AMA RIGHTS ROUNDUP

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RIGHTS

Roundup

What’s trending in government relations and legislative affairs

BY KALI KOTOSKI

Marsh Rights Returned

Ice riders can now return to New Hampshire’s Hoit Road Marsh this winter after Governor Sununu officially put to rest an issue that had pitted some property owners against motorcyclists that have enjoyed ice riding for generations. The passage of H.B. 517 repeals a 2019 ban that was underhandedly snuck in as a budget item.

Correction: In last month’s edition (June 2022) we mistakenly referred to the recreational ice riding at Hoit Road Marsh as ice racing, which, to be clear, it is not.

AMA Sound Meter Program Open for 2022

The American Motorcyclist Association’s Sound Test Kit Program is officially open for 2022 applications. The program is administered by the AMA’s Government Relations Department and provides kits to AMA Districts, club members, race organizers and others who educate riders about sound levels. The kit contains a Type 2 sound meter, a tachometer, training materials, a spark-arrestor probe, personal protective equipment and a storage case.

The goal of the sound meter project is to educate riders about acceptable sound levels according to AMA guidelines, while being able to show quantitative data to complainants about levels that fall within acceptable legal ranges. With the AMA’s mission to keep both off- and on-road riding areas open to the public, the program aims to help prevent the implementation of laws and regulations that specifically target riders. For more information on how you can apply, please contact Erin Reda, AMA Grassroots Coordinator, at grassroots@ama-cycle.org.

CHRIS REAL

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act Receives Unanimous Committee Vote

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022 sailed through the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources without a single dissenting partisan vote. Introduced by committee chairman Joe Manchin of West Virginia and John Barrasso of Wyoming, the landmark legislation comes with a bevy AMA-supported acts. The Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy Act, the Simplify-

ing Access to Outdoor Recreation

Act, the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act, the Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act, the Federal Interior Lands Media Act, and the Biking on Long Distance Trails Act are all included.

“The last time outdoor recreation legislation of this size and scale was enacted was 1963,” said Senator Manchin.

The act aims to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities on land managed by the federal government. Specific provisions in the act include streamlining the permitting processes for guides operating on federal lands, expanding broadband internet connectivity at recreation sites, and supporting public-private partnerships to expand parking facilities. The legislation also seeks to promote collaboration between federal agencies while working with gateway communities grappling with an unprecedented surge in tourism.

The act now goes to the Senate floor before heading to the House of Representatives.

Riding ROUNDUP

Local Vintage Vigor

From its humble beginnings as a Facebook group created to promote the Nutter Hardware Vintage Motorcycle Night, the Columbus Area Vintage Motorcycle Group received its AMA charter in 2022 to further its ability to provide great experiences for its members.

Bonded by a shared love and appreciation for vintage motorcycles, the group is a collection of riders of all ages and backgrounds. In April, the group began monthly gatherings at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum for coffee and kickstands before going for a ride.

“Not only do we like to show up, show our bikes and talk to people about our bikes, but we also like to ride,” said group member Warren Olds. “[The museum meetup] will include a nice ride.”

While the group welcomes everything from vintage mopeds to big twins, UJMs and everything in between, Dennis Moore — who created the Facebook group and serves as its admin — said the true power of the group comes from the individuals that have created a positive community.

“This group has embraced the idea of respect for one another,” Moore said. “And then everything that happens after that is good.” —Keaton Maisano

Learning to Adventure

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation announced in May the AdventureBike RiderCourse (ADVRC) — created for adventure and dual-purpose motorcyclists who want to learn foundational off-road skills.

The single-day course includes 12 exercises and an adventure prep discussion to help riders build confidence in and understanding of their motorcycles.

The riding portion involves low-traction surfaces to give riders the chance to develop necessary skills for off-road environments. While the course is for licensed riders who own adventure and dual-purpose bikes, no prior offroad riding experience is needed to participate in the opportunity.

“The AdventureBike RiderCourse will make core off-road skill building available nationwide and help these riders explore the capabilities of their motorcycles,” said Director of Rider Education Expansion Corey Eastman. “We hope riders take this knowledge and go on to discover thousands of ADV riding opportunities.”

The ADVRC facilities are located in the following 12 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. The course is also available under the Adventure Touring Rider Course name at participating Harley-Davidson Riding Academy locations. —Keaton Maisano HISTORIC AMA

HISTORIC AMA GYPSY TOURS

...got their start more than 100 years ago at places like Weirs Beach near Laconia, N.H., and Harley-Davidson Motor Co. in Milwaukee, Wis.

AMA Gypsy Tours have always been about riding and sharing the camaraderie of two wheels with like-minded enthusiasts at great destinations.

And that continues with the 2022 Gypsy Tour schedule, where riders can meet, share experiences and even grab their collectible AMA National Gypsy Tour pin dated with the year.

REMAINING EVENTS The Americade Rally

JUNE 7-11 Laconia Motorcycle Week

June 11-19 Thunder in the Valley

June 23-26 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

July 22-24 Four Corners Motorcycle Rally

Sept. 2-4

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.americanmotorcyclist.com/gypsytour

Racing ROUNDUP

WHAT’S WHAT IN THE WORLD OF AMA RACING COMPETITION

JEFF KARDAS

Hymas Reigns Supreme in Title Race

In a race full of young riders with bright futures, Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas outshined the competition on his way to capturing the newly formatted Supercross Futures AMA National Championship on May 7 in Salt Lake City.

In the winner-takes-all final race — which coincided with the AMA Supercross season finale — Hymas battled with runner-up finisher Ryder DiFrancesco early on but stretched his lead to more than 8 seconds by race’s end to claim the title.

“This is so awesome,” Hymas said from the podium after accepting the National No. 1 plate. “So many people from home and around Utah came to watch me, and every lap I came around I could hear people cheering for me. [Winning today] is something so special.”

—Keaton Maisano

Congrats AMA Supercross Champs

The AMA presented No. 1 plates at three consecutive AMA Supercross events recently, with Jett Lawrence becoming the first recipient at Gillette Stadium after the Foxborough, Mass., round; Eli Tomac earning the plate at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver; and Christian Craig most recently collecting his No. 1 plate May 7 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. “The AMA congratulates all three AMA Supercross champions and their teams,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “AMA Supercross showcases the best riders from around the world, and Eli Tomac, Christian Craig and Jett Lawrence brought the dedication, skill and energy required to claim the victories.”

—Keaton Maisano

ELI TOMAC

JETT LAWRENCE

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Eli Tomac clinched the AMA 450SX championship — his second in the last three seasons — in his home state of Colorado. The 250SX classes saw a pair of first-time AMA Supercross champions, with Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence taking the 250SX East title and Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Christian Craig claiming the 250SX West crown.

CHRISTIAN CRAIG PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS

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Mission Foods: Title Sponsor of AMA FTGC

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Mission Foods — the world’s leading manufacturer of tortillas, wraps and tortilla chips, and a proud supporter of flat track racing — will be the title sponsor of the 2022 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship (FTGC) at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill., July 7-13.

Over the past several years, Mission Foods has been a passionate supporter of motorsports, specifically backing flat track racing and riders on both the pro and amateur levels. Much of this support stems from the fact that Mission Foods Chief Executive Officer Juan Gonzalez is a motorcycle enthusiast and an exracer himself.

“We are excited to partner with the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship,” said CEO Gonzalez. “We are proud to be able to support these up-and-coming racers, and I strongly believe that our partnership will create some unforgettable moments for all race fans.”

The three-year title sponsorship deal with Mission Foods highlights how instrumental the company has been in bringing energy to flat track at every level of the sport, according to AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “We’re proud to have them on board as our title sponsor for seven days of the best amateur flat track action in the country.” —Joy Burgess

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