Five MotoAmerica Series Champions Crowned

American Motorcyclist Association recognizes and congratulates the 2017 AMA Superbike Champion: Toni Elias of Spain. Elias wrapped up the AMA Superbike Championship at the penultimate round of the MotoAmerica Series in Millville, N.J., on Sept. 9.

“Toni is an incredibly skilled and accomplished racer, and we were honored to have him as a competitor in the AMA Superbike Championship this season,” AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant said. “The AMA is pleased to congratulate him on his championship win, and we are eager to see him defend his title in 2018.”

MotoAmerica is the home of the AMA Superbike Championship, as well as the FIM North America road racing championship. In addition to Elias, Mathew Scholtz won the Bazzaz Superstock 1000 class, Garrett Gerloff won the Supersport class, Jason Aguilar won the Superstock 600 class and Benjamin Smith won the KTM RC Cup class.

Elias became the 21st racer to win the AMA Superbike Championship. He finished no lower than second place throughout the series, with the exception of one race in which he crashed.

“It feels very good to have won the championship,” Elias said. “I am very happy, and it was such a nice thing to have this opportunity.”

While contemplating retirement in the 2017 off-season, Elias received a call from Suzuki to compete as part of the Yoshimura Suzuki team. His efforts gave the brand its 192nd win and first AMA Superbike Championship since 2009.

“I just want to thank Suzuki, Yoshimura, my team, my family and of course my fans,” Elias said. “This was such a good choice to come here-perfect actually. I’m so grateful for everything that has happened this year.”

2017 MotoAmerica series results:

Motul AMA Superbike
1. Toni Elias
2. Roger Hayden
3. Cameron Beaubier

Bazzaz Superstock 1000
1. Mathew Scholtz
2. Jake Lewis
3. Bobby Fong

Supersport
1. Garrett Gerloff
2. J.D. Beach
3. Valentin Debise

Superstock 600
1. Jason Aguilar
2. Michael Gilbert
3. Nick McFadden

KTM RC Cup
1. Benjamin Smith
2. Cory Ventura
3. Alex Dumas

Links:

American Motorcyclist Association

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.