Over at SPEED the always insightful Chris Martin analyzes the sophomore slump Ben Spies and Marco Simoncelli are going through early in the 2011 MotoGP season. Read it here.
Archive for May 3rd, 2011
(NEWS RELEASE)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (May 3, 2011) – With the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship approaching, MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, welcome the Air National Guard as a new addition to the world’s most prestigious series. As a reserve component of the United States Air Force, the Air Guard’s new partnership with American Motocross will help expand its initiatives within the motocross community.
The Air National Guard is composed of over 106,700 members spanning across 54 U.S. states and territories including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the District of Columbia. With more than 140 units throughout the country and surrounding territories, the ANG gives members the opportunity to serve their country and community at a local unit while also pursuing their personal, educational and career goals.
“The Air National Guard is excited to partner with the (Lucas Oil) AMA Pro Motocross Championship because the series is indicative of who we are as an organization,” said Captain Rondal Perry, Division Chief of ANG Recruiting Marketing and Resources. “Their fans are an excellent cross-section of patriotic Americans from all walks of life who enjoy being a part of an adrenaline-filled experience, just like those of us in the Air Guard.
“Partnering with motocross allows the Air National Guard to educate the general public about the ANG,” Perry added. “With the Air National Guard having over 200 unique career fields to choose from, we invite those who are eligible to be a part of an elite ANG team in their own local community. As the AMA Pro Motocross riders must have precision skill and quick reflexes, we are honored to illustrate the precision skill of our pilots, engineers, medics and battlefield airmen with the tenacity and drive it takes to succeed. Getting any kind of message out there about the Air Guard and its opportunities is always a great thing.”
The Air Guard’s on-site presence at each of the 12 rounds of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will be truly unique. At 10 events, the ANG’s one-of-a-kind unlimited hydroplane racing boat is sure to draw a crowd. Much like motocross, hydroplane racing is one of the most unique forms of motorsports, showcasing turbine-powered boats that can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.
The remaining two races on the schedule will showcase the Air National Guard Rise to the Challenge Tour. The mobile unit allows participants to simulate real-life Air Guard missions carried out by airmen worldwide through a series of games and challenges to test their mechanical, electronic, observational and spatial aptitudes. Additionally, attendees can learn about the career opportunities and benefits that come with being a member of the Air Guard.
Fans interested in learning more about the Air National Guard can call 1-800-TO-GO-ANG, visit GoANG.com, or speak directly with an onsite recruiter at any of the 12 rounds this summer.
The 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicks off on Saturday, May 21 from the Rockstar Energy Hangtown National in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Tickets are on sale at www.allisports.com, Special discounts and incentives are available for advance ticket purchasers.
For more information on the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please log on to www.allisports.com/motocross.
For media information about the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please contact Media Manager Brandon Short via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com or by phone at
949-365-5750.
About the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship is the world’s most prestigious motocross series. The Series is managed and produced by MX Sports Pro Racing, whose mission is to raise awareness of motocross racing through the promotion of professional championship racing events nationwide.
The series is also produced in conjunction with Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, a global business that encompasses national and international action sports events, multimedia production and a consumer-based lifestyle brand. Alli is owned by NBC Sports and MTV Networks and represents a vast network of athletes, fans, brands and properties.
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross series is sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America. AMA Pro Racing operates a full schedule of events and championships across every spectrum of motorcycle competition.
About the Air National Guard
The Air National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Air Force. They serve a dual role, supporting both federal and state missions and are called upon in times of natural disaster, civil disturbance, and to support homeland defense. There are more than 140 units across the U.S. states and territories, allowing Air Guard members the advantage of being able to serve part-time or full-time from a unit of their choice.
Being close to home, they may pursue educational and career goals, gaining valuable career experience and outstanding military benefits – all while experiencing the pride of serving their community and country. With over 200 career field opportunities, the Air National Guard is at the forefront of high-tech industries of the 21st century. Members can receive top-notch training and expand the experience in a variety of fields including communications, engineering, ministry, technology, and healthcare. For more information on the Air Guard visit GoANG.com.
A long, intense day of testing following the bwin Grande Prémio de Portugal allowed Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden to try various updates that were prepared by Ducati’s racing department.
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — As motorcyclists turn their calendars to a new month, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reminds all road users that May marks Motorcycle Awareness Month.
“Motorcyclists take to the highways in large numbers every spring, and it’s the responsibility of all road users to welcome us safely and attentively,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “This is why many states and local governments officially promote motorcycle awareness during the month of May. Unfortunately, many road users are not always mindful of those with whom they share the road, and an annual reminder is necessary for them to acknowledge the flow of motorcycles in traffic.”
Efforts by the motorcycling community to establish Motorcycle Awareness Month can be traced back to the early 1980s, shortly after the release of the landmark “Hurt Report” conducted by Motorcycle Hall of Famer Professor Hugh H. “Harry” Hurt in 1981. The report is entitled “Volume I: Technical Report, Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, January, 1981 – Final Report.” The Hurt Report set the benchmark for motorcycle safety research in the United States, if not the world.
One of the leading causes of crashes, according to the Hurt Report, was this: “The automobile driver fails to detect the inconspicuous motorcycle in traffic. This is due to lack of motorcycle and rider conspicuity and lack of caution and awareness of the automobile driver.”
Drivers can improve their ability to avoid a crash with a motorcyclist by respecting the motorcyclist’s space on the road, not following too closely and taking extra care to watch for motorcyclists at intersections.
Indeed, the AMA recognizes that distracted or inattentive driving has become a major concern to the motorcycling community. Far too many cases have been documented of motorcyclists being injured or killed as the result of other vehicle operators being distracted or inattentive.
“If all drivers would make a conscious effort to look twice before turning left across the oncoming lane of traffic at an intersection, lives would be saved,” Dingman said.
For motorcyclists, the AMA strongly encourages the use of personal protective equipment — including gloves, sturdy footwear and a properly fitted motorcycle helmet certified by its manufacturer to meet the U.S. Department of Transportation standard — as part of a comprehensive motorcycle safety program to help reduce injuries and fatalities in the event of a motorcycle crash.
Although statistics reported by the Governors Highway Safety Association indicate that in recent years motorcycle fatalities are down, by 2 percent in 2010 and 16 percent in 2009, any death of a motorcyclist in a crash is one too many. That’s why the AMA has long encouraged local and state governments to maintain or increase funding for motorcycle rider education and motorist awareness programs – two highly effective strategies to reduce the likelihood of motorcycle crashes.
It’s also why the AMA lobbied for a new comprehensive study on all aspects of motorcycle crashes.
“In the decades since the Hurt Report, the traffic environment has changed enormously, which prompted the AMA to begin campaigning for a new study several years ago,” Dingman said. “We need real, hard answers to identify the reasons behind both the long-term increase in motorcyclists’ deaths and the short-term decline. This issue is too important to simply speculate.”
The Federal Highway Administration has undertaken a comprehensive study at the Oklahoma Transportation Center, an independent and well-respected transportation research facility at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., under the direction of Dr. Samir Ahmed. The study is expected to conclude in 2013.
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)
SONOMA, Calif. (May 3, 2011) – Race fans will be treated to some two-wheel history during the West Coast Moto Jam with the all-new Legends in Sonoma program. Infineon Raceway will honor some of racing’s biggest stars throughout the 2011 Big O Tires Racing Season, and the program kicks off May 11-15.
Infineon Raceway will honor legends Brad Lackey, Rich Oliver and Scott Russell during the West Coast Moto Jam. The legends will be featured during an autograph session on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., as well as a Track Talk Q&A session on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Wine Country Winner’s Circle. The racers will also be honored during pre-race ceremonies on Sunday.
Here’s a glimpse at the racing legends you’ll see in Sonoma during the West Coast’s biggest motorcycle weekend of the year:
Brad Lackey
Brad Lackey
Brad Lackey, a native of Berkeley, was one of America’s pioneering motocross racers of the 1970s and ‘80s. In 1972, Lackey won the AMA 500cc National Motocross championship, and in 1982 he became the first American to win the 500cc World Motocross Championship. During his career, Lackey rode for CZ, Suzuki and Honda, but he is most remembered for winning his AMA title with Kawasaki. Lackey was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. This weekend, Lackey will organize the AHRMA Nor-Cal Classic at Infineon Raceway, which will take place over the hills behind Turn 7.
Rich Oliver
Rich Oliver
Rich Oliver, who was inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame in 2006, is a five-time AMA 250 Grand Prix national champion and the only AMA rider in history to win a feature race four consecutive years at Infineon Raceway (1994-’97). Moreover, he won the Grand Prix title a fifth time in Sonoma in 2003 before eventually retiring from AMA competition. Oliver currently serves as owner and chief instructor of Rich Oliver’s Mystery School and enjoys creating one-of-a-kind artwork. You’ll hear Oliver this weekend as part of the track announcing team, and his artwork will be on display during the weekend-long Motorcycle Art Show.
Scott Russell
Scott Russell
Also known as Mr. Daytona, Scott Russell is a former AMA SuperBike Champion (1992) and World Superbike Champion (1993), who has won the Daytona 200 a record five times (1992, ‘94, ‘95, ‘97 and ‘98). Russell is also the all-time leader in 750cc AMA Supersport wins, and he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2005. His only victory in Sonoma came in the Superstock class in 1989. Russell currently serves as the lead motorcycle analyst on SPEED and can be heard on all AMA Pro Road Racing broadcasts.
The West Coast Moto Jam will feature five days of two-wheel excitement, headlined by the AMA Pro Road Racing Championship. The weekend will also feature Supermoto USA, flat track, AHRMA National Motocross and TTXGP electric motorcycles. For more information about the West Coast Moto Jam or to purchase tickets, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit www.infineonraceway.com/ama.
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and his colleagues introduced House Resolution 239 on May 2 to retain the ban on state and local lobbying by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
The bi-partisan resolution instead urges the agency to focus on motorcycle crash prevention as the first step in motorcycle safety. The date of the bill’s introduction is significant because May is traditionally recognized as Motorcycle Awareness Month.
To date, others supporting the resolution include Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Ron Paul (R-Texas), Tom Petri (R-Wis.), Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Barney Frank (D-Mass.).
If approved, the resolution sends a clear message to the federal agency that it shouldn’t lobby state or local jurisdictions for mandatory helmet laws. The anti-lobbying language was originally written into the Transportation Equity Act approved by Congress in 1998.
The resolution says the House “supports efforts to retain the ban on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) ability to lobby state legislators using federal tax dollars, encourages continued growth in the motorcyclist community, and encourages owners and riders to be responsible road users.”
The resolution also notes that the House “recognizes the importance of motorcycle crash prevention as the primary source of motorcycle safety [and] encourages NHTSA to focus on motorcycle crash prevention and rider education as the most significant priorities in motorcycle safety.”
Sensenbrenner introduced a similar resolution last year.
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.
Inspired by the excellent 40-day countdown to the 40th Annual Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championships, I did a story on the pivotal 1981 Motocross season. The Henny Ray Abrams photo in the story is the best group shot of the ’81 Motocross des Nations team I’ve ever seen.