Rider Files

(News Release)

UK Artist Kinsey To Unveil Moates Paintings At USGP Film Premiere

June 17, 2010 – San Diego, CO – The world premiere of The Motocross Files Todd Huffman’s seminal documentary covering the first American win of the United States Grand Prix of Motocross is fast approaching! Set for June 22nd debut in San Diego and Houston will be the premiere of an epic film documentary Carlsbad USGP: 1980 – One Day Of Magic ( www.carlsbadusgpmovie.com) exactly 30 years to the day that a relatively unknown local San Diego racer Marty Moates beat the world’s best motocross racers. Coinciding with the AMA National MX series returning to the Thunder Valley Motocross facility in Lakewood, Colorado, a third movie premiere will be held at the Landmark Mayan Theatre Thursday, June 24th hosted by Chuck Sun… the second American to ever win the USGP in 1981.

Speaking of former USGP winners, the movie premiere promises to be a star-studded gala at the historic 1912 Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego. Look for local racing legends like Broc Glover (the 1984 USGP winner) and Ricky Johnson (the last American to win a USGP in 1986) to grace the red carpet. In fact, San Diego county residents may have heard RJ’s radio spots on 102.1 FM KPRi announcing his support and participation in the Tuesday night extravaganza. Just a heads up for the paparazzi: The VIPs, heroes and legends will also be headed to the Side Bar for a post-premiere party.

Look for a retrospective of the late Marty Moates in an upcoming issue of Motorcyclist magazine. Executive editor Tim Carrithers has been tracking down all the details of Marty’s epic ride that day in Carlsbad, as well as Moates’ career highlights. “Everyone loves a good story, especially when it involves an underdog like Marty whose ‘One Day of Magic’ at Carlsbad before a huge ABC Wide World Of Sports audience shed a positive light worldwide,” notes Scott Cox, who is co-promoting the premiere.

Late word is that noted motorcycle fine artist Rob Kinsey is flying in from his studio in the U.K. to present a couple of unique art pieces at the San Diego premiere. “I will have 15 limited edition giclee prints of the ‘Marty Moates LOP Yamaha 1980 USGP Winner, Carlsbad Raceway’ action painting on heavyweight Hanemuhle acid-free art paper, plus the last three copies of Marty’s portrait and two artist’s proofs of that portrait,” says Kinsey. The prints are $75 each, supplied in a sturdy cardboard tube and signed by Kinsey, each with its own certificate of authenticity. For Kinsey’s complete bio and a look at his other MX-inspired artwork, click on www.robkinsey.com.

To view the trailer and get information on the premiere, visit www.carlsbadusgpmovie.com.

(News Release)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the fifth and sixth members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2010: John and Rita Gregory. The Gregorys, whose industry-leading JT Racing USA created innovative motocross gear for two decades, will be among the legends of motorcycling honored at the 2010 induction ceremony at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas this Nov. 19.

“John and Rita began selling MX socks out of the back of their car at California motocross tracks,” said AMA Director of Operations and Hall of Famer Jack Penton. “From that humble beginning, they built JT Racing into the dominant force in motocross apparel in the country and influenced MX apparel makers who followed.”

Under the Gregorys’ leadership, JT Racing sponsored just about every big-name motocrosser of the 1970s and ’80s, including AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Joel Robert, Roger DeCoster, Marty Smith, Ricky Johnson, David Bailey, Bob Hannah, Johnny O’Mara, and Jeff Ward. They brought revolutionary nylon MX pants to the United States, created a variety of innovative products including jerseys, pants and chest protectors, and were masters of marketing in the creation of their global business.

Hall of Famer Broc Glover, one of the leading racers in American motocross and one of JT’s sponsored riders, is a member of the Hall of Fame Motocross/Supercross committee that recommended the Gregorys.

“They changed how motocross riding gear was manufactured and marketed,” Glover said. “They brought style to the sport and sponsored powerhouse riders. They were the industry leaders, and set the benchmark for other apparel companies. JT is the company that others judged themselves against.

“The Gregorys brought in the first vented clothing. Their ideas were innovative,” Glover continued. “For me, on a personal level, I wore a set of pink gear. There was the DayGlo that David Bailey wore, the ALS helmet. They designed the V1000 and V2000 chest protectors, nylon pants and synthetic gloves — they were innovative. They had a lot of cool stuff.”

John and Rita Gregory said they are thrilled to be named to the Hall of Fame.

“I had a lot fun doing that,” John said. “I met a lot of nice people, saw a lot of nice places, and I had a great crew. It wasn’t just Rita and me. It was a bunch of other incredible people, too.”

Said Rita: “I must say that I am very honored to be included in this as a woman in the industry, and I would very much like to thank all of those who felt me worthy of this nomination.”

John fondly recalls working with the riders to sell JT Racing products.

“We probably owe nearly all of our success to our riders,” John said. “I have to give them a lot of the credit. I told (then-Yamaha factory rider) Hannah I had a big overstock problem with yellow and blue pants. Yamaha colors were yellow, black and white. He wore the yellow and blue pants at a Supercross on a Saturday night. By Wednesday we didn’t have any in stock.”

The Gregorys join previously announced members of the AMA Hall of Fame Class of 2010: championship team owner Mitch Payton, AMA 250cc Roadrace Champion David Emde, off-road rights activist Clark Collins and dirt-track racer Don Castro. More inductees will be announced soon.

The Class of 2010 will officially be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame this Nov. 19 as part of the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend. In addition to the induction ceremony, the weekend includes the 2010 AMA Concours d’Elegance on Saturday, Nov. 20, featuring some of the country’s most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles. The AMA Racing Championship Banquet closes out the weekend on Sunday, Nov. 21, where AMA Racing amateur champions of all ages will be recognized for their 2010 accomplishments

The event will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility’s expansive ballrooms will provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend, which is certain to be memorable for the 2010 inductees, champions, families, friends and fans. More information is available online at RedRockLasVegas.com.

Lodging reservations can be made now at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Accommodations. An announcement regarding ticket information will be made soon.

Located on the park-like campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made lasting contributions to protecting and promoting the motorcycle lifestyle. Its members include those who have excelled in racing, road- and off-road riding, pushed the envelope in motorcycle design, engineering and safety, and championed the rights of riders in both the halls of government and the court of public opinion.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Committee includes nine members in addition to the chairman. There are eight subcommittees, each representing a different aspect of motorcycling.

More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org.