AMA Racer Volume 2 Issue 2

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2

Balancing Act

Trials Ace

Cody

Eyes Two Titles

Dirt Track Heads to Springfield

Ice Racing Champions

Mid America XC Series

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

Webb

All helmets are covered under a limited warranty for five years from purchase date, or seven years from the date of manufacture (whichever comes first). SHOEI helmets are distributed exclusively in the U.S. by Helmet House.

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THE K-DUB2.

INSPIRED

BY LIFE.

Fly with Kevin Windham at Shoei-helmets.com/flywithkdub

RACING DEPARTMENT Joe Bromley Director Kevin Crowther Director of Supercross and Pro Racing Relations

2012 AMA Ice Race Grand Championships Kyle Johnson: AMA Ice Racer Of The Year

Bill Cumbow Director of Special Projects

Ken Saillant Track Racing Manager Chuck Weir Off-Road Manager Jane Caston Supercross/Motocross Coordinator Tamra Jones Off-Road/Track Racing Coordinator Lana Cox Administrative Assistant AMA (614) 856-1900 AMARacing@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147

ADVERTISING Zach Stevens National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854 zstevens@ama-cycle.org Steve Gotoski Advertising Director (951) 566-5068 sgotoski@ama-cycle.org Aaron Cumbow Marketing Specialist (614) 856-1900 x1266 acumbow@ama-cycle.org

The AMA recognized its first champions of 2012 with the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships, Feb. 11-12, in Cadillac, Mich. Promoted by North American Action Sports, the amateur championship event took place at the William Mitchell State Park.

“While this year’s relatively warm weather forced a date and venue change, we were pleased with the level of talent that showed up to compete for AMA national No. 1 plates,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “This event always brings out some incredibly tough racers, and 2012 was no exception as we crowned several champions in a number of classes.”

In addition to 30 championships in classes featuring riders of all ages competing on bikes ranging from lightly modified off-road machines to full-on, purpose-built ice racers, the AMA also recognized two riders for outstanding performances. Kyle Johnson, from Twin Lake, Mich., won the 2012 AMA Ice Racer of the Year Award and Nathan Gross from Clio, Mich., won the 2012 AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year Award.

This was the second consecutive year that Johnson won AMA Ice Racer of

Table of Contents

EDITORIAL AMA Racer is produced by the Communications Department of the American Motorcyclist Association.

AMA Racer (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 AmericanMotorcyclist.com Cover Photo: Beta factory trials and EnduroCross racer Cody Webb (Credit: Shan Moore) Insets: Dirt track (Dewanna Comer); ice racing (speedpunksimages.com/Matthew Pranger; Mid America MX (courtesy Mike Gibbs) AMA Racer is published by the American Motorcyclist Association, Copyright (c) 2012.

Printed in USA. Send story ideas and photos to submissions@ama-cycle.org. All submitted material becomes property of the AMA. Return of special items may be arranged, but call (614) 856-1900 before submitting.

the Year honors. Johnson claimed AMA National Championships in both the 251-500 DTX class and the 450 Modified class.

“Winning this [for] the second year in a row is pretty cool,” says Johnson, whose younger sister, Kaley, races the 450 DTX, 250 DTX and 250 B classes. “When we went to the awards ceremony, I wasn’t sure I would get it, so I was pretty surprised. My races went well. I won all my heats, then got a good holeshot in both main events.

Sunday was a real nice day, and the sun was shining. But the track got real challenging at the end of the day. When it’s rough like that, it just pounds your body.”

Gross won an AMA National Championship in the 65 Mod class and finished second in the 65 Stock class.

“I got first in one race, but I had a bad start in the second one, and I got second,” he says. “I’ve been ice racing for three years. It’s fun because you don’t have to stop. You can just ride wide open. Railing the corners also is fun.”

For more information and full results from the event, see BajaMX.com.

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MID AMERICA XC PROMOTER MIKE GIBBS

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AMA MEMBER TESTED: GALFER BRAKES

AMA WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP COLBY DAVIS GROWING UP IN OFF-ROAD RACING AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS: MAY 29JUNE 1, SPRINGFIELD, ILL. MINIMOTOSX OPEN FOR ENTRIES

CLASS C REFEREE TRAINING

ARE YOU READY FOR AMA ENDUROCROSS?

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AMA ASSEMBLES ADVISORY GROUP ISDE UPDATE ENDURO RACER BULLETINS DEFENDING YOUR RIGHT TO RACE GRAVITY GAMES: CODY WEBB CLIMBS HIGHER CALENDAR

Photo ©speedpunksimages.com/Matthew Pranger

Kip Bigelow Motocross/Arenacross Manager

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

Kyle Johnson

Snapsho t

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April 2012

d r a o Pit B

Four Questions With…

For many racers, AMA-chartered clubs and promoters are the face of the sport of motorcycle racing, and a good organizer can make all the difference.

One promoter in the Midwest who’s working hard to surpass racer expectations is Mike Gibbs. Gibbs recently elevated his Mid America XC Championship to an AMA Featured Series for 2012. The primarily Indianabased series runs from March through October and features both open crosscountry style course sections as well as tighter hare scrambles trail.

We caught up with Gibbs to talk about the growth of the series and find out more about his approach.

knew we had to work hard to give racers a championship-style series. With the economy like it is, having a regional series close like this one meant the timing was right.

Also, we wanted to have a series that gave back to the racers. My sons have raced hare scrambles and I have a long sprint-car racing background, so we definitely bring a racer’s perspective to promotion. That really comes down to a few basic things—improving organization, registration, track quality and, definitely, payouts and recognition.

For example, our pro purse is a set amount each round—it isn’t dependent on rider counts—and every other class down to beginner receives product

AMA Racer: What is the atmosphere of at one of your events?

Gibbs: Like the vast majority of hare scrambles, it’s very family oriented. We get a lot of family participation. We have one family where the grandfather races the Super Senior class, the dad races an adult class and a son races the youth. In what other sport but motorcycle racing do you see that at the same event? In what other sport can you find a college kid who can come and hang out with his mom and dad all day?

This is just one reason AMA affiliation has always been important to us. While we’re out here competing, the AMA is in Washington, D.C., protecting our rights AMA Racer: How did to ride and to race. this series get started?

The success of fixing “If we don’t have any kids competing, our sport’s dead.

Mike Gibbs: We the lead law to exempt There are a lot of things out there to get their interest, started this in 2010 youth motorcycles and some good and some not so good.” and ran four races. We all-terrain vehicles from expanded to nine races — Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC Championship the ban was a perfect in 2011, and this season example. If we don’t we added one more race to make 10. awards in addition to trophies. have any kids competing, our sport’s Racing is strong in this area, and we dead. There are a lot of things out there AMA Racer: What do you to get their interest, some good and some try to do to improve the rider not so good.

AMA MID AMERICA XC CHAMPIONSHIP experience?

SCHEDULE Gibbs: The organization of the AMA Racer: Is there a highlight race Series contact: Mike Gibbs, (317) 418-6084, race day is a big thing. We have on your schedule? gibbs11x@yahoo.com, TheMAXC.com really good people who help us Gibbs: We designate one race the out. Avoiding long registration Riley Hospital Miracle Trail Ride March 3:.................................... Greenfield, Ind. lines was the top thing on our list. and Race. This year it’s June 17 in April 21:........................................................TBA We want registration to go fast Springfield, Ind. We donate 100 percent June 9-10:............................................Casey, Ill. and smooth—a quick process with of the proceeds to the Riley Hospital June 17:..........................Riley Hospital Miracle friendly faces. Then, we make for Children in Indianapolis. We work Trail Ride and Race, Springville, Ind. sure that our advertised times are together with DNR of Indiana and July 21:................................... Martinsville, Ind. our start times.

ABATE of Indiana for this event. We Aug. 11:.........................................Merango, Ind. As for the A classes, we have look for a big turnout, and our goal is to Sept. 8:............................................Canaan, Ind. a set payout for every event. It raise $40,000 for Riley.

Sept. 22:......................................... Spencer, Ind. doesn’t depend on how many A More information about all AMAOct. 13:................................... Veedersburg, Ind. class riders show up. Racers know sanctioned events can be found at Oct. 27-28:...........................................Casey, Ill. what to expect.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Photos Gibbs: Courtesy Mike Gibbs; Galfer Studio: Jeff Guciardo; Galfer Inset: Kelly Huffman

Mid America XC Promoter Mike Gibbs

On Your Minute?

AMA Featured Series Includes Traditional Time-Keeping Enduros

AMA Member Tested Galfer Brakes

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

Although KTMs are known for strong stock brakes, there’s always room for improvement, right? To find out, I’ve been testing the Galfer Tsunami Oversize Rotor kit on a 2012 KTM 200 XC-W. The kit includes the 270mm rotor, the caliper bracket and new brake pads.

Right away I was impressed with the machining and finish quality. But the factory KTM front brake system is so good, I was a bit skeptical there would be much improvement in braking performance.

The installation was straightforward and only took about 30 minutes, which included weighing the old and new components, and taking a few pictures and notes. The OEM rotor weighed 1 pound, 0.2 ounces. The new replacement weighed in at 1 pound, 7.8 ounces.

There are no surprises there, of course.

I expected the new unit to weigh more, with the larger 270mm diameter rotor and aluminum caliper spacing mount.

Everything fit perfectly, and the instructions were clear and concise.

On bikes such as the XC-W, with the magnetic pickup for the speedometer on the rotor, remove the circlip and reinstall the pickup in the machined hole in the Tsunami rotor. Put some blue Loctite on the mounting bolts, torque to factory specs and put on the wheel.

I installed mine on a Friday afternoon, then tested the brakes gently in my driveway a few times to seat the pads before loading up for the 28th Annual Red River Dirt Rider’s Enduro in Bulcher, Texas. It is a challenging race held where the infamous Red Bull Last Man Standing races were held a few years ago. It would be a great place to test out the new system.

By the end of the first test section, I felt like the pads were broken in, and the stopping power was working really well.

This race is popular due to the diverse terrain and excellent course setup with the tight, wooded trails. I was hard on the brakes the whole race and never experienced any fade. (Although the improved stopping power never let me down, I did seem aware of the additional weight on the front axle.)

The next weekend, we raced a hare scrambles put on by Texas Xtreme Off Road Racing. It was a two-day event on a short course without much technical terrain, and with a lot of high-speed grass track and open sections.

I really liked the grab of the Galfer system. I also noticed that under fast, hard braking, there was less vibration transmitted into the bars, especially in sections with bad ruts and corners with deep braking bumps. I attributed this to the floating-type rotor.

The factory KTM front brake is a fantastic system and will stop the front wheel in a hurry. But this Galfer system offers an improvement in stopping power, and requires much less effort—a light touch goes a long way.

Even with the slight weight increase, the stronger stopping power and less vibration transmitted into the bars make this system a good value. The installation was easy and the quality is excellent. If you are looking at replacing your worn OEM brake components, or wanting to upgrade, the Galfer Tsunami kit is a great choice.—Kelly Huffman

West Coast enduro racers who enjoy all forms of enduro competition— including the tradition and unique challenge of time-keeping enduros—have a new AMA Featured Series in which to compete in 2012.

The AMA Western Checkpoint Enduro Championship welcomes all formats of enduro competition, including timekeeping, start control and International Six Days Enduro Qualifiers.

The 2012 series, created in partnership with AMA District 36 (Northern California), AMA District 37 (Southern California), and the AMAchartered Arizona Offroad Motorcycle Racing Association, brought 345 riders to the Silver Dollar Enduro in Johnson Valley, Calif., on Jan. 15.

James Ptarcinski of Sunnyville, Calif., took the overall as well as the Vet 30+ class win at the first round.

The next round of the AMA Western Checkpoint Enduro Championship is March 18 in Red Mountain, Calif.

AMA WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP Series Contact: Erek Kudla, reaganplaysdisco@msn.com, www.ridechec.com March 18:............. Gold Rush Enduro, Red Mountain, Calif.

April 1:......................Sawmill Enduro, Cow Mountain, Calif.

May 19-20:....Hungry Valley Two-Day ISDE Qualifier, Gorman, Calif.

Oct. 7:...................Wild Horse Enduro, Dayton, Nev. Oct. 21:................. Ghostrider Enduro, Red Mountain, Calif.

Nov. 11:..........................WFO Enduro, Stonyford, Calif.

April 2012

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AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships Return To Springfield Titles Will Be Decided May 29-June 1

Dispatch From The Track

Son Growing Up In Off-Road Racing By Elaine Davis Like most boys his age, my various series. son, Colby, likes playing video In addition, the perfect games, watching TV, and ending to his PeeWee years playing little league sports. came when he became the But for him, nothing is more first 50cc hare scrambles rider satisfying than being out on his to take first place overall in dirtbike conquering the terrain. the Youth Division at the It began early with Colby. It Loretta Lynn’s off-road race. came as no surprise to us that This victory sealed the most as a toddler he was interested in prestigious recognition of all: Colby Davis riding a motorcycle. Growing up For the second time, Colby won in a family with a grandfather, an AMA national No. 1 plate. father, and big brother who were all Colby’s PeeWee accomplishments former champions, he was surrounded by have been remarkable. Each year as bikes and racing. the competition grew more intense, he Colby sat in the garage, for hours, continued to step up to the challenges. perched on top of his brother’s 250cc His riding style and consistency have machine making dirtbike sounds until made him known as one of the fastest he literally fell asleep draped over the 50cc racers on the East Coast. Just handlebars. Every chance he got, he’d recently, at a series’ awards event, climb on a bike and pretend he was AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley racing. recognized and greeted us as “Colby When he was 4 years old, we entered Davis’ parents.” For us, it was an honor him in his first PeeWee hare scrambles to be recognized by the AMA director event. As we expected, he loved it, and of racing for our son’s off-road racing success came quickly. Since then, Colby achievements. has logged 55 first-place finishes and For 2012, Colby is looking forward captured eight championship titles in to competing on his KTM 65cc. And, events spanning 10 states. although it will be a tough transition Last year was Colby’s best season moving up from the mini ranks, yet. For the first time, we really tested Colby has a positive attitude and the our little man’s endurance (and ours) determination to do his best. It may be by hitting the road every weekend so several years of practicing and competing he could race at any event near or far. before we have a season as successful as Colby competed in, and ultimately won, 2011, but with Colby at the handlebars, an amazing four championship titles in we have no doubt that it will happen!

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

The fastest amateur dirt-track racers on the planet will converge on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill., May 29-June 1 for the premier annual amateur championship event: the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships.

“The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships are one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur motorsports racing events in the country,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley.

“We’re excited to bring the event back to Springfield, Ill., home to the worldfamous Springfield Mile and the location of many storied dirt-track races. This will be an incredible week of racing that will showcase the fastest amateur racers in the country.”

Longtime dirt-track promoter Steve Nace of Steve Nace Racing will promote the event.

“I’m very excited to work with the AMA on the 2012 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships,” Nace says. “The history and status of this event are second to none in the world of amateur dirt track, and we will work hard to surpass racers’ and fans’ expectations for another great year.”

The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships crown amateur and youth champions in individual dirt-track disciplines, including half-mile, TT and short-track events. Amateur racers also compete in mile events. In addition, AMA Grand Championships are awarded to the riders in each class who have the highest point totals across all disciplines.

The fastest riders in premier classes also compete for the prestigious AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, which honors the amateur racer poised for success on the pro level.

Racers field both traditional dirttrackers and the latest DTX motorcycles, which begin as stock motocross bikes and are then fitted with dirt-track tires, suspension and other modifications.

For more information about dirt-track competition, see the Racing section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

MiniMotoSX Open For Entries

Big Track, Small Bikes, Monster Fun

Photo Davis: Elaine Davis; Dirt Track: DeWanna Comer; MiniMoto: Source Interlink; Endurocross: KTM N.A.

AMA Class C Referee Training Now Available Start Your Journey Here

AMA Class C referee training is now available. This training and testing program provides the foundation for the AMA’s efforts to expand the ranks of trained referees.

To start the process of becoming a trained AMA referee, first download the study guide to review and then take the online test. You’ll find the information at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Clubs & Promoters > Resources & Forms.

If you pass, you’ll receive an AMA Class C Referee certificate. For questions about the AMA’s referee training program, email lcox@ama-cycle.org.

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

The ninth annual AMA-sanctioned GEICO MiniMotoSX will take place during the AMA Supercross finals weekend in Las Vegas. On Sunday, May 6, you can put your own gear on and hit the track inside the Orleans Arena.

Billed as the largest mini-bike race in the world, 300-plus riders of all ages will compete for AMA recognition and the largest purse in mini-bike racing.

There are eight adult classes and three youth classes as well as a women’s class. For the third year, the MiniMotoSX will conclude with the World Final race that pits the top three finishers from the expert and youth classes plus the women’s champion against the international champions for bragging rights and cash.

For more information, full rules and to sign up, see MiniMotoSX.com

Are You Ready For AMA EnduroCross?

Entries Open, Tickets Available For 2012 Season Entries are open and tickets are available for the 2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series, presented by Lucas Oil. The series will kick off on Friday, May 4, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., during the Monster Energy Supercross finals weekend. On June 9, the EnduroCross series will visit Sacramento, Calif., for the first-ever Northern California event.

These two opening rounds will also serve as qualifiers for the 2012 X Games Enduro X, which will be round three for the expert riders.

The EnduroCross series then takes a summer break before going to Ontario, Calif. Denver, Colo., is next on the schedule followed by Everett, Wash., Boise, Idaho, and the traditional Las Vegas, Nev., finals. The series will increase from seven to eight events in 2012.

“In 2011, we exposed the talent of some of the world’s best off-road riders to millions of people,” says Mike Karsting, vice president of events at series promoter Source Interlink. “Our team is very happy about the continued progression of the series for 2012.”

For more information, see EnduroCross.com.

April 2012

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AMA Assembles Speedway Advisory Group Experts Will Advise The AMA On Key Issues

possess a lot of knowledge on many levels of business and practical experience. Dialogue between the AMA and American Speedway is fundamentally the key here. Good things can come from this if we work in the same direction collectively. We are off to a good start!”

Joiner is one of the country’s longestactive speedway promoters and is a past AMA Track Racing Promoter of the Year.

“I am looking forward to organizing speedway motorcycle racing events with the AMA Speedway Advisory Council,” Joiner says. “We hope to gain new AMA promotions along with elevating one of the AMA’s most historic racing events. We will work to bring the AMA National Speedway Championship Series to a higher level, manage FIM World Championship speedway competitors in FIM Events world wide, facilitate FIM Speedway Grand Prix in the United States and growing speedway racing at local levels.”

Steve Evans promoters Victorville Speedway and opened the Perris, Calif., and Ridgecrest, Calif., speedway tracks.

“I’m excited and privileged to be invited onto the new AMA Speedway Advisory Council,” Evans says. “This committee will be hands-on and all action. Every member is here on merit and [that] includes valuable experience and wisdom, riders who have raced at the highest level, and the visionaries of a new and brighter future. The AMA is very serious about this effort, and it’s a new and fresh approach.”

Speedway racers compete on purposebuilt motorcycles around a circle track, typically in an indoor stadium setting. More information about speedway and other forms of racing is at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing.

ISDE Update

Are You Qualified?

If you are considering competing for the U.S. team in the 2012 International Six Days Enduro Sept. 24-29 in Saxony, Germany, it’s time to get qualified.

Each country participating in this event can have six riders representing the Trophy Team, four riders under the age of 23 representing the Junior Trophy Team, three female riders representing the Women’s World Cup Team and three riders for each Club Team entered to represent their country. The United States will field a three-rider Senior Club Team if participation warrants it.

• The World Trophy winner is

determined by totaling the teams’ best five individual riders’ scores each day for six days, with the lowest team score after six days being the winner.

• The Junior World Trophy is determined by totaling the teams’ best three individual riders’ scores each day for six days with the lowest team score after six days being the winner.

• The Women’s World Cup is determined by totaling the teams’ best two individual riders’ scores each day for six days with the lowest team score after six days being the winner.

In addition, the United States will field several Club Teams. These teams will score all three riders each day.

U.S. Club riders are selected based on their performance in the U.S. ISDE Qualifier Series. The schedule for the 2012 qualifiers is below: June 2-3, 2012 Boise Ridge Riders Peter Reynolds (208) 384-5141 info@boiseridgeriders www.boiseridgeriders.com LOC: Idaho City, Idaho June 9-10, 2012 Appalachian Dirt Riders William Defue Jr. (740) 384-6379 adrohio@frontier.com www.ADROhio.org LOC: Wellston, Ohio

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Photos Speedway: Michael Kirby; ISDE: Steve Berkner

A newly created group of speedway advisors will work with the AMA to improve the sport of speedway racing, including the U.S. effort in FIM World Team Cup competition.

The advisory group includes former World Team Cup Champion and Speedway GP World Champion Billy Hamill; former World Team Cup Champion and Speedway GP competitor Josh Larsen; Richard Child, team manager of FIM World Champion Greg Hancock; and promoters Steve Evans, Jason Bonsignore and Dave Joiner.

AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant and AMA Director of Special Projects Bill Cumbow are also on the committee.

“The members of this advisory group represent the best and the brightest in U.S. speedway racing,” Saillant says.

“This advisory council will help us on everything from World Team Cup team selection to fund raising to rulemaking.”

Bonsignore is the current promoter of Inland Motorcycle Speedway in San Bernardino, Calif., and Champion Speedway in Owego, N.Y. The former National Hockey League Player and host of Speedway USA Television has been promoting speedway racing for 15 years.

“I am honored to be a part of the new advisory board,” Bonsignore says.

“The board is made up of motivated and experienced people who are passionate about speedway and are willing to make needed changes to advance the profile of our great sport. I thank the AMA for their willingness to step forward and extend a hand, and I am excited and anxious to see where future opportunities can lead.”

Hamill is one of the greatest U.S. speedway racers of all time also has high hopes for the council.

“This advisory board is a big plus,” Hamill says. “The members

Letter from

Racer Bulletins

AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series If you compete in the AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, take note of these reminders.

REKLUSE EXPRESS REGISTRATION STATION SPEEDS ENTRY The new Rekluse EXPress Registration Station was launched at the second round of the 2012 series in Greensboro, Ga. To help speed up the registration process, the NEPG, in association with Moto-Tally software, has developed a system that will let a rider who already has one of the programmed circuit board stick-on transponders go to the Rekluse EXPress Registration Station and scan his or her transponder to register.

All you need to do is get your HBD front number and sign the AMA release during sign-up in the Cherokee clubhouse and come on in the NEPG trailer with your helmet.

You can then proceed to the “Rekluse EXPress Registration Station,” scan the transponder that is already on your visor and it will access the database to pull up your information, which you’ll confirm.

TOP ROOKIE AWARD Brooks Tomblin of TCJ Wealth Management in Daytona Beach, Fla., has posted $1,000 for the 2012 National Enduro Promotions Group (NEPG) Top Pro Rookie Award.

The 2012 pro class is expected to have another group of talented young riders going for the year-end award and prize money. This year the battle will be between Paddy Holloway, Chase Bishop, Hunter Williams, Alex McRee, Jason Thomas and Jordan Ashburn.

For more information about the AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, see NationalEnduro.com.

The AMA Protects Your Right To Race Opponents of motorcycling are hard at work trying to take away our freedoms.

They want to stop you from riding down streets, on public land or even in your own back yard. But it doesn’t stop there. Unfortunately, many also want to take away your right to compete on your motorcycle.

You are likely familiar with the AMA as the national sanctioning body for motorcycle sports in this country. However, the AMA does much more than that.

We also are the premier defender of motorcyclists’ rights.

And that includes the right to race.

However, while the AMA is the nation’s longest-standing and most respected organization protecting your right to ride and race, that power doesn’t come from nowhere. The AMA needs members to garner the political clout that makes a difference on Capitol Hill. There is one thing that lawmakers understand more than any other—the united voice of their constituency—and the louder that voice, the more influence we have.

And that means we need members. A lot of members.

The more members we have, the more powerful we are. Our only defense against the many threats to motorcycling is the strength we derive by banding together.

We proved that recently with a landmark victory when the AMA and our members played an important role in passing federal legislation that lifted the misguided nationwide ban on the sale of kids’ off-highway vehicles. Without the involvement of everyone in the riding community—from motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle industry officials to very young riders—this victory couldn’t have happened.

Our fight for motorcyclists’ right to ride and race continues every day, and it extends beyond the racetrack.

For example, right now the AMA is urging federal transportation officials to end the grant program that gives states money for motorcycle-only checkpoints. These checkpoints single out riders and are discriminatory.

Officials claim they are pulling over riders and subjecting them to roadside inspections to promote safety. But if they really want to promote motorcycling safety, the AMA believes federal officials should be supporting motorcycle crash prevention programs.

We are also lobbying for additional testing of ethanol in gasoline. There is strong evidence that suggests ethanol blends over 10 percent may damage motorcycle and ATV engines. Before the government allows gas stations to sell fuel that contains more ethanol than E10, the AMA wants to see proof that additional ethanol won’t damage motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines.

We need your help in the fight for the rights of every motorcyclist in your club, or every racer on your track. We need you to encourage others to join the AMA so that our strong voices are heard from the local village council all the way up to Capitol Hill saying: “Don’t take away our motorcycling freedoms!”

By joining the AMA, they will help protect riding and racing. More members means more clout so we can fight important battles for all of us who love riding and racing, and for future generations.

Joining or renewing is easy. Just call (800) 262-5646 or go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Let’s band together to ensure that we can race our motorcycles for generations to come.

Joe Bromley AMA Director of Racing jbromley@ama-cycle.org

April 2012

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A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

NEW TRANSPONDERS At the seventh round of the 2011 series, a new transponder scoring system was implemented.

The new system scores riders more efficiently, is more compact and easier for the check workers to transport, and provides quicker scoring. The new transponder, which should not be placed around metal, is a self-adhesive circuit board that works best when stuck to the underside of your helmet visor.

The transponders will be available at sign-up for a $10 fee, being that they are self-adhesive there will be no rental program. They are very reliable and can be reused for many events.

The Director’s Desk

MotoTrial Carries Cody Webb Higher

GRAVITY GAMES

Story and photos

by Shan Moore

T

he AMA/NATC MotoTrial National Championship Series was pretty much a Pat Smage runaway in 2011, with the four-time champ winning five of the seven rounds to beat out 2010 title-holder Cody Webb for the championship.

However, if you look at Webb’s schedule, you’ll understand why 2011 may have been an off year.

In addition to MotoTrials competition, the Beta rider was also a major player in last year’s AMA EnduroCross series and extreme events in Europe. It was a big leap for Webb, who spent much of his time working on his off-road technique last year, letting his trials riding take a back seat to his newfound off-road endeavors.

That won’t happen this year, says Webb, who spent the winter practicing his trials craft near his home in Santa Cruz, Calif., as well as training areas in Arizona with up-and-coming MotoTrials riders Bryan Roper and Karl Davis Jr. Having ridden trials most of his life, Webb is relatively new to EnduroCross.

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And, like Geoff Aaron, another trials rider turned off-roader, Webb found that he’s a natural when it comes to extreme off-road racing, thanks to the skills he developed riding trials. However, trials competition is where Webb is rooted, and the 24-year-old isn’t about to abandon the sport he grew up on and continues to enjoy with his family (Cody’s father was a top pro in the ’80s, and his two sisters, Sabrina and Regina, as well as his mother, have competed over the years as well).

At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Webb has a build similar to Aaron. And he is starting to show the same aggressive

style as the 10-time AMA MotoTrials National Champion. Webb also should be right at home when this year’s series kicks off with a doubleheader in Southern California, a venue that will feature dry, grippy and massive obstacles, which tend to cater to a more hard-hitting style.

Colorado’s doubleheader will be similar in nature, giving Webb fourstraight rounds of home field advantage.

Not that he struggles in the slippery

Series Spotlight: MotoTrials Talent On Display

The 2012 MotoTrials series covers a lot of ground in a short period of time, starting in Southern California with a doubleheader on May 19-20 and wrapping up in Rhode Island on June 23-24, with stops in Howard, Colo., and Toronto, Ohio, in between.

Eight rounds over the course of four weekends, within the span of a sixweek period, means the trials faithful will spend much of May and June on the road.

The terrain varies widely from east coast to west, which means to win a title riders have to be well versed in all types of terrain, from dry to wet. The California and Colorado rounds will each be dry with plenty of traction on menacing walls and steps. The two eastern rounds will feature more logs and slippery terrain, including dirt banks and climbs.

The North American Trials Council (NATC) is the organizing body for the AMA-sanctioned Mototrials National Championship Series.

And the series is not just for high-level riders. Each event offers 20 classes that cover a wide range of abilities and age groups, and there are even classes for twin-shock bikes, youth riders and women. Not only is trials one of the best spectator motorsports on the planet, it’s also one of the best ways to learn how to ride a motorcycle well—and safely.

For more information on series, see MotoTrial.us. will allow him to divide his focus more easily between his two disciplines.

“I’m looking forward to making a run at the title again, I want to win it back,” says Webb. “I had a lot on my plate last year but now I think I’m better equipped to handle it. I’ve learned a lot during the last year and I look forward to the challenge of competing in both the

MotoTrials and the Endurocross series, and I think I can give both series my best effort.”

Shan Moore is the editor and publisher of Trials & Enduro News, a monthly newspaper devoted to the two disciplines since 1974. For more info, visit www. tandenews.com.

April 2012

13

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

conditions found back east. On the contrary, Webb says he’s just as much at home in the wet, but that his aggressive style may be more suited to the dry. Nevertheless, the title will go to the rider who can ride all types of terrain well.

“I grew up riding big, grippy stuff, but I really feel comfortable riding slippery terrain,” says Webb. “I’ve worked hard over the years to be at my best in all conditions, and up where I live we have a little of both—wet and dry.”

For sure, Webb says he will be “more at one” with his bike this year. After two years of riding the four-stroke Sherco for Sherco USA, Webb signed on to ride a Beta for the U.S. importer, American Beta, before the start of the 2011 season. Switching brands is tough enough, especially at this level, but going from a four-stroke to a twostroke complicates matters considerably.

Webb now has a full year on the Beta, however, and says he shouldn’t suffer from some of the “silly” mistakes he had during the early rounds of 2011. Webb was in the hunt at every round last year, but mental errors attributed to too many fives, which kept him from scoring as well as he should have.

“I made some really immature mistakes last year, like missing a marker and stalling my bike and that really hurt my chances,” says Webb. “I tried to put my head down and get it going, but Pat was riding really good all year. I came into the final round in Tennessee behind in the series points but I knew I was capable of winning the title.

“I had proved to myself the year before that I could win and I felt confident going in and felt I could do it, but I just did some really dumb stuff, stuff I hadn’t done in a long time. There were some really poor decisions on my part and it cost me bigtime in the end, but it’s stuff I can correct and this year is a new year.”

Despite the mental focus on MotoTrials, Webb says he’s not backing down his schedule for this year. He will once again try to juggle a rigorous off-road schedule that includes racing in several disciplines.

One point in his favor is that the 2012 MotoTrial schedule is rather dense compared to other years. With back-toback weekends in May and two more in June, the series will be a short one, and

AMA KENDA HARE & HOUND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP NationalHareAndHound.com

Elkton, Ore.: Toni Bamford, ETRA; (541) 968-1664, ETRA.net

June 16-17: Toronto, Ohio: Jim Watson, Trials Inc.; (317) 861-6275, TrialsInc.org

ST, Volusia Daytona Flat Track, Dave Joiner; (530) 878-7223, FastFridays.com

June 23-24: Exeter, R.I.: David Alen, Rhode Island Trials Club, (508) 285-6074, RITrialsClub.com

March 12: Barberville, Fla.: HalfMile, Volusia County Speedway, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532, SteveNaceRacing.com

March 25: Murphy, Idaho: Bill Walsh, Dirt Inc.; (208) 459-6871, DirtIncRacing.com

Aug. 25 (Youth) Aug. 26 (Amateur): Big Sky, Mont.: Jamey Kabisch, Lone Peak Racing; (406) 223-0478, BigSkyXC.com

April 22: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Steve Williams, Vikings MC; (310) 490-4575, VikingsMC.com

AMA EAST HARE SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARacing.com

AMA/NATC YOUTH MOTOTRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP AMARacing.com

May 5: Jericho, Utah: Talisa Flitton, Sage Riders; (801) 833-5946, SageRidersMC.com

April 7 (Youth & Amateur): Battle Creek, Mich.: Kurt McKenzie, Battle Creek MC; (269) 964-0778, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com

June 6-8 (East): Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, Southeastern Trials Riders Assn., (423) 942-8688; TrialsTrainingCenter.com

May 13 (Youth & Amateur): TBA: Rita Coombs, Racer Productions; (304) 284-0084, GNCCRacing.com

July 20-22 (West): Howard, Colo.: Bill Markham, International Trials School; (719) 942-3372, ITSoffroad.com

June 9 (Youth) June 10 (Amateur): S. Edmeston, N.Y.: Jim Simmons, Thunder Ridge Sports; (607) 847-6522, ThunderRidge.biz

AMA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARacing.com

May 19: Jericho, Utah: KC Bogue, Sugarloafers MC; (435) 864-8305, SugarloafersMC.com Sept. 8: Panaca, Nev.: Zach Livreri, Silver State Trailblazers; (702) 9946823, https://sites.google.com/site/ silverstatetrailblazers/ Oct 14: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SoCal MC; (949) 9816776, SoCalMC.com Oct. 28: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Ryan Sanders, 100’s MC; (949) 584-9395, 100sMC.org AMA REKLUSE NATIONAL ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES NationalEnduro.com April 22: West Point, Tenn.: Paul Traufler, NATRA; (256) 837-0084, NATRA.DirtRider.net May 6: Forest Hill, La.: Tracy Barstow, Acadiana Dirt Riders; (337) 519-2520, AcadianaDirtRiders.org June 17: Upton, Wyo.: Paul Douglas, Inyan Kara Riders; (307) 468-2840, NationalEnduro.com July 29: Cross Fork, Pa.: Peter Burnett, Brandywine Enduro Riders; (610) 368-7332, BER.us Sept. 9: Park Hills, Mo.: Michael Silger, Missouri Mudders; michael. silger@avnet.com, MoMudders.com Oct. 14: Matthews, Ind.: Doug Spence, Muddobbers MC; (765) 9982236, MuddobbersMC.org Nov. 4: Stanton, Ala.: Glenn Hollingshead, Perry Mountain MC ; (334) 872-4286, PerryMountain.com AMA ENDUROCROSS EnduroCross.com May 4: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena June 9: Sacramento, Calif.: Power Balance Pavilion TBD: Los Angeles: TBD Sept. 15: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Bank Arena Oct. 6: Denver: National Western Complex Oct. 20: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena Oct. 27: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center Nov 17: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena AMA WEST HARE SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARacing.com April 14 (Youth) April 15 (Amateur): Shasta Lake, Calif.: Karl Hankins, Redding Dirt Riders; (530) 953-7272, ReddingDirtRiders.com June 16 (Youth & C Amateur) June 17 (Pro, A & B Amateur):

14

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

July 8 (Youth & Amateur): Millfield, Ohio: Rita Coombs, Racer Productions; (304) 284-0084, GNCCRacing.com July 21 (Youth & Amateur): Valley View, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing.com Aug. 4 (Youth) Aug. 5 (Amateur): Hill City, Minn.: Paul Otto, Range Riders MC; (763) 229-1177, RangeRidersMC.org Aug. 11 (Youth) Aug. 12 (Amateur): E. Freetown, Maine.: Gordie Coyle, Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders; (781) 294-8355, PSTR.org Sept. 1 (Youth) Sept. 2 (Amateur): Arrington, Va.: Chuck Honeycutt, April Fools Promotions; (757) 3755665; AprilFools62@verizon.net AMA MID AMERICA XC CHAMPIONSHIP TheMAXC.com April 21 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Mooresville, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 May 20 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Springville, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 June 9 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Casey, Ill.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 July 14 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Martinsville, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Aug. 18 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Marengo, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Sept. 8 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Caanan, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Oct. 13 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Veedersburg, Ind: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Oct. 27 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Gosport, Ind: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 AMA/NATC MOTOTRIALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES MotoTrial.us May 19-20: Cahuilla Creek, Calif.: Pete Croft, So. California Trials Assn.; (714) 580-7369, SoCalTrials.com May 26-27: Cotapaxi, Colo.: Frank Peterson, Rocky Mountain Trials Assn.; (303) 477-6793, RockyMountainTrials.org

April 7: Battle Creek, Mich: Kurt McKenzie, Battle Creek MC; (269) 964-0778, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com June 9: S. Edmeston, N.Y.: Jim Simmons, Thunder Ridge sports; (607) 847-6522, ThunderRidge.biz July 22: Valley View, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing.com Aug. 4: Hill City, Minn.: Paul Otto, Range Riders MC; (763) 229-1177, RangeRidersMC.org Oct. 13: TBD: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC.com Oct. 27: Gosport, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC.com AMA ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ATVmotocross.com March 24-25: Washington, Ga.: Aionia Pass MX April 21-22: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek May 5-6: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek May 19-20: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge June 2-3 (night race): Oakland, Ky.: Ballance MX June 16-17: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway June 30-July 1: Millfield, Ohio: Sunday Creek July 14-15: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla July 28-29: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud Aug. 11-12: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch AMA INDOOR DIRT TRACK STEVENACERacing.com March 31: Du Quoin, Ill.: Southern Illinois Ctr AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARacing.com March 10: Savannah, Ga.: HalfMile, Oglethorpe Speedway, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532, SteveNaceRacing.com March 11: Daytona Beach, Fla.:

March 13: Barberville, Fla.: ST, Volusia County Speedway, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532, SteveNaceRacing.com May 5: Tallassee, Ala.: ST, Monster Mountain MX Park, Tom Brinkman; (334) 318-8475, MonsterMX.com May 6: Tallassee, Ala.: ST, Monster Mountain MX Park, Tom Brinkman; (334) 318-8475, MonsterMX.com June 29: Harpursville, N.Y.: ST, Don Miller; (877) 746-3876, SquareDealRiders.com June 30: Harpursville, N.Y.: ST, Don Miller; (877) 746-3876, SquareDealRiders.com July 21: Ashland, Ohio: Half-Mile, Ashland County Fairgrounds, Ken Saillant; (800) 262-5646, AMARacing.com Aug. 17: Dundee, N.Y.: 4/10Mile, Black Rock Speedway, Dean Hoag; (607) 243-8686, BlackRockSpeedway.com Aug. 18: Dundee, N.Y.: 4/10Mile, Black Rock Speedway, Dean Hoag; (607) 243-8686, BlackRockSpeedway.com AMA AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS MXSports.com July 29-Aug.4: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Grand Championships (final), Loretta Lynn’s Ranch AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARacing.com May 29-June 1: Springfield, Ill.: AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships AMA VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com July 20-22: Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Grand Championships, MidOhio Sports Car Course AMA HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARacing.com Aug. 17-19: Bay City, Wis.: AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships AMA LAND SPEED GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS BubSpeedTrials.com Aug. 26-30: Wendover, Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats, Delvene Manning, (530) 272-4310 ISDE QUALIFIERS AMARacing.com June 2-3: (Round 1) Idaho City, Idaho: Peter Reynolds, Boise Ridge Riders; (208) 384-5141, BoiseRidgeRiders.org June 9-10: (Round 2) Wellston, Ohio: William Defue Jr., Appalachian Dirt Riders; (740) 384-6379, ADROhio.org Sept. 24-29: 2012 ISDE: Sachsenring Circuit, Saxony, Germany

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