American Motorcyclist December 2021 by American Motorcyclist Association

D E C E M B E R

The U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team storms to victory in Italy at the 95th ISDE

THE JOURNAL OF THE

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DECEMBER

2021

VOLUME

6 PERSPECTIVES AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm 8 AMA INSIDER AMA Deputy Director of Racing Mike Burkeen 10 BACKFIRES Membership feedback on On Any Sunday, David Aldana and Vintage Motorcycle Days 12 HELMET LAWS AND THE AMA Where the AMA stands and why 18 COVER STORY: GIRL POWER! The U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team triumphs at the 95th ISDE in Italy 32 AMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Honoring eight inductees and their rich contributions to the history of motorcycling in America

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44 APPALACHIAN INGENUITY The non-profit Backroads of Appalachia revitalizes America’s coal country through motorcycle tourism 52 RIDING INTO HISTORY Scuttled in 2020, this year’s RIH concours and charity was absolutely elegant 62 EVENT CALENDAR AMA-sanctioned rides, races and events 70 FLASHBACK: MALCOLM’S MEMORIES ON THE COVER: Rachel Gutish (shown), along with U.S. Women’s World Trophy team members Brandy Richards and Britney Gallegos, took the third ISDE win for U.S. women with a history-making performance in Italy. Photographer Mary Rinell not only captured our cover photo, but chronicled the triumphs and trials of the entire U.S. ISDE team with her stellar shots.

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COMMUNICATIONS

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mitch Boehm Editorial Director Todd Westover Creative Director Joy Burgess Managing Editor Kali Kotoski Editor-at-Large Keaton Maisano Communications Associate Pete terHorst Contributing Editor Chad Fulton Graphic Designer submissions@ama-cycle.org

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at americanmotorcyclist.com/ama-board-of-directors

Steve Gotoski Director of Industry Relations and Business Memberships (951) 491-1910, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org Forrest Hayashi Advertising Manager (562) 766-9061, fhayashi@ama-cycle.org Lynette Cox Marketing Manager (614) 856-1900, ext. 1223, lcox@ama-cycle.org All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA. American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2021.

Russ Ehnes Chair Great Falls, Mont. Gary Pontius Vice Chair Westfield, Ind. Byron Snider Assistant Treasurer Newbury Park, Calif. Jerry Abboud Executive Committee Member Thornton, Colo. Paul Vitrano Executive Committee Member Medina, Minn. Brad Baumert Louisville, Ky. Hub Brennan Robert Pearce Amherst, Ohio E. Greenwhich, R.I. Tom Umphress Christopher Cox Jordan, Minn. Florence, S.C. Faisel Zaman Mark Hosbach Franklin, Tenn. Dallas, Texas

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AMA STAFF EXECUTIVE

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Rob Dingman President/Chief Executive Officer James Holter Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wolens Chief Financial Officer Donna Perry Executive Assistant to President/CEO Danielle Smith Human Resources Manager/Assistant to COO

Michael Sayre Director of Government Relations Nick Haris Western States Representative Tiffany Cipoletti Government Relations Manager, On-Highway Peter Stockus Government Relations Manager, Off-Highway Erin Reda Grassroots Coordinator

RACING AND ORGANIZER SERVICES Mike Pelletier Director of Racing Bill Cumbow Director of International Competition Michael Burkeen Deputy Director of Racing Erek Kudla Off-Road Racing Manager Ken Saillant Track Racing Manager Joe Bromley Program Development Manager Alexandria Kovacs Program Manager Connie Fleming Supercross/FIM Coordinator Olivia Davis Racing Coordinator Serena Van Dyke Recreational Riding Coordinator

OPERATIONS Steve Austin Director of Operations John Bricker Mailroom Manager Rob Baughman Operations Specialist Ed Madden System Support Specialist

ACCOUNTING Karen Esposito Accounting Manager

MUSEUM Daniel Clepper Collections Manager Paula Schremser Program Specialist Ricky Shultz Clerk Alys Horne Clerk

MARKETING AND MEMBER SERVICES Amanda Donchess Director of Membership Marketing and Services Jennifer Finn Event and Member Activity Planner Lauren Snyder Marketing and Advertising Coordinator Holly Bennett Membership Fulfillment Coordinator Tiffany Pound Member Services Manager Stephanie McCormick Member Services Representative Vickie Park Member Services Representative Charles Moore Member Services Representative Claire McPherson Member Services Representative Kelly Andres Member Services Representative Reba Snodgrass Member Services Representative Carol Vaughan Member Fulfillment Representative

American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly (12 issues) by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2021. Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $19.95 covered in membership dues. Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices. AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

PERSPECTIVES

Our Best and Brightest BY MITCH BOEHM

nother class of outstanding men and women were inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on the evening of October 15. And not only did the cocktail reception and induction ceremony happen fittingly at the home of the AMA and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio, it was very definitely an evening to remember for the inductees, their friends and family, industry folk and AMA members and fans who attended — or watched live on Facebook. It was a bigger class than normal, too...eight inductees versus the five or six usually enshrined, thanks largely to the fact the AMA didn’t have an induction ceremony last year due to COVID. It was a big production, too, and one that involved literally a mammoth amount of work over the last few months for AMA staff as we pieced together a stage show, professional presenters, catering, lighting and sound, graphics, scripts, Keynote presentation, teleprompter, video, inductee travel and hotels, and much more. It’s a logistical deep dive that could’ve quickly turned into a nightmare. Fortunately, it didn’t, and there are a whole lotta AMA folks happy about that…and happy it’s over. I’ve been to a handful of these ceremonies over the years, and even got to present the late Bob Greene for Induction back in 2007 (Greene was Editor-in-Chief at Motorcyclist before me), but this one was really quite special. Our Communications team was involved from the early stages, and of course it’s always nice 6

A baker’s dozen of HOFers. L to R: Bill Werner, Steve Morehead, Gunnar Lindstrom, Dave Zein, Chris Carr, Rita Coombs (representing husband, Dave Coombs Sr.) Ryan Villopoto, Kenny Tolbert, Scott Plessinger, Anthony Brutto (Loretty Lynn’s grandson), Gary Denton, Roger DeCoster, Dave Arnold.

to see something your team (and your entire organization) worked so hard on come off so successfully. But there was also a lot of pride sitting there and watching it all from the back of the auditorium. Obviously, I was proud of our eight inductees (see pg. 32) — Dave Arnold, Nancy Davidson, Gary Denton, Tommy Hays, country music legend Loretta Lynn, Scott Plessinger, Kenny Tolbert and Ryan Villopoto — all of whom have enriched our motorcycling lives. Beyond all that, I found myself feeling intensely proud of the AMA and the sport of motorcycling itself, which have in concert helped bless millions of us over the last century with fun, excitement and adventure. Along with the bikes we ride, the sport and the AMA have absolutely injected meaning and feelings of freedom and camaraderie into our souls. I drove over to the Museum on Sunday after the festivities to experience the place without Friday and Saturday’s hustle and bustle. I did a slow tour of the Class of 2021 display, and then walked downstairs to see the new On Any Sunday display, which showcases four OAS-

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

tinged motorcycles – including the Husky Malcolm rode in certain scenes. Goosebumps there, for sure. There’s a video monitor down there with On Any Sunday playing on a loop, and I sat down to watch the last 20 minutes or so. The last few minutes of OAS have always been my favorite, with Malcolm, Steve and Mert playing around and spinning those donuts on the beach, especially with Dominic Frontiere and Sally Stevens providing that wondrous soundtrack. Sitting there watching, surrounded by our Hall of Famers and the motorcycles they (and we) rode, was a powerfully emotional moment for me — a reminder that the sport we all love is alive and well and, for many of us, a guiding light in our lives. I could never know the riches motorcycling would bring to my life when I got that first Honda SL70 back in 1971. But sitting there on that Sunday afternoon, it all sorta came into focus. To everyone thus affected (most of you, I’d gather), best holiday wishes to you and yours. See you in 2022! Mitch Boehm is the Editorial Director of the AMA

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RIDER: JEREMY MCGRATH

INSIDER

Supercross Licensing 101

e get this question all the time here in the AMA Racing department: “How do I get my AMA Supercross License?” And with the 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship fast approaching, we’re hearing it even more these days. A rider must collect four points in a 24-month period to qualify for their Supercross license. To achieve the four points needed to get your 2022 AMA Supercross license, the 2021 program — which was implemented due to COVID restrictions in the 2020/2021 seasons — has consisted of riding selected amateur events where riders could earn points in the 250 Supercross Futures, 250A and 250 Pro Sport classes. Two points were available for

the top 20 finishers at the 2021 Daytona Ricky Carmichael Amateur SX (250 Futures class), the 2021 James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship (250A Pro Sport), and the 2021 Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross (250 Pro Class). Riders finishing in the top 20 in the 250 Pro Sport class at the 2021 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship earned all four points needed for their license. For those who plan to work towards their AMA Supercross license in 2022, we have the updated 2022 Supercross Futures program. Supercross Futures allows riders to not only earn points for their AMA Supercross license, but also offers the opportunity to showcase their skills on a professional-level Supercross track in stadiums at an AMA Supercross event.

QUALIFYING REGIONS AND EVENTS Northwest • Primary – Saturday, November 20, 2021, at DT1 Motocross Park, Tulare, CA • Premier – Saturday, January 15, 2022, at RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland, CA West • Primary – Saturday, October 30, 2021, at FOX Raceway, Pala, CA • Premier – Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA Southwest • Primary – Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Arizona Cycle Park, Buckeye, AZ • Premier – Saturday, February 5, 2022, at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ Southcentral • Primary – Saturday, October 9, at 3 Palms MX Park, Conroe, TX • Premier – Saturday, February 26, 2022, at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX South • Primary – Sunday, October 31, 2021, at WW Ranch, Jacksonville, FL • Premier – Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA Northeast • Primary – Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Doublin Gap MX, Shippensburg, PA • Premier – Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA Supercross Futures AMA National Championship • Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT 8

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

JEFF KARDAS

BY MIKE BURKEEN

The country will be divided into six regions with existing tracks serving as Primary qualifiers. The top 22 finishing riders in the Primaries will be invited to race in a Premier qualifier. These Premier races will be held on Saturday at select AMA Supercross events. Riders finishing 1st-11th will be awarded four points, while riders finishing 12th-22nd will be awarded two points. These points can be combined with the points earned in the above-mentioned events so long as they fall within the 24-month period. The top four riders from each Premier event will then advance to the Supercross Futures AMA National Championship, where 24 riders will compete for the title of 250 SX Futures National Champion. Riders and teams can visit www.supercrossfutures. com for additional information. For questions regarding AMA Supercross licensing contact Connie Fleming at cfleming@ama-cycle.org.

Mike Burkeen is the Deputy Director of Racing

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • NOVEMBER 2021

BACKFIRE S BRUCE, REVISITED I can’t tell you how impressed and appreciative I was for your July issue’s tribute to Bruce Brown and On Any Sunday, and wanted to share some behind-the-scenes memories I have of Bruce, which I hope you’ll enjoy. I am blessed to have known Bruce and his wife Pat for over 70 years, as both friends and business partners. Bruce convinced me back in 1963 to help produce his legendary film about surfing, The Endless Summer, and it was the one of the best decisions I ever made. Like Bruce, I was a cameraman, but for more than a decade I worked closely with him as friend, business manager, production manager and devil’s advocate. Many years after the release of The Endless

Summer and On Any Sunday, Bruce graciously revised the IMDb credits for both films and acknowledged me as his co-producer. After the success of The Endless Summer, Bruce was offered dozens of opportunities to produce a sequel, once by Robert Evans, producer of The Godfather. He always declined, saying he had no more to say about surfing or surfers. About this time I introduced Bruce to motorcycles, and I use that word loosely because it was on a Honda 55cc step through. He quickly upgraded his ride to a Honda 90, and several weeks later showed up with two matching Triumph 200cc Cubs, which we quickly outgrew — and then made Husqvarna our bikes of choice — and Malcolm Smith our hero! Many of our surfing buddies soon

gravitated to dirt bikes, including our friend and surfboard legend Hobie Alter, who belonged to a club that sponsored a 100-mile hare-and-hound race in the Lucerne Valley. Hobie asked Bruce to contact ABC’s Wide World of Sports and try to convince them to cover the event, which Bruce did — and got the assignment. The logistics were immense, but we felt this would be a great opportunity for us to move into a very different sport other than surfing. The program was a ratings success and ABC offered us several more motorsport programs, including the Baja 1000. Besides Malcolm Smith, we became friends with J.N. Roberts, Sammy Tanner and Steve McQueen. Steve was a fan of The Endless Summer and encouraged Bruce to apply his talents to make a film about motorcycles. As Mitch Boehm pointed out in his article, Steve

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I N N O V AT I V E T O O L S A N D P R O D U C T S T H AT H E L P Y O U M A I N TA I N A N D R E P A I R M O T O R C Y C L E S , AT V S A N D U T V S

Great article on David Aldana! I had the pleasure of meeting him some years back at a local dirt track race, though I didn’t know it was him until he walked up, unzipped his “bones” leathers and sat down to chat. We shot the breeze while watching the other racers run, talking about motorcycles but mostly about life as two older fellas might. The conversation ended when he looked at his watch and said, “I think I have a race coming up soon!” Glad to hear he’s doing well and still racing. How amazing is that? Ray Lasich AMA Life Member #576869 Gull Lake, Michigan

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VMD AND ALDANA American Motorcyclist just keeps getting better! The recent issue reminded me that VMD is sort like Sturgis, only for every rider and without the wet t-shirt contests. Aldana? Priceless. He’s like a fine old watch...he just keeps on ticking, and is a great example for all of us who love motorcycles. Ask him about his passion for carrier pigeons next time you talk to him. Bryon Farnsworth

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rewarded when Malcolm’s Six Day Trials segment received a standing ovation at the film’s premier. Bruce has been gone for over three years now and I miss his guidance, inspiration and friendship more than I can say. Not a day goes by as I face life’s challenges that I don’t think, what would Bruce do? But it gives me great pleasure to hope that somewhere my old friend is reliving memories with our other ol’ friends…Dick Mann, Cal Rayborn, Gene Romero and Steve McQueen. Thanks again for putting together such a heartwarming and wonderful issue, and reminding me of all the memorable times spent during the production of On Any Sunday. You really had your eye on the ball. Thank you to you and your staff. Bob Bagley

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was initially miffed about not being invited to be in the film, but relented the following day. Bruce’s desire to create On Any Sunday was driven by his belief that motorcycle folks were as badly maligned as surfers, and he wanted to provide a new perspective. I am so pleased you included Sally Stevens in your piece and printed her lyrics to the film’s theme song. When we hired Dominic Frontiere to write the musical score for On Any Sunday we never intended for any of the music to include lyrics, only a variety of instrumental moods to enhance the action. Dominic did, however, hire Sally to provide some vocal background to selected tracks. For years, Sally had been the voice for United Airlines and in numerous other television commercials. She knew nothing about motorcycles, but was so taken by the film that she was inspired to compose the lyrics that so perfectly conveyed the emotion and spirit of On Any Sunday. Being able to read her lyrics made them all the more meaningful. I regret that Bruce was unable to see this issue. He would have appreciated how much your team grasped all that went into creating this legendary film. The issue captured the essence of his talent, dedication and passion to tell not just the story of motorcycle competition, but more importantly, how much he admired and respected the racers we filmed…on any Sunday. For over two years he led a team of professional filmmakers who shared his passions, traveled the world and shot over 400,000 feet of film, over 75 miles of it. He then spent hundreds of hours piecing together bits of that film to tell his story. Bruce screened segments of the film with friends and colleagues during all this — and found that the English Trials and Malcolm’s Six Day Trials segments drew the lowest scores. Bruce couldn’t believe or accept that, and took the footage back to his office and spent several weeks at his old editing bench, creating the segment as it appears in the final cut of the film. His determination and efforts were

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

up t o s pe e d

Helmet Laws and the AMA

Q&A with AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman and Government Relations Director Michael Sayre on the AMA’s stance on helmet use and laws BY PETE terHORST

mong AMA members and motorcyclists in general, one of the most discussed issues is the organization’s position on helmet use. Some years ago, the AMA Board of Directors adopted a formal position statement urging voluntary helmet use but opposing state or national laws mandating helmets. Critics of the statement argue the AMA is antihelmet. Supporters reject that claim, countering that mandates have unintended consequences that can harm motorcycling. We decided to go straight to the top and get answers. AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman has an in-depth understanding of this issue. Before joining the AMA’s Washington, D.C., staff in 1994, he was a government relations specialist for the Motorcycle Industry Council, and a legislative aide and research associate in the New York State Assembly. While in the AMA’s D.C. bureau, Dingman and the organization were successful in repealing federal penalties on states without helmet laws. Before rejoining the AMA in 2006 as AMA President, he held the position of Assistant Commissioner for Transportation Safety at the New York State DMV, where he also oversaw the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

ROB DINGMAN

MIKE SAYRE

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

Mike Sayre, AMA director of government relations in Washington, D.C., is directly involved in the day-to-day implementation of the AMA’s legislative agenda, and has an intimate knowledge of the current state of affairs in the highly charged partisan environment of the nation’s politics. American Motorcyclist: There seems to be some confusion and misinformation among non-members and even AMA members regarding the AMA’s position on helmet use and helmet laws. What’s the overview on helmet use from the AMA’s point of view? Rob Dingman: The main point is that the AMA is a strong advocate of helmets and helmet use, as well as the use of other protective equipment. We simply want the decision to be voluntary, not mandatory. It’s a well-reasoned position that I find our members understand and support, even if they initially were OK with a helmet mandate because they thought it was harmless. But we can and should do a better job of explaining our opposition to mandates and our support for voluntary helmet use. Michael Sayre: The AMA’s position is often misunderstood or misstated, but can be boiled down to two sentences found in the board’s formal statement: 1) The AMA strongly encourages all motorcyclists to make use of a

properly fitted motorcycle helmet certified by its manufacturer to meet the DOT standard in addition to a full range of protective gear. 2) The AMA believes the decision whether or not to wear a helmet is an adult’s personal decision, and as such, opposes laws that mandate the use of a helmet by adults. Those two statements may seem at odds, but they are based on

crashes, and that’s where we want to see increased focus — and funding — from our state and federal governments. If we just focus on requiring helmets and not on crash prevention, then we all lose. Because even with a mandate, crashes and fatalities will continue to occur. So we can’t afford to take our focus off of crash prevention.

“the AMA is a strong advocate of helmets and helmet use, as well as the use of other protective equipment. We simply want the decision to be voluntary, not mandatory.” ROB DINGMAN decades of advocacy and experience in the motorcycling community. We believe that, taken together, they are the best way to support motorcycling while encouraging motorcyclists to make their own decisions about their personal safety. AM: If the AMA wants riders to wear helmets, what’s the problem with state or federal mandates? RD: Certainly, there’s no argument from us that helmets are crucial to reducing injuries and deaths. Whenever a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, there is considerable risk for injury or worse. And helmets can mitigate that risk. But where we differ is when the talk turns to mandates. Mandatory helmet laws do nothing to prevent

MS: In our experience as motorcycling safety advocates, we too often see helmet laws treated as the only solution to prevent injuries or fatalities on the road. This allows government agencies responsible for road safety to “check the box” on motorcyclist safety without taking the more difficult steps of addressing motorcyclist safety in a way that actually prevents crashes. The AMA and our partners have focused on preventing crashes, with some notable success. Those efforts have resulted in federal funding being made available to support motorcycle awareness campaigns aimed at both motorcyclists and other motorists, state funding for rider education, stakeholder groups at the state level addressing motorcyclist safety, as

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

u p t o s p eed well as groups like the Motorcyclist Advisory Council addressing infrastructure issues that impact motorcyclist safety at the federal level. All of these efforts focus on preventing motorcycle crashes through rider training, improved licensing and testing, motorist education, programs to reduce impaired riding, and redesigning infrastructure that currently poses a risk to motorcyclists. RD: There is a clear distinction between the voluntary use of helmets and mandatory helmet-use laws. Mandates require enforcement, and new enforcement requires new sources of funding. And these days, government funding is a limited resource that is being divvied up between more and more programs. To those who would support mandates, I ask: Are you willing to lose funding for instructor training and rider education? Funding for PSAs, distracted driving and

succeed in imposing helmet mandates but motorcycle crashes and fatalities continue — and sadly, they will — where will regulators turn their attention next? Will they force motorcycle design changes? Limit horsepower? Decree that motorcycles are inherently dangerous and ban us from the public roadways? If that seems like hyperbole, let me remind readers that in 2014, we discovered that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Community Preventive Services Task Force called for universal mandatory helmet use by motorcyclists. That’s “If our legislators and bureaucrats right, the CDC direct public funds to enforce helmet and its task force, in a flagrant case laws, will there still be funds left of mission creep, for these other valuable measures viewed motorcycling as a disease and that are proven to reduce the were looking for likelihood of crashes?” ROB DINGMAN ways to reduce riding. You can’t motorcycle awareness campaigns? make this stuff up! Or even highway maintenance? Another case in point is the Vision If our legislators and bureaucrats Zero movement. As we speak, cities direct public funds to enforce helmet across the country are developing laws, will there still be funds left for long-range strategies to eliminate all these other valuable measures that traffic fatalities and severe injuries. are proven to reduce the likelihood It’s a noble vision, but when you start of crashes? I think it’s a fair question reading these plans, very, very few to ask. include motorcycles in any of their plans. That’s very telling, and we AM: Rob, you have often talked can’t allow ourselves to be excluded about the slippery slope argument. from these policy decisions. What’s that about? At the risk of sounding like Chicken Little, the same logic that would have RD: Simply this: If safetycrats every state require helmets and 14

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

potentially other mandated safety gear for all motorcyclists would just as likely see our vehicles banned from public streets. There is an inherent risk in riding a motorcycle, more so on our nation’s roads where riders face a myriad of threats, and for some in the world of road safety, every risk must be eliminated in the name of public safety. The AMA has been around long enough to have witnessed efforts to ban motorcyclists from certain roads as well as efforts to ban entire classes of motorcycles from all roads. For example, in 1998 the Chicago City Council pushed to ban motorcycles on Lake Shore Drive, a scenic urban expressway that hugs Lake Michigan. Even before that, Senator John Danforth from Missouri led a campaign — along with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — to completely ban high-performance motorcycles across the nation. The AMA fought vehemently and defeated those efforts. While many risks can be eliminated through education, road design and better enforcement, the AMA will never accept the banning of motorcycles from public roads in the name of safety. AM: One claim that’s often made by helmet-law supporters is that injured motorcyclists are uninsured and disproportionately rely upon the public to pay for their injuries. Another claim is that the costs associated with un-helmeted motorcyclist injuries and fatalities compel the enactment of mandatory helmet laws to save taxpayer dollars. Is any of this true? MS: Motorcyclists are just as likely to be privately insured as any other road user. A medical center study by Harborview Medical Center reported that injured motorcyclists in the trauma center relied on public funds a lower percentage of the time than

did automobile drivers to pay their hospital bills during the same time period. A university study reported that automobile drivers and motorcyclists have their medical costs covered by insurance at a nearly identical rate. The conclusion, then, is that injured motorcyclists are less likely than the general population to use public funds to pay for injuries sustained in crashes, and no more likely to be uninsured than other vehicle operators. Some states have made a motorcyclist’s decision to not wear a helmet contingent on the purchase of additional insurance coverage. This rationale may allow riders in these states to make their own decision when it comes to helmets but laws that provide this are based on the idea that motorcyclists making this choice are a social burden while also conditioning this right on the motorcyclist’s ability to pay for more insurance. The AMA believes that accepting such requirements is contrary to the longterm interests of motorcycling. AM: Is there anything else you’d like to say? RD: I just want to reiterate that the most effective way to reduce motorcyclist injuries and fatalities is to prevent crashes from occurring. Helmets and helmet laws do not prevent crashes. It’s naïve to say motorcyclists should just accept helmet mandates and move on. Because there are opponents of motorcycling, represented by all political persuasions, who seek to eliminate motorcycles altogether. If we accept mandates, that will not be the end of our battles. It will be the first step in the continuing erosion of our legal right to access America’s public roads and highways. To learn more about the AMA Board of Directors’ position statements, visit americanmotorcyclist.com/amaposition-statements/.

What’s a comprehensive safety program look like?

n recent years, the number of motorcycle crashes has increased roughly in proportion to the increase in motorcycle sales and use. While a cause for concern, the AMA believes that a comprehensive solution, not a flawed “silver bullet” approach, will result in fewer crashes, injuries and fatalities. Too many public agencies’ motorcycle safety programs treat a mandatory helmet law as a comprehensive motorcycle safety program. Motorcyclists are overrepresented in alcohol-involved and speed related crashes and fatalities as well as those by unlicensed operators. A mandatory helmet law, by itself, is not a countermeasure to these causes. Motorcycle safety programs that promote licensing and testing can further reduce motorcycle crashes. Slightly more than one of five motorcycle operators (28 percent) involved in fatal crashes in 2018 was operating with an invalid license. More than one-third (39 percent) of all fatally injured motorcyclists had consumed alcohol. Alcohol awareness campaigns and intervention programs can drastically reduce alcohol-related crashes and fatalities. More than one-half (56 percent) of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. The most common crash involves the driver of the other vehicle turning in front of the motorcyclist (43 percent), followed by both vehicles colliding while going straight (21 percent). Motorist awareness campaigns and motorcyclist conspicuity programs can reduce the frequency and/or severity of these types of crashes.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

u p t o s p eed

B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O love for motorcycles was on full display Oct. 8 when Fairfield Community Supports — which strives to help individuals of different abilities to live as independent and productive members of their communities — had a group of five members and two staffers travel from its Logan, Ohio, location for a selfguided tour of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Among the group of motorcycle enthusiasts was Quentin, who was making his inaugural visit to the museum. Although his first time in the museum, Quentin’s personal motorcycling history traces back to his mother who rides. Like Quentin, Roger’s love for motorcycles has familial roots. In his case, the fascination sparked when he occasionally rode around on his family’s red ATV growing up. However, no one was trying to take in the moment quite like Stephanie. Through her rainbow-framed glasses, she made sure to snap a picture of as many different exhibits throughout the museum as she could to show her husband Charlie, who was unable to make the trip. “They really enjoyed [the museum],” Baylee VanCooney, the ADS Director of On the Farm at Fairfield Community Supports, said. “They love all the different motorcycles.”

Community Group Visits AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

o n t h e r ad ar Biden Restores Bears Ears and Other National Monument Boundaries

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resident Joe Biden restored the boundaries to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, which combined will prevent commercial activity on 3.2 million acres in Southern Utah, protecting the land from gas and mineral extraction. The restoration rescinds a Trump-era order that aimed www.mxbootrepair.com to reduce the size of the National Monuments’ protected status by as much as 85 percent. “Restoring these protections will BC_047460_DRI0416P.indd 1/11/16 7/28/16 conserve a multitude of sites thatAnthony's are benefit logo.indd 1 1 Proud sponsor of culturally and spiritually important to MotoAmerica Tribal Nations,” the White House said ® in a statement. Tribal leaders and conservation groups applauded the move while • Crash Damage Repair Utah officials from the Governor’s • Section & Zipper Replacement & Repair office criticized the action as lacking in • Custom Lazer Engraving & Cutting a permanent legislative solution that Leather Drop Off would end the perpetual enlarging • Alteration, Cleaning & Dyeing Locations at All and shrinking of these monuments MotoAmerica Races Authorized Repair Center for Dainese, Alpinestars, and bring certainty to how they are REV’IT, MITHOS, and SPIDI managed. “The AMA is closely watching this 949-486-9000 • anthonysleatherworks.com issue and will continue to work with our Utah-based partners to protect existing motorized access,” said OffHighway AMA Government Relations Manager Peter Stockus.

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AMA Board Members Ehnes and Pontius Retain Seats MA Board of Directors members Russ Ehnes (Chairman) and Gary Pontius both retained their seats when no other qualified candidates challenged them before the Sept. 15 deadline. Board of Directors Chairman Ehnes represents the Northwest Region, which includes northern California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Pontius represents the North Central Region, which encompasses northern Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The AMA Board of Directors includes 12 members — six elected by AMA members, four elected by business members and two at-large members appointed and ratified at the annual national AMA member meeting.

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

BRITNEY GALLEGOS

The U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team storms to victory in Italy at the 95th ISDE

POWER ! BY JOY BURGESS PHOTOS BY MARY RINELL

here’s a reason the six one-day runs that make up the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) are called “tests.” Each day is designed to test the limits of both rider and machine. Competitors contend with the local environment — which may include craggy mountain trails, urban streets, steep hills, forests, streams, deserts or even snow-covered passes — every bit as much as they do against one another. Over the six days, competitors ride more than 1,000 miles and get no outside assistance along the way. Beyond the challenges that come with tackling each of those tests, riders face the challenge of handling mechanical repairs on their bikes, as well. It’s that struggle — the man or woman versus machine, versus environment, versus time — that makes a win at the ISDE so special and so satisfying. And this past September, the U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team not only claimed the 2021 victory in spectacular fashion, beating secondplace finishers Great Britain by just over 15 minutes, but team member Brandy Richards did something no woman — or man! — has ever done in the event’s 100-year-plus history: she won every single test in her class across the six days.

BRANDY RICHARDS

RACHEL GUTISH

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

For more than a century, the FIM International Six Days Enduro — formerly known as the International Six Days Trials — has been the world’s largest and most prestigious annual off-road motorcycle competition, and is one of the longest-running events on the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme’s calendar. A handful of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers, including Kurt Caselli, Dick Burleson, Jeff Fredette and Malcolm Smith, have competed in the event through the years with great success. But it wasn’t until 2007 that the Women’s Trophy for teams comprised of three female riders was introduced. And it was the U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team — which included Mandi Mastin, Nicole Bradford and Lacy Jones — that made history by claiming the first-ever Women’s World Trophy that year in Chile. Despite American women taking that first historic win, the French women dominated in the following years, and the U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team didn’t claim victory again until 2019 when team members Becca Sheets, Brandy Richards and Tarah Gieger hoisted the Trophy on the top step of the podium. The U.S. didn’t compete in 2020 due to COVID-19, so the 2021 Women’s World Trophy Team — including Brandy Richards (No. 301), Rachel Gutish (No. 302) and Britney Gallegos (No. 303)— was on a mission when they headed to Italy…a mission to take the Trophy for the U.S. once again! The Journey For Brandy, Rachel and Britney, the journey towards ISDE competition began when they were young. All three were little girls with big dreams and a passion for racing. “My dad was a pro snowcross racer,” 27-year-old Britney, who’s from Monte Vista, Colo., told American Motorcyclist, “and he got a bike when I was about 2 years old, riding me around on the seat. By age 3 I was riding snowmobiles, then he bought me a PW50 when I was 4. Before long I was riding that thing every day and never wanted to get off it, so not long after I went to my first race in Durango, got a trophy, and I was hooked.” 20

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

“I’d met Brandy (shown) and Britney before,” Rachel remembered, “but we left there as friends. The unique thing about ISDE is that it’s a team event. No rider can win on their own. It takes everyone working together and succeeding to make a win like that happen.”

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

“I think we all knew we had this if we stayed consistent,” Britney weighed in, “but we’d been on the bike so long at that point, it didn’t set in immediately how big of a thing we’d just accomplished.”

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

After that first trophy, Britney wanted to race every weekend, and over the years she raced motocross, the WORCS off-road championship series, AMA Endurocross, the National Hare and Hound series and more. But it was actually Brandy who inspired her to strive towards making the ISDE team. “I’d been going with Brandy to ISDE since 2017,” Britney said, “and after seeing the [U.S. Women’s Trophy Team] win in 2019, it lit a fire in me. The struggle, how much it put those girls to the test…seeing that made me want to experience it.” For 25-year-old Brandy Richards, who hails from Lake Havasu City, Ariz., it was seeing the WORCS series in its first season come through her city that started her two-wheel love affair. “Seeing that WORCS racing was what decided this for me,” Brandy told us. “I got a bike and grew up racing WORCS, going on to race motocross at the [AMA Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s], and I raced a little bit of everything through the years.” Brandy went to her first ISDE in

2017, competing in France where she struggled. “It’s hard to understand [the ISDE] unless you’ve been there and seen it,” Brandy remembered. “That first year was a struggle and a learning experience. I didn’t know what I was getting into. I was sore every day, could hardly move by the end of the tests. But while I was miserable in the moment, it was such an incredible experience that I knew I had to go back.” “It got better every year as I kept going back,” she continued, “and in 2019 we won and I got second individually that year.” While Rachel Gutish’s father owned a motorcycle dealership while she was growing up, her desire to compete at ISDE started when she was 6 years old. “My dad was a good local rider,” 25-year-old Rachel from Terra Haute, Ind., told American Motorcyclist, “and he went to the Six Days on a Club team when I was 6 years old. I thought it was the coolest thing, and I knew then I wanted to do that. That’s the reason this has been a huge goal of mine.”

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

“I’d started riding at age 5,” she continued, “was racing at age 7, starting out racing hare scrambles and dabbling in a bit of moto. While I did well locally and went to regionals, they didn’t have a women’s or girl’s class to race. If I wanted to do something in the sport, I knew I had to go find the other fast women.” And she did. She raced her first GNCC Iron Man in 2010, going on to race the full GNCC series in 2011. Then she went to the ISDE for the first time in 2012 when she was only 16 years old, doing five ISDE events in a row. “I wasn’t really mentally, emotionally, or physically prepared back then,” Rachel remembered. “But even so, I was hooked on the event. I’ve come a long way in the last ten years, and so has women’s racing, and I wanted to prove myself and come back to ISDE again.”

Left to right: Brandy Richards, Rachel Gutish, and Britney Gallegos

“Thanks to [U.S. ISDE Trophy Team Manager] Antti for having the faith to put me back on the team,” Rachel said. “Also, Jay Hall and Dave Chamberlain for keeping my work areas from being a disaster. When I lost my ride, David Quillen let me borrow his Husky so I could practice. My results wouldn’t have been possible without him. And thanks to my parents, especially my dad.”

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

The Struggle While you’d expect the struggle to be toughest during the actual six days of tests, for Rachel, the most stressful part of the 2021 ISDE was the weeks leading up to her trip to Italy. “My biggest challenge was losing my support right before the event,” Rachel mentioned. “I had to source a bike at the last minute and learn to ride a completely different bike than I’d been preparing on within the last six weeks before we left. It made the leadup more stressful than the event for me.” “Once I got to the event,” she continued, “I was surprised at how smooth it went. It’d been nearly five years since I’d been to ISDE, and there was a different maturity level for me now. My abilities had increased in the past five years of training. I had some minor issues in the work area, but I rode smooth all week and it went better than I had any right to think it’d go.” Newcomer Britney had some different challenges competing in her first ISDE. “I was calm,” Britney remembered, “but gosh dang I was scared to make a mistake because I wanted to execute to the best of my ability. On Day 1 we took off as a team, and I quickly realized how challenging and tough it was going to be. We had to carry a quick pace through

“Brandy is an absolute legend,” Rachel continued. “I can’t speak highly enough about what a badass she is. No one has ever won all the tests ever!”

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

“When we started walking the tests,” Brandy said while in Italy, “I thought, ‘you know, I think I could win every single test.’”

the transfers, we were on roads going fast around corners and you couldn’t see if someone was in your lane. I’d been working really hard, but there’s nothing you can do to prepare for that type of [Italian] terrain.” “A few times I felt like I didn’t belong,” Britney continued, “but I had to get past that mentally and keep pushing. It was a struggle, but I wanted that struggle because I knew it would make me a better rider. After the first three days, I got more comfortable and wasn’t wound so tight, and after I got over that hump, it was nice to feel like I was making some progress.” Brandy started out walking the tests with the idea that she could win them all. “When we started walking the tests,” Brandy said while in Italy, “I thought, ‘you know, I think I could win every single test.’” “Everything went pretty smooth the first three days,” she told us, “with only a couple tipovers. On Day 4 I ended up falling, putting a good hole in my elbow and had to get stitched up. But other than that, I didn’t have any major issues.” “After the first day,” Brandy continued, “getting into the tests, seeing how dry it was and how much of a lead we got, at the end of the day I thought we could win. We had to stay focused and consistent. Be in the moment. Stay calm. But going into the second day, I kinda knew.” The Victory! “Day 3 was when I believed we were going to do this,” Rachel mentioned. “But until we all crossed the finish line, there’s so much that can go wrong. But on Day 3 I allowed myself to hope.” “I think we all knew we had this if we stayed consistent,” Britney weighed in, “but we’d been on the bike so long at that point, it didn’t set in immediately how big of a thing we’d just accomplished.” And as they claimed their ISDE victory, champagne sprayed, celebratory burnouts sent dirt flying, American flags flew, and the crowd cheered for the girls from the USA. “I think that’s the best part,” Brandy said, “being able to do that for your country. To wear the American flag and AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

represent the USA.” “I’ve never felt anything like that before,” Rachel exclaimed in a hushed voice, “and I don’t think I will again. It’s hard to find words to describe emotion like that. I was damn near crying on the podium, and I’ll never hear another national anthem the same way. I get chills just thinking about it, and in that moment, I was really proud of my country and my team.” Not only did the Women’s World Trophy Team achieve its second consecutive triumph, but Brandy also won first overall individually. She made history by being the first person to ever win every test, posting the fastest aggregate time overall among the women, with a total time almost 10 minutes faster than the second-fastest female competitor. “I was pretty shocked,” Brandy told us. “I don’t really think it’s sunk in yet. Did I really do that?” “Brandy is an absolute legend,” Rachel continued. “I can’t speak highly enough about what a badass she is. No one has ever won all the trials… ever! Watching her making history right next to me, well that was pretty cool.” “The ultimate test of man [or woman —Ed] and machine,” AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bruce Brown narrates in his legendary film, On Any Sunday, “the Six Day Trials is the Olympic Games of the motorcycle sport … Of all the events Malcolm rides, this is the only one he takes very seriously.” And AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith knows just a little bit about how long the Six Days is and how much endurance it takes to win there…after all, he won eight gold medals between 1966 and 1976 at the ISDT. When we asked him for his thoughts on the 2021 U.S. Women’s Trophy Team win — and the incredible feat Brandy achieved in ISDE history — he had this to say: “I’m very proud, and very impressed!” Very proud. Very impressed. We couldn’t have said it better, Malcolm. Congrats, ladies, for showing the world how it’s done, and putting the good ol’ USA on the top step of the podium…again!

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

“I was damn near crying on the podium, and I’ll never hear another national anthem the same way...I was really proud of my country and my team.” RACHEL GUTISH

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

BY JOY BURGESS PHOTOS: MARY RINELL

he U.S. World Trophy Team took third place in the 2021 FIM International Six Days Enduro behind Italy and Spain, and the team — made up of Johnny Girroir, Taylor Robert, Layne Michael and Ryan Sipes — fought hard to maintain its third place standing the entire six days. Third place wasn’t what the guys were hoping for, but it was a solid showing for the team on tricky Italian terrain despite a couple team members not at their best due to previous injuries and other sponsor commitments. The very first day, the team dealt with some spills that left them playing catch-up with the Italians and Spaniards. The Italians had the home-terrain advantage, so our guys never caught up, although they did pick up some speed in the end. “We’re just excited to get through it and still had a pretty solid showing,” Taylor Robert said while still in Italy. “It’s not exactly where we wanted to be, but it still showed that [we’re some] of the top guys in the world.” Ryan Sipes — a guy that’s raced nearly every type of motorcycle competition under the sun, and continues to do so most years — felt 2021 wasn’t his best year personally, but he had lots of great things to say about the team. “I think our team was awesome,” Ryan told American Motorcyclist. “Taylor [Robert] is one of the best that’s ever done it, and was a previous individual overall winner. Lane Michael rode really well, and Johnny Girroir had some great speed for his first

MANPOWER time at the ISDE. We had a good time representing our country.” “This year wasn’t my best,” he continued, “and it was tougher for me than my five previous ISDE runs. I made some mistakes on a bike I wasn’t super familiar with. The bike was capable, but I wasn’t in tune with it like I could have been.” Although third place is nothing to be ashamed of in world competition, Ryan wants redemption in the future. Left to right: Johnny Girroir, Taylor Robert, Layne “I don’t want this year to be the Michael and Ryan Sipes one that I go out on,” he told us. “I definitely want to come back, and I still have something to offer to the team. I’m kinda a veteran…and if they need a guy, I’ll be that guy.” Though the men’s U.S. World Trophy Team didn’t take gold, they were excited for the Women’s Trophy Team and their resounding victory. “I thought it was awesome” Ryan exclaimed, “especially Brandy, who won every single test. She won by a long, long way, and the other girls held in there strong, too. For them to win it again, that’s really cool.” AMA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

The four-man U.S. World Trophy Team takes third place at the 95th ISDE

Ryan Sipes kicking up some Italian terra ferma at the 95th ISDE.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

HALL

FAM 2 021 AMERICAN

or more than 30 years, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame has been the preeminent organization acknowledging and celebrating individual contributions to the sport of motorcycling, and the cultural impacts motorcycles have on the American ethos of freedom and adventure. With the exception of 2020, when the annual induction ceremony was paused due to the COVID-19

pandemic, the American Motorcyclist Association holds a grand event to honor the luminaries within the American motorcycling world and cement their legacies. For 2021, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inducted eight new members into its annals instead of the customary five or six inductees. The Class of 2021 represents a myriad of influence — Ambassadors/ Industry, Design/Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership/Motorcycle

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

MOTOR

Rights, Motocross/Supercross, OffRoad, Road Racing and Specialty Competition — and includes Dave Arnold, Nancy Davidson, Gary Denton, Tommy Hays, Loretta Lynn, Scott Plessinger, Kenny Tolbert and Ryan Villopoto. “The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2021 includes men and women who have excelled in competition, promotion and advocacy of the sport we all love,” said AMA President and CEO Rob

L OF

RCYCLE ASSOCIATION

Dingman. “They have advanced motorcycling in areas as diverse as amateur motocross to American V-twin culture. They have performed at the pinnacle of their disciplines and helped elevate riders and teams to new heights. We are humbled and honored to recognize these motorcycling greats.” In the following pages you will find brief bios of each of the inductees and why their induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is

both timely and worthy. Following the induction ceremony, the museum now has the Class of 2021 exhibit for visitors to cherish the rich contributions these individuals have provided to the history of motorcycling in America. Welcome to history! — Kali Kotoski Special thanks to our partners, including American Honda, Motion Pro, Blendzall, MX Sports and Federal Motorcycle Transport.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

Dave Arnold ave Arnold’s early tinkering in the garage turned into a career path as he worked for American Honda from the mid-1970s through 2013, developing some of the greatest racing talents — and motorcycles — in the sport, and helping forge the program’s historic dominance in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross. In 1977, Arnold won the prestigious S-K Tools Golden Ratchet Award as Motocross Tuner of the Year while spinning the wrenches for future AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Marty Smith. For 1981, American Honda named Arnold team manager with five-time World Champion and AMA Motorcycle

Hall of Famer Roger DeCoster as team consultant. A total of 25 AMA National Motocross and AMA Supercross Championships were won by Team Honda under Dave Arnold’s direction, as well as 13 Motocross des Nations championships. Arnold retired from team management at the end of 1995 to focus on technical development, transferring to Honda Research North America. There, Arnold started the New Concept Creation Group, which designed and built numerous running prototypes. Arnold received 20 utility patents for new technology, plus two awards of excellence from the president of HRA for innovation.

Right: Dave Arnold takes a victory lap with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Marty Smith.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

All in all, Arnold contributed to 60 titles on Honda factory and factorysupported teams. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Arnold said, “and I’m humbled. There are many people I look up to in life and I’ve had a lot of mentors, and a large portion of them are in the Hall of Fame. I’m a bit overwhelmed to be in their company.” — Joy Burgess

Nancy Davidson N

ancy Davidson, wife of AMA Hall of Fame Legend Bill “Willie G.” Davidson, was one of the most impactful female icons in the American motorcycling community. She contributed to charity rides, supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association through the HarleyDavidson Dealer network and held the No. 2 membership card in the Harley Owners Group. Nancy Schewe was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on June 4, 1932. As high school sweethearts, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Willie G. quickly introduced her to motorcycle culture at events across the Midwest. The couple married in 1957. When Willie G. joined HarleyDavidson in 1963, Nancy devoted

her time to raising a family that appreciated their family heritage and had a love of motorcycling, which served as an inspiration to their children Bill, Karen and Michael. In 1983 the company launched the Harley Owners Group, and Nancy and Willie G. saw a perfect

opportunity to connect with riders and Harley-Davidson fans. “The passion and emotion my mom and dad had for our dealers and our brand is real, and that contribution really helped grow Harley-Davidson and helped people connect with the brand,” said Bill Davidson, one of Nancy and Willie G.’s sons. Nancy traveled the world and demonstrated the value, fun and participation of motorcycling, and the freedom and spirit of motorcycling both on and off the bike. She and her husband became regular fixtures at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Daytona Bike Week where they gave talks, signed autographs and led rides while raising money for charity. Nancy Davidson passed away in July 2021 after battling a long illness. — Kali Kotoski

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Kenny Tolbert uilding and developing the motorcycles that carried AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Chris Carr and Jared Mees to an astonishing 12 AMA Grand National Championships and 121 Grand National wins, Kenny Tolbert is a legendary tuner in AMA Grand National history. Tolbert’s engines have also claimed an additional six 600cc AMA Championships and 31 AMA 600cc wins since 1988. Both championship and win tallies are second place all-time behind fellow Hall of Famer Bill Werner (13 championships and 149 wins). Born in 1957 in Dallas, Tolbert started his amateur racing career

at age 14, going Expert in 1983 and eventually earning National Number 16. In 1988, the Harley-Davidson racing department hired Tolbert as an outside contractor, teaming him up with Carr on the Harley-Davidson factory team — a partnership that would continue for more than 20 years. Carr and Tolbert won their first Grand National Championship together in 1992, and they went on to win six more together. Tolbert collected another four titles working with Mees. Although Tolbert has worked as an independent contractor for both Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle in his career, Carr points out that Tolbert accomplished

Tolbert, bottom, working with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and seventime Grand National Champion Chris Carr. 36

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

everything while working out of his twocar garage and, later, a shop he built in Texas. Beyond the number of wins and championships, people in the flat track paddock say it’s his passion for the sport and his attitude that make him stand out. “He’s the most universally liked and respected tuner in the pits,” Carr said, “and that — along with a long list of accomplishments — makes Tolbert a legend and true ambassador for the sport.” —Joy Burgess

Gary Denton ary Denton was the dominant ATV racer in the 1980s and ’90s, winning eight consecutive AMA ATV Grand National Championship titles, from 1987 to 1994. In 1970, Denton started riding motorcycles at the age of 12 and he started racing professionally by age 16. He won his first major title at age 17, winning the CMC Night Nationals at legendary Irwindale Raceway aboard a DG Performance Honda

CR125 in 1976. Denton began racing AMA Pro Motocross in 1978, tallying 13 top-10 finishes in the 125 MX class over his few years racing motocross. In 1985, Denton began racing quads, first with Klemm Research, then for friend Terry Varney. Denton’s first big win was in 1985 at the LA Coliseum. In 1987, Denton got a factory ride with Team Suzuki to race on its premier 4-wheeler ATV team, racing in the AMA’s recently created ATV Grand

National Championship series. Securing his first title that year — despite breaking his elbow during the season — Denton went on to win the next seven titles. “Gary Denton was the original ATV king in America,” said founder and Editor-in-Chief of Racer X Magazine Davey Coombs. “[ATVs] were new to everyone, but he quickly showed he was a dominate force. He’s spent a lifetime in the motorcycle-related industries, and win or lose, he had a smile on his face.” — Joy Burgess

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

Loretta Lynn rom the hum of music to the thrum of engines, Loretta Lynn has put her stamp on the worlds of music and motocross alike. Although widely known for her success within the country music landscape, Lynn’s — and her late husband Mooney Lynn’s — massive impact on the motocross community can be found a little over an hour outside Nashville, Tenn., at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, where the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is held. Since 1982, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch has welcomed approximately 60,000 American Motorcyclist Association riders. Hosting an average of 36 classes vying for AMA National No. 1 plates each year, the annual event is widely known as the site of the largest amateur motocross event in the world. “The event has grown because

Loretta Lynn with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Dave Coombs Sr. 38

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

of Loretta and that the facility is unparalleled,” MX Sports Director Tim Cotter said. “Not too many people will allow you to come and put a motorbike track in their front yard, but she [and her late husband] did.” Although the young riders that visit her ranch each year did not grow up during the peak of her singing career, Loretta Lynn’s name and voice resonate with everyone who visits. With her song “Coal Miner’s Daughter” ringing out through the ranch’s PA system at 7 a.m. every day, Lynn has contributed to the growth of motocross by hosting the weeklong event where amateur motocross athletes aim to launch their professional careers and claim spots on the podium. Lynn is the only individual to be inducted into both the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. — Keaton Maisano

Ryan Villopoto yan Villopoto exploded onto the professional stage by claiming a combined nine AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross Championships — second most all-time — in his decade of riding professionally. The Poulsbo, Wash., product tallied 41 main event wins in AMA Supercross and 31 national wins while racing AMA Pro Motocross. In AMA Supercross, Villopoto has the fifth most wins in the 450cc class. In Pro Motocross, Villopoto became the third individual to claim multiple professional championships in both the 450cc and 250cc classes. “[He was] one of those people you could count on him bringing everything necessary to win, every single time,” AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame selection committee member Rob

Buydos said. “We’ve seen those guys that go into a slump; he was never in a slump.” His professional career saw success over two multi-year stretches, which were separated by a string of injuries. Villopoto’s first run included a 2006 AMA Motocross/AMA

Supercross Rookie of the Year honor, three Motocross Lites Championships and three of his four Motocross of Nations wins for Team USA. Recovering from a broken leg, 2011 marked the beginning of Villopoto’s second reign of dominance. He became the second athlete — the other being AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeremy McGrath — to claim four consecutive AMA 450cc Supercross National Championships. Villopoto also claimed two additional AMA Pro Motocross Championships over that stretch. “He handled everything from adversity to competition to his own personal brand; he was a tenacious guy that expected a high amount of effort from himself and those around him,” Buydos said. “He rewarded [those around him] with numerous championships.” — Keaton Maisano

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Tommy Hays ommy Hays was known by his fellow Texans for his fearlessness on the track. Born Sept. 22, 1915, the Dallas native’s courage produced great success in his short AMA National career, which ran from 1937-1941 before concluding with his untimely death on the track. Hays was one of the best Class C dirt trackers of his time and arguably the most successful racer from the pre-Grand National Championship era (19331953) who was not yet inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and his racing records lasted decades.

Hays combined courage and speed to claim at least one AMA National TT win each year over a five-year period. His success on the track reached an all-time high in 1941 when he claimed a then-record three Class C National wins in a season. He currently sits at fourth most career AMA National TT wins with seven. Amid his most successful season, Hays became one of only thirty racers selected by the AMA to don a “permanent rider number” for the first time. These identifiers were later known as “National Numbers.” Hays was given No. 12.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

Although on an unprecedented trajectory, Hays’ career and life ended abruptly Oct. 19, 1941. While racing in the Oakland 200 AMA National, Hays was fighting for second position 33 laps into the race when fellow rider June McCall crashed, causing a fivebike accident that included Hays. Both Hays and McCall tragically lost their lives as a result. Posthumously, Hays was voted the Most Popular Rider for 1941 — a distinction that evolved into the AMA Pro Athlete of the Year award. The trophy was presented to Winona Hays, Tommy’s wife. — Keaton Maisano

Scott Plessinger S

cott Plessinger was a top offroad racer in the late 1980s and early ’90s, achieving two Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) titles in 1994 and 1995, and two AMA National Hare Scramble titles in 1989 and 1992. The four-time National Champion has scored 41 National event wins during his career, mostly on KTMs. While Plessinger started in motocross, his career started to take off when he shifted to off-road racing. By the fall of 1986, he was winning nearly every local race he entered, all while fine tuning his skills. During 1987 and 1988, Plessinger primarily raced Kawasakis. While he continued to earn top marks and won

his first National competition in 1988 in Brownsville, Penn., it wasn’t until 1989 that he claimed the ultimate prize, scoring his first AMA Hare Scrambles National Championship in Massachusetts. “Until that win I was always leading races and running fast, but the end never went my way,” Plessinger said. “I always knew I could do it, but it took a lot of dedication to make everything work right.” Entering the 1992 season on a KTM, Plessinger sailed to victory and earned his second AMA Hare Scrambles National Championship. Plessinger won the GNCC

titles in both 1994 and 1995, and almost took another AMA National Hare Scrambles Championship in 1995. Today, Plessinger lives in Ohio and manages a pair of top-shelf motocross venues there. “It really has been great getting thousands of racers out on the track to compete,” he said. “And plus, I like working hard and staying busy.” — Kali Kotoski

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

In Memoriam ith every year that goes by, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebrates a new round of inductees and remembers the lives that have been lost. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a terrible toll nationwide, and with celebrations suspended last year, we now honor all those that passed since the last induction ceremony in 2019. Those include Ed Waldheim, Dick Klamfoth, Joe Bolger, Marty Smith, Babe DeMay, Everett Brashear, Carl Cranke, Bill Tuman, Joel Robert, Mike Bell, Dale Walksler, Del Kuhn, Dick Mann, Derek Rickman and Yvon Duhamel. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame sends its condolences to the family, friends and fans of these remarkable individuals that achieved greatness during life and whose legacies will persist to inspire future generations.

DICK KLAMFOTH

JOE BOLGER

BILL TUMAN

MIKE BELL

MARTY SMITH

CARL CRANKE

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

ED WALDHEIM

DEL KUHN

DEREK RICKMAN

DALE WALKSLER

JOEL ROBERT

EVERETT BRASHEAR

YVON DUHAMEL

DICK MANN

BABE DEMAY

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

A P PA L A C H I A N INGE BY ERIN REDA PHOTOS BY ERIN REDA AND PETER STOCKUS

he ride into Harlan County, Ky., is steeped in lush mountainsides and rich history. Roads twist under coal conveyor belts and past old mine shafts, winding through some of America’s greatest innovations: infrastructure that was used to fuel the industrial revolution and win both world wars. Today, Backroads of Appalachia (BOA) is utilizing Eastern Kentucky’s natural and

man-made gifts to create a motorcyclist’s paradise. Founded by Harlan native Erik Hubbard, Backroads of Appalachia is a non-profit created to assert the modern reality of America’s coal country as an epicenter of motorized tourism and small-town community collaboration. “We have infrastructure here that can be easily designed for on and offroad motorcycle use,” Erik told American Motorcyclist. “Non-profits, county governments and even the

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

the rolling Appalachian Mountains. Historically, this road was simply a shortcut for locals trying to get to neighboring towns, but Erik saw its potential as a jumping off point for reimagining his region. A lifelong rider himself, Erik knew motorcyclists would travel hundreds MELVIN HARDY JR.

state have started paying attention to the work we’re doing here and are getting on board.” One of the first examples? Putting their local Route 160, the “Dragon Slayer,” on the map and into every motorcyclist’s bucket list. Riders wishing to experience Harlan County have two options: Route 23, which goes around Black Mountain, or Route 160, the shortcut across the summit. More than 20 miles long with over 226 curves, Route 160 is a thrilling road full of switchback turns that open to dazzling views of

Working alongside historical strong holds like the Benham School House Inn, the area’s old high school now turned cozy hotel, businesses in the region (like those on Main St., left) now flourish thanks to increased tourism.

Backroads of Appalachia non-profit unites America’s coal country through motorcycle tourism

NUITY

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

Appalachian Main St. President Chris Williams noted reviving local tradition “Cruising Main Street” was a chance for locals to come together and show off bikes and cars while supporting local businesses. Several hundred showed up in 2019. “The town was full again,” he said. “It’s brought people back to Appalachia, that’s all we’ve wanted to do.”

“Appalachia is a lot like motorcyclists in that we sometimes get a bad rep from people that don’t understand us.” WES BAILEY

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

of miles for roads half as long and twisty as Route 160. Knowing it had the potential to be one of America’s greatest motorcycling roads, BOA christened it the “Dragon Slayer” and trademarked the name. Harnessing the power of social media, these initial efforts sparked a flame of growth that would bring together businesses, non-profits and politicians to make Erik’s vision for the area a reality. Almost immediately after its inception, the Dragon Slayer Facebook page was reaching over a million people a month. “The last count was 4.8 million. It’s just nuts,” said Paul Browning, Harlan County Magistrate and a key supporter to BOA’s work. “Last year during COVID there were 9,000 verified motorcyclists coming here specifically for the ‘Dragon Slayer.’” Harlan County’s tourism count for motorcyclists the year before,

according to Paul? “Probably 60.” To lifelong Harlan County resident and BOA’s unofficial spokesperson, Melvin Hardy Jr., this success came as no surprise. As he poured the AMA’s Government Relations team members Erin Reda and Peter Stockus another glass of orange juice in his kitchen, Melvin claimed with a prideful smile on his face, “I have ridden all of the famous American roads over the years and I always say, they don’t have anything on Black Mountain.” “The Appalachian region tends to be overlooked,” said Daniel Naff, a park ranger for Breaks Interstate Park. “Not a lot of people get a chance to experience it for what it truly is. We have one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world.” The richness of this area’s ecology is impossible to ignore. Motorcyclists are all but guaranteed to see a fuzzy black bear or two while traveling down

even the main roads. If you want to bring your adventure or dirt bike and go off-road to experience that nature up close, century-old fire and coal roads will give you more trail options than you could cover in a lifetime. “We’re pivoting from using the land for coal to using the land for recreation,” Wes Bailey, owner of Bailey’s Hoagie shop in Cumberland, told us. “I got out on my four-wheeler two weeks ago and found places and trails I’d never been to — and I’ve lived here my whole life.” With the on-road success of BOA, the group is continuing to focus its efforts on creating an allencompassing riding experience. In 2021, BOA worked with Magistrate Paul Browning to secure a $200,000 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant — a program the AMA was instrumental in creating and sustaining — to expand the Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area, which will now add 18 additional miles of motorized trails. BOA’s quick success did not happen without local champions. Leaders in Harlan and neighboring

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

counties have been laying the groundwork for years to promote their areas. Leaning into the natural beauty of the hollers and creeks that define the region, business, political and non-profit leaders have banded together for the betterment of their community. Across state lines, Appalachia, Va., and Big Stone Gap, Ky., two towns connected by a mile-long joy ride, were working together before BOA’s inception. Focusing on tourism, both towns have started new initiatives that pull from local heritage and modern trends to hone their small-town charms while being

Working with the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment program to support addiction recovery and education programs, BOA’s employees mostly include those in recovery. One of founder Erik’s main priorities is ensuring program grads have a safe place to stay and strengthen their skills.

Left to right: Magistrate Paul Browning, Pete Stockus and Erin Reda.

able to entertain and receive the crowds of motorcyclists they hope will come check them out. “When you lose a lot of jobs in a region like we have through coal, there’s a depression that comes with it,” said town manager of Big Stone Gap Steve Lawson, “so we’ve used the visitor center as our heartbeat. We started doing music downtown and block parties twice a month to get a vibe going.” These changes have created an optimism you can feel while walking through Big Stone Gap and Appalachia, and have laid the groundwork to support the increasing number of motorcyclists coming in to ride the “Dragon Slayer.” If BOA is expecting a large group of motorcyclists, they’ll call Steve to

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

see how they all can benefit. “Erik will call to see what we’re doing that week. If there’s not already a festival happening for his group to join, then we will roll out the red carpet and make one happen,” Steve said. “That’s how important tourism is to us.” A fan of anything with an engine, Erik knew Eastern Kentucky was a playground for more than just vehicles with two wheels. Capitalizing off the publicity that the Dragon Slayer has brought to the region, BOA started hosting Kentucky’s first Hill Climb and Rally Car Race events to huge success. “Our tourists come here to drive and ride, not just to sit and look,” Erik said. “They want to see what we have to offer at a fast-pace, and that’s exactly what we give them.” With BOA’s events growing larger

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

and more motorcyclists coming to experience the region, the local economy is seeing steady growth after decades of hardship. Tiffany Scott, owner of The General Store at Creek Crossing, cites BOA as an integral part of her decision to open this January. “If it wasn’t for Backroads of Appalachia,” she told us, “there’s no way I would have opened in the middle of a pandemic.

But I see the vision. I see where we are going. This is a perfect opportunity.” While providing accessible groceries and home supplies for their community is the General Store’s heart, Tiffany added that they wanted to make sure they were collaborating with BOA at every step. “From day one we called Erik and said, ‘we’re going to open this place’ and we started thinking about what we could do for all these bikers coming in.” Whether it’s cooking breakfast for 80 motorcyclists or hosting entertainment for events, this investment in motorized tourism is paying off. With the success of The General Store’s partnership with BOA, Tiffany has been able to employ 10 people and is expanding to a new, larger location. “If you told me a year ago the amount of people that would be walking through these doors after we opened, I would have laughed in your face.” To achieve its goals, a BOA priority 50

is making sure local governments and politicians are on the same page and working together. Taking advantage of every grant opportunity to energize Kentucky’s tourism sectors has been a collaborative focal point for Erik and Dan Mosely, the Harlan County Judge. “We’ve been very aggressive with applying to every grant our community could benefit from,” Dan

Army vet Matthew Sutherland and his service dog, C.C. (top right), look over the Breaks Canyon. To promote the park and help cope with his service-related PTSD, he dresses up his sidecar and C.C. as the “Bark Ranger,” a beloved staple for the region’s park goers.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

said, “As a non-profit, Backroads of Appalachia has been crucial since they qualify for certain grant opportunities that we wouldn’t have been able to receive in the past.” One of those is a $400,000 Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Pilot grant that BOA is using to expand their Welcome Center and convert an old bath house across the street into a workforce training center to support those in addiction recovery. “The success of these individuals is a key component to the prosperity of Eastern

Kentucky,” says Erik. Another program that BOA is considering applying for is the Scenic Byways Program (SBP). Both state and federal SBPs recognize, preserve, and enhance distinct roads that represent the depth of American scenery and history, while providing resources to help the communities along these byways benefit from the tourism they generate. The AMA was part of the coalition that helped create the National SBP in 1991 and played a key role in reviving the program in 2019 after it had been closed for six years. Recently, Peter Stockus from the AMA’s Government Relations office in Washington, DC, helped BOA with an AML grant application to turn a former 4-H camp into an adventure motorcycle resort, complete with lodging and trails. This venture would create an estimated 20 jobs and would have a predicted $16.5-million-dollar economic impact within three years. While the grant hasn’t been secured yet, the continued efforts and cooperation between BOA and the AMA can provide a blueprint for rural communities around the country seeking to utilize their environment for motorized tourism. These small investments can provide great returns if the community builds

on them. Magistrate Paul Browning has been a leading political voice in the argument that bringing in riders is important, but giving them the opportunity to contribute to the local economy must be the main focus of that decision-making process. When discussing maps of future motorized trail systems, Paul routinely says, “Every tourist is buying beer, bread and bologna somewhere before or after they ride through here. We need to give them the opportunity to stop in the middle and support our local businesses.” While the immense economic benefit that BOA has had on Harlan County is quantifiable, the non-profit’s most important contribution to the area is harder to capture in metrics. “There’s hope here,” Tiffany said from the porch of The General Store. “Appalachia is a lot like motorcyclists in that we sometimes get a bad rep from people that don’t understand us,” Wes Bailey told us while leaning against

his hoagie shop sign, “but come in and talk to us. Once you ride through these mountains, meet our people and eat our food, you’ll feel why we love this area so much and why we’re so excited for the future.” While modern day Appalachia is defined by its forward-thinking attitude, it is still deeply rooted in a great appreciation for what their land can provide. Eastern Kentucky’s ingenuity in motorized tourism is sparking a wave of community collaboration and entrepreneurship across the region, and BOA is rewriting the map of America’s best motorcycling roads — with Harlan County at its center. This article is dedicated to Melvin Hardy, Jr., who recently passed away after a long life filled with adventure and love. Melvin’s positive impact on everyone he encountered will be felt for generations to come. AMA

“The Appalachian region tends to be overlooked, Not a lot of people get a chance to experience it for what it truly is. We have one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world.” DANIEL NAFF, PARK RANGER

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

Making

Shuttered by the pandemic in 2020, this year’s Riding Into History concours and charity returned with a vengeance

History

…In the Age of COVID

BY WILLIAM ROBINSON AND MITCH BOEHM PHOTOS BY JIM DOHMS

or 20 years, Riding Into History grew from a small grassroots show to become America’s premier, all-vintage motorcycle

Concours d’Elegance. Then came COVID. Following a tremendously successful 20th annual event in 2019, the 21st RIH had to be postponed a year. Would it become yet another victim of the pandemic? —William Robinson

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

I can attest to Bill Robinson’s assertion about Riding Into History being America’s premier, all-vintage motorcycle Concours d’Elegance — and a whole lot more. I was asked to be Grand Marshal of the 2012 event and gladly accepted, and during my three days in beautiful St. Augustine, Fla., saw firsthand what a fantastic event it was. —Mitch Boehm 54

WR: A dedicated group of enthusiasts was determined to return RIH to the event thousands loved to attend, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity over the years. With an all-volunteer staff, and support from a loyal group of sponsors, the group began to revitalize the show. A key component was the recruiting of Wayne Carini,

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

star of the popular TV show Chasing Classic Cars, as Grand Marshal. Carini is a well-known restorer and collector of motorcycles, and he enthusiastically joined the team. MB: The charity Robinson mentions here — K9s For Warriors — deserves special recognition, as it does work that literally saves lives…the lives of military veterans

affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). For many vets thus affected, depression and thoughts of suicide are constant companions, and the K9s For Warriors program has been effective in bringing such vets back from the brink through the use of companion — and rescuedthemselves — dogs.

WR: Chairman Bill Peterson, a long time RIH committee member and leader, spearheaded the effort to garner financial support, recruit Concours entrants, and reach out to patrons who would attend the Grand Marshal’s Historic Ride as well as the Grand Marshal’s Banquet — both of which happened on Friday night before the Concours. Bit by

bit, he reassembled the large group of volunteers needed to make it all work once again. Fortunately, Florida was open for business. St. Augustine’s beautiful World Golf Village, which had served as the venue for 20 years, was now available to host 300 amazing vintage motorcycles. The inviting, tree-shaded walkway, circling the

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

Jack Wells (beard) alongside one of the K9s For Warriors vets and his companion dog. The charity rescues dogs and has pro handlers train them to be companion animals for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- and Traumatic Brain Injury-afflicted veterans.

lake that forms the centerpiece of the property, is unrivaled for displaying motorcycles at the Concours d’Elegance. Finally, after two years of angst and accomplishment, it was time. On Friday, April 23, Carini initiated the revitalized event by leading a group of 50 roadworthy vintage bikes through Florida farmlands and along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean to 56

The Reef restaurant. Following the scenic lunch ride, the group returned to the World Golf Village to prepare for the Grand Marshal’s Banquet. A full-capacity crowd of 175 diners first perused the Silent Auction, featuring three motorcycles donated by generous supporters: Bart & Sally Maggio (vintage Yamaha), Mary Crawford (vintage BMW), Toby Jones (custom

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

mini bike). Jason Snodgrass, COO of the RIH charity partner K9s For Warriors, gave a moving talk about rescuing dogs, which in turn rescue at-risk PTSD veterans. Carini then spoke of his love for motorcycling, which began before he was old enough to secure a driver’s license. Combining wit, adventure and poignancy, he wove a tale that kept the audience wanting more.

Left: Grand Marshal Wayne Carini (left) and Riding Into History’s Bill Robinson (middle) and Hilary Becker. Above: Carini alongside Gordon and Alice Leishman, who sponsor the “Spirit of Riding Into History” award. Above right: Amy Jacques and Wendy Murray doing the sidecar thing. Amy runs the RIH Youth Judging program, sponsored by Hagerty Insurance. Right: The RIH Grand Marshal lunch ride benefits the K9s For Warriors charity, which supports vets with companion dogs.

MB: When I filled in for Malcolm Smith in the Grand Marshal role in 2016 (Malcolm and I had just released his autobiography, he wasn’t doing so well, and in his absence I told stories about Malcolm’s life and how the book came together), I witnessed an amazing speech by Shari Duval, founder and CEO of K9s For Warriors (www.k9sforwarriors.org).

Duval spoke of these rescued dogs, trained by professional handlers for months before being linked up with a warrior in need. These service canines are often able to help assist warriors return to civilian life with dignity and independence. The need is urgent and real, too, as Duval explained that we lose 20 vets per day to suicide. I literally heard the assembled crowd take

a deep breath when she uttered those words, and over the next few minutes, as she explained the organization’s activities, there were plenty of tears. Duval told stories about some of the warriors they’ve helped, and how well these vets are doing now, and everyone in the room felt proud; proud of Duval’s organization, of course, but also of the hundreds of Riding Into History

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

volunteers, all of whom were putting on this great event to raise money to help K9s For Warriors operate. WR: The following morning patrons arrived to see a spectacular show, set up by entrants and volunteers, many who began working long before sunrise. A half-mile lap of the lake brought you in close contact with unique and stunning motorcycles every step along the 58

way. Here would be a 1917 Indian Powerplus, there you would find a 1920 Clyno Lightweight, and under the shade of the next tree rested an amazing 1917 Harley-Davidson Model J – Military. MB: There is no doubt; things get crazy on the World Golf Hall of Fame grounds on Saturday morning. Hundreds of the country’s nicest vintage machines are arranged

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

around the perfectly circular lake that forms the focal point of the manicured facility. They’re grouped according to class, so all attendees and judges need to do to see everything is stroll around the lake, take out their cameras and take in the sights. There are retrothemed vendors arrayed around the lake, too, including photographers, sponsors, shops and restorers, and the K9s For Warriors folks, of course. The

RIH folks also have posters and items to sell, the proceeds of which all go to K9s For Warriors. WR: This year you might have taken special note of Alan Berry’s breathtaking 1935 Triumph 6-1 Twin Val Page, named Best in Show. And what about the all-original 1885 Quadrant Tandem Highwheel Tricycle? Carini gave this motorcycle predecessor the Grand Marshal’s

Award, noting that this type of vehicle led to powered bikes being born. Then it was time for everyone to head home, tired yet pleased, and looking ahead to the 2022 event. MB: Like AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio in July, the Riding Into History concours has become a don’t-miss sort of event for thousands of enthusiasts. The organizers, the fans, the bikes themselves and the

excellent work the K9s For Warriors group does for America’s vets…you just can’t beat it. WR: So after nearly two years of COVID-inspired cabin fever for enthusiasts everywhere, Riding Into History is back, illustrating that what doesn’t kill you often makes you stronger. For more information about this historic and entertaining event, go to ridingintohistory.org. AMA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

MAKE IT YOURS The AMA offers a variety of card types and designs for members. In addition to our standard card, we offer a number of themed cards that identify you as belonging to a specific group or speak to your passion as a motorcyclist. Call (800) AMA-JOIN (2625646) to request an affinity card at any time, at no additional cost.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST •DECEMBER 2021

DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

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For more information and the most recent listing of AMA Member Benefit Partners and discount codes visit americanmotorcyclist.com/deals-and-discounts

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COMING EVENTS ARIZONA Motocross: Dec 1-5 Buckeye. Arizona Open Motocross Championship/2022 Supercross Futures Primary Arizona Cycle Park (623)-853-0750

azopenmx.com CALIFORNIA Hillclimb: Dec 4-5. Paicines. Lazy Bumb Hillclimb. Lazy Bumb Hare Scramble (408)-857-5884 ama-36.org Observed Trials: Dec 4-5 Lake Isabella. Kern River Classic. Southern Sierra MotoTrials Club (408)-857-5884

southern-sierra-mototrials.org GEORGIA Motocross: Dec 11. Union Point. Durhamtown MX Series. Durhamtown MX (706) 486-4603 NEW MEXICO Observed Trials: Dec 5. San Ysidro. NMTA #14. New Mexico Trials Association. (505)-780-2551 newmexicotrials.com WISCONSIN Flat Track - Short Track: Dec 3-5. Milwaukee. Flat Out Friday. (414)-8999130. flatoutfriday.com SUPERCROSS: 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross

Supercrosslive.com Round 1: Jan. 8. Anaheim, Calif. Angel Stadium Round 2: Jan. 15. Oakland, Calif. RingCentral Coliseum Round 3: Jan. 22. San Diego, Calif. Petco Park Round 4: Jan. 29. Anaheim, Calif. Angel

SOME OF THE BEST ROUTES MAPPED BY LOCAL EXPERTS. A GREAT CHALLENGE WITH LIKE-MINDED RIDERS. A FULL WEEKEND OF ACTIVITIES, WITH CAMPING, FOOD AND PRIZES.

Stadium Round 5: Feb. 5. Glendale, Ariz. State Farm Stadium Round 6: Feb. 12. Anaheim, Calif. Angel Stadium

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST •DECEMBER 2021

Round 7: Feb. 19. Minneapolis, Minn. U.S. Bank Stadium

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

Round 8: Feb. 26. Arlington, Texas. AT&T Stadium Round 9: March 5. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona International Speedway Round 10: March 12. Detroit, Mich. Ford Field Round 11: March 19. Indianapolis, Ind. Lucas Oil Stadium Round 12: March 26. Seattle, Wash. Lumen Field Round 13: April 9. St. Louis, Mo. Dome of America’s Center

MotoGP 2022 Calendar Stunning quality from Germany A “vivid color portrait” of the 2021 GP Season

Round 14: April 16. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Motor Speedway Round 15: April 23. Foxboro, Mass.

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Gillette Stadium Round 16: April 30. Denver, Colo. Empower Field at Mile High

West: Oct. 30. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway

Round 17: May 7. Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium

South: Oct. 31. Jacksonville, Fla. WW Ranch.

National Championship. Supercross Futures AMA

Northwest: Nov. 20. Tulare, Calif. DT1 MX Park.

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Southwest: Dec. 1. Buckeye, Ariz. Arizona Cycle Park.

May 7. Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium

National Championship. Supercross Futures AMA

National Championship Premier Qualifiers.

National Championship Primary Qualifiers.

Northwest: Jan. 15. Oakland, Calif. RingCentral Coliseum.

South Central: Oct. 9. Conroe, Texas. 3 Palms MX Park.

West: Jan. 29. Anaheim, Calif. Angel Stadium

Northeast: Oct. 23. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap

Southwest: Feb. 5. Glendale, Ariz. State Farm Stadium.

MX Park.

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COMING EVENTS

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

South Central: Feb. 26. Arlington, Texas. AT&T Stadium.

Washington Area Trail Riders. (703) 596-2675 watr.us

South: April 16. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Oct. 15-17. Pine Barrens 500. Cookstown, N.J.

Northeast: April 23. Foxborough, Mass. Gillette Stadium.

Pine Barrens Adventures LLC. (732) 995-4343

MOTOCROSS:

pinebarrensadventures.com

FEATURED EVENTS:

Oct. 23-24. Cross-Florida Adventure. Bartow, Fla. Dixie

Arizona Open Motocross Championship: Dec. 2-5.

Dual Sport.

Buckeye, Ariz. Arizona Cycle Park. (623) 853-0750, ext. 4,

(727) 919-8299 dixiedualsport.com

azopenmx.com Pro-Am Motocross

Nov. 26-27. L.A. - Barstow to Vegas. Palmdale, Calif. District 37 Dual Sport. (626) 446-7386 labarstowvegas.com

Arizona Open Motocross Championship: Dec. 2-5. Buckeye, Ariz. Arizona Cycle Park. (623) 853-0750, ext. 4,

azopenmx.com *Double Pro-Am points OFF-ROAD: State Championship: AMA Arizona Off-Road Championship. amraracing.com Round 9: Dec. 12. Peoria, Ariz. Canyon Raceway MX Park in FAST’R Motorcycle Club. Hare Scramble

Beta AMA National Dual-Sport Series.

RECREATIONAL:

americanmotorcyclist.com/national-dual-sport Sept. 11-12. LBL 200. Dover, Tenn. KT Riders. (270) 3506324 lbl200.com Sept. 18-19. Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure. Buck Meadows, Calif. Family Off-Road Adventures. (209) 993-7306

familyoffroadadventures.com Sept. 18-19. Buffaloe 500. Columbus, Ind. Stoney AMA National Adventure Riding Series.

Lonesome

americanmotorcyclist.com/national-adventure-riding

Motorcycle Club. (812) 342-4411, ext. 4

Sept. 11-12. Blue Ridge. Pineola, N.C. Appalachian Trail

stoneylonesomemc.com

Riders. (704) 309-3271 carolinadualsporters.com

Sept. 25-26. Show Me 200. Bixby, Mo. Midwest Trail

Sept. 18-19. Buffaloe 500. Columbus, Ind. Stoney

Riders Association

Lonesome Motorcycle Club. (812) 342-4411, ext. 4.

(314) 434-5095 ridemtra.com

stoneylonesomemc.com Sept. 25-26. Show Me 500. Bixby, Mo. Midwest Trail Riders Association

Sept. 25-26. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.

org

(314) 434-5095 ridemtra.com Sept. 25-26. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org

Oct. 2-3. Perry Mountain Tower Run. Stanton, Ala. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club. (334) 327-5086

perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com

Oct. 2-3. Perry Mountain Tower Run. Stanton, Ala. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club. (334) 327-5086

Oct. 2-3. Shenandoah 500. Natural Chimneys, Va.

perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com

Washington Area Trail Riders. (703) 596-2675

Oct. 2-3. Shenandoah 500. Natural Chimneys, Va.

Nov. 6-7. Hammer Run. Port Elizabeth, N.J. Tri-County Sportsmen MC. teamhammer.org

Win this 1975

BMW R90/6 in the AMA’s Hall Of Fame Retro Raffle!

$5 per Ticket $20 for Five

Such a deal on such a classic motorcycle! Raffle tickets not only give you chances to win this restored, retro-classic Monza-blue Boxer, it benefits the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum – where motorcycle legends live! A winner will be drawn next July at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2022 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Don’t miss your chance! AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021 https://AmericanMotorcyclist.com/raffle-bike/

Special thanks to our partners for the 2021 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST •DECEMBER 2021

COMING EVENTS Nov. 6-7. Howlin’ at the Moon. Prescott Valley, Ariz. Arizona Trail Riders. (602) 692-9382 arizonatrailriders.com Nov. 26-27 L.A. - Barstow to Vegas Palmdale, CA. District 37 Dual Sport (626) 446-7386 labarstowvegas.com

AMA National Gypsy Tour.

americanmotorcyclist.com/ gypsytour Laconia Motorcycle Week. June 11-19. Laconia, N.H. AMA Vintage Motorcyle Days July 2224. Lexington O.H.

AMA Grand Tours.

americanmotorcyclist.com/ grandtours March 15 - November 15. Texas. Motorcycle Grand Tour Of Texas. (210) 777-1434 mcgttx.com January 15 - November 30. California. California Adventure Series Southern California Motorcycle Association. (818) 397-5738 sc-ma.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

COMING EVENTS

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

HALL OF FAME EVENTS AND EXHIBITS AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, Day and New Year’s Day. Main Hall: Now featuring the 2021 Hall of Fame inductees, the main floor celebrates the heroes of the track, road, trails and halls of government who have elevated the sport, business and lifestyle of motorcycling to new heights. Founder’s Hall: Honoring the Hall of Fame’s generous contributors. The Birth of a Hurricane: How Hall of Famer Craig Vetter reimagined BSA for an American market. On Any Sunday: On display downstairs are four legendary motorcycles that had a place in Bruce Brown’s epic 1971 moto-documentary,

which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year: Mert Lawwill’s Harley-Davidson KR750 dirt tracker; Malcolm Smith’s Husqvarna 400 Cross, which he rode in several movie scenes; the late Cal Rayborn’s Harley-Davidson

XRTT750 roadracer; and Frank Gillespie’s Yamaha 650 dirtracker, which he rode during that 1970 Grand National Championship season. Alongside the four bikes is a video monitor playing On Any Sunday over and over.

It’s about the journey and the destination

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST •DECEMBER 2021

MotorcycleMuseum.org 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147 Facebook.com/AMAHallofFame • #AMAHoF

AMA Trademarks The following represents active, registered trademarks, trademarks and service marks of American Motorcyclist Association, Inc. (AMA). Usage of any AMA trademark or registered trademark without our permission is prohibited. Please contact jholter@ama-cycle.org for more information or assistance. (800) AMA-JOIN® • AMA Dragbike® • AMA Endurocross® AMA Motorhead® • AMA Pro Grand National Championship® AMA Pro Racing® • AMA Race Center™ • AMA Racer® AMA Racing® • AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships® AMA Supermoto® • AMA Supercross® • AMA SX Lites® AMA U.S. ISDE Team™ • AMA U.S. Jr. Motocross Team™ AMA U.S. Motocross Team™ • Amateur National Motocross Championships® • American Motorcyclist Association® Arenacross® • ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series® • ATV Motocross National Championship Series® Flat Track Grand Championships™ • Grand National Enduro Championship® • Gypsy Tour® Hare & Hound National Championship Series® • Hare Scrambles Championship Series® Hare Scrambles National Championship Series® • Kids Just Want To Ride® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum® • Motorcyclist of the Year® • Motostars® • National Adventure Riding Series® • National Dual-Sport Series® National Enduro Championship Series® • Protect Your Right to Ride® • Protecting Your Right to Ride® • Ride Straight® Rights. Riding. Racing.® • Road Race Grand Championships® Vintage Grand Championships® • Vintage Motorcycle Days® Vote Like A Motorcyclist®

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FLASHB A CK

Malcolm’s Memories BY JOY BURGESS

MA Hall of Fame Legend Malcolm Smith won eight gold medals in the International Six Day Trials (ISDT) competition between 1966 and 1976, falling in love with the series at the 41st ISDT in Villingsberg, Sweden, in ’66. From Poland, where he won his first gold medal, to El Escorial, Spain, where he not only won his third gold medal but also was filmed by AMA Hall of Famer Bruce Brown for the legendary moto-documentary On Any Sunday, Malcolm became an ISDT fixture for a decade. Malcolm remembers the 1973 Six Days as his favorite. “It was the very first time the event had been held outside of Europe,” Malcolm remembered in his autobiography, “and the very first time in the U.S., as well. More importantly, however, was the success we had there. The American Team of Dick Burleson, Ed Schmidt, Ron Bohn and myself won the Silver Vase, with the foursome of Tom Clark, Don Stover, Lars Larsson and Jim Hollander winning the ‘B’ Silver Vase award… something the U.S. team had never done before.” The course was challenging, wrote Malcolm, “…with water crossings, a mud bog, lots of rocks and even a section of public road with cars and trucks. I remember waiting for Dick Burleson to arrive at the final check, hoping he’d get in on time, and hoping we did well on the grass track special test, which would give us the Vase. He got in on time, and we did fine in the test, and the award was ours.”

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2021

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The Honda Gold Wing powersports.honda.com ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. NEVER RIDE AFTER CONSUMING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, AND NEVER USE THE STREET

AS A RACETRACK. OBEY THE LAW AND READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. For rider training information or to locate a rider training course near you, call the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at 1-800-446-9227. Gold Wing® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2021 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (5/21)

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geico.com/cycle | 1-800-442-9253 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2021 GEICO 21_ 550729928