RACER VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3
THE ISDE ISSUE PAGE 6 RACING NEWS PAGE 12 FEATURED EVENT PAGE 18 EVENTS COMING UP
AMA RACING ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS INFORMATION INSIDE!
DIRECTOR’S LETTER AMA RACING STAFF Joe Bromley, Director Kevin Crowther, Deputy Director Bill Cumbow, Deputy Director Kip Bigelow, Motocross/Arenacross Manager Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Chuck Weir, Off-Road Manager Heather Bowman, Assistant Motocross Manager Connie Fleming, Senior Coordinator Jane Caston, Supercross/Motocross Coordinator Tamra Jones, Off-Road/Track Racing Coordinator AMA Racing (614) 856-1900, AMARacing.com AMARacing@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147
AMA RACER James Holter, Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Nora McDonald, Production Coordinator Ray Monroe Advertising Manager (815) 885-4445; rmonroe@ama-cycle.org Misty Walker Advertising Assistant (614) 856-1900 x1267; mwalker@ama-cycle.org AMA Racer (614) 856-1900, AmericanMotorcyclist.com AMARacer@ama-cycle.org 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147 AMA Racer is published periodically by the American Motorcyclist Association. Copyright (c) 2009 by the American Motorcyclist Association. Printed in USA. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited materials. Send story ideas and photos to AMARacer@ama-cycle.org. All submitted material becomes property of the American Motorcyclist Association. Return of special items may be arranged, but please call before submitting. Please include your full name, AMA number and phone number with all submissions.
So, You Want To Go Racing? We’ve Got You Covered By Joe Bromley Since the AMA sanctioned its first event – the second National Six-Days Trial in 1924, the year the AMA was founded – the look of motorcycle racing has changed considerably. What hasn’t changed is our dedication to the sport. The AMA has sanctioned more motorsports events than any other sanctioning body in history, and today, you are part of the largest amateur motorsports-sanctioning body in the world. Our calendar includes thousands of closed-course, off-road and track-racing events every year. Here’s a quick primer on the organization and format of the many levels of amateur motorcycle competition. At the foundation of it all are the local AMA District events. These are the grassroots events that define amateur motorcycle racing for most competitors in the country. Held and promoted locally, racers compete against other local talent for trophies, AMA District points and bragging rights in their own backyard. Many of the same competitors who race in local events attend AMA Amateur Championships and Grand Championships. These are stand-alone events, often lasting several days. They crown the country’s best amateur racers on both motorcycles and ATVs. Examples include the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships, the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, the AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships and the AMA Racing Road Racing Grand Championships. Is one week of bar-banging competition not long enough for you? Then consider
following an AMA National Championship Series. These are season-long, multi-event Pro-Am and amateur competition series. Although the top racers in these series often represent the country’s fastest riders in that discipline, National Championship Series also include classes for competitors of all skill levels. Examples include the AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing; the AMA Dragbike Championship Series; and the AMA EnduroCross Championship Series. Pro-Am events allow amateur racers to collect the points they need for a professional racing license. These events also may include classes for non-expert-level amateur racers. These include the AMA Racing Arenacross Championship Series and Pro-Am Motocross. In addition, the AMA also sanctions, supports and helps organize various featured series and events. These include both international and regional competition, including worldchampionship-caliber off-road events. Examples include qualifiers for the International Six Days Enduro and the International Motorcycle Speed Trials by Bub. That’s AMA Racing in a nutshell. Whether we race on pavement, in the dirt, up mountains or over them, we’re all motorcycle racers. Almost certainly, regardless of how you race, the AMA offers up a local, regional or national series or event for you. As always, feel free to let us know what you think at AMARacing@ama-cycle.org. Joe Bromley is the AMA director of racing.
Open Image Studio
ON THE COVER: Destry Abbott rails at the 2008 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE). Read how Abbott and the rest of Team USA face the world at the ’09 ISDE starting on page 12. Photo: Steve Berkner.
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rentals, transport, hotel stays and more. The AMA is everything motorcycling.
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AMA Member Jason Knox, after finishing the 2009 Cherokee National Enduro. Photo: Lisa Hancock.
Alex Allen on his way to another AMA district championship in the 50+ class.
It’s tough not to have a good time in the mud on an old dirt bike, especially at a vintage hare scrambles race.
For closeups and captions of these member-submitted photos, please visit the online version of this issue at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/AMARacer/
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Small bike + Cody Heavenridge = big air.
Got a photograph that captures the spirit of AMA Racing? Send it in, along with a few words, to AMARacer@ama-cycle.org. (Note: Only submit photos for which you own the full copyright. Thanks!)
SNAPSHOTS
Mud? Motorcycles? Jumps? Nobody is going to have to convince future AMA member Mason that motorcycles are cool. Photo: Russ Theis
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SNAPSHOTS Three-year old Tyler Bailey eats, sleeps and lives motorcycles, and he doesn’t even need training wheels to do it.
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SNAPSHOTS BikeBandit.com’s Ken Wahlster after a rather impressive water crossing that he found on a 1,000-mile trip with friends in Baja. Photo: Les Martin
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SNAPSHOTS David Lott and father in 1977 aboard Dad’s 1974 Husqvarna WR250 in Chipola, La.
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SNAPSHOTS Perry King (left) and Charles Goman, members of the AMA Board of Directors, got their vintage on at the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships this summer. Photo: Donna Goman
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SNAPSHOTS Motocross is a family affair for the Susco family (l-r: mom Shannan, 2-year-old Annie and dad Nick) at the starting line at Thunder Valley in Lakewood, Colo.
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SNAPSHOTS Bryce Anderson (age 5) between motos at Euro Raceway in Nashville, Ill.
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SNAPSHOTS Friends Mark Spore (left) and Vaughn Sterken after an AMA District 14 hare scrambles race.
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SNAPSHOTS Life Member Henry Hanzo from Oak Ridge, N.J., gets ready to gear up for speedway on his Godden speedway bike.
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AMA RACER NEWS
Michael Avila
MICHAEL AVILA RACES TO HORIZON IN DU QUOIN AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships Showcase Tomorrow’s Stars
One thing is certain about the AMA Racing Dirt Track Horizon Award, which is presented each year to the amateur dirt-tracker poised for excellence at the pro level: You never know how the coveted honor is going to be decided. Sometimes the award, won at the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships every summer, is claimed with a dominant performance. In other years, the competition goes down to the wire. Twice since the award’s 1997 inception, the battle was too close to call, and two riders walked away with the honor. This year, it looked like it was going to be another tough call until the final half-mile in Du Quoin, Ill., when Madera, Calif.’s Michael Avila dominated. His three wins that afternoon sealed up three titles, giving him the No. 1 plate in the 250cc Modified 4-Stroke, 251cc-500cc DTX and the 450cc Modified classes. Avila came out on top in a week of competition that pitted the country’s best amateur dirt-track racers against each other on half-mile, Mile, short-track and TT courses. “I struggled a lot at the beginning on the Mile, but toward the middle of the week, on the short-
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track, it came together,” said Avila, who’s backed by Southland Racing Products, Micah Racing, AGV and Troy Lee Designs. “I talked to some people, took their advice, and calmed down and had fun. It was mine and my dad’s dream to win this thing, so it’s great to finally get it.” With the 2009 AMA Racing Dirt Track Horizon Award, Avila has joined an elite group of dirt-track racers. Past winners include Nick Cummings, Jared Mees, Bryan Smith, Roger Lee Hayden and Nicky Hayden. Last year’s winner and current pro-sport racer Brad Baker was on hand to present Avila with the award. “Not only did Mike win three class grand championships, but he was the only contender to make all of his mains,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “It’s that type of consistency that wins titles. This young racer also has a stellar reputation in the pits. He’s not just fast, but he’s a good kid and a good sport.” Avila said he got a lot of inspiration from pro rider Johnny Murphree, who was at the event. “My favorite event is the short-track, but this year, I really enjoyed the half-mile,” Avila said. “Johnny really helped us get the bike setup for
that. He was here for the TT, short-track and halfmile to help us out.” Other special awards presented at the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships included the AMA Racing Youth Rider of the Year Award, the Fast Brain Award and the Vet Award. It was close in the youth ranks, with the award being decided by a tie-breaker in the 85cc Mod (7-11) class where St. Louisville, Ohio’s Jeffery Lowery edged out Andrew Luker by having the best finish in the pair’s last race. In the July 3 TT, Lowery finished second to Owensboro, Ky.’s Nick McFadden. Luker finished fifth. “I’m just so happy to be here,” Lowery said. “I never thought, not once, that I’d win this.” The Fast Brain Award was won by Davis Fisher of Warren, Ore. The “fast” part was handled by Fisher’s championship in the 85cc DTX (9-13) class and a third overall in 85cc Mod (7-11). The “brain” was credited to Fisher’s school year-end grades, the worst of which was an A-. “If I get below a B, I don’t get to race!” Fisher said. Longtime AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championship competitor Randy Blackwell brought home the Vet Award this year. Not only did Blackwell win the Super Senior (50+) class, he finished third in the Senior (40+) class and got a solid fifth in Vintage Pre-1982 Singles. For full results and photos, see the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships page at AMARacing.com.
Photos Jim Grant
Randy Blackwell
AMA RACER NEWS Mike Lafferty
TEASLEY OUT-DUELS GADSON IN REAL STREET IN MICHIGAN Records Set At AMA Dragbike Summer Nationals
Coming off a nine-week layoff following the rainout of the Memphis event, the AMA drag racers were back at it for the AMA Dragbike Summer Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. The layoff didn’t slow anyone down as new performance records were set in all three semipro sportbike classes at the event. The most impressive was Keith Thompson, who became the first rider to crack the 7-second barrier in the BST Real Street class, launching his HTP Performance GSXR1000 to a 7.984 second elapsed time (ET). “8.01s and 8.02s have been coming easy, but I wanted to be the first in the sevens,” said Thompson, a sportbike drag-racing veteran from Maryland. The run came nine years after Brock Davidson was the first in history to run 7 seconds on a street bike with Davidson doing it on a Suzuki Bandit 1200. Thompson lost in the semifinals due to an overheated clutch, leaving the final to
wonderkid Jeremy Teasley and Kawasaki factory superstar Rickey Gadson. Teasley, the defending Real Street class champion, had been shut out of the winner’s circle this season. Gadson, who is the current points leader in the SuperSport class, was making his Real Street debut with a freshly prepared ZX-14. Gadson got the holeshot over Teasley in the final, but Teasley made the quicker time, taking his first victory of the season, 8.17 to 8.28. Other record setters at Martin included John Fernandez who dropped the Super Street ET record to 7.841 seconds en route to his thirdstraight win on the Jones Performance turbo ZX-14, and Farlie Hall, who ran an 8.990 on his ZX-14 to set the record and qualify number one in the SuperSport class. Hall lost to first-time winner Joey Gladstone in the SuperSport final. In Top Fuel action, Larry McBride is undefeated in his quest for an unprecedented 10th championship.—Matt Polito
LAFFERTY CLOSES THE GAP
Photos Lafferty: Mark Kariya; AMA Dragbike: Matt Polito
Bobbitt Keeps Point Lead, But Lafferty Stacks Wins Mike Lafferty is closing the points gap on his Shock Doctor/KTM teammate and primary rival for the championship, Russell Bobbitt. The eight-time AMA National Enduro champ won Rounds 7 and 8 of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series in Cascade, Mont., and Blain, Pa. These wins, Lafferty’s third and fourth of the season, cut Bobbitt’s lead to one point, 212 to 211. “Rocky, slippery and hard,” was Lafferty’s assessment of the Pennsylvania course. “I knew it would be tough, but I wasn’t expecting it to be as difficult as it was. You had to be on your game today. Many riders went down hard in the first section, as some rocks were planted and others just moved out from under you.” Lafferty managed to win every special test of the day in Blain, which he considered his home race this year. “This win is special to me because I consider this round a hometown race for me, and I had many family members come out and support me,” said Laffery, whose brothers Jack and Rich also raced. The next stop on the 10-round series will be in Marquette, Mich., where Lafferty will continue his run at a record ninth AMA National Enduro Championship. Lafferty’s eight titles currently tie him with AMA Hall of Famer Dick Burleson, who dominated the series from 1974 through 1981.
Rickey Gadson (back) lost to Jeremy Teasley (front) in the BST Real Street final.
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AMA RACER NEWS
WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP, GO TO VEGAS
AMA Champs Will Celebrate At Hard Rock This December At the end of each racing season, the best amateur racers in the country are honored at the AMA Racing Champions Banquet. This Dec. 4, these standout AMA members will celebrate with their peers, family, friends, fans and maybe a Hall of Famer or two at one of the event’s coolest locations ever, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. Held on the eve and same location of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2009 Induction Ceremony, the event will offer an opportunity not only to celebrate the accomplishments of racing’s present, but witness the elevation of individuals from motorcycling’s past. “Amateur racing is a big part of both our heritage and our future, and we’re excited about giving our racers the recognition they’ve earned,” said Joe Bromley, AMA director of racing. “Whether you race motocross, in the
woods, the desert, on a dirt oval or asphalt, an AMA National No. 1 plate likely is your goal. “We’re particularly thrilled about this year’s celebration, which leads us into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2009 Induction Ceremony,” Bromley continued. “Today’s champions will see first-hand what a career of dedication and effort can bring: a place in the revered AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.” Racers who will be recognized at the AMA Racing Champions Banquet include those who’ve won AMA national championships in a AMA Racing National Championship Series, such as the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, or by winning their class at AMA Racing Amateur Championship events, such as the AMA/Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships. Competitors who’ve earned AMA National No. 1 plates will also receive their personalized hardware at the banquet. Tickets to both the AMA Racing Champions Banquet and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are available now at TicketMaster.com. Search for “AMA Banquet.”
AMA MEMBER WINS KTM AS PART OF KTM/FMF PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO RIDE MONTH Carl Gooch Actively Supports Rider Rights
For AMA member Carl Gooch, of Olive Branch, Miss., protecting his right to ride was reward enough. Now, he has a new KTM 250 XC-FW to remind him how much good work can pay off. During May, as part of KTM/FMF Protect Your Right to Ride Month, enthusiasts were able to sign up for a chance to win the new KTM outfitted with an FMF Q4 titanium exhaust system. KTM and FMF partnered with the AMA, the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) to publicize the month. Thanks to an entry Gooch submitted at his KTM dealer, Shoals Outdoor Sports in Tuscumbia, Ala., he won the bike. “We decided to declare a month to protecting your right to ride to help spread the word about land closure awareness issues as well as new sound regulations,” said KTM North America President Jon-Erik Burleson. “We were grateful to garner support from the AMA, BRC, ORBA and NOHVCC to help us further spread the word and
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get people involved in riding issues affecting their areas.” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman applauded KTM for their effort to broaden awareness for a critical issue: responsible access to our public lands. “We congratulate Mr. Gooch, and everyone who participated in this program, including our partners in the motorcycling community,” Dingman said. “This project is a wonderful example of what we can do when we all work together.” Gooch has been an AMA member for nearly a decade and a BRC member since 2006. He is actively involved in fundraisers within his community to help protect riding areas. “The events we have put together within my own riding areas each raise between $3,000$5,000 each time,” Gooch says. “It is well worth the effort to join these organizations and help keep our riding areas open.” Gooch says the new XC-FW will be his fourth KTM.
CALLING ALL OFF-ROAD CLUBS
The National Enduro Championships Want You Since a new rules package was developed two years ago to increase the accessibility of events in the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, the participant growth has been outstanding. Rider entries are at levels not seen for years, and many events are reaching their entry caps long before pre-entry closes. That’s why the National Enduro Promoters Group (NEPG), the AMA’s promotional partner for the series, is asking that all clubs and promoters interested in running a National event in 2010 submit an application to the AMA as soon as possible. The new rules and format are designed to allow more bikes to participate – street legality is no longer required – and make it more friendly for the riders and easier on the clubs. Electronic scoring is provided by the NEPG. To learn more about how the new national format works and how your club can be a part of it, contact the NEPG at info@nationalenduro.com.
Carl Gooch
AMA RACER NEWS
Q&A: AMATEUR RACER DJ LANGELAND Local Fast Guy Watches, Races At RedBud
The only problem with attended a round of the Lucas Oil AMA National Motocross Championship Series is that, for some of us, it may mean you’ll miss out racing a local amateur event yourself Not so for DJ Langeland at Round 6 of the Lucas Oil AMA National Motocross Championship Series. The Michigan rider came to RedBud to watch the pros on Saturday and race the following day in the amateur program. (Derek finished 19th out of 41 riders on his KTM in a stacked 250A class with a 20-20 moto score.) We spent a few minutes with Langeland to find out what draws him to the sport.—Jim Kimball AMA Racer (AR): So, DJ, how long have you been riding? DJ Langeland (DJ): Well, I grew up in Spring Lake, Mich. I’m 20 now, and I started racing when I had to be around 7 years old—but I’ve been riding since I was 4. I’ve been racing all over Michigan—at tracks like RedBud, Dutch Moto-sports, Fenton, and Big Air mostly. AR: What started you racing? DJ: A friend came over riding with us, and he told my dad that us kids—I have two other brothers that ride and race with me—would be really good at racing. He brought us to Big Air, which was actually the first place I ever raced. Ever since, we’ve really been into it. My dad has always been very good with working on bikes and doing setup. He got into a suspension business a couple years back with a Pro Action franchise. AR: What’s been your favorite part of racing? Patrick Smage
WEBB WINS OUT, SMAGE CLAIMS TITLE
Photo Smage: Shan Moore
Championship Is No. 3 For Sherco USA Rider
Californian Cody Webb finished out the AMA/ NATC National Trials Series in a flurry, sweeping the final two rounds of the series in Cayuta, N.Y. However, it was his Sherco USA teammate Patrick Smage who won the war, wrapping up the series title—his third in a row—with a pair of runner-up finishes. The two-day event was set in the heavily wooded hills of western New York and featured lots of steep dirt cambers and a plenty of third and fourth-gear climbs. Webb adapted quickly to the steep and difficult sections, beating Smage by nine points on Saturday, with Gas Gas rider Will Ibsen finishing third another 27 points back. However,
Sunday’s event was decided by a single point. The difference was one tough section set on the side of a steep hill. Webb cleaned it all day. That advantage was enough to make up for a first-lap mistake by Webb and gave him his second win in a row, 29 points to 30, over Smage. “It feels good to finish out the year with a couple wins,” said Webb. Smage came into the final two rounds needing one fifth-place finish to wrap up the title. Despite the two second-place finishes, the Wisconsin rider was clearly the dominate rider in 2009. In the final standings, Smage has 230 points to Webb’s 206. Keith Wineland nipped Ibsen for third overall, 150 to 148.—Shan Moore
DJ: Just the racing itself—the excitement on the line, and you know, winning is always a good thing. I just love going out there on the weekend. It’s nice to camp with the family and everything. It’s good family quality time! AR: What are some of your highlights so far? DJ: Probably the best I’ve done is I went to Loretta Lynn’s about two years ago, and I got a 30th and a 31st. It was my first time there, and it’s actually the only time I’ve been there. I’m hoping to make it back there next year. I’ve got a lot of local series wins, but Loretta’s really stands out to me. AR: Who helps you out, DJ? DJ: One of the biggest is Lake Cycle, where I work. (Owner Ron Sharphorn) has been just the biggest help for us getting our parts and making sure that we’re out there every weekend. My dad, Doug, has helped so much. I couldn’t thank him enough, and my mom Kathy, my brothers Casey and Donny, and our sister Cheri. Are you an AMA amateur racer? Want some ink? Drop us a line at AMARacer@ama-cycle.org.
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AMA RACER NEWS
WHIBLEY LEADS, KNIGHT WINS BROWN AND BONDS GO TO WAR IN WORCS Tight Race Out West
With half the season in the books, the title race in the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) is as close as it gets. Yamaha-mounted Bobby Bonds won the sixth round in Toutle, Wash., with a last-lap pass on KTM’s Mike Brown for the win. The win put Bonds just one point behind Brown in the championship hunt. It looked like Brown was going to get away easy after pulling the holeshot and gapping the field early, but a crash slowed down the former AMA 125cc National Motocross Champion. Brown dropped to fourth, but he was able to pass his way to back out front by the mid-way point of the two-hour race. Although Brown appeared to have it locked up, another crash by the KTM rider on the last lap handed the lead to Bonds. In the AMA Western Hare Scrambles Series, which held a round in conjunction with this WORCS event, Timmy Weigand continues to hold the points lead with 66, 4 points ahead of Kyle Summers. Brenden Ritzman is third with 49 points.
He may be too late to have a chance at reclaiming his No. 1 plate for next year, but defending Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Champion David Knight has plenty of time to reclaim the limelight—and play spoiler. The Isle of Man native returned to the series at the Snowshoe, W.Va., round on a Kawasaki to take a dominant win over JG Racing Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Paul Whibley. “The first thing is to have fun on the bike again,” Knight said. Knight battled with FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang for most of the race, until Strang crashed into a deer on the fifth lap. In the point standings, Whibley leads with 214 to Strang’s 201. Strang’s teammate Charlie Mullins is four more points back in third. David Knight
Bobby Bonds
2010 250Fs FEATURE MAJOR UPDATES Fuel Injection Breaks Into Quarter-Liter Class
The embargoes on what most of the major manufacturers have in store for their 2010 250cc fourstroke MXers were mostly lifted at press time (the KTM is still under wraps). Here’s a look at some highlights.
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Honda • All-new liquid-cooled four-valve 249cc engine • Programmed fuel injection (12-hole injector, 50-psi pump) • Progressive steering damper comes stock • All-new suspension • The dual-muffler exhaust experiment is no more
Suzuki • Battery-less fuel injection features a 43mm throttle body • Revised suspension springs and damping • New cam timing emphasizes top end power • Redesigned frame • Stronger connecting rod with mirror finishing
Photos Brown: Amber Farmer; Knight: David Smith/Racedaypix.com
Defending Champ Returns At Snowshoe
AMA RACER NEWS
EXTREME DIRT TRACK ATTACK Coburn Chases Goodman
BORICH EDGES OUT SOMMERS
Michael Coburn from Garretson, S.D., took his only win of the season in the second round of the AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship in Franklin, Pa. With three of six rounds in the books, Coburn trails Harold Goodman by 5
championship points in the Pro class, 80 to Goodman’s 85. Kendall Webb is 29 more points back in third. In Pro Lites, the top riders are the same, although Goodman holds a significantly larger lead, 90 to Coburn’s 68 with Webb one point back in third.—Darin Wentz
Photo Coburn: Darin Wentz
ATV National Hare Scrambles Rolls Through Pennslyvania Round four of the ATV National Hare Scrambles Championship Series in Ekland, Pa., saw Chris Borich come out on top in a battle with series points leader Brandon Sommers. Borich came off the line quick, leading the first lap with a 43-second gap on second-place rider Jarrod McClure. Jeffrey Pickens was in third, while Sommers crossed the line in fourth, just a few seconds ahead of fifth-place rider Scottie Rich. Sommers really turned it up on the second lap, however, moving ahead of Borich for about a 5-second lead. Borich returned the favor on the third lap, however, and moved back into the lead, but by only a scant 3 seconds. While Sommers and Borich kept it right up front, the rest of the pack started to spread out a bit, although McClure, Pickens and Rich continued to hold down third, fourth and fifth. Borich held onto his lead to take his first win of the season. In the points race, though, Sommers holds onto a significant advantage with 110 points over second-place in the points, Tom Wright with 56.
Michael Coburn
Kawasaki • • • • •
Mostly refinements for 2010 New bridged-box bottom piston New exhaust to emphasize low-end power Larger, stronger radiators; beefed-up tranny New swingarm; updated suspension settings
Yamaha • • • • •
All-new twin-spar aluminum frame Redesigned engine with revised cam settings New straight intake with all-new carburetor All-new chassis design and new plastics Completely new shock and suspension settings
Husqvarna • Motor is one of the smallest, lightest 250cc four-stroke MX powerplants ever • Kayaba forks • New in-mold graphics used on new plastics • New swingarm and reinforced frame • High-performance water pump and new radiator connectors
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FEATURED EVENT Race For The World Trophy Weigand, Huffman Join World Trophy Team With injuries to two members of the Team USA squad that’s going to race for the World Trophy at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Figueria da Foz, Portugal, Oct. 12-17, there’s been some regrouping here in the States. Team veterans and leaders Kurt Caselli and Destry Abbott have been quick to lobby for capable replacements for the injured Nathan Woods and Jimmy Jarrett, adding Timmy Weigand and Damon Huffman to the U.S. World Trophy Team, which also includes riders Nathan Kanney and Ricky Dietrich. Weigand, who races for Johnny Campbell Racing in the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) and the AMA Western Hare Scrambles Championship, says his addition came together quickly after Woods became injured while competing in Round 6 of WORCS. “Kurt (Caselli) called and said I was in the running, then Johnny (Campbell) called me the next day and said I was selected and that he would be fully supporting me,” Weigand said. “This is going to be a lot of hard work, but a great experience and a great time. The team is solid.” Huffman, 34, is a two-time West regional 125cc AMA Supercross champion, who went on to enjoy a long career in both motocross and Supercross before making the transition to offroad two years ago. Huffman finished second in the AMA EnduroCross series in 2008 and a solid fourth in WORCS. The 25-year-old Caselli is returning to represent the U.S. Trophy Team for the third time. Caselli, who rides for Shock Doctor/KTM in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, battled for the overall lead at the 2008 ISDE before crashing out on day three. In 2007, Caselli also led overall before ultimately winning the E3 class. In 2006, Caselli was a member of the championship Junior Trophy Team. “We like the location. Portugal is dry, rocky and dusty – kind of like what we have out west, where the majority of our team is from,” says Caselli, who likely will ride a KTM 300XC in the E3 class. Another Team USA veteran is Abbott, who is contesting the AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship Series and WORCS for Monster Energy Kawasaki. The 36-year-old fivetime AMA National Hare & Hound Champion is a three-time ISDE Gold Medalist. He will represent the U.S. on the Trophy Team for the fifth time. “We are all committed to doing what’s best for the team. It’s not an individual thing,” says Abbott, who will ride a KXF450, most likely in the E3 class. “We’re all about team, and that’s what you need to do when you race at an event as significant as the ISDE.” Dietrich, 21, was the top-finishing American at the 2008 ISDE, where he got second to
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Spain’s Ivan Cervantes for both the overall and in the E1 class. Dietrich also joined Caselli on the championship 2006 Junior Trophy Team and currently races off-road events for Monster Energy Kawasaki. Kanney, 26, is contesting the GNCC Series for Shock Doctor/KTM. Kanney is an experienced ISDE rider. Last year, he finished eighth in the E3 class. Nate Kanney
Kurt Caselli
Damon Huffman
Follow Team US at AMATeamU
Destry Abbott
Ricky Dietrich
Timmy Weigand
Locked And Loaded By Chuck Weir, AMA Off-Road Manager I’m happy to report that AMA Team USA is imminently prepared for this year’s International Six Days Enduro (ISDE). Although some unfortunate circumstances will prevent original members Nathan Woods and Jimmy Jarrett from competing this year, the remaining Trophy Team members, particularly Kurt Caselli and Destry Abbott, responded with the reflexes you’d expect from two seasoned racers to bring Timmy Weigand and Damon Huffman on board. We are reloaded. We are ready. We are looking forward to showing the best off-roaders in the world that Team USA is not just a threat to place but a threat to win. Not just on the World Trophy Team, either. We’re also looking for strong performances by our Junior Trophy Team, which fields four riders younger than 23 years old, and the Women’s Trophy Team, which fields three riders — not to mention the various club teams made up of riders from all over the country. They can’t do it alone, though. Thankfully, they don’t have to. Several team sponsors have stepped up to support the effort. These include Arai; Spectro; Klim; Bob Lamphere’s Beaverton Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki; Mountain Glass; and Motion Pro.
SA’s ISDE effort USA.com/ISDE
Junior, Women, Club Teams Set Top Riders Ready For Portugal Joining the Trophy Team on Team USA in Portugal will be a number of other top riders, racing for team and individual medals. The U.S. Junior Trophy Team is led by fivetime ISDE veteran and Team Captain David Kamo. The team also will include defending AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Champion Russell Bobbitt, Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) racer Cory Buttrick and World OffRoad Championship Series (WORCS) racer Jamie Lanza (interview on page 16). “We have the team we wanted to have,” says Kamo, who’s currently leading the points for the 2009 AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship. “It’s a strong team. We have an enduro racer, a WORCS racer, a GNCC racer and a desert racer. Russell is super fast, Jamie will never give up, and Cory, as well as he’s going in the GNCCs this year, he deserves to be there. As for me, I’m just happy to be on the team and, honestly, I hope those guys ride so well that I’m our drop-out rider.” Current plans call for Lanza to race the E1 class, Bobbitt and Buttrick to race the E2 class, and Kamo to ride the E3 class. Maria Forsberg The U.S. Women’s Trophy Team
finished second in Greece last year to the French team, a year after winning the Women’s Cory Buttrick David Kamo World Cup in Chile. The team will include Maria Forsberg, Mandi Mastin and Lacy Jones. “I am excited to be going to Portugal this year representing the U.S. Women’s Trophy Team,” says Mastin, who will compete in her eighth ISDE. “I consider it a great honor to be involved in the race. Russell Bobbitt “The three of us plan on working as hard as we can to win the Women’s World Trophy again this year,” she said. While the Trophy Team, the Women’s Trophy Team and the Junior Trophy Team are critical pieces of the Team USA effort, they are a small part of the entire U.S. contingent that makes the trek to the annual event. Dozens of club team riders will also represent the U.S. at the 2009 ISDE (see below).
Club Team Rosters
Mandi Mastin
JAFMAR RACING (Laura Claypoole, Mgr.) Jeff Fredette Chilly White Don Grahn
TONY AGONIS (Bob Agonis, Mgr.) Fred Hoess Nick Fahringer Ben Smith
MISSOURI MUDDERS (Jay Hall, Mgr.) Lars Valin Toby Atkins Billy Burns
DESERT MC Shawn O’Leary Joel Burkett Nick Hamill
BOISE RIDGE RIDERS Brent Martell David Booth Garrett Mayer TEAM CARTER ENGINEERING Rory Sullivan Troy Swettenam Zach Lipana
GO FASTERS.COM (Steve Berkner, Mgr.) Brian Sperle Ryan Powell Jordan Brandt
THE ISDE ISSUE
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AMA RACER FEATURED EVENT
Off-Road, Extreme Enduro, Motocross Or The International Six Days Enduro, Ricky Dietrich Is Game by Jim Kimball Just 21-years old, Ricky Dietrich is a dirt biker of many talents. Not only has he won championships in the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) and AMA EnduroCross, he has captured many medals at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), where he will compete again this fall as part of the Team USA World Trophy Team. Most recently, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider is making waves in pro motocross following injuries to both riders on Kawasaki’s A-Team, Ryan Villopoto and Timmy Ferry.
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AMA Racer (AR): Ricky, great job in AMA motocross this summer!
planning on just doing them on my own, and I figured that I could be top 10 every race and maybe even take a top five if I had a good moto. Then with Villopoto and Ferry getting hurt, the factory team brought me in for a try out. I ended up getting fifth at the first one that they brought me to at Texas, and I’ve been back ever since. I’m having fun, and I’m learning a lot with every race. My starts have not been that good, but we’ve been working on that. With my late race moto charges, I think my fitness has been the best thing that I’ve had going for me. But I’m still learning a little strategy, like getting out of the hole a bit quicker and things like that. As I said, I’m just happy to be here.
Ricky Dietrich (RD): Thanks, it’s been going really well. You know, coming into this season I wanted to do a few motocross races. I was
AR: I know that you raced a couple rounds of the AMA Motocross Championships before, but what has helped you get to this next level?
AMARACING.COM
AR: Speaking of WORCS, has there been much conflict as far as what events to race? RD: No, it’s pretty straightforward for me. I’m still obligated to race off road and win that WORCS championship again this year, and also defend my No. 1 plate in EnduroCross. There are no more WORCS races that conflict for the rest of the year, although there are two EnduroCrosses that conflict. As of now, I’m looking at being at the EnduroCrosses instead of the motocross races. But for all the ones that don’t conflict, I plan on being here under the rig and just trying to get some good results for Monster Energy Kawasaki. It’s a bummer for them with their spotlight riders being out, but I’m definitely enjoying the opportunity and taking it to its fullest. AR: How are you preparing for the ISDE?
Photos Jeff Kardas
RENAISSANCE RACER
RD: I think a lot of it can be contributed to my trainer Ryan Hughes. With the couple that I did back in 2007 I didn’t really have too much of a serious training program. That was the year that I came back from my broken arm, and while I wouldn’t say that my speed was too off at that time, my fitness was in the toilet. Since then, my fitness has increased tremendously. That has helped a ton for WORCS races and for motocross as well. With Ryan, we don’t really work on speed. We work on a lot of technique. Since I started training with him, my technique has gotten quite a bit better, and with that comes a lot of speed.
AMA RACER FEATURED EVENT
RD: Obviously, we’ve got to send our bikes out early because we have to ship them by container, so most of the prep we got going on now is just getting the bikes ready and getting flights figured out. There’s just a lot of paperwork and computer stuff that we’ve got to figure out. We also have some fundraisers we’re going to do, which will be announced soon. I plan on having one fundraiser at my trainer’s place out at Rhinoland, and I think (Destry) Abbott’s got some stuff lined up that will also help us go. As far as the actual riding, though, I don’t really do too much differently for it. What I do at home on my normal schedule covers that type of racing. We’ve got an awesome team this year, and I’m greatly looking forward to it. This year I’m going to be on the KX450F in the E2 class, so I’m more excited about that. I won’t have to be learning a new bike. Being on the 450 will help me out and get me better results. We’ve got (Kurt) Caselli in the E3 class, and he’s more than capable of winning that class. Just recently we got Timmy Weigand riding in the E1 class on the 250F and he is an excellent 250 rider. It fits him perfect. So that’s three guys in each class that are capable of possibly winning each of those classes. Then, the rest of the guys on our team are extremely reliable, excellent riders, and they’re capable of being inside the top five. With a team like that, there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t win. All of us have done it before except Timmy, but there are plenty of us there to help him out and guide him through it and make sure that he’s got it figured out. He’ll pick it up no problem. The
rest of us, we’re all veterans, and we know what to do. Things are really coming together and all of us on the team are riding better than we ever have before. It’s our time to win. AR: With all your success in the different forms of racing, what will you focus on next year? RD: I want to do it all! I’d love to hit a couple Supercrosses, motocross, WORCS races, a couple of EnduroCross events here and there, the ISDE, and maybe even further down the road doing the Motocross of Nations. That would be a huge achievement for me to be one of the few riders to do both the ISDE and the Motocross of Nations. We will see what happens there, but I think that would be the best way to cap off my entire career of racing. But as far as next year, my books are still wide open right now. I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to end up doing. I am really enjoying doing motocross now, and I think that could be the future of my career. But maybe realities are a year or two more in off-road and then really switch over. We’ll just see what happens. I’ve made good friends with everyone here at Kawasaki, and they’re all pretty pumped on me. Maybe next year I can just kind of keep doing what I’m doing again this year. It’s a busy schedule, and it’s tough, but at the same time I enjoy racing. When I’m racing on the weekends, it’s keeping me out of trouble, and I’m off doing what I need to do and what I love doing! I want to thank everyone at Monster Energy Kawasaki for giving me this opportunity. It was
actually my manager, Jason Smigel, who helped me. He pushed Mike Fisher (Monster Energy Kawasaki team manager) into giving me this ride. At the beginning, Fisher was like, “No, dude. We don’t want some off-road kid. We can find someone else.” But I think really Fisher had no one to turn to, and just thought “Why not? Let’s just give the kid a chance.” Then I got fifth in Texas, and backed up what I said I was going to do, and I pretty much blew all these guys’ minds. They had no idea I was even capable of going out and doing that. It’s kind of funny, but some people think of off-road riders as not having the same talent as these motocross guys. It’s actually been almost a revelation of sorts this year. I’m extremely happy to be the rider to come out, do it and prove to everyone that off-road guys can race motocross. I’m having the time of my life. This is one of the best seasons of my racing career, probably one of the best seasons I’ll ever have in my life. I’m just enjoying every moment of it, and can’t thank Monster Energy Kawasaki enough just for giving me the opportunity.
THE ISDE ISSUE
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AMA RACING FEATURED EVENT Jamie Lanza will make his first run at an ISDE medal this fall. Here’s what the World Off-Road Championship Series regular has on his mind as he gets ready for the event.
with Destry Abbott. I will not alter my training too much prior to the event, but I plan on spending a lot more time on the trails getting ready for the long days in Portugal.
AMA Racer (AR): What about this opportunity made you decide to go for it? Jamie Lanza (JL): I tried to qualify for the ISDE in ‘08 and didn’t make the Junior Team. When I got the call this year to go I was really excited. It is a huge opportunity for me and my sponsors, and I am really looking forward to representing them and my country this fall. My biggest concern is just staying consistent all week. The Kawasaki KXF250 is the best bike out there so I am more worried about myself than the bike.
AR: What type of help are you getting with this event, and how can fans help out more? JL: Bob Bell at Precision Concepts has spent a lot of time testing with me and I know my bike is the best it can be for me for any event I enter. The suspension will be similar to what I’ve ran all year, but the bike will have a few extras lights, kickstand, odometer, etc. Precision Concepts is prepping a KXF250 for the E1 class. All my sponsors have been very supportive of me in preparation for the ISDE. However, the race is going to be very costly with bike transportation, tires, gas, flights and lodging. I am selling shirts, wristbands, and raffle tickets through JamieLanza.com to help offset the costs.
AR: Do you have any intel on what type of terrain you can expect in Portugal? JL: I am expecting the terrain to be dry and rocky, desert-type terrain from speaking
Junior Team Member Jamie Lanza
What does it take for a vet rider to get ready for six days of racing against the world’s best offroad racers? Here’s a quick look at Chilly White’s program. • White will ride alongside Jeff “Mr. ISDE” Fredette and Don Grahn on the JAFMAR Team, which also serves as the Team USA’s senior rider team. • Fund-raising shirt commemorating 60 years of U.S. riders at the ISDE, starting with Tommy McDermott’s 1949 gold medal. • Training is highlighting speed over endurance this year, recognizing that medals are won and lost in the special tests. • That means motocross training, keying in on corners and ruts, over and over. Jumps are less important. • Use a heart-rate monitor. On the track, White’s is consistently in the 150-160 range. • Balance. It’s not all about speed. White also spends a lot of time on his mountain bike, which helps with the endurance part of the equation. • Visualization. White says it can “sound a little odd,” but keeping his goal in mind and mentally previewing how he hopes the race will go down inspires focus.
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3 QUESTIONS WITH...
Chilly White Is Ready How One Vet Prepares For The Biggest Race Of His Life
T S O M E R FO G N I g C n A a r R t S Jo sh ing tur a Fe
At Foremost we understand the commitment it takes to win, that’s why we sponsor ISDE Gold Medalist and GNCC Off-road rising star Josh Strang. When it comes to your ride – off the road or on – we’re committed to getting you the coverages you want and competitive rates. For a quote, go to Foremost.com or call 1-800-237-2060 and mention Customer Priority Number M086. Find out more about Josh Strang and the rest of the Foremost Racing team at ForemostRacing.com.
Motor Home • Travel Trailer • Luxury Motor Coach • Motorcycle • Off-Road Vehicle • Snowmobile • Boat • Personal Watercraft • Collectible Auto Manufactured Home • Specialty Homeowners • Vacant Property • Seasonal Property • Landlord and Rental Property Foremost Insurance Company Grand Rapids, Michigan, Foremost Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Foremost Signature Insurance Company and American Federation Insurance Company 5600 Beech Tree Lane, Caledonia, MI 49316. Form 9001568 07/09
AMA RACER UPCOMING EVENTS
AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships Sept. 10 - 13, 2009
Rider Eligibility
Let’s Go Road Racing
Titles To Be Decided At Mid-Ohio By Kevin Crowther, AMA Deputy Director of Racing The country’s fastest amateur motorcycle road racers will get their weekend in the sun this Sept. 10-13 at the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships. Set on the sinuous curves of the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, it will be an incredible weekend of high-speed, sweeping corners and close racing for No. 1 plates and national titles. Also, thanks to our partnership with the Championship Cup Series, which will help with the operational aspects of the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships, all riders will be eligible for regional points and contingency payouts. Not enough racing for you? The weekend also will include competition in U.S. Grand Prix Racers Union (USGPRU) classes, which feature 125cc and 250cc two-stroke road-race motorcycles. The USGPRU classes will not be eligible for amateur titles. With timed qualifying, an opportunity to race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and AMA Racing National Championships on the line, this is a unique opportunity for AMA amateur road racers. Also, by working with a dedicated road-racing organization in CCS, we can offer the highest level of organizational support, as well as regional CCS points and series contingency. For the logistical details, see the schedule, class list and other information on these pages.
For supplemental regulations and additional background, see the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships page at AMARacing.com. Any questions in the meantime, feel free to drop me a line at kcrowther@ama-cycle.org. CLASSES For the supplemental regulations governing these classes, see the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships section of AMARacing. com. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
125 GP Lightweight SuperTwins SuperTwins SuperSingles F450 Singles Formula 40 Femmoto Lightweight SuperSport Middleweight SuperSport Heavyweight Supersport Unlimited SuperSport Lightweight SuperBike Middleweight SuperBike Heavyweight SuperBike Unlimited SuperBike Lightweight Grand Prix Middleweight Grand Prix Unlimited Grand Prix
With AMA Racing again partnering with the Championship Cup Series (CCS) to help with operational support, all classes listed on the entry form will not only be competing for AMA Racing national titles, but CCS points and contingency. CCS rules and regulations will be utilized, and CCS officials will handle officiating duties. AMA Racing National Championships and No. 1 plates will be awarded to class winners in all Expert classes. National Championships will be awarded to all Novice classes. • Riders must be full AMA members and present proof at registration. Memberships will be available for purchase at registration. • This event is open to all riders with a road-racing license from any recognized U.S. road-racing organization or the CMA (Canadian Motorcycle Association). • Current AMA Pro Racing licensed riders, or riders who held an AMA Pro Racing license for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008, are not eligible for any AMA Road Race Grand Championships event awards, although they will receive CCS points and contingency based on how they place in the event. Results will be adjusted for purposes of determining AMA Racing National Championships. Podium activities at the AMA Road Race Grand Championships will reflect the national championship standings. • AMA Racing reserves the right to refuse entry or eliminate race results to a rider who could hurt the competitive balance in the expert and novice classes.
Awards On The Line The best racers at the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships compete for the AMA Road Race Horizon Award,
which goes to the rider showing the most promise for success in the pro ranks. Past winners include Jason DiSalvo, Ben Spies and Blake Young. Other awards at the event include the AMA Racing Top Novice Award; the AMA Racing Youth Award, presented to an outstanding racer under the age of 16; and the AMA Racing Vet/Senior Award, presenting to a rider 30 years old or older who makes an impression on the track.
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AMA RACER UPCOMING EVENTS
INFORMATION FOR MINORS AMA members as young as 12 years old, as long as they hold a proper road-racing license from a recognized U.S. road-racing organization, can compete at the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships.
2009
RACING
ROAD RACE
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
• Minors are riders under the age of majority in Ohio, which is 18. • Riders must be 12 years old or older to ride a 125cc and 250cc. Riders must be 14 years old or older to ride motorcycles above 250cc. • Minor riders must complete and have notorized Mid-Ohio and AMA minor waivers, available from AMARacing.com. These must be received by AMA Racing and Mid-Ohio no later than Sept. 2, 2009.
• At event registration, minor riders must be present with their parent(s) or legal guardian to sign all release forms. Anyone other than a rider’s legal parent or guardian accompanying the minor rider must have a notarized letter of consent, giving them the authority to act on the parent or legal guardian’s behalf. • There will be no post-entry for minors at the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships.
EVENT SCHEDULE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 12-7pm......................................................................................Registration FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 7am-7pm.............................................................. Registration/Tech Opens 7:30am.....................Mandatory Riders Meeting (Base of Goodyear Tower) 8am......................................................................................Practice Begins Group 1: Novice 250 GP, Middleweight Classes Group 2: Novice Heavyweight, Unlimited and SuperTwins Group 3: MD250 and 125 GP Group 4: SuperSingles, Lightweights and ThunderBikes Group 5: Expert Heavyweight, Unlimited and SuperTwins Group 6: Expert 250 GP and Middleweight 12 - 1pm...................................................................................Lunch Break 1pm.......................................................... Practice Resumes (Same Order)
Group 10: SuperTwins (Ex and Nov) Group 11: Middleweight GP ((Ex and Nov) Group 12: Lightweight GP (Ex and Nov) Group 13: Unlimited GP (Ex and Nov) Group 14: Lightweight SuperBike (Ex and Nov) Group 15: F- 40 (Ex and Nov) / Femmoto MW SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 7am - 12pm......................................................................Registration/Tech 7:30am.....................Mandatory Riders Meeting (Base of Goodyear Tower) 8am..................................................... Warm-Ups Begin (One Round Each) Group 1: Novice 250 GP, Middleweight Classes Group 2: Novice Heavyweight, Unlimited and SuperTwins Group 3: MD250 and 125 GP Group 4: SuperSingles, Lightweights and ThunderBikes Group 5: Expert Heavyweight, Unlimited and SuperTwins Group 6: Expert 250 GP and Middleweight
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
8am................................................................................. Post Entries Close
7am - 5pm........................................................................Registration/Tech
10am................................................................USGPRU Finals (Eight Laps)
7:30am.....................Mandatory Riders Meeting (Base of Goodyear Tower) 8 am.....................................................................................Practice Begins Group 1: Novice 250 GP, Middleweight Classes Group 2: Novice Heavyweight, Unlimited and SuperTwins Group 3: MD250 and 125 GP Group 4: SuperSingles, Lightweights and ThunderBikes Group 5: Expert Heavyweight, Unlimited and SuperTwins Group 6: Expert 250 GP and Middleweight 11am - 12pm............................................................................Lunch Break 11:10am...................Mandatory Riders Meeting (Base of Goodyear Tower) 12pm.................................................. Qualifying Begins (12 Minutes Each) Group 1: 125 GP (Ex and Nov) Group 2: Heavyweight SuperSport (Ex and Nov) Group 3: LW SuperSport (Ex and Nov) / 450 SuperSingles (Ex and Nov Group 4: Middleweight SuperSport (Ex and Nov) Group 5: Unlimited SuperSport (Ex and Nov) Group 6: ThunderBike (Ex and Nov) / SuperSingles (Ex and Nov) Group 7: Heavyweight SuperBike (Ex and Nov) Group 8: Middleweight SuperBike (Ex and Nov) Group 9: Unlimited SuperBike (Ex and Nov)
Race 1: USGPRU 125 by Pilot Race 2: Moriwaki MD250 Powered by Honda Race 3: USGPRU 250 GP by Moto Liberty/RS Taichi Immediately Following USGPRU..............................................Lunch Break 12pm... AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championship Finals (Eight Laps) Race 1. Heavyweight SuperSport (Ex and Nov) Race 2. LW SuperSport (Ex and Nov) / 450 SuperSingles (Ex and Nov) Race 3. Middleweight SuperSport (Ex and Nov) Race 4. Unlimited SuperSport (Ex and Nov) Race 5. Heavyweight SuperBike (Ex and Nov) Race 6. 125 GP (Ex and Nov) Race 7. F- 40 (Ex and Nov) / Femmoto MW Race 8. ThunderBike (Ex and Nov) / SuperSingles (Ex and Nov) Race 9. Middleweight SuperBike (Ex and Nov) Race 10. SuperTwins (Ex and Nov) Race 11. Middleweight GP (Ex and Nov) Race 12. Lightweight GP (Ex and Nov) Race 13. Unlimited GP (Ex and Nov) Race 14. Lightweight SuperBike (Ex and Nov) Race 15. Unlimited SuperBike (Ex and Nov) Following Finals................................................. Podium and Event Awards
THE ISDE ISSUE
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AMA RACER UPCOMING EVENTS
AMA Racing East Youth Hare Scrambles Championships (Round 5) Aug. 15, 2009
Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship on Racer TV Although the best way to catch the action is from the stands, you won’t have to worry about missing the biggest motocross race in the world. The Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by Amsoil will return to Versus Network on Thursday, Sept. 24, with extensive coverage of the entire week of racing. This year’s show will air in HD, produced by the same crew that puts together the highly regarded Racer TV program covering the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. “Future pro superstars are a big part, but we also showcase the lifers in amateur racing, as well as all the fun activities from around the ranch,” said Tim Cotter, MX Sports event director for the National event. “We’ve had quite a few celebrities show up, too. You never know what will happen down there, but we do know the show can capture it all.” The event has aired on Versus since 2005, showcasing current and future pro motocross superstars such as Ryan Villopoto, Jason Lawrence, Josh Hill, Trey Canard, Austin Stroupe and last year’s top graduates, Justin Barcia, Blake Wharton and AMA Motocross Horizon Award winners Darryn Durham and P.J. Larsen. The show also chronicles youth, vet and women’s class racers. “The pro stuff is great, but there’s no week of the year that matches the fun of Loretta’s,” said Jason Weigandt, host of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship on SPEED and NBC and the GNCC shows on Versus. “We get to meet tomorrow’s stars today, and witness incredible racing. Plus, we get some really embarrassing footage of the kids when they’re young, stuff that we can use against them when they’re older. This is the chance to say you saw them before they were stars.”
Youth woods racers will get another chance to throw down on the trail at the fifth and final round of the AMA Racing East Youth Hare Scrambles Championships. Set for Aug. 15 in E. Freetown, Mass., the event will offer classes for riders 4 years old to 15 years old on a range of minibikes. Currently in the lead in the uber-fast Super Mini (12-15) class is Loic Leonard. Leonard has won three of the first five rounds and has a 14-point advantage over Tanner Thomas heading into the final contest.
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In other class action, Anthony Jackson is out front in the 85cc Senior (12-15) class, Austin Lee has the edge in the 85cc Junior (7-11) class, Erik Freeman leads the 65cc (7-11) class, Colby Davis is gapping the field in the 50cc (48) class, and Eden Netelkos is leading the Girls (12-15) class. Put on by the Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders, the event will be held at the DeMoranville Farm. The location is arrowed from Exit 8 on Rt. 140. Signup at 7 a.m. The first heat starts at 9 a.m. More information is at PSTR.org.
Note: The show airs first on Versus on Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. (EST), and re-airs on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m.
AMA RACER UPCOMING EVENTS
AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships August 15 - 16, 2009 The best amateur hillclimbers on the planet will face off Aug. 15-16 in New Ulm, Minn., in the AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships, run this year by the famed Flying Dutchman Motorcycle Club. Riders will vie for national No. 1 plates in classes ranging from two-stroke ATV to 751cc-Open motorcycle. The climbing, scratching and clawing of motorcycles and ATVs up the steep New Ulm hill promises to offer plenty of excitement for spectators. Only the best complete the steep climb. Besides crowning national champions in 18 classes and naming one rider King (or Queen) of the Hill—Hillclimber of the Year—AMA Racing will bestow some additional special awards: ATV Hillclimber of the Year, Youth Hillclimber of the Year, and Vet Hillclimber of the Year. “These amateur racers are the rising stars in the sport,” said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “They are the professionals of tomorrow who will be riding nitrous-burning hillclimb machines up hills in just seconds. “One draw for spectators at this event is the spectrum of machinery that will attack the hill. Fans will see not only Harley-Davidson, Triumph and other traditional hillclimbers, but they also see converted motocross bikes and sportbikes,” he added.
AMA Racing National Championship Events (Aug. 15 through Sept. 19) AMATEUR GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships Aug. 15-16 New Ulm, Minn. Lester Stadick Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club (507) 354-2024 les2317@comcast.net FlyingDutchmenMotorcycleClub.com AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships Sept. 10-13 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio (614) 856-1900 kcrowther@ama-cycle.org AMARacing.com NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMA EnduroCross Championship Round 2: Aug. 15 Lazy E Arena Guthrie, Okla. Source Interlink Media Motorsports endurcross@sourceinterlink.com EnduroCross.com
At last year’s AMA Racing Hillclimb Nationals held in Waterford, Ohio, Kyle Gillman of Kermit, W.Va., earned the title of Hillclimber of the Year. He took the honor by winning two out of the three events he entered.
Event Details • Participation is limited to 400 entries. Entry fee is $50 for first class, and $35 for each additional (three-class max.). • Gate entry fee is $10 /day, or $15 /weekend pass. Not included in the entry free. • Rider order will be determined by the date the entry is received. First entry rides last, last entry rides first. • Tech inspection on Friday, Aug. 14, starting at 8:30 a.m. Mandatory riders meeting on Friday, Aug. 14, at 5 p.m. • Pork chop dinner provided free to the entrants. $5 per person for pit crew/family/others Friday evening after the riders meeting. • For more information, go to the Racing section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com or FlyingDutchmanMotorcycleClub.com.
The following events are on the AMA Racing National Championship calendar this month. Check the websites for full schedules. Nearly all these events include classes for riders ranked novice to expert. Contact the promoters for more information. Search for local, non-national events at AMARacing.com. Just click on “Find a Race Near You.”
Round 3: Sept. 12 Florence Civic Center Florence, S.C. Source Interlink Media Motorsports endurocross@sourceinterlink.com EnduroCross.com AMA Racing East Youth Hare Scrambles Championship Round 5: Aug. 15 E. Freetown, Mass. Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders (781) 294-8355 lila7796@aol.com www.pstr.org AMA Racing West Hare Scrambles Championship Series Round 5: Aug. 29-30 Bull Hollow Raceway Monticello, Utah Off Road Sports LLC (435) 635-1597 info@westernharescrambles.com WesternHareScrambles.com AMA Racing ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series Round 6: Sept. 5 Berwick, Pa.
Evansville MX Park (570) 759-2841 info@evansvillemxpark.com EvansvilleMXPark.com AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series Round 5: Aug. 29 Taylorville, Ill. South Fork Dirt Riders (217) 237-4752 rrgetmuddy@aol.com SouthForkDirtriders.com Round 6: Sept. 19 Greeneville, Tenn. I-81 Motorsports Park (423) 323-5497 contact@victory-sports.com Victory-Sports.com FEATURED SERIES & EVENTS
Trials des Nations Sept. 19 Darfo Bario Terme, Italy Federazione Motociclistica Italiana internazionale@federmoto.it www.federmoto.it For the following AMA-sanctioned series, please see the promoter’s websites: Grand National Cross Country Championship (GNCC) Series GNCCRacing.com World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) WORCSracing.com AMA Dragbike Championship Series AMADragbike.com
International Motorcycle Speed Trials by Bub
ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited ATVMotocross.com
Aug. 30-Sept. 3 Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah (530) 477-4310 salt-info@bubspeedtrials.com SpeedTrialsByBUB.com
AMA Racing/USA Speedway National Championship Series USASpeedway.org
THE ISDE ISSUE
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CLOSING SHOT Amateur AMA road racers get their shot at the sinuous curves of the world-class MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, this Sept. 10-13. For class, schedule and rule information, see pages 18-19. Photo: Robin Esterline
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AMARACING.COM
THE ISDE ISSUE
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Trey Canard 2007 Loretta Lynn’s Champion 2008 East Coast Lites Champion
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