Special Awards Up For Grabs at AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

As the fastest amateur motocrossers in America compete for AMA National No. 1 plates this week at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by AMSOIL, in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., the best of the best will be in contention for special awards presented at the event.

Sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corp., which will present a Yamaha generator or power washer to the special award winners, the recognition includes the AMA Motocross Horizon Award, the AMA Motocross Amateur Rider Award, the AMA Motocross Vet/Senior Rider Award and the AMA Motocross Youth Rider Award.

"We’re pleased to recognize these standout riders with these special honors," said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. "A national title at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by AMSOIL, is something that all amateur racers dream about, and these awards truly represent the cream of the crop.

"We also thank Yamaha for their commitment to the sport’s amateur racers by providing these excellent generators to the special award winners," Bigelow said.

AMA Horizon Award

The AMA Horizon Award was established in 1997. The AMA presents AMA Horizon Awards annually to outstanding riders in motocross, dirt track and road racing. This award recognizes the A class rider who is poised for success in the pro ranks. Past winners of the AMA Motocross Horizon Award include Travis Pastrana, James Stewart, Davi Millsaps, Josh Hill and Trey Canard.

AMA Motocross Amateur Rider Award

The AMA Motocross Amateur Rider Award is new for 2014. It is presented to an outstanding non-A-class rider at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. It is designed to recognize those who are ready to make an immediate impact in A-class competition.

AMA Motocross Vet/Senior Rider Award

The AMA Motocross Vet/Senior Rider Award was established in 2003. The AMA Vet/Senior Motocrosser of the Year acknowledges an outstanding rider over the age of 30 at the AMA Motocross National Championships. Results from all classes ridden are taken into consideration in selecting the winner. Past winners include Tim Ferry, Robbie Reynard, Doug Dubach and Kevin Foley.

AMA Motocross Youth Rider Award

The AMA Motocross Youth Rider Award also was established in 2003. The AMA Motocross Youth Rider of the Year Award goes to a rider under the age of 16 chosen for his or her performance in the youth classes at the motocross nationals. Youth riders who also participate in amateur classes will be considered, but only their youth class results will be factored into the selection. Past winners include Jet Reynolds, Adam Cianciarulo, Zach Bell, Joey Savatgy and Ashley Fiolek.

For more information: www.mxsports.com or www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing/motocross.aspx.

The boards of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) voted unanimously to appoint Scott Schloegel as acting president and CEO of the associations. Diana Sanchez was appointed acting chief operating officer.

Schloegel and Sanchez, whose appointments are effective immediately, will also continue to serve in their current roles as senior vice president of government relations and vice president of operations respectively. The interim leadership was selected to ensure a seamless transition as the associations’ search committee continues to conduct a comprehensive review of the position of president and CEO, and a subsequent search to replace outgoing President and CEO Erik Pritchard.