Women motorcyclists among those to be honored in Las Vegas Dec. 4-5
With the theme "Riding to New Heights," the 2009 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference treated more than 1,000 motorcycling enthusiasts to four inspired days of riding, learning and networking in Keystone, Colo. -- one of the best riding areas in the United States.
Now, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) invites you to the party capital of the world -- Las Vegas -- for another celebration of outstanding motorcyclists.
On Dec. 4 and 5, the AMA will welcome some of motorcycling's finest to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. On Friday night, we'll salute the racing community at the AMA Racing Championship Banquet. Then on Saturday evening, motorcycling heroes of the past and present will be honored at the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
And the best part? Tickets to these gala events, which include dinner, are just $49 per person for either night or $89 for both nights. Don't miss the fun -- be a part of motorcycling history at the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet. Tickets can be purchased through
www.ticketmaster.com.
Woman Rider Enters Hall of Fame
A number of women motorcyclists will be recognized, including Mona Ehnes, who will be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Dec. 5 in recognition of her decades of championing of off-road riders' rights.
Mona began riding a Honda 50 in the early 1960s and helped her husband, Vic, run a motorcycle shop that sold Hodakas and other brands.
She entered the fight for responsible land access rights in 1967, when controversial legislation was introduced that would have restricted off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding opportunities in her home state of Montana. Ehnes has been at the front lines of the OHV rights battle ever since.
Other 2009 Hall of Fame inductees include industry innovator Robert Bates, off-road racer Randy Hawkins, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, industry entrepreneurs and technological trailblazers Geoff and Bob Fox, longtime motorcycle safety proponent David Hough, noted race team manager Gary Mathers, and successful dirt-track racer and tuner Chuck Palmgren.
Women Racers Will Get No. 1 Plates
Although one highlight of the evening certainly will be Mona's coronation among motorcyling's greats, several women racers will get their due Friday night at the AMA Racing Championship Banquet.
The banquet recognizes the top competitors from premier AMA Racing events and series, such as the AMA Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships and the AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series. Special awards include the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year, the AMA Racing Sportsman of the Year and AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year, won by land-speed racer Leslie Porterfield in 2008.
Leslie Porterfield on her turbo 'Busa won the AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year.
The list of women AMA Racing Champions invited to the banquet includes Heather Byrd (right) and Kayle Dyer in ATV motocross, Molly Carbon in hillclimb, Christy Williams in trials, Toni Roach and Elizabeth Allen in vintage racing, Shelbie Brittain in motocross, Paula Shank in ATV dirt-track, Kelly Hall in enduros, Claudia Danielewicz and Kacy Martinez in hare scrambles, and Jen Muecke in roadracing.
Other Activities on Tap
In addition to the thrills and fun always on hand in Las Vegas, the Banquets will provide additional motorcycle-related activities.
Attendees will be able to feast their eyes on some of the most beautiful bikes ever created at the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance. Only the most compelling original or painstakingly restored vintage motorcycles are invited to participate in this show, which is now in its eighth year. You won't be disappointed.
In addition, you can meet the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees and rub shoulders with current Hall of Famers. Snap a photo, get an autograph and take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with some true motorcycling legends.
