Land speed racer Leslie Porterfield has been named the AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year.
This past weekend Leslie Porterfield joined the stars of AMA Racing gathered at the stunning Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, November, 22, 2008 to celebrate the successful seasons of some of the country's best motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle racers.
In attendance were champions in disciplines ranging from land-speed racing to motocross to trials and everything in between, all to be honored at the end-of-year banquet. The awards were created for riders and representatives of the motorcycle and ATV industries who have gone "above and beyond" during the 2008 season and have earned an opportunity to stand among the very best in all the disciplines recognized by AMA Sports and the ATVA.
The 2008 AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year Award was presented to Leslie Porterfield. Porterfield became the official fastest female motorcyclist in America this summer at the International Speed Trials by BUB with a top speed of 234.197mph. In addition, she broke three land-speed records and became the first woman to enter the Bonneville 200 mph Club on a conventional "sit on" motorcycle.
"Setting three land-speed records was something that took a lot of determination and hard work; especially after coming back from my horrific accident last year at the Salt Flats," said Porterfield. "I am very fortunate to have a really great crew and friends and family behind me. I truly love motorcycles and the people involved in motorcycling. It is a special honor to get this award and to be acknowledged with so many other great riders," added Porterfield.
The location for the event was very fitting for honoring such fine athletes. The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is one of the finest motorcycle museums in the country with a collection of more than 1,200 historic and rare motorcycles. The museum is perfectly situated on the grounds of the world-class Barber Motorsports Park road-race course.
