Pit Board
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:
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.
SPEED. The more speed and motion that you have in your wheels, the better your balance will be.
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!
Moving your body weight to the opposite footpeg will help facilitate this balance correction.
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.
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
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
Jake Mohnike
Kurt Caselli
TAKING ON THE OFF-ROAD WORLD
The 86th International Six Days Enduro
TheU.S. team is locked and loaded for the 2011 International Six 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.
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
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.
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,
and has competed in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship.
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.
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.
Russell Bobbitt
Destry Abbott
Jimmy Jarrett
Nathan Kanney
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
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.
MANDI MASTIN BRINGS VETERAN EXPERIENCE
Former World Champ Wants Another Title
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 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.
Ian Blythe
Jeff Fredette
Mandi Mastin
Photos Blythe, Fredette: S. Berkner; Mastin: David Chamberlain/Cody Mastin
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.
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)
AMA RACING DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
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+
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
#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
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
AMA AMATEUR MOTOCROSS NATIONALS
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.
• 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
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.
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.
