More than 500 racers and supporters watched as the AMA presented awards to the top three finishers in national and regional competition, and announced the winners of the prestigious AMA Racer of the Year Awards.
The world motorcycle sanctioning body, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, also used the occasion to present U.S. riders and the AMA with world championship awards. FIM Board member Jos Driessen performed the honors for the FIM.
The program was emceed by Laurette Nicoll and Kevin Kelly.
Scottsdale, Ariz.’s Taylor Robert, who led the U.S. World Trophy Team to its first International Six Days Enduro world championship, was announced as the AMA Athlete of the Year from National Championship Series competition.
The FIM’s Driessen presented attending members of the U.S. World Trophy Team — Kailub Russell, Thad Duvall and Layne Michael — with their 2016 ISDE gold medals. Land-speed racer Erin Okonek received her official world record recognition.
Driessen also presented AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman and AMA Board of Directors Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw with the 2016 FIM Women in Motorcycling Award for the AMA Get Women Riding Campaign.
Grand National Cross Country racer Becca Sheets was the AMA Female Racer of the Year.
Speedway racer Bart Bast from Forest Hill, Calif., was named AMA Vet Racer of the Year.
The 2016 AMA Youth Racer of the Year was motocross phenom Jett Reynolds from Bakersfield, Calif. Desert and hare scrambles racer Colt Brinkerhoff from Utah was the 2016 AMA ATV Racer of the Year.
Top-three finishers were recognized from six regional championships and 21 national championships, representing all disciplines of AMA-sanctioned competition.
Among the most decorated national champions was Russell, who in addition to being a member of the U.S. World Trophy Team won the overall for the Amsoil GNCC series, the AMA’s national championship for hare scrambles competition.
The AMA Sportsman of the Year was Ricky Rickords, who works with the Brett Downey Safety Foundation to improve flagger training and other safety aspects of motorcycle racing. The AMA Sportsman of the Year Award honors an individual in the AMA racing community who exemplifies the spirit of fair competition and sportsmanship, as well a strong dedication to motorcycling.
Sponsors and supporters of the 2016 AMA Championship Banquet included FLY Racing, Motonation, Strider, Bridgestone, Anthony’s Leatherworks/MX Boot Repair, Cycra Racing, Shoei Helmets, Liberty Sport, Maxima Racing Oils, Hinson Clutch Components Racing, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Twin Air and ASK Powersports.
Other award winners announced at the banquet were:
AMA Motocross Organizer of the Year
MX Sports Inc.
AMA Off-Road Organizer of the Year
Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series
AMA Track Racing Organizer of the Year
Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway
AMA ATV Organizer of the Year
Racer Productions (Grand National Cross Country Series)
AMA Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year
Roar on the Shore
AMA Recreational Off-Road Organizer of the Year
Knapp Creek Fire Department
AMA Club of the Year
Trials Inc.
AMA Media Award
Racer TV
