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.
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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
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COMMUNICATIONS
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James Holter, Director of Communications/Managing Editor
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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.
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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).
HIGH-VOLTAGE
TOUR
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
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
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Aug. 21: Orlyonok, Russia
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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
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
75th annual DAYTONA BEACH BIKE WEEK
March 4 – March 13, 2016
America’s most famous beach
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