National and Regional News
The motorcycling community lost a pair of titans during the week of Thanksgiving as AMA Hall of Famers Malcolm Smith and Mary McGee both passed away.
During his 83 years, Malcolm Smith did it all: Rider. Racer. ISDT gold medalist. Shop tech. Service manager. Repair shop owner. Aftermarket distributor. Retail store owner. Actor. Sponsor. Philanthropist. Pro-motorcycling advocate. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Friend. And much more.
But over and above all that, Malcolm Smith was everyman’s motorcyclist, an enthusiastic, fun-loving, driven and talented example of what motorcycling could do and be for the everyday enthusiast, and how the sport could affect our lives in unimaginable ways.
As one of the first women to race motorcycles in motocross and road racing events in the United States, Mary McGee inspired generations of women riders across the country with her acts of courage despite facing backlash due to her gender.
McGee was the first woman in the United States to hold an FIM license. Getting her start in road racing — with the goal of improving her car racing skills — McGee shifted to dirt racing in 1963, competing in an AMA District 37 enduro aboard a 250cc 1962 Honda Scrambler. In 1967, McGee became the first woman to race the Baja 1000 in a car. Eight years later, McGee was the first person to complete the Baja 500 solo on a motorcycle. The event is typically a two-person race.
Her life story was the subject of the ESPN short film “Motorcycle Mary,” which was recently released on ESPN’s YouTube channel. The 22-minute film — produced by Rachel Greenwald and Haley Watson and directed by Watson — made its premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival in June.
Sacramento, Calif. — After two previous public meeting postponements the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced a decision to withdraw their proposed amendments to On-Road Motorcycle Emission Standards and Test Procedures and Adoption of New On-Board Diagnostics and Zero-Emission Motorcycle Requirements. CARB’s announcement made it clear they may propose a new regulatory action that is similar or identical to the one being withdrawn, but if proposed, a subsequent notice and new rulemaking would be announced at that time.
The AMA has submitted comments on this issue as recently as Oct. 2024, where we highlighted our concerns with the proposal and requested the agency reconsider it given the significant costs to the industry and consumers. We welcome this latest decision and encourage the agency to work with the industry to ensure any future proposals are both economically feasible and preserve consumers’ ability to purchase the technology that best suits their needs.
State News
Phoenix, Ariz. — Owners registering off-highway vehicles (OHVs) will use AZMVDNOW.gov to take a safety course required by a new state law taking effect in January. The free course, created by Arizona Game and Fish Department, will include content related to the safe operations of these vehicles. The educational course consists of a 10-minute instructional video followed by 20 multiple-choice questions. This course will be required one time for at least one of the OHV owners prior to vehicle registrations or renewals between Jan. 1, 2025, and June 1, 2027.
The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and AZGFD are partnering to offer this safety course online. Arizona residents will be able to complete the course through AZMVDNOW.gov, the online portal for motor vehicle services in Arizona as well as MVD office locations across the state. Non-residents will be able to take the course online at AZGFD.gov.
MVD’s online portal is a natural fit to host the training for Arizona residents, as the customer will be able to take the course as well as complete the registration renewal process conveniently and securely in one online location. The 2025 and beyond OHV decals placed on the vehicle will indicate to law enforcement that the owner has successfully completed the course, and the vehicle is legally registered.
If a business has OHVs registered to it, a representative from the business will need to take the course on the business’ AZ MVD Now account. For additional information about this new course, visit azdot.gov/mvd/OHV.
Holtville, Calif. — The Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, located three miles north of the Mexican border crossing at Highway 7 (Calexico/Mexicali) in Imperial County, is the most recent addition to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division. This 343-acre SVRA is especially popular with ATV riders; however, some dune buggies, utility vehicles and motorcycle riders also visit the park.
Currently the SVRA is welcoming public review and comment on the Draft (2024) Soil Conservation Plan. The Heber Dunes SVRA 2024 SCP is a plan that details monitoring activities and management actions as they relate to meeting the Soil Conservation Standard.
The draft SCP will be available for 30 calendar days for public review. Those wishing to provide comments can ensure their feedback is on record with OHMVR Division and SVRA staff by emailing comments to the email address listed below by midnight of 01/10/2025.
Please submit written comments to: OHMVR.EnvComp@parks.ca.gov.
Please note all comments must be submitted to the email above, all submissions must include your name, title, organization (if representing one), telephone number and email address. Submitted comments are part of the public record, and it is recommended that you do not submit detailed personal information, confidential business Information, or any information that is otherwise protected from disclosure by statute.
Visit ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31610 for more information.
AMA News
Pickerington, Ohio — Dozens of adventure motorcyclists converged on the AMA campus on a chilly Nov. 23 for the inaugural AMA Adventure X Time Trials, a new combination of the adventure discipline with the time trial format. Three classes tackled the muddy single-track trail, short grass track section and pitbike course. There was Lightweight for any single-cylinder motorcycle, Middleweight for multi-cylinder bikes less than 1,000cc and Heavyweight for multi-cylinder bikes 1,000cc and larger. Bikes had to be factory street legal machines.
The AMA partnered with Rob Buydos, long-time motocross and AMA Supercross announcer and promoter of the Bagger Racing League, for this event, the proceeds of which financially support the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Buydos began developing concepts for adventure bike racing several years ago. More recently, he started working with the AMA to develop an amateur format that would be fun and accessible for a wide range of adventure riders.
For additional photos from the event, please see: gallery.americanmotorcyclist.com/AMA-Sanctioned-Events/2024-AMA-Adventure-X-Time-Trial.
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