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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 2015. Printed in USA.
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March 2015
Volume 69, Number 3
Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com
STREET COVER
Prolific motorcyclist and long-time AMA promoter Tom Mehren offers some tips for your riding season.
PAGE 18. MAPS, PACKING RIGHT, HEAT PACKS, TOOL KITS AND MORE.
DIRT COVER
Ted Cabral says funds collected for trails should be spent on trails. Learn more starting on page 32.
PAGE 26. ANDY JEFFERSON ONCE RACED HUSKYS FOR PRO CIRCUIT. WHERE IS HE NOW?
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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
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.
Russ Brenan, Irvine, Calif.
Scott Miller, Milwaukee, Wis.
Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.
Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.
(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com
EXECUTIVE
Rob Dingman, President/CEO
Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer
Jeff Massey, Chief Operations Officer
Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs
ACCOUNTING
Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager
Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator
Ed Madden, System Support Specialist
Peg Tuvell, Member Fulfillment Specialist
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration
Sean Maher, Director
AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
Jordan Cavallaro, Museum Admissions and Collections
Assistant
Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations
Beth Owen, Receptionist/Donor Relations Specialist
Paula Schremser, Program Specialist
Katy Wood, Collections Manager
AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES
Rob Baughman, Road Riding Coordinator
Kip Bigelow, MX Manager
Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager
Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator
Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations
Bill Cumbow, Director of Racing
Marcy Day, Racing Administrative Assistant
Chris Harrison, Road Riding Manager
Alex Hunter, MX Assistant Manager
Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator
Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager
Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager
Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator
AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued)
Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager
Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager
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
Joshua Habursky, Grassroots Coordinator
Nick Haris, Western States Representative
Sean Hutson, Legislative Assistant
Sharon Long, Legislative Affairs Coordinator
Rick Podliska, Deputy Director
Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway
Marie Wuelleh, Government Affairs Specialist
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director
Dave Coleman, Network Architect
MARKETING
Mark Christian, Director of Marketing
Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Specialist
MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY
Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative
Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative
Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative
Darcel Higgins, Member Services Manager
Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative
Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
VIEWPOINT
THE TIME HAS ARRIVED TO END DISCRIMINATION
Tell Your Senators To Support S. 127
The AMA has been battling law enforcement’s use of motorcycle-only checkpoints since the state of New York announced plans to set up 15 of them in 2008 to stop riders on their way to summer motorcycling events.
Our efforts have proved fruitful, with California, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Illinois, New Hampshire and Virginia passing legislation curbing the use of motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Johnson (R-Wis.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced this year’s bill.
It is identical to the Senate bill Shaheen sponsored in 2014 and is similar to H.R. 1861, which was introduced by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) on May 7, 2013.
In introducing S. 127, the sponsoring senators pointed out that motorcycle-only checkpoints are not effective in reducing motorcycle injuries or fatalities.
We completely concur.
These checkpoints do nothing to address the the main causes of motorcycle crashes and the states offer no evidence that their “safety checks” are effective.
In addition to being a waste of federal tax money, these checkpoints are highly discriminatory.
By Wayne Allard
In addition to supporting state legislation that limits or prohibits the use of these discriminatory traffic stops, we have worked with members of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives during the past few years to craft a national ban on federal funding for these tactics. In 2014, 55 federal lawmakers demonstrated their support for motorcyclists by sponsoring or co-sponsoring one of two bills under consideration.
We may have won some state battles, but much work remains to be done. That’s why the AMA is fully supporting bi-partisan federal legislation again in 2015. This year, we want S. 127, the “Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act,” signed into law.
We need your support because your voice can make the difference.
The “Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act” would restrict the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from granting funds to any government entity for a program to check helmet use or to create checkpoints for an operator of a motorcycle or a passenger on a motorcycle.
States now use funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to pay for motorcycle-only checkpoints, so this federal legislation can halt the practice.
If passed, this federal bill will cut off NHTSA funding and ensure that riders across the country are safeguarded from these ineffective and discriminatory stops.
U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron
Motorcycle riders already are subject to state registration, inspection, licensing and helmet laws and must stop at sobriety check points like all other motorists.
At the same time, AMA members have reported being forced to stop at checkpoints that were being conducted on unpaved side roads and other areas with unstable riding conditions. Such locations actually increase the danger to motorcyclists during what law enforcement agencies refer to as “safety checks.”
Clearly, motorcycle-only checkpoints are discriminatory, forcing riders and their passengers to do something not asked of other citizens, simply because we choose to travel on two wheels, or three, instead of four.
If the NHTSA is sincerely interested in motorcyclists’ safety, it would fund proven programs that help prevent crashes, rather than these unproven checkpoints. The AMA believes the money used for these operations could be better spent supporting programs that conduct rider education, reduce distracted driving and encourage motorist awareness of motorcycles.
We are all affected by motorcycle discrimination. Motorcycleonly checkpoints threaten the freedoms of all riders – not just those who find themselves ensnared in one.
Remember, too, that these are your tax dollars being misused. States have spent hundreds of thousands of federal funds to set up alongside America’s highways, watch for motorcyclists and force them to interrupt their commute or recreational ride for a frivolous check of their paperwork and motorcycle equipment.
Please contact your senators today to explain why motorcycle-only checkpoints are a bad idea. Tell them you support S. 127 and you want them to do the same.
Wayne Allard is AMA’s vice president of government relations.
A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.
1
Check out the short track event at Trail-Way Speedway on March 29 in Hanover, Pa. It includes amateur, youth and ATV entries. Info: www.trailwayspeedway.com
2
On March 28-29, Victory Sports is hosting a motocross event in Blountville, Tenn. It’s the fourth round of the Thor United States Mega Series, presented by Dunlop, and is a Southeast Area Qualifier for the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. Info: www.victory-sports.com
5
On March 1, put your ice racing skills to the test at the competition held by the Valley Trail Riders in Bentley, Mich. Info: www.thevalleytrailriders.org
6
Put your bike through the paces at the South Jersey Enduro Riders’ Curly Fern Enduro in Shamong, N.J., on March 22. The first Curly Fern Enduro was held in 1966, and it’s now a round in the East Coast Enduro Association series. Info: www.sjer.org
7
Mid South Race Productions is hosting a motocross event in Fulton, Miss., on March 28-29. It’s a South Central Area Qualifier for the Rocky Mountain ATV/ MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. Info: www.fastfarmsmx.com
4
3
In Blairsville, Ga., the Southeastern Trials Riders Association is hosting an observed trials competition on March 21-22. The event serves as rounds three and four of the STRA series. Info: www.stratrials.com
Dirt Inc. is putting on an AMA National Hare and Hound event in Murphy, Idaho, on March 21-22. It’s round three of the series. Info: www.nationalhareandhound.com, www.dirtincracing.com
April kicks off the riding season for much of the country. Look for our AMA Go Ride! Month featured in the April issue of American Motorcyclist for more information about all your favorite rides and rallies!
March 14-15: Washington, Ga.: The General
March 28-29: Morgantown, W. Va.: Steele Creek
April 11-12: Union, S.C.: Big Buck
April 25-26: Springville, Ind.: Limestone 100
May 9-10: Odessa, N.Y.: The Tomahawk
May 23-24: Masontown, W. Va.: Mountaineer Run
June 6-7: Millfield, Ohio: John Penton
June 20-21: Snowshoe, W. Va.: Snowshoe
Sept. 19-20: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla
Oct. 3-4: Somerset, Pa.: Moutain Ridge
Oct. 17-18: St. Clarsville, Ohio: Powerline Park
Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman
KeNdA SRT AMA NATIONAl HARe ANd HOUNd CHAMPIONSHIP NaTIoNaLHaReaNdHoUNd.CoM
Feb. 21-22: Barstow, Calif.: Checkers MC, CheckersMC. com
March 21-22: Murphy, Idaho: dirt Inc., dirtIncRacing.com
April 25-26: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Vikings MC, VikingsMC.com
May 2: delta, Utah: Sage Riders MC, SageRidersMC. com
June 6-7: Snowville, Utah: Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC, X12events.com
Aug. 22: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers
Oct. 24-25: lucerne Valley, Calif.: 100s MC, 100smc.com
AIReS AMA/NATC MOTOTRIAlS NATIONAl CHAMPIONSHIP SeRIeS AMArAcing.coM | MototriAls.coM
April 11-12: Amarillo, Texas (West)
April 18-19: Kingman, Ariz. (West)
June 13-14: Nehawka, Neb.: mwta-trials.com (east)
June 20-21: Toronto, Ohio: trialsinc.org (east)
Aug. 8-9: Casper, Wyo. (West)
Youth Nationals and Women’s Open
July 3-5: Sequatchie, Tenn.: TrialsTrainingCenter. com (east)
Aug. 11-13: Howard, Colo.: ItsOffroad.com (West)
KeNdA AMA TeNNeSSee KNOCKOUT exTReMe eNdURO tEnnEssEEKnocKoUtEnDUro.coM
Aug. 15-16: Sequatchie, Tenn.
AMA eAST HARe SCRAMBleS SeRIeS AMArAcing.coM
May 31 (Amateur, Youth): Battle Creek, Mich.: Battle Creek Motorcycle Club, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub. com
July 11 (Youth Bikes) | July 12 (Amateur Bikes & ATV): Berwick, Pa., evansville MX Park, evansvilleMXpark.com
July 19 (Amateur, Youth): Mahoney City, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders, VFTR.org
Aug. 2 (Amateur, Youth): Catawissa, Pa.: High Mountain dirt Riders, HMdR.com
Nov. 7 (ATV) | Nov. 8 (Amateur, Youth): Kohoka, Mo.: Midwest Motorsports
KeNdA SRT AMA WeST HARe SCRAMBleS SeRIeS AMArAcing.coM
March 14 (Youth) | March 15 (Amateur): Gorman, Calif.: Prospectors MC
April 11 (Amateur) | April 12 (ATV, Youth): Shasta lake, Calif.: Redding dirt Riders, ReddingdirtRiders. com
May 16 (Youth, Amateur): Caliente, Nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers
June 20 (Youth) | June 21 (Amateur): elkton, Ore.: eTRa, Inc., eTRa.net
Oct. 24 (Amateur, ATV, Youth): lucerne Valley, Calif.: desert MC
Nov. 7 (ATV, Youth) | Nov. 8 (Amateur): Searchlight, Nev.: Get-Xtr-eme.com
2015 EVENTS
Fe CHAMPIONSHIP A
March 29: Shade, Ohio: Lost in Lodi Community/Volunteer Fire dept.
April 12: Wellston, Ohio: Little Raccoon Classic enduro, Riders
May 3: Chandersville, Ohio: ohio Woods Riders
June 28: Athens, Ohio: Milk Run Motorcycle Club
July 19: Bergholz, Ohio: Lumberjack 100 enduro
Aug. 2: logan, Ohio: JakeTom enduro, Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club
Aug. 9: Thring Springs, Pa.: Three Springs enduro, Green Marble enduro Riders
Aug. 30: McArthur, Ohio: Little Burr enduro, enduro Riders association
Sept. 13: londonderry, Ohio: art Mitchell Memorial enduro, Chillicothe enduro Riders association
Oct. 11: Matthews, Indiana: Muddobbers enduro, Muddobbers Motorcycle Club
Nov. 8: Greenville, Ohio: Peace Pipe enduro, Treaty City Motorcycle Club
FeATURed SeRIeS: BIG 6 AMA WeST COAST GRANd PRIx SeRIeS Big6rAcing.coM
Jan. 31 - Feb. 1: Taft, Calif.: dirt diggers MC, Honolulu Hills Raceway
Feb. 28 - March 1: devore, Calif.: Prairie dogs MC, Glen Helen Raceway
March 28-29: 29 Palms, Calif.: Hilltoppers MC, Rodeo and Motoplex
May 2-3: Primm, Nev.: Shamrocks MC, Buffalo Bills Casino
Oct. 3-4: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Viewfinders MC, Ridgecrest Fairgrounds
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.
Oct. 31 - Nov. 1: location TBA: Prospectors MC
2015 EVENTS
Dec. 5-6: Location TBA: Vikings MC
FeATureD SerieS: eAST CoAST enDuro ASSoCiATion (eCeA) - enDuroS ECEA.org
March 15: Greenbank, n.J.: Sandy Lane Enduro, Meteor Motorcycle Club, MeteorMC.com
March 22: Shamong, n.J.: Curly Fern Enduro, South Jersey Enduro Riders, SJER.org
April 12: Chatsworth, n.J.: Pine Barons Clock Run, Pine Barons Enduro Riders, PBER.webs.com
April 19: Port elizabeth, n.J.: Greenbrier Enduro, Tri-County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club, TeamHammer.org
May 3: Delaware City, Del.: Delaware State Enduro, Delaware Enduro Riders, DelawareEnduroRiders.com
May 24: Heckscherville, Pa.: Broad Mountain Enduro, Reading Off Road Riders, RORR.org
June 14: Deposit, n.Y.: Ridge Run Enduro, Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club, RidgeRiders.org
June 28: Blain, Pa.: Foggy Mountain Enduro, Susquehanna Off Road Riders, SORRmc.org
July 12: Gillett, Pa.: Barbed Wire Enduro, Southern Tier Enduro Riders
July 26: Cross Fork, Pa.: Rattlesnake National Enduro, Brandywine Enduro Riders, BER.us
Aug. 9: Three Springs, Pa.: Three Springs Enduro, Green Marble Enduro Riders, GreenMarbleEnduroRiders. org
Aug. 16: Berkshire, n.Y.: Speedsville Enduro, Ithaca Dirt Riders, IthacaDirtRiders. com
Aug. 30: Mauricetown, n.J.: Beehive Enduro, Competition Dirt Riders, CompetitionDirtRiders.org
Sept. 13: Shippensburg, Pa.: Michaux Enduro, South Penn Enduro Riders, SouthPennEnduroRiders. com
Sept. 20: Brandonville, Pa.: Moonshine Enduro, High Mountain Dirt Riders/Valley Forge Trail Riders, vftr.org
oct. 25: new Lisbon, n.J.: Scrub Pine Enduro, Ocean County Competition Riders, OCCR.net
nov. 8: Warren Grove, n.J.: Stumpjumper Enduro, Motorcycle Competition Inc., Ride-MCI.com
nov. 22: new Lisbon, n.J.: Pine Hill Enduro, Central Jersey Competition Riders, CJCRmc.org
PICK A CARD, ANY 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).
FeATureD SerieS: eAST CoAST enDuro ASSoCiATion (eCeA) - HAre SCrAMBLeS ECEA.org
March 28-29: Tri-County Hare Scrambles, Tri-County Sportsmen MC
May 16-17: Stumpjumper Hare Scrambles, Motorcycle Competition Inc.
May 30-31: Oxbo Hare Scrambles, South Penn Enduro Riders
June 6-7: Dogtown 50 National Hare Scrambles, Green Marble Enduro Riders
June 20-21: Reading Hare Scrambles, Reading Off Road Riders
July 18-19: Mountain Top National Hare Scrambles, Valley Forge Trail Riders
Aug. 1-2: Shotgun National Hare Scrambles, High Mountain Dirt Riders
Aug. 22-23: Hurricane Lane Hare Scrambles, Meteor Motorcycle Club
Sept. 26-27: Big Bass Hare Scrambles, Ridge Riders MC
oct. 3-4: Sahara Sands Hare Scrambles, Pine Barons Enduro Riders/South Jersey Enduro Riders
oct. 17-18: Ormond Farms Hare Scrambles, Competition Dirt Riders
nov. 14-15: Delaware Hare Scrambles, Delaware Enduro Riders
FeATureD SerieS: VirGiniA CHAMPionSHiP HAre SCrAMBLeS SerieS vChss.org
March 29: Dahlgren, Va.: Race for Vision
April 12: Arlington, Va.: April Fools at Oak Ridge
April 19: Dillwyn, Va.: Central Virginia
May 3: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge
May 24: Surry, Va.: Reddy Hole
MARKET PLACE
