Rider Files

Mitch Boehm chases John Eidenberger and Rick Shaw through Daytona International Speedway’s West Horseshoe in the 1989 Daytona 750 Supersport final. Boehm, then Motorcyclisteditor, wasn’t a full-time racer by any means, but he still had the riding skills to turn in a solid 13^th-place finish in a talent heavy field of 62 riders. Boehm was trying his best to stick with John Eidenberger, who was one of the nation’s top club racers at the time. Boehm followed Eidenberger around Shaw, but in the last few laps Eidenberger gapped Boehm and passed several other riders en route to a ninth-place finish. The amazing thing about Eidenberger’s ride at Daytona that day? He was racing a Yamaha FZR600 against the field of 750s! You might enjoy Boehm’s latest endeavor.

Mitch Boehm chases John Eidenberger and Rick Shaw through the West Horseshoe in the 1989 Daytona 750 Supersport final. (Larry Lawrence photo)

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — On Nov. 16 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) will welcome a new class into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. This year, for the first time ever, the AMHF will announce not just the final class of inductees, but on Monday, April 2, will reveal the men and women who have been nominated for consideration of one of motorcycling’s highest honors.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), tells the stories of motorcycling heroes and legends and preserves the history of motorcycling. Nominees for annual induction are selected from applications submitted by the public and members of the AMHF Nominating Committee.

“While in previous years only the inductees have been announced, this is the first time that we will announce the names of our nominees, each of whom is a worthy contender,” said AMHF Board of Directors Chairman Jeff Heininger. “Supporters and fans of the Hall of Fame have encouraged us to do this, and the enthusiasm generated by these announcements is one more way for us to acknowledge the tremendous contributions each of these individuals has made to the sport, business and lifestyle of motorcycling.”

Nominees are selected from a number of specialties within two main categories. The non-competition category includes ambassadors/industry, design/engineering and leadership/motorcyclist rights advocates, and the competition category includes flat track, motocross/Supercross, off-road, roadracing, and specialty competition.

A committee overseeing applicants for each specialty reviews the submissions, and determines which applicants meet the criteria to be considered as candidates to the Hall of Fame. The field of candidates is then narrowed by committee votes to select the nominees for a particular year. The voting group that selects Hall of Fame members is composed of experts in the various fields of motorcycling, living Hall of Fame members, and the board members of the AMHF and the AMA.

In the coming weeks, six new members representing the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be elected from the nominees announced on April 2 — three from the non-competition categories and three from the competition categories. The Hall of Fame class of 2012 will be announced this summer, and the new members will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony on Nov. 16, at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., during the AMA Legends Weekend. Ticket information will be announced soon at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

“One week from today, we’ll reveal who is in the running for induction into the Hall of Fame,” said Heininger. “It’s going to be a who’s who of motorcycling’s greats, and we can’t wait to share the excitement with motorcyclists everywhere.”

For more information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the induction process, please visit MotorcycleMuseum.org > Induction.

About the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation
Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the goal of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Museum’s three major exhibition halls feature the machines and memorabilia of those who have contributed notably to the sport. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering. More information can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Barcia Sets Sights on 6^th Supercross Lites Class Win

AURORA, Ill. (March 26, 2012) – This Saturday night the gate will drop for the 46^th Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race in Houston as points leader Ryan Villopoto leads the world’s top racers into Houston’s Reliant Stadium this Saturday night for the 13^th stop of the 2012 season. In the Supercross Lites Class, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, has established himself man to beat with a championship-leading five wins on the season.

Media day is Thursday, March 29, from Noon-2:00 p.m., inside the press box of Reliant Stadium.

At last weekend’s Monster Energy Supercross race at Toronto’s Rodgers Centre, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Villopoto, who is the defending Supercross Class Champion, commanded the pace of the race in the early stages with pass on early leader and Team Muscle Milk/Honda’s Justin Brayton, who won the Nuclear Cowboyz^® Holeshot Award.

“Out of the first turn, it was just me and Brayton right off the bat,” said Villopoto. “I made some pretty big mistakes in the whoops. They were tough. We’ll go to Houston, where I think there’s a chance to wrap up the title. That’s the plan.”

For Brayton, Toronto marked the second consecutive race that he finished in the number-two position. Rounding out the podium in third place was GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham, who used a fifth-place start to earn his second podium finish of the season.

Villopoto, the winner of the 2010 Monster Energy Supercross race in Houston, now holds a 79-point lead over Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., in the Supercross Class.

Barcia won a record fourth Nuclear Cowboyz^® Holeshot Award in the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Main Event but was quickly passed by Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, of Murrieta, Calif. Barcia regrouped and re-passed Roczen on Lap 3 and rode off to the victory.

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Darryn Durham, of Butler, Pa., and Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Blake Wharton, of Pilot Point, Texas, engaged in a heated battled that resulted in Durham winning the third-place; however, after a subsequent pass, Wharton assumed third place.

“Right now I couldn’t be (happier),” said Barcia. “I got my first win here two years ago. My GEICO Honda was hooking up great. This track was really tough tonight. You had to be really smart and really smooth. I made a great pass for the lead and kind of just rode my own race from there.”

Barcia extended his lead in the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class standings to 28 points over Wharton.

Last year in front of 45,859 fans, American Honda Racing’s Trey Canard won the first Supercross Class race of his career. In the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class season opener, Justin Barcia of Ochlocknee, Ga., picked up the win.

Since 1974, Houston has been on the Supercross Class schedule. From 1974-2000, the Houston Astrodome served as host to the Houston stop until it was moved to Reliant Stadium in 2003. The first Supercross Class race in Houston was on March 15, 1974, where Jim Pomeroy earned the win. Eddie Warren became the first Supercross Lites Class winner in Houston on April 20, 1985. Jeremy McGrath, the all-time winningest supercross rider, shares the all-time win record in Houston along with Mark Barnett with five.

CBS will broadcast the Supercross class race at 12:00pm EST on April 1, 2012.

Tickets are available at the Reliant Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, www.supercrossonline.com, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the main event starts at 7:00 p.m. Gold Circle tickets are $50 Adult/Child; VIP $40 Adult/Child; Price Level 3 $30 Adult / $10 Child; Price Level 4 $25 Adult / $10 Child; Treadhead $10 Adult/Child. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).

Supercross Class Results: Toronto

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
3. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Idaho, Kawasaki
6. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki
9. Robert Kiniry, Holland Patent, NY, Yamaha
10. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda

Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 271
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 192
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 177
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 169
5. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 166
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 165
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 150
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 145
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 136
10. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 128

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Toronto

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
3. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki
4. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda
5. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa, Kawasaki
6. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda
7. Tommy Weeck, Menifee, Calif., Honda
8. Justing Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
9. Matthew Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki
10. Jeffrey Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 145
2. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki – 117
3. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki – 114
4. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 102
5. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda – 90
6. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 86
7. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda – 74
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM – 50
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda – 50
10. Matthew Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki – 46

Past Winners in Houston

Supercross Class

February 12, 2011: Trey Canard
April 10, 2010: Ryan Villopoto
January 24, 2009: James Stewart
February 16, 2008: Kevin Windham
February 10, 2007: James Stewart
April 1, 2006: James Stewart
April 30, 2005: James Stewart
February 14, 2004: Chad Reed
March 29, 2003: Chad Reed
March 23, 2002: Ricky Carmichael
March 24, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
February 5, 2000: Jeremy McGrath
March 13, 1999: Jeremy McGrath
January 17, 1998: Ezra Lusk
March 22, 1997: Jeff Emig
March 16, 1996: Jeremy McGrath
March 25, 1995: Jeremy McGrath
January 22, 1994: Jeremy McGrath
January 16, 1993: Damon Bradshaw
January 18, 1992: Damon Bradshaw
January 19, 1991: Jean-Michel Bayle
February 3, 1990: Damon Bradshaw
March 18, 1989: Jeff Stanton
February 6, 1988: Jeff Ward
February 7, 1987: Jeff Ward
February 2, 1986: Jeff Ward
April 20, 1985: Jeff Ward
March 24, 1984: David Bailey
March 19, 1983: Bob Hannah
March 20, 1983: Mark Barnett
March 19, 1982: Mark Barnett
March 20, 1982: Mark Barnett
March 13, 1981: Mark Barnett
March 14, 1981: Mark Barnett
March 14, 1980: Mike Bell
March 15, 1980: Broc Glover
March 16, 1979: Bob Hannah
March 17, 1979: Bob Hannah
March 17, 1978: Bob Hannah
March 18, 1978: Bob Hannah
March 18, 1977: Tony DiStefano
March 19, 1977: Jim Ellis
March 12, 1976: Jim Weinert
March 14, 1975: Jim Ellis
March 15, 1974: Jim Pomeroy

Supercross Lites Class

February 12, 2011: Justin Barcia
April 10, 2010: Christophe Pourcel
January 14, 2009: Christophe Pourcel
February 16, 2008: Austin Stroupe
February 10, 2007: Ryan Villopoto
April 1, 2006: David Millsaps
April 30, 2005: Andrew Short
February 14, 2004: James Stewart
March 29, 2003: Brock Sellards
March 23, 2002: Matt Walker
March 24, 2001: Travis Preston
February 5, 2000: Derrick Shae Bentley
March 13, 1999: Nathan Ramsey
January 17, 1998: David Vuillemin
March 22, 1997: Kevin Windham
March 16, 1996: Kevin Windham
March 25, 1995: Damon Huffman
January 22, 1994: Ezra Lusk
January 16, 1993: Jimmy Gaddis
January 18, 1992: Brian Swink
January 19, 1991: Tallon Vohland
February 3, 1990: Jeff Emig
March 18, 1989: Mike LaRocco
February 6, 1988: Jeff Matiasevich
February 7, 1987: Keith Turpin
February 2, 1986: Willie Surratt
April 20, 1985: Eddie Warren

Tune into the enhanced exclusive weekly video content from Supercross LIVE! during the entire 2012 season on SupercrossOnline.com, the Official Website of Monster Energy Supercross.

Weekly Supercross LIVE! Video Content Schedule

The Official Supercross LIVE! Pre-Show Race Days at 11 AM Local Race Time
Behind the Scenes with Supercross LIVE! All Day on Race Days
2 Minutes on the Track Race Days at 3:30 & 5:30 PM Local Race Time
And on the Podium Tonight Following Each Round’s Main Events
The Official Supercross LIVE! Post-Show Saturday Nights at Each Round
Toyota Tailgate Talk Wednesdays at 5 PM ET
After The Checkered Flag Thursdays at 5PM ET

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

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 Advance Auto Parts 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. 

Mark Betourne (No. 888) and Glenn Cooper (No. 987) battle coming up through Road Atlanta’s turn five in a WERA C Production Novice race in August of 1985. Both riders were on Kawasaki Ninja 600s, a very popular 600 production racer of that era. Cooper was one of the leading WERA novice racers of 1985 and he eventually got around Betourne in this race.

Mark Betourne (No. 888) and Glenn Cooper (No. 987) battle coming up through Road Atlanta’s turn five in a WERA C Production Novice race in August of 1985. Cooper got the better of this battle. (Larry Lawrence photo)

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Life Member Roy Craft of Cocoa, Fla., had a Bike Week to remember this March. That’s because the long-time adventure and dual-sport rider took delivery of Yamaha’s new 2012 Super Ténéré — the world’s hottest adventure bike — for riding in the 2011 AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series, courtesy of series sponsor Yamaha.

Craft was the winner in the annual drawing for a Yamaha Super Ténéré. The drawing included participants in the 2011 AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. It was conducted by independent auditing and accounting firm Plante & Moran of Columbus, Ohio.

“It’s difficult to put on these events, and it takes volunteers and support, and if it wasn’t for the AMA clubs and Yamaha supporting adventure riding the way they do, these opportunities wouldn’t exist,” Craft said. “Of course, winning this bike is frosting on the cake and an unbelievable feeling, but the rides are great, and the people you meet on these rides are great.”

David Docktor, Motorcycle Marketing Manager of Yamaha’s Motorsports Group, said he’s pleased to see the grand prize go to such an enthusiastic and dedicated adventure rider.

“Adventure riders embody some of motorcycling’s best elements — from exploring the unknown to pushing your limits — and we’re sure Roy will put his new Super Ténéré to the test,” Docktor said. “For everyone else, we plan to have a Super Ténéré at many AMA ride events, so make sure you come out and see this class-leading motorcycle first hand.”

Designed to ride for days, on and over just about any kind of terrain in comfort and style, the Yamaha Super Ténéré serves as the perfect inspiration for the AMA national adventure riding series.

Craft, who has participated in nearly all forms of motorcycling, said adventure riding is a new discipline that strikes all the right chords.

“I became a member back in the mid-1970s to race motocross in places like Lake Sugar Tree,” said Craft. “Although I’ve moved away from competition, I still enjoy the camaraderie that you can find at organized rides, and you can find it at these adventure rides. You can experience great routes, go at your own pace and still bench race after the rides on Saturday night around a campfire.”

With the 2012 season set to begin soon, stay tuned for exciting news on this year’s adventure riding series. See AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > Yamaha Adventure Riding for the 2012 schedule, latest news and updates.

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 the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Next to Mat Mladin and Ben Spies on Yoshimura Suzuki, perhaps the next strongest AMA Superbike team in series history was the pairing of Mike Hale (wearing hat) and Miguel Duhamel on Smokin’ Joe’s Honda in 1995. Between the two of them the factory Honda squad won eight of the 10 rounds that season (Duhamel six wins and Hale two). Only Scott Russell at Daytona and Freddie Spencer at a rainy Laguna Seca were able to break the team’s stranglehold. Duhamel won the championship that season, setting what at the time was the longest winning streak in series history of six consecutive wins - this in the day of single race weekends. Hale finished second in the standings. This photo is from the Alan Sessarego Collection. Alan has a pair of great self-published picture books from this era of AMA Superbike. You can buy them here.

One of the strongest AMA Superbike teams in series history, was the pairing of Mike Hale (wearing hat) and Miguel Duhamel on Smokin’ Joe’s Honda in 1995. They finished one-two in the series, with Duhamel winning the title. (The Alan Sessarego Collection)

Full advantage taken of third and final day at Jerez
The last pre-season MotoGP™ Test ahead of the 2012 season concluded on Sunday evening, with Casey Stoner posting the best lap of the weekend as final preparations for the start of the campaign were made. Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa were both also inside a tightly matched top three. Read more.

Solid progress leaves Stoner and Pedrosa in top shape
The Repsol Honda riders were both very pleased with the work completed at Jerez on Sunday. Read more.

Lorenzo and Spies leave Jerez happy
The Yamaha Factory Racing riders were extremely satisfied with how the final day of the MotoGP™ Test at Jerez went on Sunday. Read more.

Better final day for Rossi as Hayden looks to Qatar
The Ducati Team riders evaluated the last day of the Official MotoGP™ Test at Jerez on Sunday. Read more.

Smiles all round in Tech 3 garage
Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso were both very happy with how the Jerez Test wrapped up. Read more.

Good base set-up established for rookie Bradl
The LCR Honda rider enjoyed a busy final day of the Official MotoGP™ Test at Jerez on Sunday. Read more.

Frenetic final day at Jerez as teams make up lost time
After Saturday’s near wash-out the MotoGP™ field was blessed with clear blue skies at Jerez, as the third and final day of the Official Test got underway. Read more.