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AMA ORGANIZERS

BUILD THE WORLD YOU RACE IN BECOME AN AMA EAGLE

Photo Tom Salyer

AMA REWARDS

HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF

And Motel Discounts (Choice Hotels, Red Roof Inn)

Gear Discounts (BikeBandit.com, EVS, Heat Demon And More)

*must maintain valid credit card and email address on ﬁle for coverage to continue

**average cost of $100/night stay – 2 nights

***average $750 per year expenses on gear/parts/accessories

THE ESSENTIALS

AMA Roadside Assistance

The Best Deal In Towing Get peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you. Best of all, you can get this coverage at no additional charge. For details, call (800) 262-5646.

Lodging

Save At Choice Hotels, Motel 6, Red Roof Inn At Choice hotels, save 15% oﬀ the best available rates at participating Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge hotels. Use the Member Discount code #00947556.

Special discounts at Motel 6 are also available up to 10% oﬀ. Use the Member Discount code CP540176.

Plus, get a 20% discount oﬀ available rates at Red Roof Inn. For discounts, call (800) RED-ROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. You can also make reservations online at www.redroof. com. Just enter the code VP+ 503343 in the ﬁeld labeled “VP+/ID#” when making reservations. The discount will be automatically applied.

EagleRider Motorcycle

Rentals

Arrive And Ride

EagleRider oﬀers an AMA member discount of 10% discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours. Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Membership/EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA015.

Motorcycle Shipping

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.

Car Rentals

Save Money When You Drive

Get up to 25% oﬀ prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency. For Avis, enter discount code: D388100. For Budget, enter code: Z942000. AMA Members save up to 25% on year-round Hertz rentals with discount code CDP# 497193.

AMA Gear Buy AMA Stuﬀ Online Find unique patches, pins, posters, T-shirts and books at AmericanMotorcyclist.com and at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. Details at www. MotorcycleMuseum.org.

Rider Accident Medical Plan

All members of the AMA are eligible to purchase coverage. Beneﬁts are paid when a covered member is injured. See http:// www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ Membership/Members_Only/ DiscountCodes for details.

Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and Banking

The AMA has joined with Nationwide to bring members-only moneysaving oﬀers on insurance, a cash-back AMA-themed credit card, ﬁnance and banking. For more details see, www.nationwide.com/ americanmotorcyclist.

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS

ActionStation/Bohn Body Armor

Save 10% on complete product line—plus bonus. Go to www.actionstation.com/ama/ and use coupon code AMAB4U at checkout.

AMA Members also receive exclusive discounted pricing on the Bohn Bodyguard System at www.bohn-armor-pants.com/ ama/.

ADVMoto

Adventure Motorcycle Magazine oﬀers a 20% discount on all subscriptions through AdventureMotorcycle.com and 20% oﬀ ADVMoto branded items and back issues on ADVMotoShop.com. Enter discount code AMADV20 at checkout.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Save $5 on admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross Tickets

Save on advanced tickets; AMA members can get $5 oﬀ when they buy tickets online at Supercrossonline.com and use password AMASX16. AMA members can get $5 oﬀ when they buy tickets online at Arenacross.com and use password AMA5OFF. Certain restrictions apply, call (800) 262-5646 for details.

Anthony’s Leatherworks

Save 10% on complete motorcycle garment restoration and repair. You can get your motocross boots ﬁxed from MX Boot Resole and Repair. Use code AMADISCOUNT at checkout.

BikeBandit.com

Visit BikeBandit.com for a 10% discounts on motorcycle parts, gear and apparel. Enter your AMA number when checking out to receive your discount. (Discount is not available on tires.)

Biker Rain Chaps

Save 25%. Visit www.bikerrainchaps. com/ama/ and use the code AMA-0116NEWYEAR at checkout to receive your discount.

Black Wolf Mototours

Black Wolf Mototours oﬀers allinclusive dual sport adventure tours in the Northern Rockies. Current AMA members receive 10% oﬀ any guided tour. Visit the Members Only section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com for discount code.

Brooks Leather

AMA members receive a 10% discount oﬀ all jackets, chaps, vests, rain suits, race suits, and gloves. You can shop online at www.brooksleather.com or at any participating Brooks dealer. Just present the code AMABRO when ordering.

Cardo Systems, Inc.

10% discount for AMA members when presenting their membership card on Cardo’s scala rider® motorcycle communication products at participating authorized dealers only.

Colorado Motorcycle

Adventures

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures oﬀers

AMA Members 10% oﬀ all motorcycle rentals and tours! Mention your AMA Membership when reserving your rental or tour. A current AMA Membership card required to receive discount.

Design Engineering, Inc.

DEI is now oﬀering AMA members a 10% discount. Simply enter the discount code AMA10DISCOUNT during checkout.

Dowco Powersports

AMA Members save 20% on Dowco products, an industry leading manufacturer of motorcycle covers and luggage. To take advantage of the discount, use code AMA20 at checkout.

EVS Sports

AMA Members receive 10% oﬀ and free shipping on all orders. Simply use the code AMAEVS16 during checkout at www.EVS-Sports.com.

Gear Brake

GEARBRAKE detects when you decelerate, even in instances of downshifting and engine braking where the brake is not applied, and automatically lights your taillight with a ﬂashing alert! AMA members receive a 15% discount at gearbrake.com with the promo code: AMASAFE.

International Motorcycle Shows

AMA members save on advanced adult one-day general admission. The promo code is “AMA16” when you buy your tickets online from www. motorcycleshows.com.

MAD Maps

The best routes made easy. Save 20%. Use promo code AMATHXU at www. MADmaps.com.

Medjet

Learn More and Enroll – visit www. MedjetAMA.com or call Medjet at 1.800.527.7478 and reference American Motorcyclist Association. Reduced annual Medjet membership rates for AMA members under age 75 start at $225 – a savings of 16%.

MYLAPS

MYLAPS provides a 20% discount oﬀ MSRP or any current sales price on web-orders or orders coordinated by the AMA for all Motorized Products to AMA members. To receive the discount, enter code AMA-789HJK at checkout.

Pagnol Moto

At Pagnol Moto we develop and design extremely high quality gear for riders by riders. Visit www.pagnol-moto.com and use the code 1AMAVIP at checkout to receive your AMA exclusive 10% discount.

Rider Magazine

Members pay only $19.99 for 2 years (24 issues) + 2 extra FREE issues. Visit the Members Only section on www. AmericanMotorcyclist.com for the discount link.

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle

Touring & Travel magazine

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine oﬀers a 20% subscription discount to AMA members. RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America, providing information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA at www.roadrunner. travel/promo/ama.

Sena The Global Leader in Bluetooth and ‘Audio Action Camera’ Innovation for Powersports, Motorsports and Outdoor Sports – is now oﬀering AMA members an exclusive 15% discount on its product lineup. Log into the ‘Members Only’ section on the AMA website to get the code and #RideConnected.

Shark Kage

A multi-functional ramp which adds the functionality of a bed extender, cargo cover, work table, cargo box and sunshade; all-in-one product! Enter code AMA20 to take advantage of the AMA exclusive 20% discount.

Shock Sox Street ~ Dirt ~ Oﬀ-Road ~ SHOCK SOX, “The 10-Second Removable Fork Seal Protector.” Get 10% oﬀ your order by entering your AMA number during checkout at ShockSox.com. For colors, sizes and model-applications, visit www. ShockSox.com

Spot LLC

AMA Members receive unprecedented and exclusive service credit on SPOT Spot Trace, Gen 3, and Satellite Phone products in addition to existing device promotions. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist. com to view details.

TomTom

TomTom would like to oﬀer you a 10% discount on any TomTom product (excluding accessories). Visit www. tomtom.com to place your order and enter AMA10_TT2016 at check out to receive your discount.

US Chrome

AMA Members save big at US Chrome! We oﬀer a $30.00 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits. For more information visit the Members Area of the website.

Warm & Safe

Heated clothing and controllers designed by bikers. To encourage others to join the AMA we oﬀer members an 18% discount. Enter AMA at check out to receive your discount.

NAVIGATION

Rides such as the Baja Rally 3.0 are becoming increasingly popular for those seeking their own Baja adventure.

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 2016. Printed in USA.

Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $19.95 covered in membership dues.

Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing ofﬁces. 8.

February 2016

Volume 70, Number 2

Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com

DIRT/COMPETITION

To switch the version you receive, call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services. 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 versions online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.

PAGE 28. Conquering the open road on an electric motorcycle.

STREET COVER Ben Rich took his electric motorcycle on a three-country tour.

COVER Kevin Elliott promotes some of the top amateur road races in America.

PAGE 28. Promoters do a lot more than just collect entry fees.

Mark Kariya

Innovative reel changing system lets you tailor the throttle rate to riding conditions and rider preference

Unique reel design allows fast reel changes

Simple to install and maintain Designed by Motion Pro

INCLUDES REELS:

• Standard interchangeable reels: 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, 50mm

• Cam reel: Street/Road Race (orange) or MX/Off-Road (gray)

COMMUNICATIONS

American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org

James Holter, Director of Communications/Managing Editor

Jim Witters, Government Affairs Editor

Heather Wilson, Associate Editor

Mark Lapid, Creative Director

Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Halley Immelt, Graphic Designer

Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org

Zach Stevens, National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854, zstevens@ama-cycle.org

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, 2015.

AMA STAFF

EXECUTIVE

Rob Dingman, President/CEO

Jeff Massey, Chief Operations Officer

Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer

Donna Perry, Executive Assistant to President/CEO

Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

ACCOUNTING/DATA ENTRY

Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager

Lori Cavucci, Data Entry Representative

Deb D’Andrea, Data Entry Representative

Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator

Ed Madden, System Support Specialist

Nicole Weppler, Member Fulfillment Specialist

AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF

Operations

Jordan Cavallaro, Museum Admissions and Collections

Assistant

Paula Schremser, Program Specialist

Katy Wood, Collections Manager

AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

Bill Cumbow, Director of Racing

Rob Baughman, Assistant Road Riding Manager

Kip Bigelow, Motocross Manager

Joe Bromley, Program Development Manager

Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator

Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations

Chris Harrison, Road Riding Manager

Alex Hunter, Program Manager

Michael Jolly, Off Road/Track Assistant Manager

Beth Owen, Off-Road Coordinator

Mike Pelletier, Assistant Motocross Manager

Danielle Plessinger, Motocross Coordinator

Jessica Robinson, Track Racing Coordinator

Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager

Serena Van Dyke, Recreational Riding Coordinator

Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager

Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ about/board

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair

Schenectady, N.Y.

Perry King, Vice Chair, Northern California

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

Paul Puma, Executive Committee Member, Laguna Beach, Calif.

Jeff Skeen, Executive Committee Member, San Diego, Calif.

Jerry Abboud, Thornton, Colo.

Russ Brenan, Irvine, Calif.

David Foley, Milwaukee, Wis.

Tony Moseley, Fort Worth, Texas

Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.

Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com

BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS

Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Business Member Programs

DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES

John Bricker, Mailroom Manager

Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator

Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations

Nick Haris, Western States Representative

Rick Podliska, Deputy Director

Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway

Elizabeth Starek, Staff Assistant

Casey Wright, Government Affairs Manager, On-Highway

STATE CHAPTERS

Marie Wuelleh, State Chapter Manager

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director

Dave Coleman, Network Architect

MARKETING

Amanda Donchess, Membership Marketing Manager

Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Manager

MEMBER SERVICES

Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative

Tiffany Pound, Member Services Manager

ANY CARD PICK A CARD,

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).

MEMBER LETTERS

Letter of the Month RECOGNIZING

WAYNE

After reading the Viewpoint in the January 2015 American Motorcyclist (“Road Racing’s Champion”), I felt compelled to write and express my appreciation for Rob Dingman.

Mr. Dingman’s article was designed to introduce the welldeserved 2015 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year, Wayne Rainey.

Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they reﬂect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree? Let us know! Send your letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

The article did more than that by emphasizing that the primary task of the sanctioning body is to ensure safe and fair competition.

Mr. Dingman also laid out in an easy to follow writing style the transition that road racing has gone through in the last few years.

It’s easy to see why he is at the helm, as he has a ﬁrm grasp of the AMA’s role in riding, rights and racing.

Owen Riess

Rider Recognition Chairperson

AMA District 23, Minnesota

NEW TRICKS

I enjoyed “Become A Better Rider” in the December issue. I’m glad there are so many great training opportunities for every segment of the riding community. I’d like to add one more.

Three years ago, I spent a great weekend riding and learning on some of the best motorcycling roads in Southern California when I participated in the Stayin’ Safe advanced rider training course. Led by an expert instructor (in my case, it was Eric Trow, your 2013 AMA Outstanding Road Rider), the course introduced strategies to heighten situational awareness and ways to promote safer, more enjoyable riding.

One unique aspect of this training was having the instructor provide real-time coaching through an earpiece as we rode and encountered a variety of conditions. I now have an expanded skill set allowing me to be a safer, more conﬁdent rider with the added bonus of one of the most memorable tours in all of my 40-plus years of riding.

Kevin Britt

Boulder City, Nev.

IT’S ALL PHYSICS

I’ve seen a couple descriptions in American Motorcyclist of how to countersteer a motorcycle. But none of them describes exactly how countersteering works. In short, countersteering involves Newtonian physics.

Picture yourself on a motorcycle speeding along at 40 mph. The heavy machine’s mass resists attempts to roll the bike on its front-to-rear axis. The spinning tires and wheels act as gyroscopes further resisting roll. (I use “roll” with its aeronautical meaning.)

Now consider you want to quickly change from the right lane to the left lane to avoid a chicken crossing the road. You can lean to the left, but that won’t get the bike to roll quickly to the left; there’s too much mass. So you have to make the motorcycle do it for you.

You do this by steering slightly to the right for a moment or three. This causes the tires to try to move to the right; when there is sufﬁcient friction between the tires and the surface they are touching (asphalt, gravel, dirt, or ice), the tires (the contact patches, really) actually move to the right. And that motion makes the bike roll (lean) to the left on its front-to-rear axis. And when the bike leans to the left, it moves left. After that moment, you then steer to the left to match the turn.

When you have turned far enough to the left, you force the steering (countersteer) slightly more to the left. That causes the bike to roll on its axis and straighten up. Hold the countersteer a bit longer to make the bike roll into a lean to the right. When you’re fully in the left lane and parallel to it, countersteer a little to the right to straighten up, then steer straight ahead.

You can countersteer even when you are already in a turn if you need to quickly turn harder. Steer out of the turn slightly

and the bike will roll even more.

But be wary about countersteering too much and too fast. If you’ve leaned to the right and apply far too much countersteer to straighten up, the bike will roll to the left much too fast, the motorcycle will become airborne, and you will have no control of the machine. If motorcycles were meant to ﬂy, they’d have wings.

Fortunately, the force needed to countersteer is low; slight movements are all you typically need. In fact, if you ride a motorcycle, you already use countersteering whether or not you are aware of it.

Neal Murphy Salem, Va.

Thanks Neal for the physics lesson. The concept of countersteering often confuses riders, new and experienced alike, even though it is grounded in proven science. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Rider Handbook keeps it simple: “press right handgrip, lean right, go right; press left handgrip, lean left, go left.” See the document www.msf-usa.org/downloads/ BRCHandbook.pdf

RISK ASSESSMENT

Mr. Haykin’s solution of taking the long way home to avoid dangerous trafﬁc conditions is excellent (Letters, January issue). I take exception, however, to his conclusion that lane splitting provides increased risk. Perhaps he should gain some direct experience before passing judgment.

I ﬁnd that lane splitting provides superior line of sight, increased stopping distance, and reduced chance of being rear-ended. Four-wheeled vehicles tend to naturally keep enough lateral gap between themselves to allow for safe passage of a motorcycle between. These factors enhance my riding safety.

David

M. Katinsky Los Gatos, Calif.

RIDING ALONE

Hats off to Mark Harrigan’s column “Solo Touring.” My year to start solo touring after 40 years of going with “the group” was 2015. I had enough debating where to eat, stay and gas up. I thought I was just being an old curmudgeon, until I saw Mark’s column.

What really has made solo touring possible is the dependability of a modern bike and cell phones. The “group” is no longer necessary to lend assistance and support. Twenty years ago, I completed a trip to the Sturgis rally on a Moto Guzzi

that broke down three times along the way. Thank goodness for the other riders to lend support back then. Now going solo and not dealing with the group or being stranded in the middle of South Dakota is truly liberating.

Scott Marek New Prague, Minn.

Sound Off!

A roundup of recent comments on Facebook (www. facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist, www.facebook. com/amasupercrosschampionship). Instagram and Twitter (@AMA_Racing, @AMA_Riding).

In response to news that the EPA raised the renewable fuel standard for 2016…

Robert Jones: This is wrong on so many levels.

In response to Wayne Rainey being named 2015 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year…

Michael C Marino: A phenomenal pick. Mr. Rainey stepped up big time and was a huge part of placing the sport of motorcycle road racing in the hands of an organization that will, over time, ensure that it reaches its potential. He is an exceptional ambassador for the sport: embodying the talent and passion that all of us riders understand. Thank you so much, Mr. Rainey, for everything you have done for professional and amateur road racing in this country. I look forward to seeing

how you and MotoAmerica will continue moving the sport forward.

Vincent Minelli: Awesome. I had the honor of having lunch with him at a dealer meeting in Atlanta a few years ago. Great guy and so down to earth.

@chrisjonnum: Great choice!

From Meg Blackburn, on being nominated for 2015 Female Racer of the Year…

@writer.rider.meg: I am so honored to be one of the nominees for the @ama_racing Female Racer of the Year based on my Overall Woman championship this season. I am also the only West Coast series nominee in the segment. Congratulations to all women nominated!

KNOW YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Track Laws And Regulations; Attend Meetings; Be Heard

Often, the biggest threats to the enjoyment of your motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle come not from the faceless bureaucrats in the federal government, but from people in your community and the regulations imposed by local governments.

• Zoning laws are used to halt off-road riding or to prevent new tracks and trails from being built.

By Wayne Allard

• Sound and nuisance ordinances place undue restrictions on motorcycle equipment and use.

• Parking garages and homeowners associations ban motorcycles from entry.

• Some laws even prohibit the storage of the trailers you use to transport your motorcycles and ATVs.

Every year, the AMA receives hundreds of calls and emails from members affected by rules and regulations they didn’t know about. They all express the same concern: that new restrictions will hamper their ability to ride with the freedom and enjoyment they are accustomed to.

In one recent example, the city of Aberdeen, S.D., enacted a law that allows police officers to judge whether motor vehicles, including street motorcycles and dirt bikes, are too loud. In his overview of the ordinance, the city manager commented that he didn’t want officers to have to “attempt to enforce a complicated set of measurements.” So if the Aberdeen police officer thinks your bike is too loud, it is.

In Franklin County, Va., Julie Phelps was rejected when she applied for a special use permit to operate a motocross training facility on the 185-acre farm where her family has ridden dirt bikes for years. The county’s elected ofﬁcials ignored expert opinions that the farm could host dozens more riders than she intended without the sound creating a nuisance for the nearest neighbor.

These examples and many more demonstrate the need for riders to stay educated

and attentive to local laws and ordinances, and be prepared to take action. Before moving into a new area, check the zoning, nuisance and sound ordinances. Be sure a gated community, condominium complex or apartment building allows your vehicles on the property and that you understand any existing restrictions on access and parking.

Visit the “State Laws” section of the AMA website (americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/ State-Laws.aspx) to ﬁnd out how laws differ from state to state.

If you don’t know much about the rules and regulations where you currently live, take some time to get up to speed. Get together with fellow riders, divide the work, and research the local laws, looking for provisions that could cause trouble now, or down the road.

Join a local club that is actively protecting riders’ rights. Learn from the club members, and contribute your time and energy for the cause.

Also, get to know your local ofﬁcials, and educate them on motorcycling issues. Register to vote, and let elected ofﬁcials know that you and your riding buddies regularly visit the polls.

Involve yourself in issues that other riders

support, even if they don’t directly affect you right now. Some issue is going to affect you in the future, and you’ll need those other riders to back you when that happens. So, sign up for AMA alerts and respond when action is needed.

The AMA government relations staff has years of experience at the local, state and federal level and stands ready to help you work through the quagmire of restrictions you may encounter at any level of government. Contact the AMA’s Government Relations Department (grassroots@ama-cycle.org) with questions and concerns. The earlier, the better.

If sound is an issue, the AMA provides grants to clubs for sound meter kits that can ensure members’ vehicles meet local limits and to demonstrate to government ofﬁcials how decibel levels translate into real-life situations.

We can also help by offering advice and direction, alerting other area riders about the issue, writing letters or composing formal comments to ofﬁcials, and providing guidance on dealing with the media.

Working together, we can promote the motorcycle lifestyle, protect the future of motorcycling and provide more riding opportunities.

Wayne Allard is AMA vice president of government relations.

EPA RAISES ETHANOL STANDARDS, INCREASES RISK OF UNSAFE FUELS

Ethanol-Free Fuel Will Become Scarce

The Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirements announced Nov. 30 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will increase the risk of inadvertent misfueling for motorcyclists and all-terrain-vehicle owners by mandating the widespread availability of higher-ethanol fuel blends, such as E15.

Although the EPA Renewable Volume Obligations under the RFS are lower than the requirements set by Congress, the EPA decision still means more ethanol must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply during the coming year. The EPA set the renewable fuel standard for 2014 at 16.28 billion gallons. For 2015, the standard is 16.93 billion gallons. And for 2016, the total increases to 18.11 billion gallons.

E15 fuel is a blend of 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol and represents a 50 percent increase in ethanol over the common E10 blend most Americans currently use in their vehicles.

None of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in use in the United States is approved by the EPA to operate on ethanol blends higher than 10 percent. Using higher-ethanol blends in those vehicles is illegal and may cause engine and fuel system damage and void the manufacturer’s warranty.

“Any increase in the amount of ethanol required in our fuel supply, coupled with America’s decreasing demand for gasoline, is going to result in higherethanol blends, such as E15, at more pumps and stations,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. “And the widespread availability of unsafe E15 and higher-ethanol fuels increases the risk that motorcyclists will inadvertently misfuel their bikes.”

By increasing the amount of ethanol in America’s gasoline, the EPA will severely strain the fuel marketplace by exceeding the blend wall by hundreds of millions of gallons. The blend wall is the point at which no more ethanol can be blended without forcing consumers to use higher blends, such as E15, E30 and E85.

The AMA also is concerned that

forcing higher-ethanol fuel blends into the marketplace will decrease the availability of E10, and that gasoline with no ethanol may become virtually unavailable. The EPA estimates the amount of E0 sold will fall to just 124 million gallons in 2016.

“Owners of vintage motorcycles already have trouble finding E0,” Allard says. “What are they supposed to do if ethanolfree fuel disappears entirely?”

In addition to the RFS mandate, the spread of E15 and higher-ethanol fuels is being augmented by a $100 million matching grant program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is funding the purchase and installation of blender pumps at service stations in 21 states. These pumps dispense several blends

of fuel and can retain as much as a quart of fuel in the delivery hose after fueling. That amount of E15 or higher ethanol blends in a motorcycle’s small tank creates a real risk for the vehicle owner.

During the EPA’s comment period on its proposed RFS rule, which ended July 27, the AMA collected 29,379 signatures on an online petition opposing the higher ethanol mandate and asking the EPA to lower, rather than increase, the standard. The AMA forwarded those signatures, along with its comments, to the EPA.

The AMA supports H.R. 704, the RFS Reform Act of 2015, introduced by U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and urges AMA members to contact their elected officials and ask them to vote for the bill.

AMA TO CANDIDATES: NO MORE E15

Message Delivered At Florida GOP Summit

The AMA told Republican presidential candidates attending the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Summit in November that motorcyclists oppose the increased availability of fuels that contain more than 10 percent ethanol.

Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, delivered the message as part of a delegation from the Smarter Fuel Future Coalition. Rick Podliska, AMA deputy director of government relations, also attended the event in Orlando.

Allard says the Renewable Fuel Standard is an issue all presidential candidates will have to address.

“This is a key issue to all fuel consumers on the road,” he says.

Presidential candidates attending the summit included former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, and Donald Trump.

AMA’s Rick Podliska with former Vice President Dick Cheney

Archer Daniels Midland’s agricultural processing and biofuels plant, in Decatur, Ill.

U.S. Department of Energy

Gerlinde Photography / Michael Hopkins

CONGRESS PASSES FIVE-YEAR HIGHWAY BILL

Checkpoint Funding Ban, RTP Funding Included Congress passed a five-year highway bill on Dec. 3 that includes several big wins for motorcyclists.

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act calls for $305 billion in overall spending. The bill includes:

• Continued funding for the Recreational Trails Program, which provides funding to states for maintaining, improving and expanding off-highway recreational opportunities. The bill moves the program out of the Transportation Alternatives Program, which was eliminated, into a separate standalone fund within the Federal

Highway Administration, providing more long-term stability.

• A prohibition against using federal funds for discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints. These checkpoints siphoned money from safety programs that could help prevent crashes and funneled the funding into roadside stops that resulted in numerous citations for violations that did not involve safety issues.

• Reestablishing a Motorcyclist Advisory Council to coordinate with and counsel the U.S. Department of Transportation

administrator on infrastructure concerns of particular interest to motorcyclists. This advisory council provides motorcyclists with a strong voice on important issues that directly affect motorcycle safety and enjoyment of the roads.

• Funding of highway safety grants that include programs to reduce distracted driving, including language that makes it easier for states to successfully qualify for and receive grant money. Previous restrictions on these grants resulted in just one state – Connecticut – qualifying for funding. The new rules mean most, if not all, states can qualify for funding to make our roads safer.

• Measures to ensure privacy and security in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology. This provision will help prevent V2V communications networks from being hacked and will protect the privacy of individuals whose vehicles are connected to other vehicles.

NOVHCC CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

AMA On Hand For California Conference

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council celebrated its 25th anniversary in Folsom, Calif., late last year, and the AMA was on hand for the event.

AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris and AMA Government Relations Manager for Off-Highway Issues Steve Salisbury attended the event, which included concurrent meetings with the International OffHighway Vehicle Administrators Association and the California OHV Commission.

AMA member Dale Tallman of Clinton, Miss., received two awards at the convention for his volunteer efforts to reopen the off-highway-vehicle trails at Rattlesnake Bay in the DeSoto National Forest. Tallman worked with both the AMA and NOHVCC to convince the Forest Service that 23 years was long enough for the “temporary” closing of the trails.

Tallman received the NOHVCC Success of the Year award for the Rattlesnake Bay OHV Trail and the NOHVCC Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award.

“None of this would have taken place

happened to be the person that accepted this one on behalf of all of The Friends of Rattlesnake Bay.

without each and every person and entity involved – the AMA, NOHVCC, USFS and numerous volunteers,” Tallman says. “I just

“I’ve read many different stories about what the AMA has done on behalf of enthusiasts, but to get the opportunity to experience it first-hand was incredible! I am very proud to say that I am an AMA member.”

AMA SUPPORTS NEW JERSEY RIDERS

Rally, State Meeting Draw 600

An estimated 600 people attended a forest users rally and a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection meeting concerning public access to the Wharton State Forest.

Steve Salisbury, AMA government relations manager for off-highway issues, presented the case for allowing dirt bikes to continue using trails and roads in the forest, while reopening areas that were closed without public input.

Members of the East Coast Enduro Association enlisted the AMA’s help in battling the NJDEP’s plans to further reduce access for responsible motorized recreation in the forest.

The AMA also plans to join ECEA representatives in a meeting with top NJDEP officials to negotiate a favorable outcome for New Jersey riders.

Dave Halsey

Mark Speller, of the National Youth Project Using Minibikes, with AMA’s Steve Salsibury.

AMA SOUND TESTING KITS AVAILABLE

Application Deadline Is March 31

The AMA Government Relations Department is giving away sound testing kits to AMA Districts, club members and others who educate riders about sound.

The kits contain a Type 2 sound meter, a tachometer, training materials, a spark-arrestor probe, personal protective equipment and a storage case.

Kits are awarded through a competitive grant process. Nine kits will be awarded in 2016.

Applicants must complete a form and return it to the AMA Government Relations Department by March 31.

Forms and additional information are available from Steve Salisbury, government affairs manager for off-highway issues, at American Motorcyclist Association, 444 North Capitol St. NW, Suite 837, Washington, DC 20001; at (202) 220-1390; or at grassroots@ ama-cycle.org. Applications are considered twice. So, those who submitted applications in 2015, but were not selected, need not submit applications to be considered for the 2016 grants.

FOREST SERVICE SETTLEMENT TO CLOSE COLORADO TRAILS

Deal Could Have Widespread Ramifications

The Nov. 13 settlement of a years-long lawsuit brought by several environmental groups is forcing the U.S. Forest Service to close nearly 150 roads and review hundreds of others in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests.

The U.S. District Court settlement states that 500 miles of roads that cut through endangered species’ habitats must be reassessed.

The Forest Service has until Nov. 16 to completely or partially close 147 roads for motorized vehicles.

The court ordered the agency to conduct an intensive environmental study during the next five years.

The lawsuit claimed the Forest Service failed to conduct environmental studies or hold public meetings before building the

roads and opening them to motorized use.

“I see this as having a huge potential impact on Southern Colorado tourism for at least the next five years,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations and a former U.S. senator from Colorado. “And this settlement has the potential of affecting forest management plans throughout Colorado and the United States.”

Forest administrators will have to implement a fact-gathering process and then formulate a proposal for the public.

“If there is an opportunity to comment on how the facts are gathered, we will be ready, and the AMA will be working with all of the local off-road groups to ensure that access for responsible motorized recreation is protected,” Allard says.

PHILADELPHIA OHV PARK DISCUSSED

Coalition Members Research Options At Outing

The newly formed Philadelphia OHV Recreation Coalition toured the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Coal Twp., Pa., to learn what it takes to establish, maintain and operate an off-highway-vehicle park.

The coalition is studying the idea of an OHV facility in Philadelphia to provide an attractive option for urban riders and an alternative for the hundreds of city residents who ride dirt bikes and ATVs illegally on the city’s streets and in parks.

Coalition members include city and state government ofﬁcials, representatives from powersports dealerships and manufacturers, the National Youth Project Using Minibikes and AMA District 6.

“This solid group of experienced and knowledgeable people will assess the concept and, we hope, develop a plan for consideration by city ofﬁcials,” says Steve Salisbury, AMA government relations manager for off-road issues.

ARIZONA REP. SEEKS LIMITS ON PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY

Bill Would Restrict Monument Designations

U.S. Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.) has introduced the Protecting Local Communities from Executive Overreach Act (H.R. 3946), which would update the Antiquities Act of 1906 and limit presidential authority to designate national monuments.

The Antiquities Act grants the president the right to make national monument designations without the approval of Congress. The designations affect public use of the land, including restrictions on or elimination of motorized off-road recreation.

STATEWATCH

COLORADO

S.B. 15-286, introduced by state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling) and state Rep. Lori Saine (R-Firestone), would repeal the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training program and require the state Department of

NEW YORK

President Obama has designated

or expanded 19 national monuments, affecting more than 1.25 million acres of public lands. Gosar’s bill would require written consent from private property owners whose land would be included in the monument; prevent designations from increasing funding appropriations; prohibit designations in counties were “sufﬁ cient local opposition” exists; protect water rights; limit designations to 5,000 acres or less; and require consultation with and concurrence from local stakeholders.

Four bills introduced in the New York State Assembly outline opposing approaches to motorcycles and the state’s no-fault insurance laws. A.B. 3232 and S.B. 4316 would require all vehicle insurance policies to inform the insured that the no-fault provisions do not apply to motorcycles and that supplemental coverage is available. At the same time, S.B. 4614 and A.B. 8420 would add “motorcycles” to the deﬁnition of motor vehicles covered by the no-fault provisions.

Rob Feldman

U.S. Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.)

Ride On With Member Exclusive Savings

AMA WELCOMES NEW STAFFERS

Rights, Racing, Marketing Changes

New AMA staff members will strengthen advocacy and membership efforts and make racing operations more efﬁcient.

Casey Wright and Elizabeth Starek have joined the AMA government relations staff in the Washington, D.C., ofﬁce.

An avid motorcyclist, Wright is the government relations manager for onhighway issues. He brings a wealth of political experience to the AMA, including work at The Heritage Foundation, managing political campaigns and serving as government affairs specialist for a trade association. He holds a master’s from Southern Methodist University and rides a Triumph Thruxton.

Starek is the staff assistant for the D.C. ofﬁce. She has worked as a congressional staffer for the House Select Committee on Benghazi and handled grassroots and campaign organizing as a summer intern on the Barbara Comstock for Congress campaign. She holds a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Mary Washington.

Wright and Starek report to Wayne Allard, vice president of government relations.

Marketing

Mandy Donchess is the AMA’s new membership marketing manager.

She comes to the AMA from the Newark Advocate newspaper, where she was the regional key account relationship specialist. She worked with clients to build conversion-focused, audience-driven marketing campaigns. Donchess is a graduate of Ohio University.

Racing

Former motocross racer Mike Pelletier is the AMA’s new assistant motocross manager.

The AMA also has added coordinators for each racing category. Former Member Services Representative Jessica Robinson is the new track operational coordinator, while longtime AMA employee Beth Owen is the new off-road coordinator.

Danielle Plessinger is serving as motocross operational coordinator. She attended Ohio’s Marietta College, where she studied business management.

Alex Hunter, former assistant motocross manager, has been named racing projects manager, assisting Director of Racing Bill Cumbow across all racing disciplines.

DATES ANNOUNCED

FOR AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS: JULY 8-10

Racing, Swap Meet, Bikes Shows Return To Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

If you love old motorcycles, and the people and activities that make them great, circle July 8-10 on your calendar. That’s the date for this year’s premier celebration of vintage motorcycling: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“A new generation is realizing the fun of old motorcycles, whether they are barn fresh, pristine show pieces or what we call ‘swap meet specials,’” said AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, from the vintage racing to the huge swap meet, is witnessing this resurgence first hand, and let me be the first to invite all vintage motorcycling enthusiasts to this wonderful event.”

A fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features classic motorcycles of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous.

Activities include the AMA Vintage Grand Championship, which features road racing, motocross, hare scrambles,

trials and dirt-track racing. The event also includes North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet with parts, bikes and memorabilia from all eras. A premier bike show will feature examples of some of history’s most beloved motorcycles. Stunt shows and demo rides of current production bikes keep attendees entertained, while seminars on numerous topics by noted motorcycling experts keep them informed.

AMA members who buy tickets directly from the AMA before June 6 receive an exclusive price discount. AMA members can call (800) 262-5646 to buy a weekend pass for $45, a $5 savings off the regular advance rate, and a one-day pass for $25 for Friday or Saturday and $20 for Sunday, a $5 savings off the regular advance rate. AMA members pay no service charge on tickets purchased through the AMA.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a family-friendly event. Children 12 and under are admitted free with paying, supervising adults.

LOOKING FOR DUAL SPORT FUN IN 2016?

Attend A Round Of The Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series

If you enjoy challenging trail, fun and easy two-track, and winding back roads, you already appreciate the joy of dualsport motorcycle riding. Now, introduce routes planned by the area’s most active off-highway motorcycle clubs, after-hours camaraderie and prizes, and a couple hundred like-minded friends, you have a round of the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series.

The series, which includes two-day events all over the country, has earned a strong reputation for some of the country’s best rides. They cover the Colorado mountains, Nevada desert, Ohio Valley backwoods, Florida swamps and everything in between.

Beta, which is known for selling worldclass off-road race bikes, supports the series and its riders by giving them an opportunity to win a new Beta dual-sport bike. Every AMA member who enters an event on the Beta AMA National Dual

FEDERAL AGENCIES ANNOUNCE FEEFREE DAYS

Go For A Trail Ride In 2016

Federal land and water management agencies have announced their fee-free days for 2016.

The National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will have no entrance fees on a combined 36 days, offering Americans the opportunity to enjoy healthy, active outdoor fun on their public lands and waters.

Most of the fee-free days are linked to holidays and special events, and there are often special offers from agency partners.

The 2016 fee-free days are:

• National Park Service: Jan. 18, April 16-24, Aug. 25-28, Sept. 24, Nov. 11

• Bureau of Land Management: Jan. 18, Feb. 13-15, Sept. 24, Nov. 11

• U.S. Forest Service: Jan. 18, Feb. 15, June 11, Sept. 24, Nov. 11

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Jan. 18, Feb. 13-15, Sept. 24, Oct. 9, Nov. 11-13

Sport Series gets a chance to win a new Beta motorcycle.

“We often say that dual-sport riding is like riding an enduro but without the competition,” says AMA Chief Operations Ofﬁcer Jeff Massey. “That’s true, but when it’s you and a few of your best friends on some tough trail, there’s always an extra challenge. Dual sport is endlessly fun, and once you start, you’ll constantly look

forward to the next ride.”

Beta’s dual sport line is bred from its enduro and cross country race bikes, and they are perfectly engineered to conquer the most rugged trails in America. To learn more about Beta, which includes a range of two- and four-stroke models, visit www.betausa.com.

To ﬁnd a national near you, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

MOTOCROSS CLASS AGE LIMITS GO INTO EFFECT IN 2017 Rules A ect 250cc, 450cc Models

The AMA announced on Dec. 11 a rule change for the 2017 season that will introduce new minimum ages for certain displacement motorcycles.

“AMA Congress, working with manufacturer representatives and AMA staff, recognized a need to introduce displacement-based age limits for organized competition,” says Kip Bigelow, AMA motocross manager. “In many cases, this rule change will ease the transition of younger riders from youth models to full-sized 250cc and 450cc model bikes.”

The new rule was created and passed by the member-elected AMA Congress delegates, then approved by the AMA Board of Directors.

This rule will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017. Changes for the 2017 season are reﬂected in bold type. (Note that racers under 12 years old are considered youth.)

Chapter 1.1; Chapter A; Paragraph 6:

The minimum age for amateur riders is 12. In all events, a rider must be 14 or older to ride motorcycles above a 250cc. In motocross events, a rider must be 14 or older to ride a 250cc 4-stroke/2-stroke motorcycle. In motocross events, a rider must be 16 or older to ride a 450cc or above motorcycle.

Example: A racer who is 13 years old on the day of the event is not permitted to compete on 250cc model motorcycle. A racer who is 15 years old on the day of the event is not permitted to compete on a 450cc model motorcycle.

Member Tested

TROY LEE DESIGNS MOTOCROSS GEAR

Info: www.troyleedesigns.com

MSRP: SE Jersey Starburst Black/ Purple, $65; SE Pant Starburst Black, $175; SE Pro Glove Flo Orange, $32; SE3 Helmet Reﬂection Red, $495

A small SE3 Helmet ﬁt me perfectly. I’ve worn XS in a lot of other brands, but the small worked here. Plus, the removable liners offer me the ability to easily wash the inside of my stinky, sweaty helmet.

While women are a common site on the starting line at a race today, I find it pretty uncommon to find women’s gear that isn’t pink. While the SE Jersey isn’t specifically designed for women, the Starburst Black/Purple offers the perfect solution for conveying that I’m a girl without using the stereotypical pink. (The pop of orange in the middle also goes great with my KTM.)

Fit-wise, the jersey is breathable and super stretchy. Maybe it’s considered old school these days, but I like having my jersey tucked into my pants. A lot of jerseys I’ve worn in the past tend to slip out when riding. Troy Lee’s gel lettering on the lower back of the jersey keeps it in place. And while it’s never my intention to crash, crashes happen in off-road riding, so the sewn-in elbow padding is a huge bonus.

The SE Pant Starburst Black look sleek. The color scheme is fairly versatile so you can change up your whole look by swapping into different jerseys.

The SE Pro Glove is the most comfortable glove I’ve ever worn. Have I mentioned I love stretchy material? What I also love about this glove is that it doesn’t have a Velcro or snap closure. You simply pull the glove on and with the spandex material, it forms to your hand and wrist.

For more than 30 years, Troy Lee has made his mark on riding gear, ﬁrst with his artistic ability customizing helmets, and now with research into safety and protection. The SE line of Troy Lee’s Moto Gear is deﬁnitely worth the investment and will get you noticed on the track or trail.

As far as sizing, I’d suggest ordering up a size or two in the pants, as I was way off on estimating my pant size. After trying on 28s, already a size or two up from my jean size, I eventually ended up with 32s. I needed the room to wear spandex leggings underneath and for knee braces.

As for the jersey, it ﬁt true to size.

By Heather WIlson Yve Assad

AMATEUR ROAD RACERS

AMA Road Race Grand Championship Heads To Road America

The country’s top amateur road racers will compete for AMA National No. 1 plates at the 2016 AMA Road Race Grand Championship at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., on July 1-3.

“The AMA Road Race Grand Championship draws top amateur- and expert-licensed road racers throughout the nation every year,” says AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “Competitors of various ages will face off in several classes, competing aboard machines from 125cc up to the Superbike level. Road America certainly will offer a unique challenge for all of our racers.”

The AMA Road Race Grand Championship will run in combination with the American Sportbike Racing Association Team Challenge, ASRA Sprints, United States Grand Prix Riders’ Union and Championship Cup Series regional races. Licensed amateur and expert road racers from various clubs and organizations are encouraged to compete. AMA pro-licensed road racers are not eligible.

“We feel incredibly honored to be hosting the AMA Road Race Grand Championship for the ﬁfth year in a row,” says ASRA President Kevin Elliott. “After successful events at Daytona, New Jersey Motorsports Park and twice at Virginia International Raceway, we are excited to bring this event to one of America’s premier race tracks. This 4-mile road

“This 4-mile road course has long been one of the ﬁnest facilities in any series, and it’s only ﬁtting that racers have the chance to earn AMA National Championships at Road America.”

— ASRA President Kevin Elliott

course has long been one of the ﬁnest facilities in any series, and it’s only ﬁtting that racers have the chance to earn AMA National Championships at Road America.”

The country’s top amateur racers will compete not only for AMA No. 1 plates, but also for the AMA Road Race Horizon Award, which goes to the rider showing the most promise for success in the

professional ranks.

“This event is a phenomenal showcase for any sportsman road racer,” Elliott says. “To race at a great track against top notch competitors and have the chance to win an AMA National Championship, it just doesn’t get any better than this.”

For more information about this event and to sign up to race, see www.ASRAracing.com.

ANSWERING THE ALLURE OF BAJA

Rally Raid O ers Adventure, Thrills, International Flavor

By Lawrence Hacking • Photos by Mark Kariya

The 2015 Baja Rally 3.0 is done and dusted. Looking back, it had all the ingredients to make this one of the most memorable events on the calendar, and it delivered in spades. The Baja Rally offered everything attractive about riding in Baja with a true international rally raid ﬂavor.

The Baja Rally is the brainchild of Scott Bloom (a.k.a., Scotty Breauxman) a selfconfessed Dakar fan who wanted to bring a rally raid style event to North America. For its third year running, the Baja Rally captured the imagination of 30-odd competitors, but it’s unique enough, and accessible enough, that it could deliver the type of exotic two-wheeled experience that many American riders yearn for.

The term “rally raid” may not be well known to U.S. riders familiar with enduros and hare scrambles, but it refers to a multi-day off-road competition that pits competitors against the clock. Road book navigation is the art and beauty of rally raid. While outright speed and skill help, a capable navigator can compensate by making fewer wrong decisions.

The best-known rally raid event is the granddaddy of all rallies, Dakar. There are many more rallies around the world, but none is as easily accessible to North Americans of all skill levels (or as affordable) as the Baja Rally.

The Baja Rally offers the average rider an opportunity to try his or her hand at rally raid without the cost or logistics needed to travel far aﬁeld to compete. New for this year was the introduction

of the organizer-supplied Rally Comp device—a godsend for the ﬁrst-time rally rider. For the unfamiliar, road book navigation can be intimidating, but once understood, it is supremely satisfying to get it right (but it remains the pinnacle of frustration when you get it wrong). The Baja Rally duplicates the conditions found at bigger, internationally sanctioned rallies with all the right touches (just like in Dakar, all distances are measured in kilometers).

The Rally Comp device offers a number of features that make the navigation part of the challenge easier, plus it transmits each rider’s results to the organizer’s laptop at the ﬁnish of each special stage. Instant and infallible results lighten the scorekeeper’s workload considerably.

For 2015, the Baja Rally covered four days of the best terrain in northern Baja. Starting in Ensenada, we rode to the start of the ﬁrst timed stage 70 kilometers south to Erendira on the Paciﬁc coast. The stage route took us to a fuel stop on Highway 1, then on to Rancho El Coyote, a working ranch high up in the hills.

Some trails were previous Baja 1000 two-track roads. Other times, we were on fresh farm roads and sometimes traveled cross country to find hidden waypoints designed to make the challenge a little more difficult. At El Coyote, we camped out bivouac-style, just like in the original Paris to Dakar. The feeling among the competitors was friendly and relaxed, even though the competition up front was fierce, to say the least.

Washington-based rider Trent Burgess, through astute navigational decisions, stayed ahead of multi-time Baja 1000 victor Steve Hengeveld, Cameron Steele and U.K.-based Lyndon Poskitt, to post the quickest time on Day 1.

Rally raid is a thinking rider’s game, and exercising strategy is important. For example, Burgess says he was careful not to spin his tire when turning off the main roads when he was in the physical lead in an attempt to throw off following riders.

There’s no doubt Hengeveld’s Honda was the fastest bike on the course. However, speed can sometimes be a negative factor when trying to navigate.

In rally raid, the route is kept secret until the riders are handed the roll-chart road books at the end of each day. There is no pre-running, and the use of GPS is merely to provide back up in case proof

Rally raid bikes are outﬁtted for long days navigating through the desert.

is needed due to missed waypoints.

I entered the Baja Rally to enjoy the ride, finish the event, socialize and come back in one piece with a good story. In trying to understand the Rally Comp the first day, I narrowly missed three waypoints and was hit with an hour of penalties. I was shuffled to the back of the starting order for Day 2, and as a result my aspirations became even simpler: To ride across the finish line with no drama and take home a coveted finisher’s medal.

to the rally, but had never met in person before. The international aspect added to the enjoyment of the rally. There were riders from the United Kingdom, Japan, a number from Canada and, of course, riders from the United States and Mexico.

All was going quite well on Day 2 until I came across downed rider Kevin Heath. He had crashed and landed on a pointed rock. I found him lying on the dusty red earth moaning.

Other riders had stopped as well, and once we assessed the situation, I sent them on their way and pulled out the satellite phone to call in medical support. A helicopter soon arrived and took Kevin to Ensenada.

Down about two hours, I made it to the gas stop with Kurt Burroughs, an Englishman who also waited while another rider was picked up. Time management is crucial in rally raid, and in Baja in general. It was 2 o’clock when we set out on the second half of the day. When we reached the go/no-go point on the route, we bailed out, and wisely so, as the organizers mandated that if you have not reached that point by a certain time, they send you around via the highway to El Rosario—the location of the second overnight stop.

What was most fun was the social side of the rally. I met a number of people I had communicated with prior

The days start early in rally raid. Everyone gets up well before dawn, and Day 3 was no exception. The organizers sent us farther south to the remote settlement of Catavinia on some spectacular routes, including a rocky section that included Devil’s Hill, a rock face that belonged in an extreme enduro.

In Baja, the variety of the terrain makes life on the bike interesting. If you don’t like what you are riding, just wait half an hour because it will change. We rode on beaches, smooth rolling two-track roads, paved highways, wide-open dirt and gravel roads and past incredible scenery.

By the midway point of Day 3, I came to better understand the Rally Comp device and the philosophy behind Scotty’s road book and rolled into Catavinia in 14th place. After a hearty barbecue dinner and the rider’s meeting, we hit the hay early, only to be awakened by our crew at 5 a.m. in a panic. We had overslept. My traveling companion Jeremy Le Breton and I stumbled around the room trying to put on each other’s boots. We saddled up quickly and rode a 121-kilometer (70-mile) transit stage back to El Rosario along the

highway in the dark. We dodged cows, passed trucks and carved some beautiful corners through the crisp morning air and then hurried to wait for our start time.

The ﬁnal special stage was 175 kilometers, and I focused on making good decisions and obeyed every indication in the road book. It worked. I was satisﬁed with my ninth place on the day and encouraged to make another run at the Baja Rally in the future.

We rode the final transit stage to the San Nicolas hotel in Ensenada, being greeted by the usual accolades befitting a Baja Rally finisher. We jumped into the pool, riding gear and all.

Like every race in Baja, hundreds of local people pitch in and help out. The local volunteers and land owners made the third Baja Rally happen, and they should bask in the satisfying feeling of a job well done.

Ultimately, Steve Hengeveld prevailed over Lyndon Poskitt, who held Cameron Steele at bay in the Rally Pro class. Trent Burgess won the Rally 1 class and ﬁnished fourth overall. (The Rally 1 class is for ﬁrsttime rally riders.) Second place in Rally 1 went to Canadian Marc Edrup. Seattlebased Jeremy Le Breton was third.

If you want to see what rally raid is all about, give Baja Rally 4.0 a try before one of racing’s best-kept secret gets out and hordes of riders descend on Baja.

Riders prepare at the start of Day 1.

Open desert means navigation must take place at high speeds.

1997 HONDA RC45

John Kocinski’s World Title Bike

In 1997, John Kocinski rode the Honda RC45 to 10 wins and the World Superbike championship, the bike’s crowning world title.

Factory Castrol Honda team member Aaron Slight ﬁnished third in the World Superbike standings that year aboard an RC45.

The previous year, Slight and Carl Fogarty had some success with the RC45, but Kocinski’s 1997 season showed the world the bike’s true potential on the track.

The RC45 was a limited-edition motorcycle, with 200 units being manufactured and 50 being imported to the United States to meet the AMA’s homologation requirements. Honda advertised the bike as being “designed to dominate worldwide Superbike competition in race-kitted form.” And it certainly lived up to its billing.

The RC45 featured a 749cc 90-degree V-4

liquid-cooled engine that produced more than 150 hp. The DOHC engine came with a gear-driven valve train and a side-mounted gear drive that used two gears instead of three to reduce engine size and internal friction. Precision-programmed fuel injection ensured precise fuel delivery, and a seven-liter air box let the engine breathe.

The RC45 came with a close-ratio six-speed transmission, inverted forks and a single-sided cast aluminum swingarm. Stopping power was provided by 310mm front discs with four-piston calipers and 220mm rear discs with twin-piston calipers.

This bike was on display at the 2015 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Orlando, Fla. Following the event, it returned to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, where it is on loan from American Honda.

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.

Photos Alison Grogan

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Famer

GEORGE SMITH SR.: S&S CYCLE FOUNDER

George Smith Sr. was a drag racer and the founder of S&S Cycle, a leader in the development and production of high-performance V-twin engines and aftermarket motorcycle parts. Smith’s tuning skills and the products he developed were integral to several speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Born on Nov. 21, 1921, Smith spent the majority of his youth in the Chicago area. He possessed a talent for mechanical engineering and the ability to communicate complex mechanical ideas and concepts. Smith also had a very strong “need for speed.” In the 1930s, he owned a series of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including a 1911, a 1928 JD two-cam, a 1934 45 cubic inch (c.i.) and a late-1930s 61 c.i. Knucklehead.

After World War II, during which he trained as a pilot, Smith flirted with auto racing, but motorcycles soon became the focus of his attention. He built a drag bike named “Tramp,” which started life as a 1939 61 c.i. Knucklehead. He increased the size to 80 c.i., made a set of twin-carb heads, and bolted on a pair of Riley carbs. He raced the machine at Half Day Drag Strip in suburban Chicago.

Drag racing was in its formative years

and Smith began to experiment with nitromethane and alcohol fuel mixtures. In 1952, Tramp consistently ran the quarter mile at speeds hovering around 125 mph—a formidable speed considering wheelie-bars and motorcycle drag slicks had yet to be invented.

In 1954, Stanley Stankos and Leo Spindler, friends of Smith’s and fellow

motorcycle drag race enthusiasts, teamed up and decided to build a Bonneville record racer. The Tramp would be the basis for their project. Stripped of everything and fitted with a K model front fork, the stock frame held a virtually hand-built motor that included pistons that were cast at Stankos’ upholstery shop. Smith raced the 92 c.i. machine at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats and achieved a top speed of 152.02 mph running on pure alcohol.

Put yourself in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

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 charitable 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 an 8-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!

By 1958, Smith and Stankos’ tuning knowledge was in demand. Other HarleyDavidson riders and racers were asking them to build high performance parts. They formed S&S Cycle that year and offered lightweight aluminum pushrods with solid lifter conversion units.

Stankos was also busy with his upholstery shop, and he sold his share of the engine parts company to Smith. With the help of his wife, Marge, who took over secretarial and bookkeeping duties, Smith pressed ahead. Marge’s maiden name was also Smith, so they retained the S&S

RAY PRICE PASSES AWAY Drag Racing Master

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ray Price passed away on Dec. 16 at the age of 78.

Price was the father of drag racing’s “Funnybike,” designer of the motorcycle wheelie bar and developer of the two-speed automatic racing transmission.

Price started his drag racing career in 1967, at the age of 30, with a 1966 Harley-Davidson Sportster. He and his Ray Price Harley-Davidson drag racing team attained multiple race victories, records and championships in AMA Dragbike, the All Harley Drag Racing Association and the International Hot Rod Association.

Ray Price Harley-Davidson in Raleigh, N.C., remains one of the largest dealerships in the southeastern United States and hosts several annual charity events, including the Capital City Bikefest in downtown Raleigh.

name. Throughout the 1960s, S&S Cycle’s performance product line continued to grow and the company invested in more precision manufacturing equipment.

In 1969, S&S set up shop in Viola, Wis. They returned to the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1970 with racers Leo Payne and Warner Riley. When Payne, an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, reached 202.379 mph, Smith’s machine became the ﬁrst nonstreamliner to go more than 200 mph.

The late 1970s found S&S Cycle reﬁning and developing new parts for its evergrowing product lineup.

On Aug. 1, 1980, George Sr. died of heart failure. The Smith family persevered, and the 1980s continued as a time of growth for S&S Cycle. The popularity of V-twin motorcycles was increasing and the company found ample opportunities for new performance products.

Marge Smith’s strong will and leadership kept the company on track and growing well into the 1990s. When she died in the summer of 1992 after a long illness, the second generation of the S&S family assumed responsibility for the company.

RAFFLE BIKE

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL RACE

Creating Schedules, Prepping Track Or Trail, Coordinating Paperwork And Marketing Races: Clubs and Promoters Toil to Make Racing Possible

By Heather Wilson

We know it’s a lot of time, money and effort to race, but what about the promoter’s side? Many AMAchartered club members and promoters were (and currently are) racers and started producing races because of their deep love of the sport.

We caught up with organizers of some successful AMA-sanctioned events to get an inside perspective of what it takes to prepare, operate and evaluate a race or even an entire series.

“O -Season”

The American Sportbike Racing Association, operated by Kevin Elliott in Fort Worth, is among the premier AMA-sanctioned amateur road racing series, drawing an average turnout of 175 competitors at races. For the ﬁfth year in a row, ASRA also is the AMA’s promoting partner for the AMA Road Race Grand Championship.

The ASRA series schedules 24 races, consisting of the Spring Series, the Team Challenge Endurance Series and the United States Grand Prix Racing Union.

Today, Elliott and his organization have a good reputation among the road racing community. He shared with us some reasons why he’s still going strong after 33 years as a promoter. Perhaps it should be no surprise, but he says it comes down to the basics.

“The ﬁrst thing that happens to get ready for the season is to work out a schedule with the tracks,” Elliott says. “One of our obstacles is that we are not the top dog. There are a lot of car racing clubs that get ﬁrst priority at the tracks.”

He says he starts the schedule with traditional tracks such as Virginia International Raceway and Wisconsin’s Road America. Then comes Summit Point in West Virginia and New Jersey Motorsports Park and the rest.

“We spend several hours three-tofour days a week for a month or two [in October and November] trying to get a schedule together,” Elliott says. “Once the

dates are set, then you have the tracks send you contracts and start working with the insurance company.”

When all of that is in place, he releases the schedule to riders and news outlets via press releases and social media.

ASRA reviews its supplemental rulebook every November and lets the riders comment on the rules. Those comments are reviewed and are either implemented or omitted.

Elliott jokes that his rulebook was originally eight pages back in 1984, and now it’s 64.

Next comes the modiﬁcation of entry forms, which ASRA mails to past riders and which must be returned via fax or email at least two weeks prior to each event.

Stafﬁng for events? Elliott says it takes roughly 750 people total throughout the year: About 250 who help multiple times and 500 who help at one particular race during the season. It takes about 30 to 40 corner marshals for each event.

Elliott uses paid workers and volunteers. He says he ﬁnds

them mostly through people who have raced or worked for the series in the past. Elliott says riders’ friends and family are the best source of enthusiastic workers. He breaks stafﬁng down into departments and each department head runs his or her crew. The department heads report to the race director.

Maintenance and Facility Upgrades

Preparing for a race doesn’t happen just in the week leading up to it. Baja Acres in Millington, Mich., is an 80-acre motocross facility that is heading into its 15th season under the operation of Patrick and Rosanna Grzebinski. The facility is home to the Baja Brawl, one of the AMA’s largest sanctioned motocross events. Rosanna Grzebinski took some time to talk about the year-round work that goes into maintaining the facility.

“Tracks are not just created for events,” she says. “Updates and changes are being made to the facility on an almostdaily basis. There’s never a day that goes

by that something doesn’t need to be analyzed.”

She says they own the equipment and hire operators. You can imagine that not only maintaining, but constantly upgrading an 80-acre facility is not cheap.

Maintenance and administrative staff are full-time throughout the year, and they hire event staff to work seasonally.

“All of our staff, full-time or seasonal, undergo a rigorous training process every year,” she says. “We follow Brett Downey Safety Foundation [a non-proﬁt motocross safety foundation] protocol and even go beyond that.”

Marketing and Photographers

So you’ve set your schedule and have been maintaining your track or trail. Now you have to get racers to your events.

Justin Shultz is the secretary of the AMA District 37 MSR Big 6 Grand Prix Series in Southern California, a series that drew nearly 1,000 entries at each event in 2015. He coordinates with District 37 AMA-chartered clubs to create the series schedule.

It’s no small feat to get the information about the races to the racers and fans, even with today’s technology.

“We have three volunteers who spend about ﬁve hours a week on the website and electronic marketing,” Shultz says. “It includes email blasts going out to the ridership to promote the series and the sponsors that help make this possible, and we have one person that is dedicated to promoting via Facebook and Instagram.”

The Big 6 also puts out individual ﬂiers for the eight races, in addition to paying for advertisements in magazines.

“I would say we spend about $20,000 [a season] in marketing materials alone,” Shultz says. “It’s not cheap!”

The series also has two photographer sponsors who provide the racers with race photo options, which is just another way a series adds value for its racers. He says there are additional sponsors and vendors onsite to provide racers with things they may have forgotten or need.

“We are grateful for everyone who helps

Tom Salyer

Kevin Elliott

and spends their own time and money to make it happen,” Shultz says. “Our series is built on families and volunteers.”

Event Supplies

Hay bales, banner tape, a public address system, portable restrooms and concession stands—these are just a few of the many race-day supplies that need to be arranged. Not to mention, for most disciplines of racing, an ambulance provider must be onsite.

The California Flat Track Association, based in San Francisco, points out how important it is to ensure they have the proper amount of awards ordered.

“We look at our past award orders and try to determine what we think will be the right quantity,” says Randy Kremlacek, owner of the series. “It turns out to be about one award for every three riders in a class.”

Race Day

Finally, riders get to what ASRA’s Elliott calls the “easy part.”

“Running the race,” he laughs. “We are at the facility the day before the races, putting out Airfence [essentially, large inﬂated air bags positioned in front of hard objects around a racetrack]. It takes a crew of about six to eight people and a couple of hours for both set up and tear down.”

He says they also run registration and tech inspection from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The next two days, practice and racing runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour lunch break.

“We have very few problems when we get to the race track,” Elliott says. “I’ve learned over years and years and years of experience [how to avoid problems].”

When it comes to scoring, the industry has certainly evolved over the last few decades. Many series use transponders or barcode scanners, depending on the discipline, but sometimes backup boards scored by hand are also relied upon. It’s transformed the accuracy and efﬁciency of producing results.

And just when you think you can pack up, go home and relax, you’re back in the ofﬁce the next day sorting through everything that happened over the weekend before starting work on the next event.

“When I started being involved a lot in the late ’70s,

Mark Kariya

Justin Shultz

everything was operated by volunteers in clubs,” Elliott says. “There was no business that was running the deal. It’s come such a long way. It’s 30-plus yearsworth of doing it that makes it look easy.”

Post-Event Review

Work doesn’t halt after an event. The best promoters take time to evaluate and position themselves for improvement.

“We discuss what went well, what can we change and how can we make it better,” Rosanna Grzebinski says. “Experience doesn’t mean doing less. It means doing more. The more you know, the more you want to make changes and make it better.”

Many clubs and promoters contribute time and signiﬁcant effort into producing a good race. In the end, racing simply wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers, clubs and organizers who make it happen.

“It’s a labor of love. It’s a lifestyle,” Grzebinski says. “You have to love what you do and make it the best you possibly can. It says a lot about our sport that generations upon generations are willing to bring back their kids and show them the lifestyle and the sport that they grew up in.”

Learn More

To learn more about becoming an AMA-sanctioned event organizer, see the Resources section in the area of www. americanmotorcyclist.com for AMA partners. You’ll ﬁnd guidelines, videos, forms and AMA contact information to get you on the right track.

GROOMING A DIRT TRACK

California Flat Track Association owner Randy Kremlacek says track preparation can be easy or tremendously challenging.

“If you run the same track, own good equipment and have a quality track builder, it goes like clockwork,” Kremlacek says. “If you are a traveling show, track building becomes your largest operational challenge.”

Kremlacek says that with quality equipment and a good operator, track work can begin early on a Friday morning and have a race-ready surface by noon the next day. The equipment operator and water truck driver put in about 12 to 15 hours each.

If it is a blue-groove track—a hard-packed surface characterized by the “blue groove” of rubber that the riders’ tires create on the racing line—there is very little additional work that needs to be done. However, if it is a cushion surface, you’ll be watering and “ﬂufﬁng” the dirt using a rotary harrow, box scraper or metal drag every four to eight races.

Steps To Building A Dirt Track:

1. Rip it. Ripping means using a track conditioner that you pull behind a tractor or using the ripper teeth on a grader. You typically rip from 6 inches to 10 inches deep. It is the equivalent of plowing dirt.

2. Water it. (You rip the dirt to “open it up” so that water will penetrate.)

3. Mix it. After the initial water has been laid down, the equipment operator moves to a disk or other device to continue mixing the dirt, while the water truck continues to apply water. It’s a bit like making a cake batter. You need to get the water in deep and the track moisture needs to be consistent all around. You need to apply water in an amount where the dirt is just short of turning into mud. If you apply too much water, it gets squishy and no amount of work will dry it out. The only way to ﬁx it is to open up the dirt again and mix in some dry dirt.

4. Pack it. Once the dirt has the perfect amount of water, you seal off the surface by packing the track. You do laps with trucks to pack down the surface. The equipment operator may do some minor touch up work to ﬁll in small holes and shave off the high spots.

5. Race it. Get bikes on it soon, especially in summer. If not, the top will dry out and you’ll have a dust storm. Typically the track surface is “green” and dusty during practice. Over time, the tires put down rubber and the traction improves. The magic happens when the sun sets and the track “comes in.” The moisture that is deep in the dirt rises and combined with the rubber, creates the “blue groove.” For cushion tracks, this doesn’t happen. But the track stays more consistent at night without constant maintenance.

Fly High With AMA EAGLES, State Chapter Programs

Jim Witters

Training, Volunteer Opportunities Abound by

The AMA is reviving its EAGLES advocacy and leadership program and announcing a state chapter plan that will provide more opportunities for AMA members to interact with each other, promote the association and its events, and provide a basis for local action on important issues.

“These programs will increase the AMA’s grassroots advocacy at the state and local levels,” says Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. “And the State Chapter program also will create more opportunities for recreational riding, both on-road and off.

“We are conﬁdent that these programs will help the AMA grow stronger by providing closer ties among its members and connecting them more directly to the national organization.”

Coordinating the two programs is AMA State Chapter Manager Marie Wuelleh.

“I am looking forward to helping AMA members complete the EAGLES training and working with members in every state to form a strong and active State Chapter program,” Wuelleh says.

EAGLES Training

Each letter of the EAGLES acronym stands for an important element of advocacy: Education, Activism, Growth, Leadership, Expertise, Skills.

Through AMA EAGLES, members learn about the AMA and become better public relations representatives, grassroots activists and membership advocates.

AMA EAGLES empowers members with knowledge, tools and resources tailored to their interests and provides a ﬁrm foundation for helping to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

The AMA initiated the EAGLES training program in 1989, but it later fell dormant.

“The AMA Congress wanted the program revived to help train volunteers,” Wuelleh says.

Wuelleh updated the EAGLES training materials, gave the AMA Congress an overview, made a few more tweaks and began recruiting activists for the program.

“The current program has been updated to reﬂect what is relevant in today’s motorcycling world.” Wuelleh says. “It has evolved and is still evolving.”

Already, three individuals have completed the new program—AMA Congress members John “Byrd” Levy of Scarsdale, N.Y., and Dennis Deeter of Miamisburg, Ohio, and AMA member services representative Christina Dolin, who works in the Pickerington, Ohio, headquarters.

Levy was one of the AMA members who lobbied for reinstatement of the EAGLES training.

“New technology has allowed a much

more in-depth program, and we can spend much more time absorbing the information,” Levy says. “The major change to the program, in my mind, is the depth of information about the different disciplines of competition and the government relations aspect,” he explains. “When I ﬁrst joined the AMA, we didn’t have a government relations department!”

Levy says the EAGLES program provides volunteers with the information they need to emphasize motorcycling’s “positive effects on trafﬁc and society in general.”

“Part of the EAGLES program is devoted to activism and, as a grassroots organization, we need to take an active role in forming the agenda moving forward,” he says. “The EAGLES can be a positive force for growth in the AMA.”

Deeter agrees, saying the EAGLES

training provides a path for involvement for all AMA members, but especially the younger ones.

“Paul Uhlman was an AMA rep in the early 2000s, going to motorcycle road rides promoting the AMA,” Deeter says. “I thought that was cool back then and wanted to be able to do it. By becoming an EAGLE, I now have the opportunity to do just that.”

Deeter, who joined the AMA in 1983 and became a member of the AMA Congress in 2008, is “happy to serve the AMA and District 11 any way I can.”

“The EAGLES program is a great way for young AMA members to become more involved,” Deeter says. “I am glad to see it come back. I have already encouraged four of my brother riders to go through the training. They will understand the AMA and why they should stay members. Getting

John “Byrd” Levy

involved is the only way to get the most out of any organization you belong to.”

It’s equally important for AMA staff members to understand the history of the association and the functions of its departments, whether to better assist members over the phone or to effectively communicate the AMA position to a friend or an elected ofﬁcial.

“I learned about government affairs, how to write letters to my government if I have an issue and how to address my congressman,” Dolin says. “I learned the difference between the different racing disciplines, also, which was so helpful with my job. I also took the referee training test, which I passed.”

EAGLES training consists of two levels, the “EAG” and the “LES.”

Level One is the core program that provides background about the organization and skills for effective activism.

Those continuing to Level Two make a commitment to 24 hours of volunteer service during a 24-month period.

“The intention is for EAGLES leaders to be able to train others,” Wuelleh says. “Outside the AMA staff, our goal is to train 100 people a year. We are going to look to you to be a volunteer in your area.”

EAGLES graduates will serve as wellinformed volunteers at AMA events and sanctioned races, providing participants with accurate information about the racing program, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, American Motorcyclist Political Action Committee, AMA Congress and position statements on important issues.

“We are going to ﬁt your interests with the AMA’s needs,” Wuelleh says. “We want you to help the AMA in an area that excites you.”

State Chapters

Every AMA member belongs to a state chapter, just by virtue of their AMA membership, Wuelleh says.

“The State Chapter program provides a way for people to come together locally,” she says. “In such a large national organization, too often people get the idea that we are not interested in what’s going on at the state or local level. That has never been true.”

The program represents an increased commitment to recreational and commuting road riders, while continuing the AMA’s strong support for off-road enthusiasts, Wuelleh says.

The three keys to the program are Advocacy, Altruism and Activities.

Each chapter will start with a volunteer state coordinator, who will work with AMA

clubs and individuals to determine what their goals and interests are. Then, the coordinator will work with the members to determine the best way their interests can be served by the AMA.

All state coordinators must complete EAGLES training.

The state coordinator will be asking which advocacy messages are needed, which charity events are supported and how far members are willing to travel to participate in events.

“We want to help the efforts that are already under way, and we want to help them get new ideas off the ground,” Wuelleh says.

“We are looking for state coordinators who will make the AMA presence known and felt.”

The AMA can help clubs by sanctioning events, arranging insurance and assisting with publicity and communications.

“Eventually, we would like to have more AMA activities, more AMA rides,” Wuelleh says. “We want to keep the passion alive.”

But the help will ﬂow in the other direction, too.

“When we need people at meetings, writing letters and making phone calls about important local issues, we’ll be looking to the state chapters,” Wuelleh says. “Local voices carry more weight with elected and appointed ofﬁcials.”

The revitalized program remains “in its early stages,” she says.

“The State Chapter program will grow over the years with a great deal of patience and nurturing,” Wuelleh says. “We are not going to have all the answers right away.”

The AMA currently is recruiting and training state chapter coordinators.

Get Connected

Those interested in becoming state coordinators or pursuing the AMA EAGLES training for themselves or their group should contact Marie Wuelleh at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1224, or grassroots@ama-cycle.org.

Individuals may complete the EAGLES program at home or online. Wuelleh is available to train groups of 12 to 24 in person.

Cost: The complete online program is free to AMA members. Website: www.americanmotorcyclist.com

Dennis Deeter

Maddie McGarvey

2016 AMA SWEEPSTAKESMEMBER

Members who join or renew their AMA membership from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2016, are automatically entered to win one of these

GO RIDE

A few of the AMA-sanctioned events this month, listed on the following pages.

The Prescott Trail Riders in Kirkland, Ariz., are hosting Round 6 of the Arizona Motorcycle Riders Association Off-Road Championship Series. The hare scrambles race takes place on Feb. 20. Info: www.amraracing.com

On Feb. 7, the ﬁrst round of the AMA National Enduro Championship Series kicks off in Wedgeﬁeld, S.C. The Sumter Enduro Riders Motorcycle Association will host the event. Info: www.nationalenduro.com

COMING UP

3Jeremy Prach Promotions is hosting a TT dirt track race on Feb. 19 in Milwaukee. Info: www.ﬂatoutfriday.com

2Unlimited Sports MX Inc. in Orlando, Fla., will host the ﬁnal motocross round of the Florida Winter AM Series on Feb. 7. Info: www. unlimitedsportsmx.com

Yes, it’s prep time again! The annual Daytona Beach Bike Week will be March 4-14 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The 75th Bike Week will be the unofﬁcial kickoff of the 2016 riding season with bike shows, racing, rallies and more. The AMA will be on location with an all-new display—AMA Club 1924—that celebrates our heritage and invites motorcyclists to support the world’s largest motorcycling advocacy group. Info: www.americanmotorcyclist.com and www.daytonabikeweek.

FEBRUARY EVENTS

ALABAMA

COMPETITION

ARENACROSS

FEB 13: BIRMINGHAM: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM ARIZONA

COMPETITION

HARE SCRAMBLES

FEB 20: KIRKLAND: PRESCOTT TRAIL RIDERS, (928) 380-6901, AMRARACING.COM

COMPETITION

CALIFORNIA

HARE SCRAMBLES

FEB 13: SALINAS: 2 DAY EVENT, SALINAS RAMBLERS M/C, (831) 261-6085, SALINASRAMBLERS.ORG

COMPETITION

ARENACROSS

FEB 4: COLORADO SPRINGS: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

FEB 5: COLORADO SPRINGS: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

FEB 6: COLORADO SPRINGS: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

CLUB1924

FEB 20: TAMPA: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

MOTOCROSS

FEB 7: ORLANDO: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC., UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM

MOTOCROSS

FEB 6: NORMAN: 2 DAY EVENT, OKLAHOMA MOTORSPORTS COMPLEX, (405) 579-2777, OKLAHOMAMOTORSPORTSCOMPLEX.COM

COMPETITION

ENDURO

FEB 7: WEDGEFIELD: SUMTER ENDURO RIDERS MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, (803) 481-5169, SERMACLUB.COM

MOTOCROSS

FEB 27: WORTHAM: 2 DAY EVENT, FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY, LLC, (713) 962-3386, FREESTONEMX.COM WISCONSIN COMPETITION

TTS

FEB 19: MILWAUKEE: JEREMY PRACH PROMOTIONS, (414) 899-9130, FLATOUTFRIDAY.COM

Daytona Bike Week March 4-13

Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally April 27-May 1

Rolling Thunder Run May 27-30

Americade Motorcycle Rally June 7-11

Laconia Motorcycle Week June 11-19

Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally June 23-26

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days July 8-10

Bu alo Chip Sturgis August 8-14

Ray Price Bikefest September 23-25 Sponsored by

The AMA Beta National Dual-Sport Series features the country’s best organized dual-sport rides. Events include miles of well marked, challenging trail connected by scenic backcountry roads. The challenging, national caliber terrain is designed to bring out the best in each rider.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MOTOCROSS

FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM

Sept. 25: Maggiora, Italy

FIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

FIM-LIVE.COM

Aug. 21: Orlyonok, Russia

LUCAS OIL AMA PRO MOTOCROSS PROMOTOCROSS.COM

AmericanMotorcyclist.com a Riding a Dual Sport

May 21: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic

AMA ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 8: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway (Pro points only)

April 9-10: Kemp, Texas: Underground MX Park

April 23-24: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway

May 7-8: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway

May 21-22: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway

June 4-5: Tallassee, Ala. Monster Mountain

June 18-19: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX

July 2-3: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek MX Park

May 28: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen National

June 4: Laktewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley National

June 18: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point National

June 25: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National

July 2: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National

July 9: Southwick, Mass.: Southwick National

July 16: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek National

July 23: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National

Aug. 13: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla National

Aug. 20: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National

Aug. 27: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman National

July 16-17: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

July 30-31: Buchanan, Mich.: Redbud MX

Aug. 13-14: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch

Jan. 23: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium

Jan. 30: Oakland, Calif.: O.Co Coliseum

Feb. 6: Glendale, Ariz.: University of Phoenix Stadium

Feb. 13: San Diego, Calif.: Petco Park

Feb. 20: Arlington, Texas: AT&T Stadium

Feb. 27: Atlanta, Ga.: Georgia Dome

March 5: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway (note: not a Feld Motor Sports produced race)

March 12: Toronto, Canada: Rogers Centre

March 19: Detroit, Mich.: Ford Field

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 2: Santa Clara, Calif.: Levi’s Stadium

April 9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Lucas Oil Stadium

April 16: St. Louis, Mo.: Edward Jones Dome

April 23: Foxboro, Mass.: Gillette Stadium

April 30: East Rutherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium

May 7: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium

Jan. 22-24: Allentown, Pa.: PPL Center

Jan. 30-31: Greensboro, N.C.: Greensboro Coliseum

Feb. 4-7: Colorado Springs, Colo.: Broadmoor World Arena

Feb. 13-14: Birmingham, Ala.: Legacy Center

Feb. 20-21: Tampa, Fla.: Amalie Arena

March 5-6: Omaha, Neb.: CenturyLink Center

March 12-13: Lafayette, La.: Cajondome

April 1-3: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena

April 9-10: Salinas, Calif.: Salinas Sports Complex

April 16-17: Tacoma, Wash.: Tacoma Dome

April 22-24: Nampa, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center

May 6-8: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena (Amateur National Championship)

NORTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS

March 5-6: Elizabeth City, N.C.: Elizabeth City MX

March 12-13: Hedgesville, W.V.: Tomahawk MX

April 9-10: Englishtown, N.J.: Englishtown

April 16-17: Dillwyn, Va.: Actiontown MX Park

April 23-24: Fredericksburg, Pa.: Sleepy Hollow MX

May 7-8: Seward, Pa.: Pleasure Valley

May 14-15: Winchester, N.H.: Winchester Speedpark

May 21-22: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 4-5: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway (Amateur)

June 11-12: Shippensburg, Pa.: Doublin Gap MX Park (Youth)

SOUTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS

Feb. 27-28: Jacksonville, Fla.: WW Ranch MX Park

March 19-20: Sutherlin, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports Park

April 2-3: Okeechobee, Fla.: Florida Cycle Park

April 9-10: Hamer, S.C.: South of the Border MX Park

April 16-17: Tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain MX Park

April 23-24: Reynolds, Ga.: Silver Dollar Raceway

April 30-May 1: Wytheville, Va.: Pro Sport Motocross

Aug. 1-6: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch

May 14-15: Dalton, Ga.: Lazy River MX

UPCOMING EVENTS

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

May 28-29: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway (Amateur)

June 18-19: Henderson, N.C.: North Carolina Motorsports Park (Youth)

MID-EAST AREA QUALIFIERS

March 19-20: Altamont, Tenn.: Fast Farms MX Park

April 2-3: Waynesburg, Ohio: Malvern Motocross Park

April 16-17: Rossville, Ind.: Wildcat Creek MX

April 23-24: Chillicothe, Ohio: ChilliTown MX

April 30-May 1: Bronson, Mich.: Log Road MX

May 7-8: Nashport, Ohio: Briarcliff Motocross

May 14-15: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park

May 21-22: Livingston, Tenn.: Thunder Valley MX

MID-EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 4-5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud MX (Youth)

June 25-26: Millington, Mich.: Baja Acres (Amateur)

NORTH CENTRAL AREA QUALIFIERS

March 12-13: Richwoods, Mo.: Romp MX

April 2-3: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports

April 9-10: Garwin, Iowa: Oak Ridge MX

April 23-24: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX

April 30-May 1: Maize, Kan.: Bar 2 Bar MX Park

May 14-15: Little Falls, Minn.: Little Falls Raceway

May 21-22: Mount Carroll, Ill.: McMotopark

May 28-29: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 11-12: Byron, Ill.: Byron Motorsports Park (Amateur)

June 18-19: Tigerton, Wis.: Motozone (Youth)

SOUTH CENTRAL AREA QUALIFIERS

March 5-6: Conroe, Texas: 3 Palms Action Sports Park

April 2-3: Fulton, Miss.: Veterans MX Park

April 9-10: Grand Cane, La.: Desoto Motorsports Park

April 16-17: Wellston, Okla.: Reynard Raceway

April 23-24: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway

April 30-May 1: Amarillo, Texas: Bowers MX

May 21-22: Yantis, Texas: Johnsonville MX Farm

May 29-30: Brush, Colo.: Sweney Cycle Park (Sunday / Monday races)

SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 11-12: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley Motocross Park (Amateur)

June 25-26: Alvord, Texas: Oak Hill Raceway (Youth)

NORTHWEST AREA QUALIFIERS

Feb. 13-14: Marysville, Calif.: MMX Racing

March 19-20: West Richland, Wash.: Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex

May 7-8: Junction City, Ore.: Eugene MX Park

May 14: Billings, Mont.: Billings MX

NORTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

May 28-29: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal MX Park (Youth/Amateur)

MID-WEST AREA QUALIFIERS

Feb. 13-14: Marysville, Calif.: MMX Racing

Feb. 20-21: St. George, Utah: Saint George MX

April 2-3: Turlock, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway

April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

May 14-15: Hollister, Calif.: Hollister Hills SVRA

May 21-22: Rocksprings, Wyo.: Rock Springs MX

MID-WEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 4-5: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City OHV (Youth/Amateur)

SOUTHWEST AREA QUALIFIERS

March 5-6: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park

March 12-13: Bakersfield, Calif.: Kern County Raceway Park

March 19-20: Haleiwa, Hawaii: Kahuku Motocross

April 2-3: Anza, Calif.: Cahuilla Creek MX

April 9-10: Moriarty, N.M.: Sandia MX at Moriarty

April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 11-12: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway (Youth/Amateur)

FEATURED SERIES 16TH ANNUAL FMF AMA TEXAS WINTER SERIES (PROAM) FREESTONEMX.COM

Jan. 30-31: Alvord, Texas: Oakhill Raceway

Feb. 13-14: Fort Worth, Texas: Village Creek MX Park

Feb. 27-28: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway

EVENT RICKY CARMICHAEL DAYTONA AMATEUR SUPERCROSS

March 6-8: Daytona Beach, Fla: MX Sports

ROAD RACE

FIM MOTOGP MOTOGP.COM

April 8-10: Circuit of the Americas FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WORLDSBK.COM

July 8-10: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

AMA ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

July 1-3: Plymouth, Wis.: Road America

MOTOAMERICA ROAD RACING SERIES MOTOAMERICA.COM

April 8-10: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the Americas

April 15-17: Braselton, Ga.: Road Atlanta

UPDATED: April 29-May 1: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

May 13-15: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway

June 3-5: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

June 10-12: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park

UPDATED: June 23-25: Tooele, Utah: Utah Motorsports Park

UPDATED: July 8-10: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Sept. 9-11: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

OFF-ROAD

AMSOIL AMA GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES PRESENTED BY MAXXIS

March 5-6: Palatka, Fla.: Rodman Plantation

March 12-13: Sparta, Ga.: Hill Family Farm

April 2-3: Morganton, N.C.: Steele Creek Campground

April 16-17: Union, S.C.: Big Buck Farm

April 30-May 1: Society Hills, S.C.: Moree’s Hunting Preserve

May 14-15: Springville, Ind.: Lawrence Co. Recreational Park

May 28-29: Millfield, Ohio: Sunday Creek Raceway

June 11-12: Odessa, N.Y.: Seneca Highland

June 25-26: Snowshoe, W. Va.: Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Sept. 10-11: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

Sept. 24-25: Masontown, W. Va.: Marvin’s Mountain Top

Oct. 1-2: St. Clairsville, Ohio: Powerline Park

Oct. 29-30: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway

KENDA

Feb. 7: Wedgefield, S.C.: SERMA

April 10: Forest Hill, La.: Acadiana Dirt Riders

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 22: Greensboro, Ga.: Cherokee Cycle Club

June 19: Huntersville, Minn.: River Valley Enduro Riders

July 24: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders

Aug. 28: Chandlersville, Ohio: Ohio Woods Riders

Sept. 18: Park Hills, Mo.: Missouri Mudders

Oct. 23: Skiatook, Okla.: Oklahoma Trail Riders

KENDA SRT AMA HARE AND HOUND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES NATIONALHAREANDHOUND.COM

Jan. 23 (Youth) | 24 (Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Desert Motorcycle Club

April 2 (Youth) | 3 (Amateur) No ATVs: Murphy, Idaho: Dirt Inc.

May 14 (ATV/Youth) | 15 (Amateur): Delta, Utah: Sage Riders Motorcycle Club

June 11: TBA

Aug. 27 (Amateur/Youth) No ATVs: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers

Sept. 3-4: TBA

Sept. 24 (No ATVs): Yerington, Nev.: GetXtr-Eme

Oct. 22 (Youth) | 23 (Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif: 100’s MC

AIRES AMA/NATC MOTOTRIALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES MOTOTRIALS.COM

May 21-22: Ocala, Fla.: Florida Trials Association

May 28-29: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Southeastern Trials Riders Association

June 18-19: Tillamook, Ore.: Columbia Observed Trials Association

June 25-26: Canon City, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association

UPCOMING EVENTS

AMA/NATC YOUTH MOTOTRIALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MOTOTRIALS.COM

June 30-July 2: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Southeastern Trials Riders Association

TENNESSEE KNOCKOUT EXTREME ENDURO TENNESSEEKNOCKOUTENDURO.COM

Aug. 20-21: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Trials Training Center

KENDA SRT AMA WEST HARE SCRAMBLE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES WESTHARESCRAMBLE.COM

Feb. 13 (Youth) | 14 (Amateur): Salinas, Calif.: Salinas Ramblers

March 19 (ATV/Youth) | 20 (Amateur): Gorman, Calif: Prospectors MC

April 9 (Amateur) | 10 (Youth): Shasta Lake City, Calif.: Redding Dirt Riders

April 23 (Youth) | 24 (Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Vikings Motorcycle Club

May 21 (Amateur/Youth): Caliente, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers

Sept. 17 (ATV/Youth) | 18 (Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Desert Motorcycle Club

Oct. 1 (Amateur/ATV/Youth): El Centro, Calif.: RoadRunners Motorcycle Club

Nov. 5 (Youth) | 6 (Amateur): Longdale, Nev.: Darkside Motorcycle Club

FEATURED SERIES

APPALACHIAN CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURO SERIES ACES-RACES.COM

March 13: Ray, Ohio: Chillicothe Enduro Riders Association

April 3: New Straitsville, Ohio: New Straitsville Enduro Riders

April 10: Shade, Ohio: Lodi Township Enduro

June 5: Wellston, Ohio: Appalachian Dirt Riders

July 17: McArthur, Ohio: Enduro Riders Association

Aug. 7: Three Springs, Pa.: Green Marble Enduro Riders

Aug. 14: Logan, Ohio: Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club

Aug. 28: Chandlersville, Ohio: Ohio Woods Riders (In conjunction with National Enduro)

Sept. 4: Athens, Ohio: Athens Motorcycle Club

Sept. 25: Bergholz, Ohio: Ohio Valley Trail Riders

Oct. 9: Matthews, Ind.: Muddobbers Motorcycle Club

Nov. 13: Treaty City, Ohio: Treaty City Motorcycle Club

FEATURED SERIES

EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION (ENDUROS)

ECEA.ORG

March 13: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club

March 20: Shamong, N.J.: South Jersey Enduro Riders

April 3: Greenbank, N.J.: Meteor Motorcycle Club

April 10: Chatsworth, N.J.: Pine Barons Enduro Riders

May 1: Delaware City, Del.: Delaware Enduro Riders

May 29: Heckscherville, Pa.: Reading Off-Road Riders

June 12: Deposit, N.Y.: Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club

June 26: Blain, Pa.: Susquehanna Off Road Riders

July 10: Gillett, Pa.: Southern Tier Enduro Riders

July 24: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders

Aug. 7: Three Springs, Pa.: Green Marble Enduro Riders

Aug. 14: Berkshire, N.Y.: Ithaca Dirt Riders

Aug. 28: Mauricetown, N.J.: Competition Dirt Riders

Sept. 11: Shippensburg, Pa.: South Penn Enduro Riders

Sept. 25: Mahanoy City, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders / Valley Forge Trail Riders

Oct. 16: Warren Grove, N.J.: Motorcycle Competition Inc.

Oct. 30: New Lisbon, N.J.: Ocean City Competition Riders

Nov. 20: New Lisbon, N.J.: Central Jersey Competition Riders

FEATURED SERIES

EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION (HARE SCRAMBLES)

ECEA.ORG

April 16-17: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: TriCounty Sportsmen Motorcycle Club

April 23-24: Millville, N.J.: Competition Dirt Riders

May 14-15: Sahara Sands, N.J.: Motorcycle Competition Inc.

May 22-23: Berwick, Pa.: South Penn Enduro Riders

UPDATED: June 4-5: Three Springs, Pa.: Rocket Raceway

June 18-19: Tamaqua, Pa.: Reading Off Road Riders

July 16-17: Mahoney City, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders

July 30-31: Catawissa, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders

Aug. 20-21: Clifford, Pa.: Meteor Motorcycle Club

Sept. 17-18: Mount Cobb, Pa.: Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club

Oct. 1-2: Wellsboro, Pa.: Southern Tier Enduro Riders

Oct. 22-23: Sahara Sands, N.J.: Pine Barrons Enduro Riders

Nov. 12-13: New Castle, Del.: Delaware Enduro Riders

Jan. 31: Port Crane, N.Y.: Square Deal Riders

Feb. 14: Port Crane, N.Y.: Square Deal Riders

Feb. 28: Port Crane, N.Y.: Square Deal Riders

FEATURED SERIES TRIALS

April 16-17: Fly, Ohio: Trail Run Trial (17th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

April 23-24: Southington, Ohio: Cleveland

May 14-15: Tippecanoe, Ohio: Tippecanoe

June 4-5: Sidell, Ill.: Illinois

June 18-19: Toronto, Ohio: Toronto (19th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

July 23-24: Canﬁeld, Ohio: Canﬁeld

Aug. 20-21: Little Hocking, Ohio: Wildwood

Sept. 3-4: Newark, Ohio: Newark (4th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 17-18: Columbus, Ind.: Stoney (18th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

Oct. 1-2: Bedford, Ky.: Saddleback (2nd is Vintage Cup Series Round)

Oct. 15-16: Taylorsville, Ky.: Vintage Cup Finals

FEATURED SERIES

VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES VCHSS.ORG

March 20: Sandy Level, Va.: River’s Edge

April 3: Dillwyn, Va.: CVTR

April 17: Arrington, Va.: April Fools

May 1: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge 1

May 15: Bristol, Va.: Harleywood

May 29: Dendron, Va.: Reddy Hole

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 12: Spring Grove, Va.: TDR, Eastover

June 26: Rural Retreat, Va.: Hillbilly

Aug. 7: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge 2

Aug. 21: Penhook, Va.: Sandy Bottom

Sept. 4: Rural Retreat, Va.: Coyote Run

Sept. 11: Spring Grove, Va.: Peninsula

Sept. 25: Rural Retreat, Va.: Iron Mountain

Oct. 9: Rural Retreat, Va.: Rattlesnake

Oct. 30: Spring Grove, Va.: Pipsico

SPECIALTY

AMA ICE RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Feb. 13-14: Waterford, Mich.: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

RECREATION

AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS

Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Southern California Motorcycle Association 15 Best Roads: sc-ma.com, scmariskmanager@gmail.com, (602) 705-4902

Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Southern California Motorcycle Association USA Four Corners Tour: sc-ma.com, scmariskmanager@gmail.com, (602) 7054902

July 3-24: Sister’s Centennial Motorcycle Ride: SistersMotorcycleRide.com, alisa@ motoadventuregal.com, (562) 395-3830

Sept. 2-6: Southern California Motorcycle Association Three Flags Classic: sc-ma.com, scmariskmanager@ gmail.com, (602) 705-4902

SIGNATURE EVENTS

March of Dimes - Bikers for Babies (events nationwide): BikerForBabies.org

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation - Ride for Kids (events nationwide): RideForKids.org

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 Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: The main ﬂoor of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebrates Hall of Fame inductees, the heroes of the track, road, trails and halls of government who have elevated the sport to new heights. Now featuring the 2015 inductees.

Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.

The Birth of a Hurricane: How AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter reimagined BSA for an American market.

Sam Swope: Philanthropist, Motorcyclist: Motorcycles that represent the generous, charitable giving of Sam Swope.

Motorcycle Toys and Collectibles Exhibit: A collection of more than 1,000 motorcycle-inspired toys.

RIDING FOR HEALTH

Group Fights Stereotypes, Touts Benefits of Riding

The Motorcycling Doctors Association was founded in 1977 to contribute to the welfare and safety of motorcyclists through educating members and non-members about issues related to motorcycling, and to keep members and others up to date on subjects related to motorcycling and the healing arts.

The MDA was the brainchild of A. Ranold MacKenzi, a urologist from Point Lookout, Long Island, N.Y. He and several other riders gathered for their first meeting in Independence, Mo.

The membership consists of those holding doctorates in medicine, dentistry, podiatry and veterinary. Those in ancillary medical fields and “friends” may become associate members by a vote of the MDA board.

At our meetings, our topics generally focus on delivering what’s good for our health while enjoying the sport of motorcycling.

The MDA is an organization where there is a warmth and camaraderie that goes beyond the enjoyment of the sport and melds our basic love and caring for people, helping us to relate to each other and to create longstanding bonds.

The group meets annually, usually in June, at a site selected by the volunteer host. The 2016 gathering is slated for June 13-16 in Annapolis, Md.

These meetings are structured around a business meeting and seminar. The seminars can run the gamut from medical/ scientific topics to new motorcycles and accessories. They are presented by doctors and professionals from motorcycle manufacturers and other organizations.

After the seminars, or the following day, a couple of interesting rides take place. Riders explore local communities and have a hearty lunch and a vigorous jam session. The conference culminates with a semi-formal banquet.

For many doctors, this event provides their only opportunity to escape an overcrowded schedule, socialize in a low-stress environment, hang out with friends who share common interests, avoid medical shop-talk, drink in a little high-octane fire water and enjoy a few fine cigars.

Rally participants go out of their way to put the best possible face on bikes and bikers and feel we are a credit to motorcycling, helping the image.

One hot button for us is the notion that bikers are just a bunch of baby boomers going through a collective mid-life crisis. Most of us have been riding for many,

many years—me, for more than 65 years. We all ride for fun and to escape the stress of our jobs.

I’ll end with these thoughts: How many times has some do-gooder warned you against riding your motorcycle in the interest of your health? Do you politely listen while someone regales you with horror stories of someone who went down two days after he or she bought a bike?

I no longer go head-to-head with sufferers of moto-phobia. I just tell them that, from a doctor’s point of view, motorcycling is conducive to a long and healthy life.

Along with my life experiences, I use the points made in a Motorcycle Consumer News article titled “One More Reason

by Dr. Edward N. Szerlip

to Bike: It’s Good for Your Health!” The magazine enlisted students from King’s College of London University Hospital to research aging riders and their love for the sport. They found that motorcycling is good for the brain, the lungs, the heart, circulation, the back and the leg muscles. Motorcycling also burns fat.

So, there you have the medical basis for riding! Don’t forget to ride your motorcycle at least one hour a day. It’s good for your health.

Dr. Szerlip is an AMA Life Member from Plantation, Fla. He has been a member of the Motorcycling Doctors Association since 1979. Contact him at docsnarpets28@bellsouth.net.