AMA Racer, Summer 2011

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Summer 2011

Interna duro En Six Days F ocused m a e T .

S .

U on Finland

Meet The Team

Trophy, Junior, Women, Club and Senior Teams

Grand Championships

Vintage, Dirt Track, Motocross, Hillclimb, Land Speed, Roadracing

AMA Member Tested

Motion Pro Titan Throttle Tube

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

U.S. vs d l r o W e th tional

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.

For more information go to shoei-helmets.com or see your local dealer. Š2011 Shoei Safety Helmet Corp.

THE K-DUB2.

INSPIRED

BY LIFE.

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

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

Kip Bigelow Motocross/Arenacross Manager 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 Racing (614) 856-1900, AMARacing.com AMARacing@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147

ADVERTISING Steve Gotoski (Western states) Advertising Director (951) 566-5068 sgotoski@ama-cycle.org Ray Monroe (Eastern states) Advertising Manager (815) 885-4445 rmonroe@ama-cycle.org Misty Walker Advertising Assistant (614) 856-1900 x1267 mwalker@ama-cycle.org

EDITORIAL AMA Racer is produced by the Communications Department of the American Motorcyclist Association. Direct editorial inquiries to: AMA Racer (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Russell Bobbitt Is Bringing It

KTM Vet Is Back On Top After Off Year By Shan Moore After winning three titles in a four-year span, the 2010 season was a difficult one for Russell Bobbitt. Still feeling the effects of a shoulder injury suffered at the 2009 ISDE, the Georgia rider won just one round of last year’s AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, which left him third in the final series standings.

Frustrated at his performance, Bobbitt went to work during the off-season and came into the 2011 season opener in South Carolina fit and ready. The result was a runaway win. From there, the Georgia rider reeled off two more wins in the next three rounds to take the early lead in the title chase.

AMA Racer: You got off to a great start to the season. How does it feel?

Russell Bobbitt: Yeah, things are going pretty good compared to last year.

I’m happy to be winning races and back to the competitive level I was at before, and where I want to be.

AR: Was 2010 just an “off” year for you?

RB: Part of it was not being completely healthy, but I think also I had my mind in other places. When you’re on a roll and winning it’s easier to keep that going, and

I just had problems getting things going. I wasn’t happy with my results last year and it was a long winter and the whole time I thought about how much I wanted to win. I decided I wanted to change things for this year and make something happen.

AR: Did you do anything different to get ready for this year?

RB: It was a mix of stuff and not a whole lot of any one thing. I spent more time riding and I rode a lot of local races to work on my speed. We also rode bicycles and did some gym stuff, but I’m not a gym rat or anything. I like to do stuff outside and keep it fun.

AR: You were just selected for the World Trophy Team for this year’s ISDE in Finland, and this is your first year on the World team. Are you looking forward to that?

RB: Yeah, I’m excited about it. In the offroad community, it’s the most prestigious race there is, so it’s an honor to be selected to the World Trophy Team. I want the U.S. to do well, and I want to represent my country well. Every year I’ve gone, my personal results have gotten better and that’s something I like to work on.

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RIDING STRAIGHT, DEEP RUTS WITH SHANE WATTS JAKE MOHNIKE TAKES THREE TITLES IN LAS VEGAS AMA MEMBER TESTED: MOTION PRO TITAN THROTTLE TUBE COLIN CUNNINGHAM Dirt Track Kid Does Bike Week

Cover Photo: Kurt Caselli (Credit: Steve Berkner) Insets (L-R): Shan Moore, Dan Focht

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AMA Racer is published by the American Motorcyclist Association, Copyright (c) 2011.

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.

TAKING ON THE OFF-ROAD WORLD U.S. Riders Tackle ISDE

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MANDI MASTIN BRINGS VETERAN EXPERIENCE

JOE BROMLEY Heart Of The Season AMA RACING VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA RACING DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA AMATEUR MOTOCROSS NATIONALS

AMA RACING HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

AMA RACING LAND SPEED GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

AMA RACING ROADRACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Photo Shan Moore

Bill Cumbow Director of Organizer and Racing Member Services

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

Snapshot

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July 2011

d r a o B t i P

SHANE WATTS’ TIPS Riding Straight, Deep Ruts

For American fans, Shane Watts has a reputation as a never-say-die, full-throttle, on-the-edge racer. The Australian made a name for himself in the Grand National Cross Country Series in the early 2000s, often lining up on stock machines of varying displacements.

But on the edge does not mean out of control. Watts is capable of breaking down trail riding into an exacting science, and since retiring from full-time racing, he has been teaching those skills to students at his DirtWise Academy of Offroad Riding (www.shanewatts.com).

“The idea is to improve each student’s skill level so they

are safer, more comfortable and confident, plus they are able to conserve their energy much better,” Watts says.

“Doing all of this allows them to increase their trail speed much more easily, if that is what they desire. We want them to gain the knowledge of not only what they should be doing out on the trail, but also why they are doing it so they can continue to improve.”

We asked Watts to demonstrate this approach with some advice for a deceptively simple, but always tricky, obstacle that’s common on all types off off-road riding: long, straight, deep ruts. Here are his tips:

LOSING YOUR BALANCE. If you start to lose balance while riding along the rut just turn your handlebars in the direction you are falling, which allows the side knobbies of the front tire to work against the edge of the rut. Doing this will prop your bike back upright—with some confidence it’s amazing how effective this technique is!

EYES. Always look and focus toward the end of the rut for better balance, but use your peripheral vision to scan back along the rut to spot any objects of concern.

Moving your body weight to the opposite footpeg will help facilitate this balance correction.

SPEED. The more speed and motion that you have in your wheels, the better your balance will be.

DABS. You may need to dab a foot every now and then for stability, however doing this is much safer, more effective, and more energy conserving than sitting down and having to paddle with your feet to keep balance.

ARENACROSS AMATEUR CHAMPIONS CROWNED Jake Mohnike Takes Three Titles in Vegas

The 2011 AMA Arenacross Series came to a close with the AMA Arenacross Grand Championships at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 8.

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The nation’s top amateur Arenacross racers battled it out in 24 different classes, 23 of which crowned AMA Racing National Champions.

Throughout 14 weeks, amateur riders from all over the country raced. In the end, 460 riders earned the right to line up at South Point.

Of those riders, Jake Mohnike from Templeton, Calif., was one of the most

AmericanMotorcyclist.com Jake Mohnike

successful. Mohnike walked away with three titles—Arenacross Lites Intermediate, Arenacross Intermediate and Schoolboy.

“It was a little bit of luck and a few good starts and charging all the way to the end,” Mohnike said. “The Lites Intermediate was really hard because I got a back-of-the-pack start. I got a break, though, in the second corner, when there was a pileup and I was able to get up to sixth. By the fifth lap, I had passed my way to second. First was a

Dirt Track Kid Does Bike Week

Getting A Taste Of The Big Time In The Winter Nationals

By Colin Cunningham

straightaway ahead, but I made the pass for the lead on the last lap. Got him just before the whoops.”

Mohnike, who has been riding for about eight years, says Arenacross is a great supplement to motocross.

“If you’re thinking about it, go for it,” he says. “Arenacross is really fun and good practice for being aggressive and putting together different kinds of skills. It can make you a better technical rider.”

Other class winners from the event

are: 65cc 7-9, Izaih Clark, Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Arenacross Lites Novice, Anthony Amos, San Louis Obispo, Calif.; Over 35, Jason Labare, Roseville, Calif.; Girls 7-13, Ryann Bradley, Sanger, Calif.; 50cc 4-6, Ty Freehill, El Dorado Hills, Calif.; 85cc Super Mini, Ashton Hayes, Rockford, Mich.; Expert, Daniel Aulseybrook, Ortonville, Mich.; 85cc 7-11, Austin Black, Portland, Okla.; Arenacross Novice, Anthony Amos, San Louis Obispo, Calif.; 50cc 7-8, Gage Steburg, Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Over 30, Matt

Grall, Ft. Drake, Iowa; 85cc 12-15, Jake Newman, Escondido, Calif.; Collegeboy 16-24, Michael Mahaffey, Stone Creek, Ohio; Over 25, Jadd Knox, Ocala, Fla.; 65cc 10-11, Hunter Budd, Keller, Texas; Women, Tiana Falls, Murrietta, Calif.; Over 40, Jack Lambert, Kansas City, Mo.; Pit Bike, Alexander Agler, Topeka, Kan.; Beginner, Clayton Hunsaker, Letti, Utah.

AMA Member Tested

Motion Pro Titan Throttle Tube

Photos Shane Watts: DirtWise Academy; Jake Mohnike: Mohnike family; Colin Cunningham: Cunningham family

A hard crash that leads to a smashed throttle tube can mean you are going nowhere fast on a motocrosser. Motion Pro has the answer.

MSRP: $24.99; MotionPro.com After simple installation came impressive results. As I began riding, the Titan throttle tube felt like a threequarter-turn throttle because it was so smooth—unlike most other tubes that seem to have some drag when they rotate around the handlebar.

Even a few crashes didn’t faze the Titan Throttle Tube, where stock tubes almost always crack on the first tip over.

After testing the Titan Throttle Tube, I was extremely satisfied with the product. The Titan Throttle Tube stands out with plenty of great features and a five-year warranty. The only flaw is the fact that you are unable to use bar-end mounted hand guards.—Jason Frank, Eustis, Fla.

Colin Cunningham is an AMA member who lives in Coatesville, Pa. For full results of the AMA Racing Winter Nationals, see AMARacing.com.

Log on to Arenacross.com for a full list of results.

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

had a tough day, crashing in practice on both bikes, but still getting second on the 250 and third on the 85.

The last day of the AMA Racing Dirt Track Winter Nationals was the TT about an hour and a half away at the Ocala Micro Speedway. The track had some left turns, some right turns and one jump. Doing well took a combination of slipping the clutch and braking. I loved this track! I had a great time, and got first on my 85 and second on my 250. It was a great way to finish up the series.

For a lot of us kid racers, it’s all about family, and I’m no different.

There’s Uncle Jay for working on the bikes, Timmy, Nana, Uncle John and Aunt Peg. Dalton Gauthier, No. 14G, helped so much. Then there’s Samantha Slingerland, No. 79, for being a great friend, and Jake Melanowski, a great friend and competitor. Johnny Long and his family have been so helpful and supportive. But most of all is my awesome dad, who makes everything possible. Thanks, Dad!

Don’t you love it when a manufacturer stands behind their product? Motion Pro is so confident in its heavy-duty plastic throttle tube that the company says it will replace it for up to five years. There’s no fine print either. Just keep the receipt and you’re golden.

Keep in mind, though, that because it is designed to be tough, the tube has a cap at the end. This means it won’t work with bar-end mounted hand guards.

In use, action is smooth and tight.

Does it increase performance? Hah! It’s still up to you how much you twist it.— Kevin Parsons, Henderson, Nev.

It was a great time for me racing the AMA Racing Dirt Track Winter Nationals in Florida and Georgia this spring. I made a lot of new friends and had a fun time with old ones. We stayed in downtown Daytona during Bike Week.

It was great!

First was Georgia, though. It was difficult to ride my 250 for the first time on a half-mile, but I did pretty decent, I placed fourth in my heat race and managed a back row start for the main.

Off the back row I squeezed into fourth and stayed there for the rest of the race.

The second day in Georgia, my plan was to race my YZ85 along with the 250, but my jetting was off and I blew a hole right through the piston after three laps of practice. My great friend Dalton let me borrow his KTM85, and I won. I also won on my 250, so what turned out to be a bad day ended up great!

Day three was on the Daytona Short Track just next door to the Daytona International Speedway. I raced Dalton’s 85 in practice because mine was still in pieces. The track was really loose and hard to hook up. We managed to piece together my YZ85 in time for qualifying, and I won my class again. On the 250, I felt like the bike wanted to go all over the track. It was tough, but I still finished second.

On the fourth day, we traveled out to the infamous Volusia half-mile. Professional car drivers race there!

But that didn’t mean it was easy. The track conditions made things tough, and it was hard to find a smooth line.

My finishing positions were the same as the day before: first on the 85 and second on the 250.

The fifth day was next door at the short track. I

Kurt Caselli

TAKING ON THE OFF-ROAD WORLD The 86th International Six Days Enduro

he U.S. team is locked and loaded for the 2011 International Six T Days Enduro (ISDE). This year, 28 U.S. riders will race on Aug. 8-13 in Kotka-Hamina, Finland, for American honor against the best off-road racers in the world.

Leading the charge will be the U.S. Trophy team of Destry Abbott, Russell Bobbitt, Kurt Caselli, Jimmy Jarrett, Nathan Kanney and Kyle Summers.

“The Trophy Team is a mix of new talent and veteran experience,” says AMA OffRoad Racing Manager Chuck Weir. “These riders know and respect each other, and will work together to put Americans on the podium.”

The other premier teams are the Junior Trophy Team, which fields four riders younger than 23, and the Women’s Trophy Team, which fields three riders. In addition, several club team members represent the United States at the event. There also is a senior club team.

The AMA Team USA Junior Trophy Team will include Brad Bakken from Powhatan, Va.; Ian Blythe from Sedalia, Colo.; Cory Buttrick from Logan, Ohio; and Andrew DeLong from Morgantown, Pa. The AMA Team USA Women’s Cup Team will include Nicole Bradford from Avon, Colo.; Mandi Mastin from Whitehouse, Ohio; and Kerrie Swartz from Moore, Okla.

The 2011 senior team will feature Dennis Decker from Pleasant Valley, N.Y.; Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Fredette from Beecher, Ill.; and Jake Vainio from Park City, Utah. This will be Fredette’s 31st ISDE.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

VETERANS LEAD TROPHY TEAM The U.S. Trophy Team is anchored by five ISDE veterans, along with the rookie Summers. It is led by team co-captains Abbott and Caselli.

Abbott, from Peoria, Ariz., contests the AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship Series for Monster Energy Kawasaki. The 38-year-old five-time AMA National Hare & Hound Champion is also a five-time ISDE Gold Medalist and will represent the United States on the Trophy Team for the seventh time. Abbott is competing on a Kawasaki KX450 in the E2 class.

“Finland is going to be tough, but if we all go and ride our own race, we expect to get on the podium,” Abbott says.

“We face Italy and France, two strong teams, and Finland is a team we always battle with, so with the ISDE being in Finland, it’s going to be a dogfight.

I’m not real experienced with Finland, but I understand it’s gravelly, rocky, and there’s a lot of water. It sounds somewhat tight, but not like ‘gnarly

and has competed in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship.

tight’ eastern U.S. trails, so our desert riders should adapt well.”

Abbott says that the ISDE is always a highlight of his season.

“I’ve always loved the ISDE,” he says. “I started on a club team, got my experience and have worked my way up.

It’s not easy. There are a lot of things that can happen on a bike for seven to eight hours a day, and you only have 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night, and it’s hard to understand how mentally tough it is. The transfer sections aren’t always easy, and if you lose your focus, you can find yourself off the trail. I love it, though. You have to be a great all-around rider. You have to be good at off-road, moto, working on the bike. It’s a real test.”

Although the details are still being worked out, Abbott says it appears that, with the exception of Summers in the E1 class and Kanney in the E3 class, the rest of the Trophy Team will ride 450cc bikes in the E2 class.

Caselli, from Palmdale, Calif., is returning to the team for the fifth time.

The 27-year-old, who races off-road events for the KTM/FMF Racing factory team, has placed the ISDE near the top of his racing program the past few years.

Bobbitt, from Fayetteville, Ga., currently leads the point race in the AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing. He also competes in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series. Bobbitt is a three-time AMA National Enduro Champion. In 2006, he was a member of the winning ISDE Junior Trophy Team. Bobbitt races for the KTM/FMF Racing factory team.

Jarrett, from Salem, Ohio, also brings several years of experience to the team.

Jarrett races the GNCC Series for GEICO Powersports Honda. This will be the Ohioan’s seventh year representing the United States on the Trophy Team.

Kanney is another veteran on the team this year. He is currently contesting the GNCC Series for WMR/ Planet Fitness/KTM. Kanney is an experienced ISDE and World Enduro Championship rider.

Summers, from Florissant, Colo., races off-road events on both the West and East Coasts. Most recently, he competed in the GNCCs for Am-Pro Yamaha.

Summers is also a top motocross racer,

CLASS BREAKDOWN Riders at the ISDE compete in one of three displacement classes: • The E1 class, which features 100cc to 125cc two-stroke and 175cc to 250cc four-stroke motorcycles.

• The E2 class, which features 175cc to 250cc two-stroke and 290cc to 450cc four-stroke motorcycles.

• The E3 class, which features 290cc to 500cc two-stroke and 475cc to 650cc four-stroke motorcycles.

A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

Photos Caselli: M. Kariya; Jarrett, Bobbitt: S. Moore; Kanney, Abbott: S. Berkner

Jimmy Jarrett

CLUB TEAMS REPRESENT In addition to the Trophy, Junior Trophy and Women’s teams, club teams represent amateur racers from around the country. While not on a premier team, these riders bring serious speed.

Here are those who qualified in 2011: • GoFasters.com: Greg Gillian, Max Gerston and Brent Martell • Tony Agonis: Fred Hoess, Glenn Scherer, Cody Schafer • Missouri Mudders: J.D. Friebel, Caleb Wohletz, Ben Smith • Carter Engineering: Chase Bishop, Bryan Petty, Michael Sanders Note: The Senior team of Decker, Fredette and Vainio will compete with the club teams.

Nathan Kanney

Russell Bobbitt Destry Abbott

July 2011

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Ian Blythe

MANDI MASTIN BRINGS VETERAN EXPERIENCE

UNDERSTANDING RESULTS With so many riders, different teams and various classes, it can be a challenge to track results at the ISDE. Here are the details.

Each country participating in this event is authorized to 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 World Trophy winner is determined by totaling each team’s best five individual rider 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 each team’s best three individual rider 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 each team’s best two individual rider scores each day for six days with the lowest team score after six days being the winner.

• The Club Teams will score all three riders each day, and again, after six days the team with the lowest combined score is the winner.

SUPPORT THE TEAM It takes lots of money, volunteers and timing to pull off an ISDE effort.

The rider fund spends $12,000-plus just on gasoline for the bikes during the competition, and more than $1,500 on food and water for the riders at the checkpoints and at Parc Ferme at the end of the day. Volunteers make up the team of workers that staff the multiple checkpoints on the course, starting line work area, and Parc Ferme.

The riders also spend a lot of their own

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Jeff Fredette

money to compete at the ISDE. Many hold fundraisers and sell ISDE-themed gear to offset the considerable costs. If you have an opportunity to attend one of these fundraisers, please do so with the knowledge that you’re helping bring international recognition to the U.S. offroad community.

The riders are just part of the effort, however. Organizers require a pit crew for each racer, in addition to staff from the entering national sanctioning body.

You can help out and support this effort by buying the official 2011 AMA U.S. Team ISDE shirt.

Click on over to AmericanMotorcyclist. com > Gear > Apparel and buy a shirt (or two) today.

TEAM EFFORT The U.S. ISDE effort wouldn’t happen without the cooperation of several individuals and companies. For 2011, the AMA thanks valued partners Arai, Moose, Motion Pro and Spectro for their support of the ISDE effort.

Ohioan Mandi Mastin has been competing in the ISDE for a decade. Her first trip was in 2001 when she lined up with Nicole Bradford and Suzy Moody in France.

This year, she will take her Hall’s Cycle Team Husqvarna 250TXC to Finland to get back the Women’s Mandi Mastin World Cup that the U.S. team won in 2007.

We caught up with Mastin to find out what attracts her to the ISDE. AMA Racer: The ISDE is a specialized area of off-road. What attracted you to this unique and highprofile form of competition?

Mandi Mastin: I went to Spain in 2000 to watch my brother compete in the ISDE. I was immediately amazed with the determination and dedication and mental capacity that the ISDE required.

AR: What have you learned in your years of ISDE competition?

MM: At the ISDE, one of the mistakes that I see first timers make is that they go out and try to kill it on Day 1. You cannot win the ISDE on Day 1, but you can lose it on Day 1. I would say the best advice I could give is to just be consistent, patient and smart. It is a long week and there are many variables throughout the week.

AR: How important is the ISDE to your program?

MM: The ISDE is very important to my entire year because it is something that takes up so much time and preparation. It is not a race that you can just load up and go to. You have to get a bike prepared months in advance, parts and accessories in advance and ship all that to the race months in advance.

For me, I have also taken on a larger role with helping prep the container for the entire team, so not only am I getting my stuff around, I also have to make sure that the supplies are getting ordered and loaded for all the other riders that will be at the ISDE.

Photos Blythe, Fredette: S. Berkner; Mastin: David Chamberlain/Cody Mastin

Former World Champ Wants Another Title

Contact Mastin at montesa75@aol.com or on Facebook @ Mandi Mastin.

The Director’s Desk Heart Of The Season

AMA Racing is as diverse as it is exciting. Our disciplines include woods racing, motocross, hillclimb, dirt track, road race, vintage, ice racing, desert racing and more.

Most AMA-sanctioned events are run by local organizers. These events are the lifeblood of AMA Racing. The clubs and promoters give our competition members somewhere to race week-in and week-out all over the country.

Many of these promoters also step up and run rounds of the AMA Racing National Championship Series, or regional or other premier events. They are our partners in elevating the sport of amateur motorcycle racing and giving our athletes the recognition they deserve.

But AMA Racing history runs deep, and in the spirit of that history, AMA Racing Grand Championships represent the pinnacle of amateur competition in many disciplines.

AMA Racing Grand Championships are singular events that involve two or more days of competition between the best racers in the nation. These are held at premier locations and are run in partnership with the most organized, most respected racing organizers.

When the dust settles, the top points leaders are crowned class champions and are invited to the end-of-year AMA Racing Championship Banquet, which will be held this year on Nov. 20 at the Red Rock Resort & Spa as part of the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend.

The next few months will feature some of the year’s most popular AMA Racing Grand Championships. First up will be the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, July 22-24 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

The following week is the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, July 25-31 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill. Then, we move right into the AMA National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., on Aug. 1-6.

The racing staff then gets a week off, but only one week! On Aug. 13-14 we have the AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships at the Devil’s Staircase in Oregonia, Ohio. Then on Aug. 27-Sept. 1, we have the AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships, also known as the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials, at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Finally, on Oct. 8-9, we have the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships at the Putnam Park Road Course near Greencastle, Ind. These events are in addition to the AMA Racing Ice Race Grand Championships and the AMA Racing Arenacross Grand Championships, which wrapped up earlier this year—not to mention rounds of the AMA Racing National Championship Series.

As you can see, that’s a lot of racing! I also want to stress that it’s racing for everyone. Although these events attract the country’s best, AMA Racing Grand Championships showcase all levels of talent, ages and motorcycle displacements. If you ride a motorcycle, chances are we have a class for you. (Yes, your full-dress bagger or 50cc scooter is welcome on the Salt Flats. Just bring safety wire.)

For more information about these upcoming events, see the pages that follow. For even more, see the National Championship pages at AMARacing.com, where you can find up-to-date schedules and contact information for individual event promoters.

So, check it out, sign up and get out and race.

Hopefully on Nov. 20, I can hand you that AMA Racing No. 1 plate in Las Vegas!

Joe Bromley AMA Director of Racing July 2011

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A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

Yes, the ISDE does play a major role in my life in general and I hope to be a part of it as a rider, ambassador and support personnel for a very long time.

AR: What makes the European teams so tough at the Trophy level?

MM: The ISDE is a different style and type of racing then what we do here in the United States. It is difficult for our American men and women to adapt to that style during the week and run the scores that the Europeans are. I think that if we had more races and events that catered to this type of racing we would have a better chance of getting podium finishes.

AR: For you, what’s the hardest part of ISDE competition?

MM: The hardest part of the ISDE is the mental aspect of the race. You can be the most in-shape person, toughest person and most-conditioned person out there, but you have to be mentally strong to keep your mind on track and focused on the race for six days. When you ride 100-150 miles a day, it is easy to accidently let your mind slip and think about something else. But if you do, that is the time that a problem could and can occur and things can unravel quickly.

AR: What are you expecting in 2011?

MM: My personal goal for Finland is to get a gold medal and a podium finish. As a team, our goal is to win the Women’s World Cup. I am excited to be going to Finland and feeling very healthy and confident in my riding abilities and completely satisfied with my Husqvarna this year. I feel that we have a strong team again this year and think that we have a good chance of bringing home the World Cup!

Letter from

2011 GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA RACING VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS The biggest vintage bash of the year comes to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, July 22-24. That’s when the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships will crown AMA amateur national champions for the third year running.

The AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships include all major vintage-racing disciplines. This is a one-of-a-kind AMA Racing Grand Championship in that it takes place alongside another premier AMA event, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, which features North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, classic bike shows, motorcycling seminars and more.

If you are into old bikes—or new bikes—this should be one of your must-do events of the year.

Here are the highlights: • The AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships crown vintage class AMA Racing National Champions in motocross, hare scrambles, trials and road racing. The event also includes a round of the AMA Racing Vintage Dirt Track National Championships.

• Riders in motocross, hare scrambles, trials and road racing will compete for AMA Racing national No. 1 plates. Dirt-track racers will earn points toward series awards.

• Designated A classes in each discipline earn points toward the event’s two highest honors: AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand Champion and AMA Off-Road Racing Vintage Grand Champion. In addition, a Senior class rider will be honored as the AMA Senior Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion for his or her performance in designated A classes in motocross, hare scrambles and trials.

• Class champions will be invited to the end-of-year AMA Racing Championship Banquet honoring all AMA Racing National Champions.

• Riders 12 and older can compete in motocross, off-road and dirt-track events at the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships. Riders must be 14 or older to compete on a motorcycle with a displacement more than 250cc. (Youth riders are not permitted in the dirt-track Brakeless Class.)

• For riders with bikes that aren’t quite vintage, AMA Racing has added a non-current class for motocross and hare scrambles. Eligible bikes include most pre-1997 machines.

SIGN-UP NOW ONLINE! To sign-up, visit AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com and click on the Racing link. Or, just select Vintage Motorcycle Days under the Racing menu at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

GATE PASS REMINDER All racers at the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championship are required to buy a pass for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in addition to your race entry.

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CONTACT • Motocross: Kip Bigelow, kbigelow@ama-cycle.org • Dirt Track and Roadracing: Ken Saillant, ksaillant@ama-cycle.org • Hare scrambles and Trials: Chuck Weir, cweir@ama-cycle.org

SCHEDULE Subject to change THURSDAY, JULY 21 12-7 p.m. Road Race Registration (Gate 3) 12-7 p.m. Trials, Hare Scrambles, MX Registration (Ross Road) 4-7 p.m. Road Race Technical Inspection FRIDAY, JULY 22 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Road Race Registration (Gate 3) 7-8:30 a.m. Hare Scrambles Registration (Ross Road) 7 a.m.-6 p.m. MX Registration (Ross Road) 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Road Race Technical Inspection 9 a.m. Road Race Practice Begins 9 a.m. Mandatory Vintage Hare Scrambles Riders Meeting 9:30 a.m. Vintage Hare Scrambles Races Begins after National Anthem 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dirt Track Registration (Ashland County Fairgrounds – Gate 5, Baney Road) 12 p.m. Post Vintage Hare Scrambles Races Begin 12-2 p.m. Road Race Worker Lunch Break 2 p.m. Road Race Practice Resumes 2-6 p.m. MX Tech Inspection 2:30 p.m. Mandatory Dirt Track Riders Meeting (Ashland County Fairgrounds) 2:30 p.m. Modern Vintage Hare Scrambles Races Begin 3 p.m. Dirt Track Practice Begins (Ashland County Fairgrounds) 5 p.m. Hare Scrambles Awards Presentation 5:30 p.m. Dirt Track Heat Races Begin (Ashland County Fairgrounds) 7:30 p.m. Dirt Track National Anthem (Ashland County Fairgrounds) 8 p.m. Dirt Track Finals Begin (Ashland County Fairgrounds) SATURDAY, JULY 23 7 a.m.-6 p.m. MX Registration - Vintage/E1 post entry closes 8:30 a.m.

7-9 a.m. MX Tech Inspection 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Road Race Registration 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Road Race Technical Inspection 8 a.m. Road Race Practice Begins 8:30 a.m. Vintage/E1 MX Practice Begins 9:30 a.m. Vintage/E1 MX Racing Begins after National Anthem 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Road Race Worker Lunch Break 12-12:30 p.m. MX Worker Lunch Break 12:10 p.m. Mandatory Road Race Riders Meeting (Goodyear Tower base) 1 p.m. Road Race Begins after National Anthem 5 p.m. (Tentative) MX Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing) 6 p.m. (Tentative) Road Race Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing) 6-7 p.m. Trials Tech Inspection (Trials Starting line) SUNDAY, JULY 24 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Road Race Registration 7-8:30 a.m. MX Registration - E2/E3/E1,2,3(Age) post entry closes 8:30 a.m.

7-8:30 a.m. Trials Registration 7-9 a.m. MX Tech Inspection 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Road Race Technical Inspection 8 a.m. Road Race Practice Begins 8:30 a.m. E2/E3/E1,2,3 (Age) MX Practice Begins 8:45-9:15 a.m. Trials Tech Inspection (Quanset Hut) 9:10 a.m. Mandatory Road Race Rider Meeting (Goodyear Tower base) 9:15 a.m. Mandatory Trials Rider Meeting (Quanset Hut) 9:30 a.m. Trials Competition Begins after National Anthem 9:30 a.m. E2/E3/E1,2,3 (Age) MX Racing Begins 10 a.m. Road Race Begins after National Anthem 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Road Race Track Worker Lunch Break 12-12:30 p.m. MX Worker Lunch Break 1 p.m. Road Race resumes 4 p.m. (Tentative) MX Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing) 4:30 p.m. (Tentative) Trials Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing) 5 p.m. (Tentative) Road Race Awards Presentation (1/2 hour after racing)

For the sixth consecutive year, the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships return to the nationally recognized Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill., where the fastest amateur dirt-trackers from around the country will compete for national titles.

New for 2011 is the AMA partnership with North America Action Sports (NAAS) to promote and operate the 2011 championship event.

“The three legs of a successful event are sanctioning, operations and promotions,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “As the largest amateur motorsports sanctioning body in the United States, the AMA historically seeks strong promoting partners to ensure our events are the best they can be. We are confident that this new partnership with North America Action Sports, an experienced leader in event promotion, will pay big dividends for racers and fans at the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships.”

Rosanna Grzebinski, who owns NAAS along with her husband, Patrick, says the company is excited about expanding its involvement into dirt-track competition.

“We are thrilled to be working with the AMA on the 2011 AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships at the beautiful Du Quoin State Fairgrounds,” Grzebinski says. “Our first goal is to have a smooth transition with this popular and historic event. We also intend to work hard to expand the popularity of dirt track and encourage racers from other disciplines to get involved in the sport. We look forward to working with this fantastic group of people at their amazing facility!”

For details and online entry, see NAActionSports.com > AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships.

CLASS RUNDOWN The AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships features a number of classes for America’s amateur dirt-track racers, from old pros to kids on minibikes to novices.

Group 1 Classes #1 - 50cc DTX Sr. (7-8) #2 - 50cc DTX PW Shaft (4-8) #3 - 50cc DTX PW (4-8) #4 - 65cc DTX (7-11) #5 - 65cc Modified (7-11) #6 - 85cc DTX (9-13) #7 - 85cc Modified (7-11) #8 - 85cc Modified (12-15) #9 - 125cc Modified Group 2 Classes #10 - 250cc Modified 2-Stroke #11 - 250cc DTX #12 - 250cc Modified 4-Stroke #13 - 251cc - 500cc DTX #14 - 450cc Modified #15 - 451cc - Open Singles #16 - Veteran 30+

#17 - Senior 40+ #18 - Super Senior 50+ #19 - Open Twins #20 - Pro-Singles PRO RIDERS ONLY Group 3 Classes: Vintage V1 - Factory Wars (Brakeless) V2 - 250 Ironman (Brakeless) V3 - 750 Ironman (Brakeless) V4 - 250 Hotshoe V5 - 360 Hotshoe V6 - 750 Hotshoe V7 - 250 Masters V8 - 500 Masters V9 - 750 Masters V10 - Hot Rod Singles Open V11 - Hot Rod Multis Open V12 - 50+ and 60+ Vintage Open

SCHEDULE Subject to change. Note that racing will start immediately following practice. Also, please keep in mind that track and weather conditions can affect the schedule.

MONDAY, JULY 25 SHORT TRACK GROUP 1 & 2 7 a.m. Pits Open 7-9 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration @ Track 9 a.m. Group 1 Practice Group 2 Practice: Begins immediately after Group 1 Main Events Group 1 Victory Circle: Between Group 2 Practice Sessions Group 2 Victory Circle: 45 minutes after last Main Event TUESDAY, JULY 26 TT GROUP 1 7 a.m. Pits Open 7-9 a.m. Registration @ Track 9 a.m. Practice Victory Circle: 45 minutes after last Main Event WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 TT GROUP 2 7 a.m. Pits Open 7-9 a.m. Registration @ Track 9 a.m. Practice Victory Circle: 45 minutes after last Main Event THURSDAY, JULY 28 HALF MILE GROUP 1 & 2 7 a.m. Pits Open 7-9 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration @ Track 9 a.m. Group 1 Practice Group 2 Practice: Begins immediately after Group 1 Main Events Group 1 Victory Circle: Between Group 2 Practice Sessions Group 2 Victory Circle: 45 minutes after last Main Event FRIDAY, JULY 29 HALF MILE GROUP 1 & 3 7 a.m. Pits Open 7-9 a.m. Registration @ Track 9 a.m. Practice Victory Circle: 45 minutes after last Main Event SATURDAY, JULY 30 GROUP 2 & GROUP 3 MILE 7 a.m. Pits Open 7-9 a.m. Registration @ Track 9 a.m. Practice Victory Circle: 45 minutes after last Main Event

July 2011

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A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMA RACERS

Photos Vintage: Dan Focht Motorsports Photography; Dirt track: Dewanna Comer

AMA RACING DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

The AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch may only be one week—this year, Aug. 1 through 6—but for those who make the big show, it creates a lifetime of memories.

For most amateur motocross racers, there is no cooler experience than chasing an AMA Racing No. 1 plate on the most storied amateur motocross track in the country. The track is open to riders once a year at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

The AMA Amateur Motocross Nationals, promoted every year since 1982 by MX Sports, include much more than the world’s biggest amateur motocross event. There are live concerts, contests, golf cart parades, cookouts, and dozens of vendors selling everything from Cuban sandwiches to fresh knobby tires.

But despite all the sideline activities, there’s no question that, for one week every August, Loretta Lynn’s becomes a nation unto itself—a self-contained moto state that revolves around the sport of motocross. Here, the future of the sport makes a name for itself, while motocross’ greatest fans see tomorrow’s stars today.

Directions To The Race Loretta Lynn’s Ranch 44 Hurricane Mills Rd. Hurricane Mills, TN 37078 (931) 296-7700 From Nashville, Tenn.: Take I-40 west 65 miles to exit 143. Take Highway 13 North 7 miles to the track entrance on your left.

From Memphis, Tenn.: Take I-40 east 140 miles to exit 143. Take Highway 13 North 7 miles to the track entrance on your left.

Schedule With so many racers, vendors, family and friends, the AMA Amateur Motocross Nationals could be a logistical nightmare, but every year the crew at MX Sports gets better at moving folks in and out of the facility. Here’s a quick look at what goes down at the nationals: • Most racers move in on the Friday or Saturday before racing begins. You must pay the ranch camping fee for any days prior to move-in day. Due to limited availability, a lottery is conducted for an RV hookup.

• When you pull in to the ranch, check in at the front gate to receive your facility permit.

MX Sports staff members will then direct you to the proper areas on the property.

• Rider registration opens on Sunday.

Since all racers are essentially pre-entered, Rider Registration is used only to confirm your attendance and racing number, and present you with a complimentary rider packet.

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• Sunday typically features non-racing activities, from church services to golf cart parades. Whatever you do, don’t think about riding your motorcycle on Sunday. Bikes won’t hit the track until Monday, practice day.

• The practice schedule will be available on MXSports.com at least 10 days before the race.

The top five alternate riders in each class will be eligible to practice.

• Starting Tuesday morning, it’s race time!

AMA RACING HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS On Aug. 13-14, the nation’s top amateur hillclimbers, riding everything from 50cc minibikes to multi-cylinder, purpose-built hillclimb motorcycles, will tackle one of the country’s most famous hills for AMA Racing national No. 1 plates: the Devil’s Staircase in Oregonia, Ohio.

The 2011 AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships are being promoted this year by the Dayton Motorcycle Club. The Devil’s Staircase has been one of the top stops on the AMA Pro Hillclimb Championship Series for more than six decades, and for 2011, the AMA Amateur National Championships return to this storied hill for the second straight year.

Oregonia is 15 miles north of the Kings Island Amusement Park near Cincinnati. For more information or to sign up to compete, see DaytonMC.com.

AMA RACING LAND SPEED GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS If the long climbs and uphill jumps at the AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships aren’t your speed, maybe you’d rather race across a perfectly flat, dried lakebed

AMA RACING ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS The country’s fastest amateur roadracers will converge on the Putnam Park Road Course near Greencastle, Ind., for the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships on Oct. 8-9. For the first time, the AMA will join forces with the U.S. Grand Prix Racers Union (USGPRU) to promote the event.

“We’re excited to give AMA competition members a premier event on such an exciting track where they can showcase their talent against the country’s best amateur roadracers,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley.

USGRPU President Stewart AitkenCade says that a number of enhancements are planned for the AMA Racing Grand Championship event.

“The USGPRU’s vision for the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships is one of a capstone race weekend that brings together the top club-level teams from across the country to compete for the prestigious AMA Amateur National Championships in roadracing,” Aitken-Cade says. “We are already working on an updated class structure and format, and will announce more details about the weekend’s program shortly.”

The AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships will determine amateur national champions in numerous expert and novice classes. The event will run as a full doubleheader weekend. National championships will be determined by a rider’s best overall performance in two separate races.

The Putnam Park Road Course is a 1.78mile road course with 10 turns. It is located 35 miles west of Indianapolis, about 1.5 miles south of U.S. 40. More information about the track can be found at PutnamPark.com.

Photos Motocross: David Smith/RaceDayPix.com; Hillclimb, Roadrace: Motorsports Photography; Land Speed: © DAN CAMPBELL dancampbellphotography.com

AMA AMATEUR MOTOCROSS NATIONALS

at the AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships, a.k.a., the International Speed Trials by BUB. It all happens at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on Aug. 27-Sept. 1, where both U.S. and World records in land-speed racing will be decided. Every summer, riders from around the globe come to this location to answer the age-old question: Who is the world’s fastest motorcyclist?

But while the purpose-built streamliners, which hit speeds north of 350 mph, attract most of the attention, the event also draws participants chasing more down-to-earth goals.

For example, you could go for the record in the 175cc MPS-P class (61.177 mph), 100cc M-AF class (35.926 mph) or 50cc M-AF class (74.752 mph).

Or, just follow the lead of many and set your sights on BUB’s exclusive 201 mph club.

For class rules, detailed directions, entry information and a full list of both U.S. and World records, see SpeedTrialsByBUB.com.

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