Rider Files

(News Release)

AURORA, Ill. (December 8, 2010) – A worldwide leader in technically advanced and authentically styled eyewear, Smith Optics Inc., based in Ketchum, Idaho, will be partnering with Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, for the 2011 season as the official and exclusive eyewear of the championship.

The multi-year agreement marks Smith’s first partnership with Monster Energy Supercross. Since 1965, Smith has earned respect with a reputation for innovation and unwavering quality in its approach to eyewear. A frontrunner in providing athletes unparalleled quality, Smith has backs such motocross and supercross athletes as Travis Pastrana and two-time women’s motocross champion Ashley Fiolek.

“We’re really excited, and feel fortunate to have this opportunity,” said Mark Phares, Smith Optics motorsports general manager. “Supercross is a huge stage, and provides a great audience for our broad product offering – it will surely help to catapult our brand awareness to a whole new level. We plan to be on site at every round with a large, user friendly display area to have fun and interact with the fans with giveaways, promotions, and product displays featuring our sunglass range as well as our all new 2011 moto goggle collection.”

Throughout the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season, Smith will receive traditional online and in-stadium branding as well as space in the pit party to promote their product line. Smith will be showcasing their new line of extensive moto goggles that feature the popular Roll Offs system, fog-free vision, and advanced lens and frame technologies. Smith will also be promoting their line of sunglasses equipped with leading edge lens and frame technologies for the everyday consumer.

“Bringing Smith on board for the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season is an exciting partnership with an American-made goggle brand that has supported motorcycle racing since the beginning,” said Dave Prater, director of supercross. “Supercross is an immense marketing platform for Smith to foster their exceptional products. We look forward to their on-track presence and support throughout the 2011 season.”

The 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season and Smith Sport Optics sponsorship initiatives kick-off Saturday, January 8 with the opening race of the season from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305.

About Feld Motor Sports℠

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz℠, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

About Smith Optics, Inc.

Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, Smith Optics, Inc. was founded in 1965 with the creation of the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. Today, Smith is known for its diverse line of sunglasses, snow and motorsports goggles, snow helmets, ballistic eyewear and ophthalmic eyewear. Smith’s devotion to excellence, innovation, performance and style has made Smith the choice of action-sport athletes worldwide. Smith products are sold in more than 50 countries through sporting goods and specialty stores. For more information, check out www.smithoptics.com. Innovate Performance and Style.

(News Release)

Morgantown, W. Va. (December 8, 2010) – MX Sports, producers of the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch, announce today the 2011 Regional Championship Schedule. The Regional Championships serve as the final races to seed riders into the National Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch, and only riders who finish in a qualifying position at a regional event are eligible to race the national.

“We’re excited to announce this schedule, which includes an all-star cast of regional tracks, including six venues with experience holding AMA Pro National events” says MX Sports Director Tim Cotter. “The tracks have been selected based on their ability to produce large and complicated events.”

“The best amateur motocross racers in the world earn their way to the top through the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships,” says AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. “But qualifying to line up at Loretta Lynn’s isn’t easy. These competitors must race their way through a challenging Area and Regional qualifying system that guarantees a best-of-the-best lineup at the championships every summer. The AMA is looking forward to working with the dedicated and talented staff at MX Sports, and all the local track organizers who will make this happen in 2011.”

Of note, Gatorback Raceway in Winter Garden, Florida, appears on the schedule for the first time in years, reducing the travel for the many Florida-based riders who usually travel further north for their Regional Championship. Thunder Valley Raceway in Lakewood, Colorado will host the South Central Regional Championship, a welcome break for the many Colorado riders who usually have to travel to Regional Championships further south. As always, the Regional Championship tracks revolve on a rotating schedule year-to-year.

Riders who qualify at the Regional Championships will then be eligible to race for the AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn Ranch on August 1- 6, 2011.

2011 AMA Amateur National Motocross Regional Championship Schedule

Northeast Regional Championships:
June 11 & 12 Youth: Broome Tioga – Richford, NY
June 18 & 19 Amateur: High Point – Morris, PA

Southeast Regional Championships:
May 28 & 29 Youth: Muddy Creek – Blountville, TN
June 11 & 12 Amateur: Gatorback – Winter Garden, FL

Mid-East Regional Championships:
June 4 & 5 Youth: Sunday Creek – Nelsonville, OH
June 11 & 12 Amateur: Red Bud – Buchanan, MI

North Central Regional Championships:
June 18 & 19 Youth: Sunset Ridge – Walnut, IL
June 25 & 26 Amateur: Spring Creek – Millville, MN

South Central Regional Championships:
June 4 & 5 Youth: Freestone – Wortham, TX
June 11 & 12 Amateur: Thunder Valley – Lakewood, CO

Northwest Regional Championship:
May 28 & 29 Youth/Am: Washougal – Washougal, WA

Southwest Regional Championship:
June 18 & 19 Youth/Am: Competitive Edge – Hesperia, CA

About the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships
Produced by MX Sports, Inc., the AMA National Motocross Championships is the world’s largest amateur motocross race. Hosted annually since 1982 at the home of country music star Loretta Lynn in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., approximately 25,000 racers attempt to qualify in 34 classes for the 1,400 available gates at the finals. The National event, christened “The World’s Greatest Motocross Vacation”, is held the first week of August annually. As proof of the significance of winning an AMA Amateur National Championship title, the biggest names in professional motocross and supercross, including Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto, and Ryan Dungey won championships at Loretta Lynn Ranch. For more information, please visit www.mxsports.com.

(News Release)

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) announced today its AMA Motorcyclist of the Year. Awarded annually, the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation recognizes the person(s) who has had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling, for better or worse, in the previous 12 months.

For 2010, that distinction belongs to outgoing California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose signature on a controversial law will have far-reaching and potentially harmful effects on the motorcycling community nationwide.

With no fanfare, Schwarzenegger signed a poorly crafted bill on Sept. 28 that fundamentally changes how California will regulate motorcycle exhaust systems. The new law also maps a path for the rest of the country, as other state and local lawmakers look for their own answers to address excessive motorcycle sound. The full story is in the January 2011 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine, the journal of the AMA.

“Gov. Schwarzenegger signed a piece of legislation that has rocked the motorcycling world, and will impact motorcyclists in other states as well for years to come,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “This makes him the logical choice for the 2010 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.”

The legislation, California Senate Bill 435, the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act, requires every new motorcycle or aftermarket exhaust system built starting in 2013 to carry a stamp on the exhaust certifying that it meets federal Environmental Protection Agency sound requirements. For most motorcycles, the law is a de-facto OEM (original equipment manufacturer) exhaust mandate because the federal standard was not designed for aftermarket manufacturers, and compliance for the scores of low-volume production models now on the market is extremely problematic.

The AMA has long advocated reasonable measures be adopted for the regulation of excessive motorcycle sound, and cites the Society of Automotive Engineers J2825 motorcycle sound testing procedure as the most fair, economical and practical solution to the problem vexing communities nationwide.

“The California law is a poorly crafted piece of legislation that’s discriminatory and does little to address the core problem of excessive sound from all sources, not just motorcycles,” Dingman said. “Rather than objectively regulate offensive noise, this law creates all sorts of problems for riders, law enforcement and aftermarket manufacturers.”

An EPA certification label is no guarantee of sound compliance, and the lack of a label is no guarantee that an exhaust is too loud. The only way to know if a motorcycle exhaust is compliant is to test its actual sound output, Dingman noted.

“As a motorcyclist, Gov. Schwarzenegger should have known better,” Dingman said. “Now California’s motorcyclists, as well as key segments of our industry, are going to be negatively impacted.”

Currently, only two aftermarket manufacturers offer EPA-sound-stamped exhaust systems for a handful of late-model Harley-Davidsons. The process of certification is complex and expensive. For the millions of owners whose motorcycle models were made in relatively small numbers, the requirement to replace an aging exhaust system with an expensive OEM system is onerous and discriminatory. Owners of automobiles and trucks don’t have to meet the same standard, and they can buy less expensive replacement exhaust systems at local muffler shops.

Schwarzenegger’s selection as AMA Motorcyclist of the Year was reinforced by California’s position as a role model for the rest of the country.

“In many cases, we’ve seen other states follow California’s legislative lead on a number of issues,” Dingman said. “There’s no reason to think that trend won’t continue with respect to S.B. 435. With the stroke of his pen, Gov. Schwarzenegger significantly altered the motorcycling landscape for motorcyclists everywhere, and this is the reason why his selection as AMA Motorcyclist of the Year is so impactful.”

The full story of Schwarzenegger’s involvement with motorcycling goes beyond S.B. 435, and is detailed in the January issue of American Motorcyclist. Schwarzenegger has, during his tenure, been an ally of motorcycling with key appointments to decision-making committees that deal with off-highway riding issues, as an example. In addition, as a known motorcyclist himself, Schwarzenegger has drawn attention to motorcycling and, after a high-profile crash in 2006, the need for proper motorcycle licensing.

“We will continue to work with municipal governments and state legislatures to implement reasonable measures, such as the SAE J2825 standard, to address excessive motorcycle sound,” said Dingman. “But we now have the added burden of showing how California’s new measure is not an effective solution, and we have Gov. Schwarzenegger to thank for that.”

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 support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

(News Release)

Suzuka Racing Products Fog Buster Breath Guard

RED HOOK, N.Y. (December 8, 2010) — Suzuka Professional Racing Products, a division of Chicken Hawk Racing Group, is celebrating the holiday season by giving away free stuff. Here’s the deal: Purchase a set of Suzuka single-temperature tire warmers and get a pair of knee sliders or a nifty Fog Buster breath guard for free.

Used by roadrace winners, national endurance champions and AMA Pro Supermoto titlists, Suzuka’s reliable, economical tire warmers are designed for track-day enthusiasts and club racers. They build confidence-inspiring traction, help prevent cold-tire-induced crashes, extend tire life by reducing the number of heat cycles they endure and are simple to mount and remove.

Light on price, but heavy on features, Suzuka’s single-temperature units heat up a set of tires in approximately 15 minutes from 70 degrees. They’ve recently been upgraded for more accurate temperature control, have shock-resistant thermostats and now come with dual-stage operating lights-
-red for heating and green for ready–thicker, felted-carbon insulation, rugged, melt-proof, aluminized fiberglass liners and a new bungee-cord system that offers a tighter fit.

All of these features add up to spot-on operation and industry-leading reliability. Supported by Chicken Hawk Racing’s legendary after-sale support, all Suzuka tire warmers come with a one-year warranty. They’re available in Superbike and SuperMoto sizes in black for $300.

With the purchase of Suzuka single-temperature tire warmers, buyers will receive their choice of free gifts with a value up to $30: a Suzuka Fog Buster breath guard or Chicken Hawk Racing knee sliders.

Chicken Hawk Racing Knee Sliders

Suzuka’s Fog Buster breath guard is engineered to help stop helmet visor fogging and provide additional warmth in moist and/or cold conditions. This pre-shaped neoprene mask with adjustable nose bridge clip secures inside helmets with Velcro patches. They’re available in red, blue and black, with one-size-fits-all convenience, for $19.99.

Chicken Hawk Racing’s knee sliders are the choice of champions. These super-thick, pre-curved, long-wearing, apex-strafing plastic pucks attach with large leather patches backed by tenacious Velcro material. They’re sold in black (more feel, $25) or white (longer lasting, $30) compounds.

This special holiday offer is available for a limited time in limited quantities from Chicken Hawk Racing Group and participating Suzuka Professional Racing Products dealers in the USA.

Suzuka Professional Racing Products designs, manufactures, sells and services highly effective, affordable tire warmers and related products. They’re available through thousands of Parts Unlimited dealers or direct from Chicken Hawk Racing. Go to TireWarmer.com or call 866-HOT-TIRE for more information.

Brian Honcoop (nearest camera) wheelied his Yamaha off the line at the start of a WERA race at Seattle International Raceway in June of 1991. Brian Honcoop (on the far side of the track) went on to win the race. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Milwaukie, Oregon rider Peter Schraner led start to finish in the WERA Future Stars race at Seattle International Raceway in June of 1991. Schraner, riding a Cycle Sports of Salem/Engine by Chuck sponsored Yamaha FZR 600, turned consistent 1:35’s to pull away from Brian Honcoop.

At the start Honcoop was a little eager and nearly looped his bike off the line. Schraner quickly jumped out front and steadily ran away from the rest of the field. Schraner, who was then 23, was a second year road racer who ran mainly at Portland. His own bike was being worked on so he borrowed a friends bike, replaced the body work with his own and went out and won by a half lap.

“This is definitely the biggest win I’ve had so far,” said a happy Schraner after the race.