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The American Motorcyclist Association has promoted Mike Pelletier to director of racing from his role as AMA Supercross manager, effective immediately. In his new role, Pelletier will manage the AMA’s domestic amateur and professional competition, and continue to oversee the AMA Supercross Championship. “Mike has proven his abilities as a leader and collaborator as the AMA Supercross manager for the past three years, highlighted by his composed and determined focus to help see the championship through arguably its most challenging season in 2020,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “In addition to a deep understanding of sporting operations, Mike has the intangible qualities that make him the right person for this job.” Pelletier added he is looking forward to the challenge during an unprecedented time for the sport, with sweeping schedule changes and cancellations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “In 2020, the racing community is demonstrating its flexibility, ingenuity and ability to work together to overcome obstacles,” Pelletier said. “Racers, promoters, clubs, our operational support crew, fans and the AMA have all become smarter and more adaptable in the wake of the pandemic.” Pelletier grew up racing motocross and held professional licenses from 2011 to 2015 in the United States and Canada. He graduated from New Hampshire’s Plymouth State University with a bachelor’s in business administration.
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In a related move, Bill Cumbow, (left pictured with legendary Honda dealer Al Lamb) who was AMA’s acting director of racing, is now the director of international competition, transitioning from his previous role as director of road racing relations prior to Mike Pelletier’s newly expanded role. Working closely with Pelletier, Cumbow will manage all of the AMA’s activity in events sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme and FIM North America. Cumbow will continue his responsibilities for MotoAmerica, home of the AMA Superbike Championship and the FIM North America Road Racing Championship. “Bill has an understanding and perspective of motorcycle racing and the AMA’s historic role in the sport that few others have achieved,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We value Bill’s continued role in AMA operations, and, in addition to managing our FIMsanctioned international activity, he will continue to be an asset to Mike and our domestic partners as we grow motorcycle racing in America.” Both Cumbow and Pelletier will now report through Chief Operating Officer James Holter and work directly with Dingman to manage the AMA’s competition- and FIM-related activity.
But wait, there’s more! Tiffany Cipoletti, who has worked on motorcycle rights issues in Washington, D.C., for more than a decade, is the new American Motorcyclist Association government relations manager for on-highway issues. She will be based at the AMA Government Relations office in Washington, D.C., reporting to AMA Government Relations Director Mike Sayre. Cipoletti spent 13 years in various roles at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and served as MRF director of government relations from September until her departure earlier in July. “Having worked with Tiffany for several years while she was at the MRF, I was well aware of her knowledge of the issues affecting motorcyclists today and her skill in addressing those issues,” Sayre said. “We are happy to be able to bring someone of her caliber aboard.” Beyond her professional career in motorcycling, Cipoletti is an active member and former volunteer legislative director with the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists. “I am looking forward to this next step on my motorcycling advocacy path,” added Cipoletti. “I am very familiar with the issues that are important to every AMA member, and I am already getting involved.” Several years after beginning her career in motorcycling with the MRF, she signed up for a basic riding course to educate herself on the importance of rider training. With a temporary license in her hands, she bought her first motorcycle a few days later. Continued on page 18
