AMA, ATVPG announce 2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- In partnership with the ATV Promoters Group (ATVPG), the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, presented by DWT. The 10-round series will kick off March 24-25 at Millcreek in Pell City, Ala., and wrap up Aug. 11-12 at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

"The 2011 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, presented by DWT, once again offered up the most exciting ATV motocross racing on the planet," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "We anticipate no less from the 2012 campaign, and are looking forward to another thrilling season."

The AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series was launched in 1985. It annually draws the top racers, teams and sponsors in ATV competition, making it America's largest and longest-running ATV national motocross series. In addition to the AMA Pro Racing champions, the series also crowns AMA ATV amateur national motocross champions for riders of all backgrounds and skill levels in 38 classes.

"The ATVPG is excited to announce the ATVMX schedule dates for 2012," said Director of ATVPG Sam Gammon. "We feel that next year's schedule presents a new factor of excitement with the addition of the Ballance night race and also caters to the current ATVMX rider base."

In addition to national recognition, the series offers regional honors to riders who compete in all the rounds in their region. The North and South Challenges are designed to accommodate racers unable to contest the entire series but still commit to all the events in their region.

The full series schedule is included below. Updates and more information can be found at ATVMotocross.com.

The AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series, presented by DWT, is one of several national championship series and grand championship events sanctioned by the AMA. Other AMA-sanctioned national championship series include the AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing; the AMA Kenda National Hare & Hound National Championship Series; the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series; the AMA/NATC MotoTrials National Championship Series; the Geico Powersports AMA Endurocross National Championship Series; the AMA Arenacross National Championship Series; the AMA ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series; and the AMA ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series.

2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series presented by DWT

March 24-25: Millcreek, Pell City, Ala.

April 21-22: Muddy Creek, Blountville, Tenn.

May 5-6: Budds Creek, Mechanicsville, Md.

May 19-20: Sunset Ridge, Walnut, Ill.

June 2-3: Ballance MX, Oakland, Ky.

June 16-17: High Point, Mount Morris, Pa.

June 30-July 1: Sunday Creek, Millfield, Ohio

July 14-15: Unadilla, New Berlin, N.Y.

July 28-29: RedBud, Buchanan, Mich.

Aug. 11-12: Loretta Lynn Ranch, Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

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Laurel Allen to interview Erik Buell at Motorcycle Hall of Fame Fundraising Breakfast at Daytona March 11

The AMA to interview Erik Buell

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is pleased to announce that well-known moto-journalist and race paddock regular Laurel Allen will be on-stage to interview motorcycling innovator Erik Buell for its annual Breakfast at Daytona fundraiser. The Bike Week event begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 11, at an all-new location inside the Daytona 500 Club in the infield of Daytona International Speedway.

Allen, formerly senior editor of Road Racer X magazine and now a media and marketing consultant with AMA Pro Racing, will bring her insights and interviewing skills to the event, now in its 23rd year.

"As a journalist and writer, Allen has an enthusiast's view of all that Erik Buell has accomplished-and she knows that Erik isn't through making his mark on American motorcycling with the launch of his latest endeavors," said Jeff Heininger, the chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees fund-raising efforts for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. "She's the perfect person to interview Erik on-stage at our event."

Buell, a Hall of Famer and the groundbreaking engineer who turned his love of road racing and high-performance motorcycles into the American sportbike company that bears his name, has been, and continues to be, one of America's most free-thinking bike-builders. Whether you're a fan of motorcycle history or modern motorcycle mastery, Buell's perspective on the past 20 years promises to make the 23rd annual edition of the breakfast a one-of-a-kind event.

"Erik has already written some pretty impressive history, from his start as a successful club racer, to building up the largest American-built sport bike company in the country during his partnership with Harley-Davidson, to his latest project, which we'll discuss in-depth at the event," Allen says. "Talking with him as he embarks on this new chapter in his own history promises to show some real insights into one of the brightest minds in motorcycling."

The Breakfast at Daytona will take place on March 11 in the main level of the Daytona 500 Club inside the Daytona International Speedway. The event also includes a silent auction of unique items related to the Hall of Fame, and an autograph session with Buell and other Motorcycle Hall of Famers.

Tickets are available for $75. All proceeds support the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. For more info or to register, please call (614) 856-2222, ext. 1234. Click here to register online: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e3b2ybby81a652b1&llr=vw9ldxbab

Russell Bobbitt Wins AMA National Enduro Season Opener

FMF/KTM rider Russell Bobbitt started the AMA National Enduro season in the best way possible - with an event win!

Russell Bobbitt - AMA Podium

Bobbitt, a 3-time National Enduro Champion, is no stranger to winning. After struggling with a separated shoulder throughout the majority of last season, he is back to top form for 2011. It's no secret that Bobbitt has revamped his training routine since last October to focus more on speed training and overall fitness. All of his hard work paid off when he captured the win at the opening round in Salley, SC.
 
Not only did Bobbitt win the first race, he dominated the first race. He turned the fastest time in the first three sections before having his first hiccup. "I crashed once in the fourth test which cost me some time and I ended up with the fifth fastest time," remarked Bobbitt.  Despite his crash, Bobbitt still maintained the lead after the fourth test.
 
"I got back into my rhythm in the fifth test and had a lot of fun," stated Bobbitt. The final test took the riders back to the second test, only this time they had to run the loop backwards and also incorporate sections of the third loop. Bobbitt reported, "The sixth test was definitely beat down since it was the loop we had used for previous tests. It was really fast and sandy with quite a bit of single-track. I was definitely glad to be on my two-stroke as it was very easy to rip through the single track and put in a fast time."
 
Also riding a two-stroke was KTM support rider Brad Bakken who won the fourth test and finished 2nd overall behind Bobbitt. Husaberg rider Mike Lafferty rounded out the podium while three more KTM riders followed behind, Cory Buttrick, Steward Baylor and Charlie Mullins.
 
"We are very happy with Russell's performance today as well as the other six KTM riders that finished inside the top ten. It was a great day for KTM," stated FMF/KTM Team Manager Antti Kallonen.
 
Next Event: Forest Hill, LA - March 20, 2011
 
Overall Results
1. Russell Bobbitt - KTM 35:40
2. Brad Bakken - KTM 36:28
3. Mike Lafferty 36:45
4. Cory Buttrick - KTM 37:11
5. Steward Baylor - KTM 37:49
6. Charlie Mullins - KTM 38:47
7. Nick Fahringer 39:24
8. Thaddeus Duvall 40:38
9. Shane Hufford - KTM 42:41
10. Zach Klamfoth - KTM 44:31

AMA Racing Winter Dirt Track / Daytona Bike Week

American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) amateur dirt-trackers will compete at half-mile and short-track venues, including the Daytona Flat Track Stadium's world-class limestone oval, March 5-8 at the four-round 2011 AMA Racing Winter Dirt Track National Championships in Georgia and Florida.

Youth, vet/senior, the next generation's stars and vintage racers will all line up to battle for AMA Racing national No. 1 plates.

"There is no off-season in racing, and this winter's four-day championship event will show just how serious our amateur racers are regardless of the date on the calendar," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "We're looking forward to four days of intense racing at three incredible facilities during one of the biggest weeks in motorcycling: Daytona Beach's Bike Week."

Promoters Steve Nace of Steve Nace Racing and Dave Joiner of Fast Fridays are working with AMA Racing to ensure the AMA Racing Winter Dirt Track National Championships are run smoothly and provide all the excitement of a national-level event, from pre-entry to the podium celebration.

"I'm thrilled to be working with AMA Racing and hosting three rounds of this national championship event," Nace said. "I appreciate the efforts of Dave Joiner, as well as the AMA Racing team, to help lay the foundation for what will be a great week of racing. I can't wait for us to get rolling and determine the best amateur dirt-track racers in the country."

While Nace will promote rounds one, three and four, Joiner's Fast Fridays will promote the second round, held at the Daytona Flat Track Stadium on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway.

"This will mark the second time the AMA series will run at the Daytona Flat Track Stadium just outside the famed Daytona International Speedway," Joiner said. "Working with Steve Nace to make this a complete series with almost 20 amateur classes, we're happy to be providing something for everyone, from the 50cc PeeWee racer to the open twins. Our tracks will be well prepared, and the entire series will be a blast."
 
In addition to the modern national championship events, the vintage classes will serve as the first four rounds of the AMA Racing Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series. The full schedule and an updated rules package for the AMA Racing Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series will be announced shortly.

US Motocross Series: 12th round Pala, CA

Jagermeister KTM, Mike Alessi

The final round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship held at Pala Raceway proved to be a weekend filled with multiple ups and downs for the Jagermeister/KTM ride of Mike Alessi.

Saturday started off on a high note after Alessi turned the second fastest lap time in the first 450 practice. "I felt really comfortable on my bike and the track. I was really pumped with my overall practice results and was looking forward to the main," remarked Alessi. In the second practice session he continued to turn fast laps and ended up 3rd overall in combined practice times heading to the main event.

Alessi had a decent start after the gate drop for moto one rounding the first turn in about 4th position. He maintained that place for the first lap before he made a mistake and allowed a rider by and dropped to 5th. He remained consistent with his times and stayed near 5th for a while before he dropped back to 8th where he would eventually finish.

Alessi had trouble off the start of the second moto and came around 15th the first few corners. Once he got halfway around the first lap he encountered a mechanical problem with his bike that caused him to go off the track and stall his bike. He was about 20 seconds back from the tail end of the pack when this happened. At the conclusion of the first lap he pulled into the pits to have his bike checked and then quickly raced back out - almost a full lap back from the competition.

His results won't show it, but he put in a phenomenal ride during the second moto at Pala. He came from dead last to catch the tail end of the pack by the halfway point and proceeded to pass almost half the field in the remaining time. When the checkered flag came out he had passed up to 21st position. His 8-21 moto results earned 14th overall.

"I had a very inconsistent season. That's all there is to it. I am bummed I wasn't able to get a better result. I know that I am capable of better results and I know the bike is capable of better results and I am really disappointed we couldn't get everything together this year," remarked Alessi. "I am looking to learn from this season and I know it has given us some things to work toward and improve for the next season," stated Alessi.

Overall Results 450
1. Ryan Dungey (1-1)
2. Andrew Short (3-2)
3. Brett Metcalfe (2-3)
4. Ben Townley (6-4)
5. Ryan Sipes (4-6)
14. Mike Alessi (8-21)