The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is proud to announce the 2009 nominees for special year-end awards presented to standout individuals and organizations involved in AMA-sanctioned competition. These awards will be presented at the 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, on Friday evening, Dec. 4, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
"These riders and representatives of the sport have really stood out during the 2009 season, and they've earned an opportunity to stand among the best in all the disciplines recognized by AMA Racing," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "In addition, we're proud to introduce a new award this year: The AMA Racing Club of the Year Award, which will recognize an AMA-chartered club that has demonstrated outstanding dedication to amateur motorcycle competition during the preceding season."
In addition to these special honorees, hundreds of champions will be recognized at the 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, held this year at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 4.
The racing banquet is the first part of a celebration weekend that also features the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The 2009 AMA Hall of Fame inductees include industry innovator Robert Bates, off-road champion Randy Hawkins, motorsports giants Bob and Geoff Fox, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, longtime motorcycle safety advocate David Hough, legendary race team manager Gary Mathers and iconic dirt-track racer and tuner Chuck Palmgren.
The program will also include the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance, presented by Fox Shox, on Saturday morning, and will feature some of the most beautiful motorcycles in existence. In addition, attendees will be able to meet the 2009 AMA Hall of Fame inductees and other AMA Hall of Famers at an autograph session held earlier in the day.
Advance ticket purchase is required for both evening events at a cost of $49 per person per single event, or $89 per person for both events. Tickets will remain on sale at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/LetsRock through Nov. 29. Admission to the Hall of Fame autograph session and the Concours d'Elegance, presented by Fox Shox, bike show is free.
AMA Racing Special Awards
AMA Racing Athlete of the Year Nominees
Russell Bobbitt, Fayetteville, Ga., AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Champion Series, presented by Moose Racing
Greg Hancock, Costa Mesa, Calif., AMA/USA Speedway National Championship
Russ Pearson, Henderson Nev., AMA Racing Hare & Hound National Championship
AMA Racing ATV Athlete of the Year Nominees
Chris Borich is one of the ATV Racing Athlete of the Year Nominees.
Chris Borich, Sunbury, Penn., Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
Paula Shank, Petersburg, Penn., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship, ITP Tires/Moose Racing
AMA ATV Motocross Championship
Brandon Sommers, Millersburg, Ohio, AMA Racing National ATV Hare Scrambles Championship
AMA Racing Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year Nominees
Randy Blackwell, Owensville, Missouri, AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships
Sam Gaige, Rochester, N.Y., AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships
John Grewe, Cedar Springs, Mich.,
AMA Racing Arenacross Championship Series
ATV Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year Nominees
Lee Dickerson, Middletown, Penn., AMA Racing National ATV Hare Scrambles Championship
James Perry, Adolphus, Ky., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship
Dave Simmons, Painesville, Ohio,
Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year Nominees
Maria Forsberg, Brier, Wash.,
WORCS, International Six Days Enduro
Erin Hunter, San Francisco, Calif., AMA National Land Speed Record Holder
Kacy Martinez, Sunol, Calif., WORCS, AMA Racing West Hare Scrambles Championship
ATV Female Rider of the Year Nominees
Angel Atwell, Grove City, Penn., Can-Am ATV Grand National Cross Country
Maria Forsberg piloted her Honda through the 2009 ISDE challenge.
Heather Byrd, Union City, Tenn., ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship
Paula Shank, Petersburg, Penn., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship
AMA Racing Youth Rider of the Year Nominees
Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships
Jake Lewis, Princeton, Ky., AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships
Gage McAllister, Lincoln, Calif., AMA Racing Supermoto Championship
ATV Youth Rider of the Year Nominees
Daniel Bennett, Winterville, N.C., AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship
Doug Howarth, Cortland, N.Y., Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
Mark Madl, Kathleen, Fla., ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship
AMA Racing Media Award Nominees
Dick Lague, Ignition 3 TV:
ISDE and Bonneville Speed Records Video Productions
Vurb Moto: Premier online source for Amateur Motocross
Steve Berkner: ISDE coverage
AMA Racing Event Promotions Award
AMA Racing Motocross Organizer of the Year Nominees
MX Sports LLC: Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships
Reads Racing: Fulton County MX, Sweet 16, D&D Motorsports, Hangtime MX Park, Sweet 16 MX, Trojan Raceway, Fulton County MX.
Unlimited Sports MX: Florida Gold Cup, Mini O's, Florida Winter AM Series, Winter National Olympics
AMA Racing Off-Road Organizer of the Year Nominees
NATC (North American Trials Council): NATC Observed Trials National Championship Series
NEPG (National Enduro Promotions Group): Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing
WFO Promotions: Hare Scrambles and Enduros (Illinois)
AMA Racing Track Racing Organizer of the Year Nominees
Baja Acres: AMA Racing Ice Race Grand Championships
BUB Racing Inc.: International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB
WERA Motorcycle Road Racing: AMA Vintage Road Race Grand Championships
AMA Racing ATV Organizer of the Year Nominees
Miles Mountain MX, Ekland, Penn.: Motocross and Hare Scrambles events
Victory Sports Inc.: Motocross and Dirt Track events, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
Racer Productions Inc.: Grand National Cross Country Series
AMA Racing Club of the Year Nominees
Dayton Motorcycle Club, Dayton, Ohio: Grand Tours, Motocross, Dirt Track, Hare Scrambles, future home of AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships
Madison Motorcycle Club, Madison, Wisc.: AMA Charter No. 2, Poker Runs, Hare Scrambles, Enduro and Dual Sport Rides
Square Deal Motorcycle Club, Port Crane, N.Y.: Mud and Snow Scrambles, Dirt Track, Hare Scrambles
