VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
ng i c a R les 2 1 0 2 hedu Sc
ods o W The s e l Ru
Destry Abbott
Desert Ace Will Race In A New Direction In 2012.
Championship Series
Schedules, Dates, Locations and Times.
Russell Bobbitt
KTM Rider Races Back To The Top Of Enduro Series.
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS
l l e s s u R obbitt B
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THE K-DUB2. INSPIRED BY LIFE.
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Destry Abbott: Career Shift Desert Ace Recharges Program By Destry Abbott It’s amazing how fast time goes! I remember becoming an AMA member in the 1980s and just starting to do some local desert races. As the years progressed, I started challenging myself more and decided to branch out into the AMA National Hare & Hound series. I had always dreamed of becoming a top racer, and hoped I could do it for a living, but when you’re a kid you seem to dream big! However, over the years I’ve learned that by loving something so much, and not giving up on it, you can make just about anything happen. Over the past 22 years of racing professionally, I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought possible. I’ve won 10 major off-road championships, earned six International Six Days Enduro gold medals, and tied legends Danny Hamel and Dan Smith for the most AMA Hare & Hound Championships. Although I’m now considered one of the “old guys,” my career isn’t over yet. In fact, I’m about to take things in an exciting direction that will keep me engaged and driven for years to come. I’ve been given the opportunity by Monster Energy Kawasaki to branch out and race some of the other awesome events on the AMA calendar. You can expect to see me at a couple Grand National Cross Country events,
RACING DEPARTMENT Joe Bromley Director Kevin Crowther Director of Supercross and Pro Racing Relations Bill Cumbow Director of Special Projects Kip Bigelow Motocross/Arenacross Manager Ken Saillant Track Racing Manager Chuck Weir Off-Road Manager Jane Caston Supercross/Motocross Coordinator Tamra Jones Off-Road/Track Racing Coordinator Lana Cox Administrative Assistant AMA (614) 856-1900 AMARacing@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147
ADVERTISING Zach Stevens National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854 zstevens@ama-cycle.org
National Enduros, EnduroCross, National Hare & Hounds and hopefully the Six Days. I’m definitely not retiring, just taking a different path to the adrenaline rush of racing! If you had told me 20 years ago that I would still be a pro racer, I would have thought you were crazy. But now I know that if you are passionate about something, you’ll never let it go. Whether it’s racing pro, or just racing or riding for fun, if you love this sport, you’ll never quit. I’ve had my up and downs over the years, and the downs were definitely tough. But getting through is what makes a champion. Honestly, though, when you have strong family support—like I’ve had—it makes it easier. No question, off-road racing is a family sport, and I now have the pleasure of passing that to the next generation. Both of our kids grew up around the racing community and, of course, both love to ride and race, too. If you love riding or racing, the off-road community will accept you with open arms and you’ll develop relationships that will last a lifetime. So, despite my race schedule being a bit different in 2012, don’t worry. I’m looking forward to enjoying those relationships for a long time to come.
Steve Gotoski Advertising Director (951) 566-5068 sgotoski@ama-cycle.org Misty Walker Advertising Assistant (614) 856-1900 x1267 mwalker@ama-cycle.org
Table of Contents
EDITORIAL
AMA Racer (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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DIRT-TRACKERS HEAD INDOORS FOR SHORT-TRACK, TT ACTION
GET SIDEWAYS ON THE ICE
Cover Photo: Russell Bobbitt, 2011 AMA National Enduro Champion (Credit: Shan Moore)
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Insets: Abbott (Mark Kariya); dirt track (Dewanna Comer); Bobbitt (Moore)
AMA Racer is published by the American Motorcyclist Association, Copyright (c) 2011. Printed in USA. Send story ideas and photos to submissions@ama-cycle.org. All submitted material becomes property of the AMA. Return of special items may be arranged, but call (614) 856-1900 before submitting.
NATIONAL ENDURO REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
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CALLING VINTAGE RACERS, RIDERS, FANS ATV MOTOCROSS WILL BATTLE AT 10 ROUNDS IN 2012 AMA ENDUROCROSS ADDS ROUNDS FOR 2012 BAY CITY HILLCLIMB WILL CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPS
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RUSSELL BOBBITT: Comeback King GET RAMPED
RACING INFO ONLINE
JOE BROMLEY Sanctioning the Greatest Sport on Earth
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2012 RACING SCHEDULES Photo Mark Kariya
AMA Racer is produced by the Communications Department of the American Motorcyclist Association.
Destry Abbott
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS
Snapshot
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January 2012
d r a o Pit B National Enduro Registration Now Open 2012 AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series Features 10 Rounds The 2012 AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing, features 10 rounds of premier off-road racing and showcases a range of skill-, ageand displacement-based classes. “The national enduro series is coming off another strong season in 2011,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The National Enduro Promotions Group (NEPG) continues to improve the series for racers, clubs, partners and fans, as the participation counts show.” The AMA National Enduro Championship offers a competitive format for all rider levels, from amateur competitors to the country’s fastest woods racers. With each round run by a different AMA-chartered off-road club, individual events feature a distinct flow and style that keep the competition fresh and exciting for riders who follow the series. “The AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing, would not be possible without the hard work and collaboration of the AMA-chartered clubs that host individual rounds,” says the NEPG’s Alan Randt. “Last year featured a number of thrilling battles across all classes, not the least of which was FMF/KTM Racing’s Russell Bobbitt taking the 2011 title with a final-round win over teammate Charlie Mullins. We’re expecting no less from the 2012 series.” Following the South Carolina opener, the 2012 series will also stop in Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Indiana before wrapping up on Nov. 4 in Stanton, Ala. The full schedule is on the right. For updates, see AMARacing.com and NationalEnduro.com. Pre-registration for the first round in Wedgefield, S.C., on Jan. 29 is open at www.moto-tally.com/NEPG/PreEntry.aspx.
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Round 1: Jan. 29 SERMA Johnny McCoy (803) 481-5169 johnny_mccoy@hotmail.com www.sermaclub.com Wedgefield, S.C.
Round 6: June 17 Inyan Kara Riders Paul Douglas (307) 468-2840 pauld@rtconnect.net www.nationalenduro.com Upton, Wyo.
Round 2: Feb. 19 Cherokee Cycle Club Tom Cufr 770-540-2891 llcufr@mindspring.com www.setra.org Greensboro, Ga.
Round 7: July 29 Brandywine Enduro Riders Peter Burnett (610) 368-7332 pburnett75@aol.com www.ber.us Cross Fork, Pa.
Round 3: March 4 Columbia Enduro Riders Rhonda Dennis (803) 788-4220 mastercraft@bellsouth.net Salley, S.C.
Round 8: Sept. 9 Missouri Mudders Michael Silger michael.silger@avnet.com www.momudders.com Park Hills, Mo.
Round 4: April 22 NATRA Paul Traufler (256) 837-0084 wintrak@hiwaay.net www.natra.dirtrider.net West Point, Tenn. GPS: 35° 7.991” N 87° 33.116” W Round 5: May 6 Acadiana Dirt Riders Tracy Barstow (337) 519-2520 cornerstoneglass70506@ yahoo.com www.acadianadirtriders.org Kisatchie National ForestForest Hill, La.
Round 9: Oct. 14 Muddobbers MC Doug Spence (765) 998-2236 dspenceh250@yahoo.com www.muddobbersmc.org Covered Bridge, Matthews, Ind. Round 10: Nov. 4 Perry Mountain MC Glenn Hollingshead (334) 872-4286 perrymountain@perry mountain.com www.perrymountain.com Stanton, Ala.
Dirt-Trackers Head Indoors For Short-Track, TT Action
AMA amateur dirt-trackers can keep their skills sharp this winter at the eight-round AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series. Promoted by Steve Nace Racing Promotions, the series will feature short-track and TT competition from Nov. 12, 2011, through March 31, 2012, at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds’ Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, Ill. Youth, amateur and vet/senior riders will race for AMA national No. 1 plates. “We’re pleased to count these events as an AMA National Championship Series,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The indoor Du Quoin, Ill., facility is an outstanding location, with ample space for spectators and staging, as well as the flexibility for both a short-track and TT configuration. I invite all of our riders to come out and demonstrate why there is no off-season in AMA-sanctioned competition.” Promoter Steve Nace says he is excited to organize this series of national-caliber events. “AMA-sanctioned competition is the gold standard of amateur racing in this country, and I’m thrilled to bring national recognition to our dedicated competitors,” Nace says. “I’m looking forward to laying the foundation for what will be a long and successful partnership that will help elevate this country’s dirt-track community.” Gates open at 2 p.m., with practice beginning at 5 p.m. A pit pass is $15, while children 5 years old and younger get in free. Friday night practice is available from 6-9 p.m. for $20. Although the series kicked off on Nov. 12, there’s a lot of racing left, with points-paying events running Jan. 1 through March 31. For more information about the AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series, call Steve Nace Racing Productions at (270) 442-7532. 2012 AMA INDOOR DIRT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES All rounds feature short-track and TT, and take place at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, Ill.
AMA Ice Race Grand Championships Kick Off 2012 Amateur Championships The AMA will recognize its first champions of 2012 at the Jan. 21-22 AMA Ice Race Grand Championships. Promoted by North American Action Sports (NAAS), the amateur championship event will take place at the Birch Run Expo Center in Birch Run, Mich. “Motorcycle competition is as diverse as it is exciting, and no where is that more clear than at the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “We’re looking forward to once again working with NAAS to provide a national-championship program to this country’s top ice racers.” The AMA Ice Race Grand Championships feature classes for riders from 4 years old to 50-plus competing on bikes that range from lightly modified off-road machines to full-on, purpose-built ice racers. Riders will battle for AMA national No. 1 plates in a number of classes. The top riders at the event also will compete for the AMA Ice Racer of the Year award, given to the most impressive rider on the ice, while the youth riders will chase the honor of AMA Youth Rider of the Year. “Everyone at NAAS is looking forward to one of our most exciting events of the year,” says Patrick Grzebinski of NAAS, which is known for mixing family fun with the racing atmosphere. “Last year, everyone had a great time, and the racing was spectacular. We can’t wait for Jan. 21-22 when we can kick off the 2012 racing season in style.” The Birch Run Expo Center is a modern facility that features a number of amenities. The venue is located adjacent to the Premium Outlets of Birch Run, which includes more than 145 stores, restaurants and hotels. “While the racers are the reason for the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships, this family event truly has something for everyone,” Grzebinski says. “The Birch Run Expo Center provides the perfect location to combine racing with casual fun, dining and accommodations.” To learn more about the event go to www. NAActionSports.com or call the NAAS office at (989) 871-3356.
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS
Photo Enduro: James Holter; Ice Race: Corey Mays
AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series Lighting Up Du Quoin, Ill.
Get Sideways On The Ice
Round 4: Jan. 1 Round 5: Jan. 21 Round 6: Feb. 11 Round 7: Feb. 25 Round 8: March 31
January 2012
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2012 AMA ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, PRESENTED BY DWT March 24-25: Millcreek, Pell City, Ala. April 21-22: Muddy Creek, Blountville, Tenn. May 5-6: Budds Creek, Mechanicsville, Md. May 19-20: Sunset Ridge, Walnut, Ill. June 2-3: Ballance MX, Oakland, Ky. June 16-17: High Point, Mount Morris, Pa. June 30-July 1: Sunday Creek, Millfield, Ohio July 14-15: Unadilla, New Berlin, N.Y. July 28-29: RedBud, Buchanan, Mich. Aug. 11-12: Loretta Lynn Ranch, Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Calling Vintage Racers, Riders, Fans
ATV Motocrossers Will Battle At 10 Rounds In 2012
The annual vintage-racing extravaganza, the AMA Vintage Grand Championships, is coming to north-central Ohio’s MidOhio Sports Car Course this July 20-22. The amateur national championship event takes place in Lexington, Ohio, during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, a three-day celebration of vintage motorcycling that raises funds for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Proceeds from the AMA Vintage Grand Championships also support the Hall of Fame and its mission to promote motorcycling’s heritage. “While the fund-raising aspect of the AMA Vintage Grand Championships is great, the main reason to see this event is the racing,” says AMA Director of Operations Jack Penton. “Whether you are looking to start racing, re-capture the magic from your youth or just have a great time on your bike, it’s tough to beat the AMA Vintage Grand Championships.” Competition includes classes for vintage and post-vintage motorcycles. The field will include everything from expertly restored classic bikes to dirtbikes that look like they have seen continuous use since they rolled off the showroom floor. Non-racing activities during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days include North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet; bike shows and awards; a Marque of the Year honor; stunt shows; demo rides of current production bikes; and seminars on a number of topics by noted motorcycling experts. Disciplines include motocross, hare scrambles, trials, roadracing and dirt track. Classes are defined by rider age and skill, as well as the era of the motorcycle. For a full class list, see AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.
The best all-terrain vehicle (ATV) racers in the country will line up at the 10-round AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, presented by DWT. The series kicks off March 24-25 at Millcreek in Pell City, Ala., and wraps up Aug. 11-12 at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. “The 2011 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, presented by DWT, once again offered up the most exciting ATV motocross racing on the planet,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “We anticipate no less from the 2012 campaign.” The AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series was launched in 1985. It annually draws the top racers, teams and sponsors in ATV competition, making it America’s largest and longest-running ATV national motocross series. In addition to the AMA Pro Racing champions, the series also crowns AMA ATV amateur national motocross champions for riders of all backgrounds and skill levels in 38 classes. “The ATVPG is excited to announce the ATVMX schedule dates for 2012,” says Director of ATVPG Sam Gammon. “We feel that next year’s schedule presents a new factor of excitement with the addition of the Ballance night race and also caters to the current ATVMX rider base.” In addition to national recognition, the series offers regional honors to riders who compete in all the rounds in their region. The North and South Challenges are designed to accommodate racers unable to contest the entire series. The full series schedule is included above. Updates and more information can be found at ATVMotocross.com.
Vintage, Post-Vintage Competitors Will Converge On North-Central Ohio July 20-22
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AmericanMotorcyclist.com
2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series
AMA EnduroCross Adds Round For 2012
Bay City Hillclimb Will Crown AMA Amateur Champions
The GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series, presented by Lucas Oil, offers some of the wildest motorsports action in the country. Featuring man-made off-road inspired obstacles and tons of relentless, bar-to-bar racing, there’s rarely a quiet moment at an EnduroCross event. For 2012, the series kicks off Friday, May 4, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. A new event in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, June 9, will serve as round two. The point standings after these two opening rounds will also be used to qualify riders for the 2012 X Games Enduro X, which will serve as round three for the Expert class riders. The series takes a summer break before returning to Ontario, Calif., which was a new round in 2011. Denver, Colo., will be next on the schedule followed by Everett, Wash.; Boise, Idaho and then the Las Vegas, Nev., finale. “We are excited about the continued growth and awareness of EnduroCross since it provides great opportunities to showcase the talent of some of the top off-road motorcycle riders in the world,” says Mike Karsting, vice president of events for Source Interlink, which promotes EnduroCross. “The two new events this season in Ontario and Boise had great crowds and we feel that Sacramento will prove to be another winner due to the strong off-road motorcycle market in Northern California.” In addition to the Expert class, EnduroCross also includes a number of amateur classes that give average off-road racers a chance to experience one of the most extreme competition events in motorcycling. For more information, go to www.EnduroCross.com.
The AMA has partnered with the AMA-chartered Valley Springs Motorcycle Club to host and promote the AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships. The event will take place Aug. 17-19 at the Bay City Hillclimb in Bay City, Wisc. The AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships crown amateur national hillclimb champions in a number of classes, including youth and adult riders, across a range of skill and displacement levels. Organized and promoted by the Valley Springs Motorcycle Club, the Bay City Hill is a classic venue located in the heart of Wisconsin dairy land. It has featured the AMA Amateur Nationals in the past, such as the event’s second annual running in 1977 when Omaha, Neb.’s Gary Waddell successfully defended his 1976 open class championship with an 11.392-second run on his Triumph. “Hillclimb is one of the oldest motorsports in the world, and we’re thrilled to bring the discipline to another historic hill,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The Valley Springs Motorcycle Club is a group of true enthusiasts, and we’re looking forward to a successful event and a challenging hill for our amateur racers.” More information about the Valley Springs Motorcycle Club can be found at ValleySpringsHillclimb.com. More information about the 2012 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships, including registration information and daily schedules, will be posted soon at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing.
2012 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship: Bay City, Wis., Aug. 17-19
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS
Photo ATV: Kenny Hill; Hillclimb: Dan Focht
Craziest Show On Two Wheels Coming To Sacramento
2012 GEICO AMA ENDUROCROSS SCHEDULE May 4: Las Vegas, Nev., Orleans Arena. June 9: Sacramento, Calif., Power Balance Pavilion TBD: Los Angeles, Calif. Sept. 15: Ontario, Calif., Citizens Business Bank Arena Oct. 6: Denver, Colo., National Western Complex Oct. 20: Everett, Wash., Comcast Arena Oct. 27: Boise, Idaho, Idaho Center Nov. 17: Las Vegas, Nev., Orleans Arena
January 2012
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RUSSELL BOBBITT: COMEBACK KING
National Enduro Champion Re-Takes The Top Spot Story and photos by Shan Moore
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ussell Bobbitt finished off this year’s AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing, the same way he started it: with a resounding win. It was the eight rounds in between, however, that provided the backbone of Bobbitt’s fourth AMA National Enduro Championship. Dealer’s Son
Relatively speaking, Bobbitt’s road to the top has been a short one, although it’s had a few bumps along the way. His father, Bo, has owned a motorcycle shop in the Atlanta area since 1972, and Bobbitt grew up riding poker runs and hare scrambles with his dad. After doing well at the local level in SETRA events, he turned pro in 2003. Just three years later he won his first national title, beating out Stephen Edmondson for the honor. “Winning that title changed my life a lot,” says Bobbitt. “It was at that point that I started thinking about racing as a career.” Bobbitt also led the U.S. Junior Trophy Team to a gold medal that year at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in New Zealand. In 2007, Michael Lafferty won his eighth title, tying Dick Burleson for the most career national enduro championships, while Bobbitt ended the year a close second. It was during this period that the AMA and the AMA’s series promoting partner, the National Enduro Promotions Group, adopted a start-control format, which eliminated the need for timekeeping. Bobbitt fully embraced the new rules and went on a two-year successful run, claiming the top spot in 2008 and 2009. “I think it was a good change,” says Bobbitt. “I like to see who is the fastest— sprinting all-out in a section without worrying about burning a check. I hated
Title Run
The 2010 season was a major disappointment for Bobbitt, and 2011 was starting to look like more of the same when he landed in the hospital just six days before the series opener in South Carolina. “I was practicing at a local moto track before the race, and I crashed and knocked myself out,” explains Bobbitt. “[KTM team driver] Donny Macan was with me and he said I was out for a long time. I lost all memory of the next six hours—I just remember driving to the track and waking up in the hospital. Things were kind of fuzzy for a while.” It wasn’t a good start to the week leading up to the first national of the 2011 season. However, by race day Bobbitt’s head was starting to clear and he wound up turning in one of the best performances of his career on the tight and sandy South Carolina singletrack, winning the opening round by 48 seconds. Though he came into the race somewhat dazed, he also came into it in arguably the best condition of his life and with newfound speed after spending much of the off-season practicing on a motocross track. “I wasn’t happy with my results last year and it was a long winter, and the
January 2012
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A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS
A thrilling back-and-forth season-long battle between Bobbitt and defending series champ Charlie Mullins made for one of the most exciting title chases in years. At the final round in Indiana, Bobbitt, who had suffered a mid-season injury, was effectively tied with Mullins. A point separated them, and whoever came out on top at that race would win the championship. But Bobbitt put in one of the rides of his life, dominating the tight, challenging course. He won every special test and, in the end, edged his KTM teammate by a four-point margin to claim the No. 1 plate. The performance almost certainly played a role in Bobbitt’s selection as the 2011 AMA Athlete of the Year. It also solidified Bobbitt’s reputation as a comeback artist. Bobbitt’s 2011 title marked the second time he’s regained the series title after losing it the year before. It also confirmed his status as one of the greats of the sport. Throughout his career, the Georgia native has been at his best in the tight woods, and his dominating wins this year in South Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana confirm that there’s no one faster when it comes to the really tight stuff. “I like riding everything, but I just know how to ride the tighter sections. I think my stand-up riding technique helps with that. It leads to a more fluid style, and I think it allows me to be less forceful and more tactical,” admits Bobbitt. “I really like tight and flowing sections. That’s what I grew up riding and that’s what I enjoy riding.” In addition to his unique style and outright speed, Bobbitt has gained a huge following over the years because of his devotion to the two-stroke engine configuration, a design that maintains huge popularity among eastern woods riders. “I’m a two-stroke guy,” he admits, and at the start of the year he was one of the few two-stroke riders left at the top of the pro division. By the end of the year, however, most of the competition— Mullins, Cory Buttrick, Michael Lafferty and Nick Fahringer—had ditched their more powerful four-strokes for lighter, more nimble two-strokes, in part because of the whipping Bobbitt put on the field in South Carolina. “KTM is one of the few manufacturers still making a two-stroke, and I really like those bikes. I ride them well and I kind of like the fact that I have a following of two-stroke fans,” Bobbitt says.
going to a race and getting beat because of a secret check.” Then came the 2010 season, which was a frustrating one for Bobbitt. After winning three national titles in a fouryear span, Bobbitt won just one round in all of the 2010 season, and ended the year in third. It was certainly not what he had hoped for, although it could easily be blamed on a shoulder injury he suffered at the ISDE the year before.
whole time I thought about how much I wanted to win. I decided I wanted to change things for this year and make something happen,” says Bobbitt. Bobbitt won again at the second round in Louisiana, coming from behind to beat Mullins, but then he struggled in the dry, slick conditions in Texas a month later and finished a disappointing fourth. When the series moved to Arkansas for the Train Robber Enduro, Bobbitt was once again forced to deal with injury, after tearing a ligament in his thumb in another practice incident. He was seventh at the end of the day, and things weren’t looking good for his chances of regaining the title. Luckily, there was a four-week break before the next round in Wyoming, which would be just enough time to heal. Bobbitt came back strong and took the Wyoming win, proving he could be just as much of a force in fast and wideopen conditions. At the Jack Pine Enduro in Michigan, Bobbitt was second behind
The 2010 season was a disappointment for Bobbitt, and this year was starting to look like more of the same when he landed in the hospital just six days before the series opener in South Carolina. Nick Fahringer, who claimed his first-ever national win at that round. However, Bobbitt still stretched his lead over Mullins with the finish. But he would lose most of his momentum with back-to-back fifth-place finishes in Pennsylvania and Ohio. “I was just off a little bit and I was over-riding the bike to compensate,” says Bobbitt. Heading into the series finale in Indiana, Bobbitt held a slim, one-point lead over Mullins in the standings, setting up a showdown that would see the title go to whichever rider finished ahead of the other. Bobbitt quickly separated himself from Mullins and the rest of the competition by winning the opening test by 13 seconds over Mullins. He went on to win all five tests of the 65-mile race and claimed
the overall win by 58 seconds. “It felt great to win the title, I definitely worked hard all year for it,” says Bobbitt. The win was a product of Bobbitt’s “never say die” attitude. Although many had written him off at the start of the year, Bobbitt rededicated himself to the sport and came out with both guns blazing. For 2012, Bobbitt has renewed his relationship with KTM and will be going for a fifth national enduro title, which will move him a little closer to all-time title winners Randy Hawkins (six titles), Bill Baird (seven), Lafferty (eight) and Burleson (eight). With Bobbitt arguably riding the fastest of his career, he looks well on his way to standing with those greats of the sport.
Race With Russell
National Enduros Offer Accessible Off-Road Racing If you’re looking for a fun, relatively unintimidating introduction to racing, consider an AMA National Enduro. The AMA National Enduro Championship dates to the founding of the AMA in 1924. It is one of the longest-running national motorsports championships in the world, and today is one of the premier off-road racing series in the country. It is designed to provide a competitive format for all levels of riders, from amateur competitors to the country’s fastest enduro racers. There are classes defined by rider age, bike displacement and skill. While the courses are tough, they are generally passable by most average riders. That said, an average rider might not make it up every hill or through every swampy, low-lying bog on his first try. National enduros are not trail rides. They are designed to test you. The format, however, is not. National Enduros now employ a start-control format. In traditional enduros, which remain popular in local and AMA District-level competition, riders attempt to maintain an average speed, and they are penalized for arriving to a check either early or late. In a start-control format, riders are only penalized for arriving late. While it’s a simple change, it eliminates the need for timekeeping, a hurdle that many off-road riders said kept them away from enduros. The start-control format, along with allowing non-dual-sport models to compete, has sparked a revival in the national series. It’s not uncommon for many rounds to sell out their entries completely. Plus, there are a number of great things about enduros that haven’t changed. First, they typically traverse long, circuitous routes across unique terrain. With one massive loop rather than numerous laps of the same course, the trail stays fresher, longer. Second, riders still race against the clock, getting checked into and out of each section while riding with the same row of four or five riders throughout the day. Third, enduros pack a lot of riding into one entry fee. A typical race will start at 9 or 10 a.m. and end well into the afternoon.
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Letter from
Get RAMPed
Extra Protection When You Need It What is it? Rider Accident Medical Plan Who’s it for? AMA/ATVA racers, support crew and officials at AMAsanctioned amateur events. What does it do? RAMP pays an amount up to the maximum benefit amount (after the deductible) for covered medical expenses that are above and beyond any other insurance you may have. For example? Some of the care RAMP covers includes doctor-provided services, hospital room and board, prescriptions, necessary dental work, physical therapy, artificial limbs, braces and the ambulance ride.
Why RAMP? This insurance is designed specifically for participants in AMAsanctioned events, and you won’t be denied coverage simply because you were riding your motorcycle. For more information and to apply online for RAMP, see Insurance4AMA.com.
Racing Info Online AMA Congress, Rules, Results
Do you have a question about AMAsanctioned racing? Chances are, the answer is online. At AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing, you’ll find schedules, rules, national advancement information and links to our promoting partners. You’ll also be able to look up local and national events by discipline, contact information for your AMA Congress delegates and AMA District information. Of course, you can maintain your AMA membership so you know you’ll be current for that first race of the year. Anything that cuts down on race paperwork is a good thing, right?
Sanctioning The Greatest Sport On Earth If you want to race a motorcycle, you’ve come to the right place. The AMA’s roots are in amateur motorcycle competition. Weekend warriors, lifelong riders and new motorcyclists alike have long formed the backbone of AMA membership. These athletes pour their hearts and souls into the sport, giving it their all for glory that may be fleeting—but for memories that last a lifetime. Without question, the AMA has sanctioned more motorsports events than any other sanctioning body in history. Each year, our schedule includes thousands of closedcourse, off-road and track-racing events. We’ve been at this game since 1924 and enjoy a broad network of promoters, clubs and local volunteers, such as the elected delegates that serve on AMA Congress. This network ensures that when you compete in an AMA-sanctioned event, you experience the gold standard in modern racing. Of course, you are the most important part of that network, and your participation at every level of the sport has fueled our 86 years of dedication. The heart of our calendar is defined by local AMA District events. These grassroots events embody amateur motorcycle racing for most competitors in the country. Held and promoted by local clubs and promoters, these events allow racers to compete against other local talent for trophies, district points and bragging rights. Many of the same competitors who race in local events also attend AMA Amateur Championships and Grand Championships. These standalone, multiday events are generally operated and promoted by a single AMA-chartered club or promoter. They often include classes for amateur racers on both motorcycles and ATVs. Examples include the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships, the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships, the AMA Vintage Grand Championships and the AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships. We also offer numerous AMA National Championship Series. These are seasonlong, multi-event competition series. These series travel all over the country or a particular region. Although some are organized by a single promoting body, most national series have individual rounds that are organized by a local club. The top racers in national championship series often represent the country’s fastest riders in that discipline, yet these events also include classes for competitors of all skill levels. Examples include the AMA National Enduro Championship Series, the AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series, the AMA EnduroCross Championship Series and the Grand National Cross Country Series. Pro-Am events allow amateur racers to collect the points they need for a professional racing license. These events also may include classes for non-expert-level amateur racers. These include the AMA Racing Arenacross Championship Series and Pro-Am Motocross. In addition, the AMA also sanctions, supports and helps organize various featured series and events. These include both international and regional competition, including U.S. rounds of world championship series. Examples include qualifiers for the International Six Days Enduro, U.S. rounds of the MotoGP World Championship and land speed racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. In this issue of AMA Racer, you’ll find the dates and locations for many of these events and series for the 2012 season. Many calendars are still coming together. Get the latest at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing. As always, feel free to let me know what you think at jbromley@ama-cycle.org.
Joe Bromley AMA Director of Racing jbromley@ama-cycle.org
January 2012
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A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS
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The Director’s Desk
AMA KENDA HARE & HOUND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP NationalHareAndHound.com. Round 1: Jan. 22 Desert MC, Rick Nuss (626) 205-0121 desertmotorcycleclub@yahoo.com www.desertmc.com Johnson Valley OHVA, Lucerne Valley, Calif. Round 2: Feb. 12 Four Aces MC, Richie Wohlers (805) 358-2668 richie@fouracesmc.org www.fouracesmc.org Spangler Hills, Ridgecrest, Calif. Round 3: Feb. 26 Western States Racing Assoc. Jeff Henning (775) 544-6463, jh403@yahoo.com www.westernstatesracing.com USA Parkway, Reno, Nev. Round 4: March 25 Dirt Inc., Bill Walsh (208) 459-6871 braaap@cableone.net www.dirtincracing.com Murphy, Idaho Round 5: April 22 Vikings MC, Steve Williams (310) 490-4575 lasdracing@msn.com www.vikingsmc.com Lucerne Valley, Calif. Round 6: May 5 (Saturday) Sage Riders, Tallia Flitton (801) 833-5946 sageriders@hotmail.com www.sageridersmc.com Jericho, Utah Round 7: May 19 (Saturday) Sugarloafers MC, KC Bogue (435) 864-8305 kcbogue@hotmail.com www.sugarloafersmc.com Jericho, Utah Round 8: Sept. 8 (Saturday) Silver State Trailblazers Zack Livreri (702) 994-6823 desertracer24p@gmail.com https://sites.google.com/site/ silverstatetrailblazers/ Panaca, Nev. Round 9: Oct. 14 SoCal MC, Justin Shultz (949) 981-6776 justins@bgainsurance.com www.socalmc.com Johnson Valley, Calif. Round 10: Oct. 28 100’s MC, Ryan Sanders (949) 584-9395 ryansanders24@hotmail.com www.100smc.org Johnson Valley OHVA, Lucerne, Calif. AMA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: March 3 Mid America XC
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AmericanMotorcyclist.com
Mike Gibbs (317) 418-6084 gibbs11x@yahoo.com www.themaxc.com Round 2: April 7 Battle Creek MC Kurt McKenzie (269) 964-0778 northernoldman@yahoo.com www.battlecreekmotorcycleclub.com Battle Creek, Mich. Round 3: June 9 Thunder Ridge Sports Jim Simmons (607) 847-6522 jlsim@msn.com www.thunderridge.biz New Berlin, N.Y. Round 4: July 22 (Sunday) Rausch Creek Powersports Tiffany Tobias (570) 682-4600 tiffany@rauschcreekracing.com www.rauschcreekracing.com Valley View, Pa. Round 5: Aug. 4 Range Riders MC Paul Otto (763) 229-1177 race.info@comcast.net www.rangeridersmc.org Hill City, Minn. Round 6: Oct. 13 Mid America XC Mike Gibbs (317) 418-6084 gibbs11x@yahoo.com www.themaxc.com Round 7: Oct. 27 Mid America XC Mike Gibbs (317) 418-6084 gibbs11x@yahoo.com www.themaxc.com Gosport, Ind. ISDE QUALIFIERS Riders at these events earn a spot on the official U.S. team for the International Six Days Enduro. West: June 2-3 Boise Ridge Riders Peter Reynolds (208) 384-5141 info@boiseridgeriders.org www.boiseridgeriders.org Idaho City, Idaho East: June 9-10 Appalachian Dirt Riders William Defue Jr. (740) 384-6379 adrohio@frontier.com www.adrohio.org Wellston, Ohio AMA EAST HARE SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Jan. 22 (Amateur, Youth) SERMA Johnny McCoy (803) 481-5169 (7-10 p.m., EST) johnny_mccoy@hotmail.com www.sermaclub.com Wedgefield, S.C.
Round 2: Feb. 26 (Amateur, Youth) High Point Hare Scramble Bruce Douglas (478) 808-4131 rbdouglas47@yahoo.com Elko, Ga. Round 3: April 7 (Amateur, Youth) Battle Creek MC, Kurt McKenzie (269) 964-0778 northernoldman@yahoo.com www.battlecreekmotorcycleclub.com Battle Creek, Mich. Round 4: May 13 (Amateur, Youth) Racer Productions, Rita Coombs (304) 284-0084 info@gnccracing.com www.gnccracing.com TBA Round 5: June 9 (Youth) June 10 (Amateur) Thunder Ridge Sports Jim Simmons (607) 847-6522 jlsim@msn.com www.thunderridge.biz New Berlin, N.Y. Round 6: July 8 (Amateur, Youth) Racer Productions, Rita Coombs (304) 284-0084 info@gnccracing.com www.gnccracing.com Millfield, Ohio Round 7: July 21 (Youth, Amateur) Rausch Creek Powersports Tiffany Tobias (570) 682-4600 tiffany@rauschcreekracing.com www.rauschcreekracing.com Valley View, Pa. Round 8: Aug. 4 (Youth) Aug. 5 (Amateur) Range Riders MC, Paul Otto (763) 229-1177 race.info@comcast.net www.rangeridersmc.org Hill City, Minn. Round 9: Aug. 11 (Youth) Aug. 12 (Amateur) Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders (781) 294-8355 lila7796@aol.com www.pstr.org E. Freetown, Mass. Round 10: Sept. 1 (Youth) Sept. 2 (Amateur) April Fools Promotions (757) 375-5665 aprilfools62@verizon AMA WEST HARE SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Jan. 7 (Youth) Jan. 8 (Amateur) Arizona Cycle Park Beverly Howard-White (623) 853-0750, ext. 4 info@arizonacyclepark.com www.arizonacyclepark.com Buckeye, Ariz.
Round 2: Feb. 18 (Youth) Feb. 19 (Amateur) Salinas Ramblers Derrick Morris (831) 663-0261 picachocreekhs2012@gmail.com www.salinasramblersmc.org Paicines, Calif. Round 3: March 3 (Youth) March 4 (Amateur) Cross Country Promotions LLC Jeff Irwin (916) 837-7713 ccp_racing@yahoo.com Sparks, Nev. Round 4: April 14 (Youth) April 15 (Amateur) Redding Dirt Riders Karl Hankins (530) 953-7272 info@reddingdirtriders.com www.reddingdirtriders.com Chappie-Shasta OHV Area, Shasta Lake, Calif. Round 5: June 16 (Youth, C Amateur) June 17 (Pro, A, B Amateur) ETRA Inc. Toni Bamford (541) 968-1664 tntbamford@gmail.com www.etra.net Elkton, Ore. Round 6 Aug. 25 (Youth) Aug. 26 (Amateur) Lone Peak Racing Jamey Kabisch (406) 223-0478 jamey@bigskyxc.com www.bigskyxc.com Big Sky Resort, Big Sky, Mont. AMA/NATC MOTOTRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1-2 May 19-20 So. California Trials Assn. Pete Croft (714) 580-7369 SoCalTrials.com Cahuilla Creek, Calif. Round 2-3 May 26-27 Rocky Mountain Trials Assn. Frank Peterson (303) 477-6793 RockyMountainTrials.org Cotapaxi, Colo. Round 4-5 June 16-17 Trials Inc. Jim Watson (317) 861-6275 TrialsInc.org Toronto, Ohio Round 6-7 June 23-24 Rhode Island Trials Club (508) 285-6074 RITrialsClub.com Exeter, R.I.
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