MX Sports Congratulates Hall of Fame Inductees

Courtesy of MX Sports
When the 2010 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductees were enshrined on Friday evening in Las Vegas, four people who have made great contributions to the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship over the years were among the honorees. Pro Circuit founder Mitch Payton, JT Racing founders John and Rita Gregory, and Eyvind Boyesen, the man behind Boyesen Engineering, were all honored in the ceremony at the Red Rocks Resort for their work in and around American Motocross.

MX Sports Pro Racing, organizers of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, as well as our partners at Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, and the 12 race promoters that make up the National Promoters Group (NPG), wish to congratulate Payton, the Gregorys, and the entire Boyesen family on their respective honors.
 

Mitch Payton's success in the motorcycle industry is a testament not only to his work ethic and perseverance, but also that of his family, his staff at Pro Circuit, and all of the racers and mechanics and team sponsors that have participated in his program over the years. Payton was an aspiring racer himself until a desert-racing accident left him in a wheelchair at 17 years of age. He then went into the aftermarket business, taking a small bike shop in Anaheim, Calif., and building it into the global motocross power that is Pro Circuit, now based in Corona, Calif. Along the way he has won numerous races and titles with lineups that have included the likes of Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto, Mickael Pichon, Grant Langston, Ivan Tedesco, Mike Brown and more.

John and Rita Gregory founded JT Racing together as motocross in Southern California was just taking off some 40 years ago. Together they built a riding-gear empire, leading the way in motocross fashion for nearly two decades. Along the way they worked with a long line of AMA Motocross Champions and future Hall of Famers, including Marty Smith, Bob Hannah, Broc Glover, Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen, David Bailey, Rick Johnson, Ron Lechien and more. In fact, many of those riders were in attendance at the ceremony, including Glover, who came out dressed in the exact same JT Racing gear he wore in the mid-eighties to introduce John and Rita into the Hall of Fame.

Eyvind Boyesen has long been one of the most respected men in motocross. A former racer from Norway, he emigrated to America in the 1960s to work on rocket engines for NASA, then started his own namesake company, Boyesen Engineering, in 1972. Based in Lenhartsville, Pa., Boyesen's innovations include reed valves, carburetion, two-stroke and four-stroke engines, water pumps, and more. Boyesen held more than 40 patents in the motorcycle aftermarket industry. He continued to be an active racer himself until this past year, as well as a sponsor of countless motorcycle racers. Sadly, Eyvind Boyesen passed away on the eve of his induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame after a long battle with leukemia. He was 68 years old.

MX Sports Pro Racing, Alli Sports, and the NPG all wish to congratulate Mitch Payton, John and Rita Gregory, and everyone in the Boyesen family on the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame. Congratulations also go out to dirt-track racer Don Castro, sidecar road-racing champion Larry Coleman, off-road rights activist Clark Collins, AMA 250cc Roadrace Champion David Emde, and desert racing legend and team manager Bruce Ogilvie were also part of the Class of 2010 for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

Motorcycle Veteran Jeff Ward Joins AMA Pro Racing

Courtesy of AMA Pro Racing
Motorcycle Veteran Jeff Ward Joins AMA Pro Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (March 19, 2010) - Motorcycle racing legend Jeff Ward will bring his considerable amount of racing and career experience to AMA Pro Racing as rider liaison and advisor.  Ward has nine AMA Pro Racing Championships in Motocross, Supercross and Supermoto.  He also has a number of other significant motorcycle wins and achievements as well as an impressive auto racing resume that includes a Ganassi Indy Car win, Rookie of the Year at the 1997 Indianapolis 500 and a second place finish in that iconic event in 1999.  Jeff is also in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.  Among other responsibilities, Jeff will be the rider liaison and will fully engage with AMA Pro Racing's riders on the many issues that are important to or may cause concern from the rider's standpoint.  "Jeff has the perspective of an experienced, champion rider and can understand the concerns and questions that only someone who has experienced it from behind the handlebars would truly understand," said AMA Pro Racing COO David Atlas.  "And having Jeff represent that part of our sport and be one of our key advisors will further our efforts to be as available and responsive to our riders and teams as we can.  From the time he was a child and was featured doing wheelies in the classic motorcycle movie 'On Any Sunday', Jeff has devoted his entire sports life to winning and he is now cultivating his own children's successful motorcycle competition careers.  We felt that the spectrum of Wardy's experience, his down to earth sincerity and unassuming nature could be very helpful to many in our paddock."  Joining AMA Pro Racing Race Director David McGrath, who also has experience as a rider in the sport, Jeff and David McGrath provide AMA Pro Racing with a large baseline of firsthand racer experience that will greatly benefit the riders in AMA Pro Racing.         "I'm delighted to be joining the AMA Pro Racing series," said Ward, "I personally know many of the riders and am looking forward to helping them have a positive influence in the future direction of the sport and the way in which they plan and pursue their training, successful strategies and careers." Jeff will begin his duties at the upcoming March 26-28th Auto Club Speedway AMA Pro Road Racing event in Fontana, CA and will be a very approachable  presence in the pits and paddock at the AMA Pro Road Racing events in 2010.  Ward will also advise AMA Pro Racing on motocross and flat track rider matters which it sanctions too, as well as assist AMA Pro Racing with its relations with the motorcycle manufacturers and parts suppliers.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.  ;Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

AMA Racing Amateur Motocross Competitors Rider Classifications for 2010 Season

Courtesy of AMA

AMA Racing Amateur Motocross Competitors Rider Classifications for 2010 Season

AMA Racing, the pro-am and amateur competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), has announced that amateur competitor classifications for motocross have been established for the upcoming 2010 season. Amateur competitors have been advanced from C to B classification and from B to A classification based on the rider advancement procedures outlined in the 2009 AMA Racing Rulebook.
Riders advanced from C to B classification are listed in the following PDF: 2009_B_Advancement_List-1-11-2009.pdf
Riders advanced from B to A classification are listed in the following PDF: 2009_A_Advancement_List-1-11-2009.pdf
In addition, amateur competitors interested in checking their classification can perform the following steps:

• Visit AMARacing.com
• Select MX Results Center
• Search by Last Name or AMA number in the Rider Search box for 2009 results
• The classification will be listed at the top of the individual rider page, along with the date that classification was last updated

Rider advancement procedures for motocross are spelled out in Chapter 1, Section 1.1 of the 2009 AMA Racing Rulebook Governing Pro-Am, Standard, ATV and Youth Competition. Riders are advanced based on the National Advancement System, according to their Rider Performance Value (RPV). For details on advancement procedures, see the 2009 AMA Racing Rulebook Governing Pro-Am, Standard, ATV and Youth Competition. A rulebook can be downloaded from AMARacing.com.
Riders who are aware of specific errors in the results reported to AMA Racing, resulting in a mistake in their classification advancement, are encouraged to bring those specific errors to the attention of AMA Racing.
In the case of erroneous results, e-mail the following to mxadvance@ama-cycle.org:

• Name
• AMA number
• Rider status and date advanced shown in Motocross Results Center
• Daytime phone number
• E-mail address
• The details of the specific error

About the American Motorcyclist Association
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 rights 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. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

GNCC Racing Congratulates Randy Hawkins on Induction into AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Courtesy of GNCC Racing

GNCC Racing Congratulates Randy Hawkins on Induction into
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Morgantown, W.Va. (November 16, 2009) - Racer Productions, producers of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, is pleased to announce that off-road racing legend Randy Hawkins has been inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Hawkins, a long-time GNCC competitor who now owns and manages the Am-Pro FMF Yamaha team in the GNCC tour, is a seven-time AMA National Enduro Champion, 13-time International Six Days Enduro gold medalist and has won 73 AMA Nationals. He is a true ambassador of the sport.
"Randy helped raise the game for off-road racing both on and off the track," said GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell, who battled Hawkins for AMA Enduro Championships. "He was a fierce competitor, but he's also a great person and a real professional. His family was into car racing, and I think he brought that NASCAR mentality to bikes, which really helped the sport grow."
Hawkins started his racing career on go-karts and had early thoughts about car racing, but soon switched to motorcycles. Hawkins worked his way through the ranks until he won his first national in Texas in 1986. Hawkins signed his first factory deal in 1987 and won his first championship in 1988. From there, he launched his storied career in off-road racing.
Now, as owner and Team Manager of Am-Pro FMF Yamaha, Hawkins manages a team of championship-winning riders like Barry Hawk, Jason Raines and Thad DuVall and support riders Joe Scherer, Ryan Belue and Kyle Redman in a variety of off-road series.
"I'm honored and blessed with the career I've had racing motorcycles," Hawkins said.  "I never even knew anything about a Hall of Fame; I just rode motorcycles for fun on the farm. It took a little while to sink in because it's such a great honor. I couldn't have done it by myself; so many other people were involved through support and friendship to get here. It's a blessing and an honor I will cherish forever."
Hawkins is currently featured with other 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers on the cover of the December issue of American Motorcyclist.
About GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed.  For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

Husqvarna Sponsors AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Ceremony

Image via Wikipedia

Courtesy of Husqvarna
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that Husqvarna Motorcycles North America has signed on as a sponsor of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this Dec. 5 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

"We are thrilled to have Husqvarna's participation in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony," said AMA Special Events and Marketing Director Tigra Tsujikawa. "With a lineage dating back more than a century, this historic marque's motorcycling history runs very deep."

Husqvarna Motorcycles North America Sales and Marketing Director Scot Harden, an accomplished off-road racer who was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2008, said that the company is proud to recognize the achievement of motorcycling's heroes.

"For a company like Husqvarna, the history of our great sport and the pioneers who laid the foundation for its success share more than just a casual connection," Harden said. "The name Husqvarna is synonymous with two-wheeled champions and heroes. We are proud to have played a major role in the growth in popularity of off-road recreation that started in the '60s and continues through today. It's only fitting that we step up and support the AMA and the Hall of Fame Museum to help ensure that the proud legacy of the motorcycling community has a fitting home that will inspire future generations of motorcyclists. This is why we support the Hall of Fame and will continue to do so for years to come."

The 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is part of a larger celebration at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas that includes the AMA Racing Championship Banquet and the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance, which will feature some of the most beautiful motorcycles in existence.

The racing banquet will kick off the festivities on the evening of Dec. 4. It will recognize the champions from 2009 AMA Racing premier events and series. In addition, special awards, such as the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year, the AMA Racing Sportsman of the Year and the AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year, will be awarded.

Following the Concours d'Elegance on Saturday, Perry King, legendary actor of stage, screen and TV, will serve as master of ceremonies as the AMA officially welcomes the 2009 class to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

This year's inductees are industry innovator Robert Bates, off-road racer Randy Hawkins, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, industry entrepreneurs and technological trailblazers Geoff and Bob Fox, longtime motorcycle safety proponent David Hough, noted race team manager Gary Mathers and successful dirt-track racer and tuner Chuck Palmgren.

Advance ticket purchase is required for both evening events at a cost of $49 per person per single event, or $89 per person for both events. Tickets will remain on sale through Nov. 29. Admission to the Hall of Fame autograph session and the Concours d'Elegance bike show is free. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/LetsRock.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
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. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.