The 2011 Moto2 World Champion rode the RC212V on both days of the Official MotoGP Test at Valencia. Read more.
Archive for November 10th, 2011
This week the Spanish rider started rehabilitation for the finger injury he sustained at Phillip Island just over three weeks ago, and hopes to be able to return to gym work on Monday. Read more.
Riding instructor Jeff James explains the debris flag to a class of students at a WERA Riding School at Indianapolis Raceway Park in April of 1986. This was not too long after WERA implemented riding schools for its new riders and it was one of the best things they could have done for safety. When I first road raced in 1980 there was no rider instruction. You simply came to the race, paid your entry fees, and if your bike passed tech inspection you went out onto the track with nothing more than some friendly advice from your friends who raced. Not ideal to say the least.
Riding instructor Jeff James explains the debris flag to a class of students at a WERA Riding School at Indianapolis Raceway Park in April of 1986. (Larry Lawrence photo)
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The U.S. Senate will vote on a bill that would end the dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which is considered to be one of the most important and beneficial laws for off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders ever passed by Congress, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
The RTP, which provides money to states to develop and maintain trails, would lose dedicated funding under provisions in a transportation funding authorization bill — S. 1813, “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” (MAP-21) — which was approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee by an 18-0 vote on Nov. 9.
It’s unknown when the full Senate will vote on the measure.
The RTP became law in 1991 as part of a federal transportation funding authorization bill. Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, was shocked by the committee vote and noted that abolishing the RTP dedicated funding would effectively create a tax increase on OHV riders because the RTP funds would no longer be designated for a program that benefits motorized trail users.
“Motorcyclists pay the gasoline taxes that go to sustain the trails program,” Allard said. “Many interests pull from the highway fund and do not pay into it! It becomes akin to a tax increase to the general fund.
“This program was created for trail users and is self-funded by the highway fuel taxes of trail users,” he added. “Trail users see this program as a very essential part of their chosen form of recreation, and there’s no reason to redirect the funding for the program. The RTP pays for itself.”
The RTP represents a portion of the federal motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use. In other words, taxes generated by fuel used for OHV recreation — by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles and off-highway light trucks — fund the RTP.
“I urge all concerned riders to contact their U.S. senators and ask them to support continued dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program,” Allard said. “Money for the program comes from off-highway riders and should continue to be used to benefit off-highway riders.”
The easiest way to contact lawmakers is by going to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.
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, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Access to certain public land in nine states could be lost to motorcyclists, bicyclists and others under a massive land-use designation proposal submitted to Congress on Nov. 10, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
The proposal, submitted by the U.S. Interior Department, has been identified as the “Preliminary Report on BLM Lands Deserving Protection as National Conservation Areas, Wilderness or Other Conservation Designation.” The report identifies 18 backcountry areas in nine states that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar highlighted today as deserving protection by Congress as national conservation areas or wilderness areas. Those states are California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, said AMA staff members are still analyzing the proposal, “but initial indications are that the report identifies more areas that should be designated as Wilderness or National Conservation Areas than areas that promote responsible motorized recreation.
“The AMA and many other groups have battled Wilderness proposals in the past that didn’t meet the strict criteria for earning a Wilderness designation under federal law, and the U.S. Interior Department’s new plan may include a lot of acreage that simply isn’t appropriate for Wilderness designation,” Allard said.
A Wilderness designation is one of the strictest forms of public land management. Once Congress designates an area as Wilderness, nearly all forms of non-pedestrian recreation are prohibited.
The AMA supports appropriate Wilderness designations that meet the criteria established by Congress in 1964. But over the years, groups opposed to responsible off-highway vehicle recreation have been abusing the Wilderness designation process to ban motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle riders and bicyclists from public land, as well as to block access for the elderly, handicapped and children who rely on motorized transportation to enjoy public land.
Salazar indicated that he hopes this report is incorporated into an omnibus public lands bill similar to another public lands bill that passed Congress in 2009. The bill referenced by Salazar was the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. It was passed using rare parliamentary tactics that ultimately closed 2.1 million acres of public land.
“The actions taken by the administration, and the current Congress, could have a profound impact on the ability of responsible off-highway riders to enjoy their favorite outdoor view,” Allard added. “It’s important that all responsible riders stay informed about the Interior Department’s proposal and Wilderness bills in Congress and take action, when necessary, to help protect their right to ride.”
The AMA and the All-Terrain Vehicle Association will continue to inform members of the latest news as this issue unfolds, and updates can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
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)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) expresses its sincere gratitude to American veterans the world over this Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, for their willingness to serve, protect and defend the United States and the American way of life.
“There has long been a special relationship between motorcyclists and veterans,” said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. “This Veterans Day, we honor that relationship, and salute America’s veterans for their devotion to serving our country.
“The patriotism, dedication and valor of American servicemen and women is unmatched anywhere in the world,” Dingman said. “Our veterans have put their lives on the line in the defense of our principles and freedoms, and we must never forget the sacrifices they’ve made on our behalf.”
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, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Mike Treadaway, on his No. 88 Yamaha FZ750, comes up over the rise coming out of the last turn at Grattan Raceway in a circa 1986 WERA race. Treadaway is leading Chuck Magnusson, who is riding his No. 151 Suzuki GSXR1100. The last turn at Grattan was a fast sweeping left hander that came up over a slight rise. It was an important turn where you tried to get the best drive you could coming onto the front straightaway. You couldn’t lay it all on the line there however, since there was a guardrail not far off the track in the impact zone. So it was a delicate balance of getting on the throttle, while still respecting the dangers of the corner. From the angle of this photo I might have been shooting from under the guardrail that lined the outside of the turn.
Mike Treadaway, on his No. 88 Yamaha FZ750, comes up over the rise coming out of the last turn at Grattan Raceway. Treadaway is leading Chuck Magnusson, who is riding his No. 151 Suzuki GSXR1100. (Larry Lawrence photo)