AMA Press Releases

Sixteen weekends of riding available PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association has released the schedule for the 2020 AMA National Adventure Riding Series, presented by Kenda Tires. Since 2007, the AMA National Adventure Riding Series has given adventure motorcyclists opportunities to get out and ride. “Our AMA event organizers put a lot of time and effort into creating the exhilarating events that make up the AMA National Adventure Riding Series,” AMA Recreational Riding Manager Heather Wilson said. “Adventure riders are always searching out the next great route, and these organizers make it simple to have a good time on and off the bike.” The 2020 schedule has 16 events throughout the country. In addition to presenting sponsor Kenda Tires, 2020 supporting sponsors include Helite Moto and IMS Products. 2020 Schedule March 27-29: Pine Barrens 400 Pine Barrens Adventures LLC —Hammonton, N.J. April 4-5: Cross-Florida Adventure Dixie Dual Sport —Daytona Beach, Fla. April 18-19: Slate Creek Appalachian Trail Riders —Bybee, Tenn. April 25-26: Perry Mountain Tower Run Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club —Stanton, Ala. May 2-3: Yosemite Adventure Tour Family Off-Road Adventures —Buck Meadows, Calif. May 13-17: PA Wilds 1500 Pine Barrens Adventures LLC —Port Matilda, Pa. May 30-31: Durty Dabbers

Riders can choose from 16 events nationwide and win a Beta motorcycle PICKERINGTON, Ohio—The schedule for the 2020 Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series, presented be Kenda Tires, features 16 multi-day rides organized by clubs and promoters chartered by the American Motorcyclist Association. The series has roots dating to 1987, and it attracts both casual riders and racers. It boasts a wide variety of terrain, as well as public and private land. “The dual sport riding community is very welcoming and spans more activities than just riding,” AMA Recreational Riding Manager Heather Wilson said. “It’s also about hanging out at the campfire and telling stories or discussing your next bike modification or accessory.” One lucky series participant will win a Beta motorcycle at the end of 2020. All participants in the series are automatically entered to win. “2020 will be the sixth year for Beta as the title sponsor of the AMA National Dual Sport Series,” said Beta National Marketing Manager Kris Kalar. “The growth of the series has helped with our dual sport sales, while also connecting some of our dealers with motorcycle enthusiasts at the events.” Kalar said it’s great to see that many of the event organizers

79th running of 200-mile road race at Daytona International Speedway PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Dozens of the nation’s fastest road racers will be pushing their motorcycles to the limit around Daytona International Speedway’s 3.56-mile road course on March 14 for the 79th running of the Daytona 200. The 200-mile road race, sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association and the American Sportbike Racing Association, features some of the most talented road racers from around the world battling on the speedway’s 31-degree banking. “The AMA has a great partner in the American Sportbike Racing Association for the Daytona 200, and we’re looking forward to another year of close competition in this iconic race,” AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant said. “The past two years have delivered great racing and thrilling finishes, and the number of international riders competing in the event has been on the rise.” The Daytona 200 was first held in 1937, with racing taking place annually — except during World War II — on an oval course along the Atlantic Ocean beach and U.S. Route A1A. The race moved to Daytona International Speedway in 1961. AMA Hall of Famers who have won the Daytona 200 include Giacomo Agostini, Brad Andres,

Hall of Famer was first three-time winner of Daytona 200 race PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association offers its condolences to the family and friends of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dick Klamfoth, who passed away Dec. 13. He was 91. Mr. Klamfoth was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. He scored his 12 victories in AMA Grand National competition, three of which came in the Daytona 200 — in 1949, 1951 and 1952. He was the first rider to win the Daytona 200 three times and went on to be a motorcycle dealership owner and race promoter. “Dick Klamfoth was a very talented racer who turned in several amazing performances in one of the nation’s most historic motorcycle competition events,” AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey said. “He is one of the legends of American racing, and we wish his family fortitude during this difficult time.” Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1928, Klamfoth got into motorcycle riding after getting his driver’s license at age 14. He began taking part in enduros after graduating from high school in 1946. He competed in enduros and flat track races in Ohio for three years before getting his

U.K. rider founded Women Riders World Relay, helped unite motorcyclists worldwide PICKERINGTON, Ohio — For calling attention to the needs of women riders and for creating a worldwide connection among them, Hayley Bell of the United Kingdom has been named the American Motorcyclist Association 2019 Motorcyclist of the Year. Bell is the founder and president of global business development for the Women Riders World Relay, a movement joined by thousands of motorcyclists from 84 countries to create a “global sisterhood of inspirational women” and to demonstrate to motorcycle manufacturers and makers of riding gear that female riders are a formidable and growing market that deserves their attention. The AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation, awarded annually by the AMA Board of Directors, recognizes the individual or group that had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling in the previous 12 months. “For her efforts to promote the motorcycle lifestyle around the world and bring together riders from all nations and backgrounds, conveying the positive aspects of motorcycling and drawing attention to the market potential of female riders, Hayley Bell is the 2019 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year,” said Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, chair of the AMA Board of Directors. “Women

American Motorcyclist Association extends condolences to family, friends of motorcycle rights advocate PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and lifelong off-road riding advocate Ed Waldheim, who passed away on Monday, Dec. 9. Mr. Waldheim was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2007 for his ongoing dedication to the riding community and his tireless efforts to secure, maintain and expand off-road riding opportunities in his home state of California. “Ed Waldheim was an extremely passionate advocate for the rights of off-highway vehicle enthusiasts,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “He was a dedicated volunteer and relentless defender of off-highway vehicle use of our public lands.” Mr. Waldheim began his involvement in motorcycling as an off-road racer. He later moved into helping organize races and ultimately into off-highway vehicle advocacy. Waldheim was president of the California Off-Road Vehicle Association and was appointed to the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission by two governors and served multiple terms. He won numerous awards for his advocacy on behalf of all off-road enthusiasts, including the prestigious AMA Motorcycling Advocate Award, the Golden Helmet Award from the

American Motorcyclist Association offers condolences to family, friends PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association offers its condolences to the family and friends of former AMA board member and current American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation board member Jim Viverito following his death on Dec. 7, 2019. Mr. Viverito, 67, served on the AMA Board of Directors from February 2010 to July 2016. His service on the AMHF Board, which is tasked with raising money to fund the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, began July 2014. “Jim Viverito was the consummate AMA volunteer, donating his time, energy and expertise wherever he was needed,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Jim proudly served on the AMA Board of Directors, helping set strategic policy at the highest levels, but a visitor to the AMA offices might also find Jim in the mailroom, helping stuff new member kits in envelopes or loading motorcycles to display at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. To his core, Jim was passionate about motorcycling, from street to dirt, but his love of racing and history, particularly Grand National Championship flat-track competition, was extraordinary. “Jim was a rare combination of generosity, humility, knowledge and kindness,” Dingman said. “Jim was a close

2018 Honda CBR1000RR and a 2018 Honda XR650L won by Bradley Timm COLUMBUS, Ohio — Bradley Timm of Westerville, Ohio, was selected Friday, Dec. 6, as the winner of the two Honda motorcycles that were customized to celebrate the life of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Nicky Hayden, the late MotoGP World Champion. Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, chair of the American Motorcyclist Association Board of Directors, selected the winning ticket in a drawing at the Hilton Downtown Columbus before the 2019 KTM AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. A four-year AMA member, Timm moved to the United States from South Africa 10 years ago. He currently rides AMA-sanctioned dual sports and enduros in southern Ohio. He said that he was inspired to buy a single raffle ticket while attending the American International Motorcycle Expo that was held in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 26-29. “That thumper just caught my eye,” Timm said. “I had an old thumper when I was much younger, and I was really drawn to that XL650. That is just one cool bike. I recently started riding bikes again, and I just love the off-road stuff. I have some pals in the Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club and they show me

Event brings together motorcycling legends, industry leaders, enthusiasts from across the country COLUMBUS, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inducted five new members Friday evening during the 2019 KTM AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Hilton Downtown Columbus. The members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2019 are rights advocate Mark Buckner, off-road racing champion Kurt Caselli, motocross champion Ron Lechien, trials pioneer Wiltz Wagner and museum founder Dale Walksler. Ceremony emcees Perry King and Laurette Nicoll guided the audience through the careers and accomplishments of the inductees. “Each of these motorcyclists has achieved excellence in pursuit of their motorcycling dreams,” King said. “And each one of them has inspired generations of riders to do the same.” During the ceremony, those gathered also honored the memories of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers who recently passed away: Jerry Branch, Arlen Ness, Gene Romero, Peter Fonda and Clark Collins. In addition to presenting sponsor KTM, supporters of the induction ceremony included Maxima USA, Cobra Moto and RacerTV. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Following the introduction of each new inductee, there was a brief, formal induction ceremony conducted by American Motorcycle

Events include AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and AMA Championship Banquet PICKERINGTON, Ohio — KTM will be the title sponsor for the 2019 AMA Legends & Champions Weekend, the American Motorcyclist Association has announced. The weekend includes the 2019 KTM AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Dec. 6 and the 2019 KTM AMA Championship Banquet on Dec. 7. Both events are at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, Ohio. “KTM is a strong supporter of AMA activities, including its sponsorship of the 2019 KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series, Presented by Kenda Tires,” said AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “And the brand’s association with 2019 Hall of Fame inductee Kurt Caselli makes this sponsorship special.” The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2019 includes rights advocate Mark Buckner, off-road racing champion Kurt Caselli, motocross champion Ron Lechien, trials pioneer Wiltz Wagner and museum founder Dale Walksler. Following the induction ceremony on Dec. 6, the formal installation of the Class of 2019 takes place at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame museum in Pickerington, Ohio, on Dec. 7. The installation will be preceded by a Hall of Famer luncheon that fans and supporters of the

Veterans Day holiday marks opportunity to show thanks to former servicemen and servicewomen PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is grateful for the role U.S. military servicemen and servicewomen have played in preserving American freedom and thanks them for their service to their country on Veterans Day, which will be observed Monday, Nov. 11. Thousands of veterans are AMA members, and many veterans motorcycling organizations are AMA-chartered. “Many American veterans have played a role in maintaining and growing the motorcycling lifestyle, and we thank them for their service and their contributions to America’s rich motorcycling heritage,” AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey said. “We extend our gratitude to the sacrifices these veterans and their loved ones have made in defending our freedom, including the freedom to ride.” Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so those who are not working may be on the nation’s roadways during their three-day weekend. The AMA urges motorists to exercise caution and be alert for motorcyclists. The AMA also urges motorcyclists to stay alert and ride sober. One way the AMA honors veterans is by granting them free admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame each Veterans Day. The AMA also demonstrates its