDDSCREEK.COM OCT 27: LEONARDTOWN: BUDDS CREEK MOTOCROSS PARK, (301) 475-2000, BUDDSCREEK.COM
ROAD RALLY OCT 4: CAPE GIRARDEAU: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (573) 334-4491
OCTOBER EVENTS COMPETITION
GRAND PRIX
HARE SCRAMBLES
OCT 20: (Includes ATVs) ATHENS: ACTION SPORTS PROMOTIONS INC., (570) 5917223, ACTIONSSPORTSRACING.COM
OCT 27: PARK HILLS: MISSOURI MUDDERS, (636) 639-6373, MOMUDDERS. COM NEW JERSEY RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE OCT 26: TUCKERTON: 2 DAY EVENT, METEOR MC, (609) 296-9163, CAMPACN. COM COMPETITION ENDURO
HARE SCRAMBLES OCT 13: (Includes ATVs) SUGAR GROVE: CENTRAL OHIO COMPETITION RIDERS INC., (740) 983-3937 OBSERVED TRIALS OCT 5: LITTLE HOCKING : 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, TRIALSINC.ORG OCT 26: WELLSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, TRIALSINC.ORG OKLAHOMA
OCT 20: NEW LISBON: OCEAN COUNTY COMPETITION RIDERS M.C., (609) 7582747, HTTP://OCCR.NET/
COMPETITION
HARE SCRAMBLES
OCT 20: OKLAHOMA CITY: OKLAHOMA DIRT RIDERS, (405) 249-6702, OKIEDIRTRIDERS.COM
OCT 5: EAGLESWOOD TWP: 2 DAY EVENT, PINE BARONS ENDURO RIDERS, (609) 502-6737, PBER.WEBS.COM OCT 26: MILLVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, COMPETITION DIRT RIDERS, (609) 319-7496 MOTOCROSS OCT 5: ENGLISHTOWN: 2 DAY EVENT, RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK.COM NEW MEXICO COMPETITION OBSERVED TRIALS OCT 5: ROSWELL: 2 DAY EVENT, NEW MEXICO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (505) 7802551, NEWMEXICOTRIALS.COM NEW YORK RECREATIONAL MYSTERY RUN OCT 20: HICKSVILLE: AMERICAN SPIRIT MC, INC., (516) 485-8270 ROAD RUN OCT 13: SLOATSBURG: RAMAPO MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (845) 304-9345 OCT 20: BROOKLYN: ROLLING THUNDER, NEW YORK, CHAPTER 1, (212) 330-8094, ROLLINGTHUNDER1.COM OCT 27: BRONX: CELTIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 924-2170, CELTICM.C.C.COM TURKEY RUN OCT 27: OAKDALE: IDONTKNOW MC, (641) 715-3900, IDONTKNOWMC.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS OCT 26: (Includes ATVs) WALLKILL: WALDEN MX, (845) 895-2537, WALDENMX. COM OBSERVED TRIALS OCT 6: BEAVER DAMS: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (607) 535-9321, DISTRICT4TRIALS.ORG OHIO RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE OCT 12: MCARTHUR: 2 DAY EVENT, ENDURO RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (614) 582-7821, ENDURORIDERS.COM ROAD RUN OCT 12: LEBANON: TRAIN MRO INC., (513) 531-6547, TRAINMRO.ORG OCT 20: PORTSMOUTH: PORTSMOUTH MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 352-7200, PORTSMOUTHMC.NET
ENDURO
OCT 27: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG OBSERVED TRIALS OCT 6: LOCK HAVEN: DURTY DABBERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 748-6534 OCT 27: VALLEY VIEW: RAUSCH CREEK POWERSPORTS, (570) 682-4600, RAUSCHCREEKRACING.COM SHORT TRACK OCT 12: WEST LAMPETER: MASON DIXON MOTORSPORTS PARK, (443) 528-7648 TTS OCT 6: PARKESBURG: E PA PISTON POPPERS MC INC, (484) 336-9160 RHODE ISLAND COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
OBSERVED TRIALS
OCT 26: PONCA CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM
OCT 6: EXETER: RHODE ISLAND TRAILS CLUB, (508) 285-6074, RITRIALSCLUB.COM
PENNSYLVANIA RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE OCT 13: PINE GROVE: READING OFF ROAD RIDERS, (610) 921-3592, RORR.ORG POKER RUN OCT 6: SCHUYLKILL: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 3851460, SCHUYLKILLMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM
SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN OCT 13: LEXINGTON: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG TENNESSEE RECREATIONAL TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL
OCT 6: KRESGEVILLE: ZINC CITY MC, (570) 992-4214, ZINCCITYMC.ORG
OCT 14: TOWNSEND: XPLOR-INT LLC, (610) 470-8897, XPLOR-INT.COM
OCT 6: YORK: TWIN ROSE LADY RIDERS, (717) 471-7026
RECREATIONAL
OCT 13: COLUMBIA: THUNDERBIRD MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (717) 898-0871 OCT 13: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM
TEXAS
OCT 12: HOUSTON: RIDERS FOR THE CURE, (713) 563-9230, RIDERSFORTHECURE.ORG OCT 13: FORT WORTH: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG
OCT 19: LEESPORT: CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON, (610) 916-7777, CLASSICHARLEY.COM
OCT 27: SELMA: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG
OCT 26: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (267) 261-3580, BLUECOMETMC.COM
ROAD RALLY
OCT 27: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM ROAD RUN OCT 12: LEESPORT: ARMED FORCES BROTHERHOOD, INC., (484) 331-1066, ARMEDFORCESBROTHERHOOD.ORG COMPETITION 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK OCT 5: (Includes ATVs) NEWBERRYTOWN: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM OCT 19: (Includes ATVs) SHIPPENSBURG: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM HARE SCRAMBLES OCT 19: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 489-1240, BLUECOMETMC.COM MOTOCROSS
ENDURO OCT 6: RAY: CHILLICOTHE ENDURO RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (740) 649-9026, CHILLICOTHEENDURO.COM
OCT 6: MT. MORRIS: RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, RACERPRODUCTIONS.COM
OCT 5: MT SOLON: 2 DAY EVENT, WASHINGTON AREA TRAIL RIDERS, INC., WATR.US SCAVENGER HUNT OCT 12: FREDERICKSBURG: 2 DAY EVENT, MASON DIXON 20-20 RIDERS CLUB, RALLYTHEVOID.ORG SWAP MEETS OCT 6: MANASSAS: VIRGINIA BRITISH MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (703) 368-0173, PWCFAIR.COM COMPETITION GRAND PRIX OCT 13: RURAL RETREAT: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 620-0400, VCHSS.ORG MOTOCROSS OCT 12: PETERSBURG: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 375-1059, MAMAMX. COM WASHINGTON COMPETITION ENDUROCROSS OCT 26: EVERETT: SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, (425) 322-2600, COMCASTARENAEVERETT.COM MOTOCROSS OCT 26: (Includes ATVs) WEST RICHLAND: HRMC, INC., (509) 953-5242, HORNRAPIDSMX.COM OCT 27: (Includes ATVs) WEST RICHLAND: HRMC, INC., (509) 953-5242, HORNRAPIDSMX.COM WEST VIRGINIA RECREATIONAL ROAD RALLY
ROAD RUN
OCT 13: RED HILL: FREEDOM RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (215) 679-4766, FREEDOMRIDERSPA.COM
OCT 6: (ATV only) THREE SPRINGS: ROCKET RACEWAY, (717) 574-6590, ROCKETRACEWAY.COM
COMPETITION
OCT 13: NEW ALEXANDRIA: 8 SEVEN MX, LLC, (412) 736-1225, PRPMX.COM
OCT 17: WILS POINT: BIKERS ADULT RALLY, LLC., (972) 551-0024 OCT 18: DESOTO: 2 DAY EVENT, WHEELIO, LLC, (972) 672-9740, BIGTEXRALLY.COM OCT 18: LUCKENBACH: 2 DAY EVENT, CENTRAL TEXAS MOTORCYCLE CHARITIES, (512) 922-5494, HARVESTCLASSIC.ORG OCT 25: KERRVILLE: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, COMPETITION MOTOCROSS OCT 5: (ATV only) KEMP: UNDERGROUND MX PARK, (903) 498-4659, UGMXPARK.COM OCT 6: (ATV only) KEMP: UNDERGROUND MX PARK, (903) 498-4659, UGMXPARK.COM UTAH COMPETITION ROAD RACE OCT 5: TOOELE: 2 DAY EVENT, UTAH SPORT BIKE ASSOCIATION, (435) 277RACE, MILLERMOTORSPORTSPARK.COM VIRGINIA RECREATIONAL TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL
OCT 4: LEWISBURG: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (304) 645-7722 COMPETITION MOTOCROSS OCT 19: HEDGESVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 375-9105, MAMAMX. COM WISCONSIN RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE OCT 26: CROSS PLAINS: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (262) 424-9361, MADISONMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD OCT 20: WEST BEND: KETTLE MORAINE SPORT RIDERS, (262) 334-1743, KETTLEMORAINESPORTRIDERS.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS OCT 5: WITTENBERG: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM OCT 6: WITTENBURG: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM OCT 6: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM OCT 13: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 265-1582, AZTALANMX. COM OBSERVED TRIALS OCT 5: MAUSTON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG OCT 6: MAUSTON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG
October 2013
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2013/2014 EVENTS HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame MotorcycleMuseum.org The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
100’s Motorcycle Club; (949) 584-9395; www.100sMC.org
Feb. 7-9: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena
AMA National Mid-America Cross Country Series www.themaxc.com
Feb. 14-16: Nampa, Idaho: Idaho Center
Sept. 28: Plymouth, Ind: The Blackhawk
Feb. 21-23: Reno, Nev.: Livestock Events Center
Oct. 19: Gosport, Ind: Rally in the Valley
Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.
Mar. 1-2: Tulsa, Okla.: BOK Center
Nov. 2: Freedom, Ind: Coyote Run
Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle Racing: Celebrating the storied history of the men and machines who battle on the dirt oval.
Mar. 14-16: Hidalgo, Texas: State Farm Arena
2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition: More than two dozen artists celebrate the spirit, excitement and adventure of motorcycling through fine art. Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors. Oct. 18-19, Las Vegas, Nev.: AMA Legends Weekend. Information: www. motorcyclemuseum.org. AMA PRO RACIng
2014 Monster Energy AMA Supercross AMASUPERCROSS.COM
Mar. 7-9: Albuquerque, N.M.: Tingley Coliseum
Mar. 29-30: Salt Lake City: EnergySolutions Arena AMA PRO ROAD Racing CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.com Sept. 13-15: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park Sept. 27-29: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca AMA PRO flat track CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.com Sept. 29: Santa Rosa, Calif.: Mile, Sonoma County Fairgrounds
AMA FEATURED SERIEs
AMA western checkpoint enduro championship ridechec.com
Sept. 21-22: Plymouth Township, Pa.: 2-Day, High Mountain Dirt Riders, (570) 954-7799 Sept. 28-29: Three Springs, Pa.: 2-Day, Green Marble Enduro Riders, (410) 638-9367 Oct. 5-6: Eagleswood, N.J.: 2-Day, Pine Barons Enduro Riders, (609) 654-6300 Oct. 26-27: Millville, N.J.: 2-Day, Competition Dirt Riders, (609) 319-7496 Nov. 16-17: New Castle, Del.: 2-Day, Delaware Enduro Riders, (302) 834-4411
Sept. 28-29: Toulon, Nev.
ALL-STAR NATIONAL FLAT TRACK STEVENACERACING.com
Oct. 27: Gorman, Calif. 100-mile Qualifier
Sept. 28: York, Pa: Half-mile, York Expo Center
Oct. 26-27: Elkins Flat, Calif.
AMA IOWA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES IATVHSS.com
Nov. 9-10: Stoneyford, Calif.
Sept. 14: Chariton, Iowa
VirginIa championship hare scrambles series vchss.org
Oct. 5-6: Carlisle, Iowa: Blue Ridge Run
Sept. 22: Spring Grove, Va. Sept. 29: Chatham, Va. Oct. 13: Rural Retreat, Va. Oct. 27: Dillwyn, Va.
AMA American sportbike racing association CHAMPIONSHIP SERIEs AMARACING.COM Sept. 21-22: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms Oct. 17-20: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway
Oct. 12: Pomona, Calif. Half-mile, LA County Fairplex
Nov. 10: Spring Grove, Va.
Jan. 11: Phoenix: Chase Field
AMA PRO HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM
Jan. 18: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Satium
Sept. 29: Jefferson, Pa.
AMA ACTION SPORTS Grand Prix series ACTIONSPORTSracing.com
AMA american sportbike racing association TEAM CHALLENGE SERIEs AMARACING.COM
Jan. 25: Oakland, Calif.: O.Co Coliseum
Oct. 13: Oregonia, Ohio
Sept. 21: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223
Oct. 19: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway, 30th Annual Race of Champions
Oct. 20: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223
AMA U.S. Grand Prix Riders Union SERIES USGPRU.NET
Jan. 4: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium
Feb. 1: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium Feb. 8: San Diego: Qualcomm Stadium Feb. 15: Arlington, Texas: Cowboys Stadium Feb. 22: Atlanta: Georgia Dome Mar. 1: Indianapolis: Lucas Oil Stadium Mar. 8: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway Mar. 15: Detroit: Ford Field Mar. 22: Toronto: Rogers Centre Mar. 29: St. Louis: Edward Jones Dome Apr. 5: Houston: Reliant Stadium Apr. 12: Seattle: Century Link Field Apr. 26: East Rtherford, N.J.: MetLife Staium May 3: Las Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium 2014 AMSOIL Arenacross, featuring Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross ARENACROSS.com Jan. 3-5: Worcester, Mass.: DCU Center Jan. 10-12: Baltimore: 1st Mariner Arena
46
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Milwaukee, Wis.: U.S. Cellular Arena
AMA national championship series
AMA ENDUROcross ENDUROcross.com
Sept. 21: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena Oct. 12: Denver: National Western Complex Oct. 26: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena Nov. 9: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center Nov. 23: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena AMA NATIONAL ENDURO NATIONALENDURO.com Sept. 15: Lynnville, Ind.: Gil Jochem, IN, IL, KY Enduro Riders; (812) 624-0344, www.blackcoal.org Oct. 20: Oklahoma City: Chuck Howard, Oklahoma Dirt Riders; (405) 249-6702, www.okiedirtriders.com AMA Vintage Dirt Track AMARACING.com Sept. 21: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: ST, Ron Edlin, Tri-State MC; (845) 566-4956; www.tristateclub.com Sept. 22: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: ST, Ron Edlin, Tri-State MC; (845) 566-4956; www.tristateclub.com
Jan. 18-19: Louisville, Ky.: Freedom Hall
AMA HARE AND HOUND AMARACING.com
Jan. 25-26: Greensboro, N.C.: Greensboro Coliseum
Oct. 12, Youth; Oct. 13, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Ryan Sanders,
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
Nov. 16: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223 AMA DISTRICT 37 BIG 6 Grand Prix series BIG6racing.com Oct. 5-6: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Ridgecrest Fairgrounds, Viewfinders MC Nov. 2-3: Gorman, Calif.: Quail Valley, Prospectors MC Dec. 7-8: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway, Vikings MC EAST COAST ENDURO Association ENDURO SERIEs ECEA.ORG Sept. 15: Brandonville, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders, (484) 948-5361; www.vftr.org Oct. 20: New Lisbon, N.J.: Ocean County Competition Riders, (609) 758-2747; www.occr.net
Sept. 21-22: Alton, Va.: Final, Virginia International Speedway AMA Pro-Am Motocross AMARACING.COM Sept. 14: Lizella, Ga.: Motocross League of America Vurb Classic, Echeconnee MX, (205) 699-8857, www. rpmsportsonline.com Sept. 15: Richford, N.Y.: New York State Championship, Broome Tioga, (607) 8494438, www.btscmx@yahoo.com Sept. 15: Lizella, Ga.: Motocross League of America Vurb Classic, Echeconnee MX, (205) 699-8857, www. rpmsportsonline.com Sept. 15: Tigerton, Wis.: Midwest Mega Series, Fantasy Moto, (920) 419-2863, www.fantasymoto.com Sept. 15: Wytheville, Va.: Thor United States Mega Series, Pro Sport MX, (423) 323-5497, www.victory-sports.com
Nov. 10: Warren Grove, N.J.: Motorcycle Competition Inc., (609) 575-7820; www. ride-mci.com
Sept. 15: Casey, Ill.: Fly Racing Showdown Series, Lincoln Trails Motorsports, (217) 932-2041, lincolntrailmotosports@gmail.com
Nov. 24: New Lisbon, N.J.: Central Jersey Competition Riders, (732) 5586475; www.cjcrmc.org
Sept. 21-22: New Castle, Del.: Delaware State Championship, Blue Diamond MX, (302) 834-5867, www.bdmxpark.com
EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION HARE SCRAMBLES SERIEs ECEA.ORG
Sept. 22: Mason, Ill.: (618) 6862769, Crossroads MX, www. crossroadsmxpark@gmail.com
2013/2014 EVENTS Sept. 22: Hamer, S.C.: Ultra Series, South of the Boarder, (423) 323-5497, www.victory-sports.com Sept. 28: Mendota, Ill.: (815) 539-9021, Moto Pro Inc., www.megacross.com Sept. 29: Dalton, Ga.: Thor United States Mega Series, Lazy River MX, (423) 323-5497, www.victory-sports.com Sept. 29: Edgewood, Texas: (214) 939-4321, Buffalo Creek, www. buffalocreekmx.com Sept. 29: Walnut, Ill.: (815) 379-9534, Sunset Ridge, www.sunsetridgemx.com Oct. 6: Englishtown, N.J.: Kawasaki Race of Champions, Raceway Park, (732) 446-7800, www.racewaypark.com
649-3633; www.familyoffroadadventures. com
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: U.S. ROUNDS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sept. 28-29: Wabeno, Wis.: Big Woods 200, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www. widualsportriders.org
FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP WORLDSBK.COM
Sept. 27-29: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Oct. 5-6: Mt. Solon, Va.: Shenandoah 500 Dual Sport, Washington Area Trail Riders, Andy Giordano, (540) 379-5631; www. watr.us
FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM
Oct. 12-13: McArthur, Ohio: Baby Burr National Dual Sport, Enduro Riders Assn., Steve Barber; (614) 582-7821; www.enduroriders.com
Sept. 29: Teutschenthal, Germany FIM INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS OF ENDURO FIM-LIVE.COM
Oct. 26-27: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 826-109 2; www.arizonatrailriders.org
Sept. 30-Oct.5: 2013 ISDE: Sardegna, Italy
Oct. 11-13: Dequoin, Ill.: Motocross League of America: Duquoin Fall Classic, Indian Hills MX, (205) 699-8857, www. rpmsportsonline.com
BUB MOTORCYCLE SPEED TRIALS BUBENT.COM
Oct. 13: Birdsboro, Pa.: (610) 5823717, Pagoda Motorcycle Club, www. pagodamc.org
COOK MOTORSPORTS PRIVATE LAND SPEED SHOOTOUT
Oct. 19: Blountville, Tenn.: Thor United States Mega Series, Muddy Creek, (423) 323-5497, www.victory-sports.com Oct. 20: Blountville, Tenn.: Thor United States Mega Series, Muddy Creek, (423) 323-5497, www.victory-sports.com
Aug. 25-29: Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats
Sept. 12-16: Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats TRIALS DES NATIONS
AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Nov. 1: Reynolds, Ga.: Motocross League of America, Silver Dollar MX, (205) 699-8857, www.rpmsportsonline. com
Nov. 2-3: Buckeye, Ariz.: Western ProAm, Arizona Cycle Park, (623) 853-0750, www.arizonacyclepark.com Nov. 9-10: Lizella, Ga.: Georgia State Championship, Echeconnee MX Park, (205) 699-8857, www.rpmsportsonline. com Nov. 16: Pell City, Ala.: MLA, Kawasaki Good Time Mill Creek MX, Mill Creek, (205) 699-8857, www.rpmsportsonline. com Nov. 17: Pell City, Ala.: MLA, Kawasaki Good Time Mill Creek MX, Mill Creek, (205) 699-8857, www.rpmsportsonline. com Nov. 25-27: Gainsville, Fla.: Winter Olympics, Gatorback Cycle Park, (312) 689-3461, www.unlimitedsportsmx.com Nov. 28-30: Gainsville, Fla.: Winter Olympics, Gatorback Cycle Park, (312) 689-3461, www.unlimitedsportsmx.com Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Floresville, Texas: USA Motocross, Cycle Ranch, 855-571MOTO, www.cycleranch.com AMA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
AMA ROADRACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM
Sept. 21-22: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway
Nov. 29-30: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA Dist-37 DualSport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org
Sept 8-9 La Châtre France ISDE: La Châtre, France
Oct. 26: Ponca City, Okla.: Motocross League of America Ponca Fall Classic, Ponca City MX, (205) 699-8857, www. rpmsportsonline.com
Nov. 2: Reynolds, Ga.: Motocross League of America, Silver Dollar MX, (205) 699-8857, www.rpmsportsonline. com
Nov. 2-3: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469 or (856) 7852754; www.teamhammer.org
Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 224-0361; www.lbl200.com Oct. 26-27: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 826-1092; www.arizonatrailriders.org
AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUAL-SPORT SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 224-0361; www.lbl200.com Sept. 21-22: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; www. kaeppnerswoods.com Sept. 28-29: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Dual Sport, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209)
Nov. 2-3: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469 or (856) 7852754; www.teamhammer.org Nov. 16-17: Hammonton, N.J.: Pine Barrens 300, Cross Country Cycles, Jack O’Connor; (732) 714-8874; www.pinebarrens500.org Nov. 29-30: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA Dist-37 Dual-
Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM AMA NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Sept. 18-22: Ruidoso, N.M.: Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally: www. motorcyclerally.com AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Oct. 11-13: Redding, Calif.: Big Bike Weekend: www.bigbikeweekend.com AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM March of Dimes Bikers For Babies Rides: Nationwide: www. bikersforbabies.org Rides For Kids Events: Nationwide: www.rideforkids.org AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS, PRESENTED BY SHINKO TIRES AND FLY STREET GEAR AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Polar Bear Grand Tour: AMA District 2 of New Jersey; (609) 8942941; www.polarbeargrandtour.com March 25-Oct. 1: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads Smoke Chasing Grand Tour: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads; www.smokechasing.com April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor Grand Tour: Tour of Honor; www.tourofhonor.com AMA NATIONAL EXTREME GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Jan. 1-Dec. 31: SCMA Four Corners Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycling Association; www.usa4corners.org. Aug. 30-Sept. 2: SCMA Three Flags Classic Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycling Association; www.sc-ma.com.
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No matter what or how you ride, the AMA has a special card for you. Want one? Just let us know by renewing early, or telling us when you renew via our online signup form at AmericanMotorcyclist.com, or calling (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646).
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GUEST COLUMN
REAL LIFE PERSPECTIVE
Remembering An Unforgettable Two-Up Trek By Lisa Hatch
Staring up the sides of the Rocky Mountains in awe, I realized this is what we had come for. This was the reason for our journey. The mountains seemed to consume us as we rode on, becoming closer and closer until we were right alongside them, riding the curves of the Rockies themselves. Moby’s “Feeling So Real” was playing in my ears, and I couldn’t have chosen a better song to describe the moment. I opened my helmet and shouted over the wind to my mom “You were right; you have to see it to believe it!” In 2007 my mom and I traveled across the country on her motorcycle. Everywhere we went we received a multitude of different reactions to what we were doing, everything from stares, interest, amazement, to pure confusion. The idea of a woman on a motorcycle was crazy to some people, but as a motorcycle-riding single mother, my mom didn’t let stereotypes hinder our journey. I, however, was not as used to the stares as she might have been. I was self-conscious about my bulky, unflattering riding gear: riding pants that were too big for me and a helmet that made me look like an alien. But after awhile, I became proud rather than embarrassed, and I realized I was doing something few people ever got the chance to do: see the country with my mom. As long as it was important to us, we didn’t need approval from everyone else. My mom likes to say, “You’ll learn more from traveling than you ever will from a geography text book.” I knew that Redwood trees were big before, but I never knew how immense they really were until I stood next to one. I knew Montana was known as “Big Sky Country,” but I never could have understood the vastness until I was beneath it. Going on this trip opened my eyes to how different everything can be from your initial perspective. One day while we were stopped at a gas station in Oregon, the cashier inside inquired about our adventure. When we told her we were from New Hampshire, she mentioned she had always wanted to go to the
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Studio Mark Emile
When it came time to write my college essay, I tried to come up with unique and interesting topics, before realizing I already had the perfect one: the crosscountry motorcycle trip my mom and I took years ago and how it still influences and inspires me today. American Motorcyclist readers may remember our story from the October 2008 issue, “A Mother-Daughter Adventure.” I was 12 years old at the time of our 35-day, 9,000-mile ride, and it was life changing. Now, five years after that trip, I may have a more mature perspective of the experience, but the memories are no less powerful. Here is my essay.
Lisa Hatch and her mom, Gail (left)
East Coast. I had never realized how lucky I was to have seen so much of the country, that some people had never been so far away, and there I was at 12 years old, 3,000 miles from home. The trip is something I will never forget. Five years later, I am still realizing how it affected my life, and me as a person. I’ve learned that perspective is not something that can be taught in school. You gain it through experience. I learned that doing something that may seem impossible is, in fact, achievable. I learned how to be proud of myself, even if I was doing something different. I had the opportunity to see how diverse and unique this country truly is, and I have been inspired to someday discover the same things around the world. I’ve come to realize that you can see something on TV, read about it, see pictures of it, even listen to stories about it, but you will never completely understand something until you go experience it for yourself. I finished the essay with a smile on my face. I wanted to share it with everybody. I felt proud of what I had written, and that feeling assured me that it was the right topic, one that would show colleges who I was and what I was passionate about. I am proud to say that this essay helped me gain acceptance to all seven universities that I applied to, including the University of Tampa, where I’ve begun a new journey this fall. Lisa Hatch is an AMA member from Nashua, N.H.
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