2020 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship Takes Place In Wisconsin
Bay City’s Valley Springs Motorcycle Club to host amateur national championship event in August.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The nation’s best amateur hillclimb competitors will duke it out for AMA National No. 1 plates at Valley Springs Motorcycle Club this summer.
The club hosts the 2020 edition of the AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship at its Bay City, Wis., grounds Aug. 7-9. The club’s 500-foot hill also was the site of AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships in 2012 and 2014.
“The Valley Springs Motorcycle Club has a reputation for putting on stellar hillclimb events, and its facility has proven to be a great host for an amateur national,” AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant said. “We’re looking forward to another year of great battles between the best up-and-coming hillclimb racers in the United States.”
In addition to competing for AMA No. 1 plates, racers will vie for awards recognizing the AMA Hillclimb Racer of the Year, AMA Vet/Senior Hillclimb Racer of the Year and AMA Youth Hillclimb Racer of the Year. The King of the Hill award will go to the fastest competitor in a run-off. Riders with the 10 fastest times during the weekend will compete for King of the Hill in a one-run class at the end of the program on Sunday.
As with most AMA amateur national championships, and in recognition of the range of participants in amateur competition, the event includes multiple classes to provide ample opportunities for amateur racers to compete. Classes are available based on rider age, engine displacement and motorcycle configuration.
For more information about the event and facility, visit the Valley Springs Motorcycle Club website at www.valleyspringshillclimb.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com
ZACH OSBORNE INJURED DURING A PRACTICE CRASH THIS WEEK
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING TEAM RIDER SET TO MISS UPCOMING ROUND OF SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne was injured during a practice crash in Florida this week following Round 8 of the 2020 AMA Supercross World Championship Series. Osborne suffered a broken rib, two bruised lungs and a sprained wrist. His return to racing is yet to be determined as he assesses the proper recovery time for his injuries.
“I’m really gutted with the timing of this incident but very grateful that my injuries were minor considering the hit that I took,” Osborne said. “It’s been a very tough start to the season for me and my team has been so awesome in picking me back up as they always do. This is just a bump in the road and I will be back as soon as I’m back to 100% and can reach my full potential again.”
Round 9 of the 2020 AMA Supercross World Championship Series will take place this Saturday, February 29 in Atlanta, Georgia where Osborne’s Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammates will line up inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Appaloosa v2.0 to be unleashed at 2020 Baikal Mile Ice Speed Festival
Highly modified Scout Bobber to make its comeback on the deepest lake on Earth
BELGIUM (February 18, 2020) – Indian Motorcycle and Workhorse Speed Shop have announced the comeback of Appaloosa at the 2020 Baikal Mile, an extreme test of rider and machine on the ice surface of Lake Baikal, Siberia. Appaloosa v2.0 will make its 2020 racing debut in Russia, revealing a radical new look, from February 25 to March 1.
The Baikal Mile first took place in March last year and is now set to become an annual fixture on the motorsport calendar. Run on the ice off the eastern shore of Lake Baikal, the festival is one of the most unique international motorsport and racing culture events due to the extreme conditions of Siberia. With specially prepared 1/8-mile and 1-mile ice tracks, teams will be challenging themselves to set speed records on a variety of specially prepared vehicles alongside stunt riding, drifting, drag racing, flat track and freestyle motocross.
Brice Hennebert, creator of Appaloosa, is looking forward to the challenge, “The feeling is crazy, it’s a bit like going racing on the moon. There’s absolutely no reference point, we go to a desert of ice in Siberia where it can be -40°C at night -20°C during the day. I’m super excited and a bit lost at the same time as we have no idea what to expect. With just a few days before the flight, I’m focussing on the practical aspects, but I know this journey will be one of the most insane experiences of my life.”
The Scout Bobber, originally transformed by Brice Hennebert for the 2019 Sultans of Sprint series, has been modified for the challenges of racing on ice and the extreme Siberian conditions with continued support from top-level partners Akrapovič, Beringer Brakes, Dunlop Europe, Evok3 Performance, Motorex, Öhlins and tuning advice from Flybike.
To grab the ice and propel Appaloosa down the strip, the SportSmart Mk3 tyres supplied by Dunlop Europe, have been hand-fitted with hundreds of studs, a task which took Brice’s mechanic, Dorsan, four days of work. To control the cooling of the engine from the extreme temperatures, the “mouth” of the fairing has been closed off with a new carbon fibre nose cap and smaller cooling intakes have been added to the side fairings.
Upgrading the NOS system was a priority for better reliability and power with the original system replaced with a Nitrous Express setup. Öhlins Racing has added a steering damper to the full suspension suite supplied in 2019 to keep Appaloosa stable at the higher speeds targeted. Finally, to protect the pilot and to keep a clear view ahead, areas around the wheels have been closed off inside the fairing to control the ice thrown up by the studded tyres.
With such a departure from its original purpose of tarmac sprints, it was fitting to give Appaloosa v2.0 a full makeover in the form of a new paint scheme designed by Benny Maxwell from Axesent, Japan (IG: @axesent) and expertly applied by Matthias from Moto Peinture (IG: @motopeinture).
For such an extreme challenge, Brice has chosen his teammates carefully. “I’m lucky enough to share this incredible adventure with two of my best friends. Sébastien Lorentz and Dorsan “DJ Peeta Selecta,” he says. “Seb, from Lucky Cat Garage and organiser of the Sultans of Sprint championship, will be piloting Appaloosa. Dorsan, the DJ for Sultans of Sprint, will be helping me with the technical aspects as he will all season. Dorsan will also be keeping the ice party going as DJ for the Baikal Mile Speed Festival.”
Sébastien Lorentz commented, “This will be an extraordinary adventure for us all, what can I say? I feel excited to race on ice for the first time, honoured to ride the IndianxWorkhorse Appaloosa and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve with that beast in such crazy riding conditions. I think we are well prepared, and we’ll all give our best to achieve a great result.” The completed build and new look will be revealed shortly after the team arrives at Lake Baikal in late February.
The epic trip to Siberia and the action from Lake Baikal can be followed across Indian Motorcycle social channels with the hashtag #IndianxWorkhorse.
ABOUT WORKHORSE SPEED SHOP
Workhorse is the story of a passion. Brice Hennebert grew up surrounded by his father’s motorcycles and was raised by a creative mother. Learning mechanics at an early age, Brice later trained as a graphic designer before opening a custom motorcycle workshop in 2012 with a like-minded bike fanatic. In 2016, Brice returned to the workshop of his childhood in Nodebais, Belgium to launch Workhorse Speed Shop. Workhorse provides a full range of services from accessory fitment through to complete custom builds. To learn more, please visit www.workhorsespeedshop.com
ABOUT AKRAPOVIČ
Akrapovič is a market-leading manufacturer of premium exhaust systems for motorcycles and performance cars. It is a pioneer in the innovative use of super-alloys and at the forefront of carbon components. Akrapovič exhaust systems are renowned for increasing performance, unmistakable sound, innovative design, lightweight construction, quality workmanship, and durability. Founded in Slovenia twenty-eight years ago by former motorcycle racer Igor Akrapovič, the brand has grown to international prominence through its successful support of racing teams that lead their class in many forms of premier motorsport. To learn more, please visit www.akrapovic.com
ABOUT BERINGER BRAKES
BERINGER is a French human scale company which, for more than 30 years, develops and produces motorbikes brakes in a spirit of quality and performance. Our products range covers all models of motorcycles, from all brands from 1970 to our days. To learn more please visit www.beringer-brakes.com
ABOUT DUNLOP EUROPE
Dunlop Europe is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tyres with an impressive track record of motorsport successes. Dunlop Europe is a technical partner for two teams motorcycle Endurance World Championship Racing, the official tyre supplier to the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championship and the most successful tyre brand in the history of the Isle of Man TT. Off-road, Dunlop is the choice of MXGP race winners and champions. On four wheels, Dunlop is the most successful tyre manufacturer in the history of the Le Mans 24h race. www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com
ABOUT EVOK3 PERFORMANCE LTD
EVOK3 is your one stop partner for all your professional racing products. Being the Master Distributor for premium brands including Garrett turbos, AEM Electronics, G-Sport cats, Radium Engineering, Injector Dynamics, Vibrant Performance, Turbosmart and many more. Formed and run by engineers to help formulate the perfect match of products, to fulfil the requirements of racing teams and enthusiasts for the finest race bikes or cars. To learn more please visit www.evok3performance.com
ABOUT MOTOREX – Oil Of Switzerland
Manufactured to the highest standards in Langenthal, Switzerland, MOTOREX products are well-known around the world for their superior quality and performance. Founded by pioneer Arnold Bucher in 1917, the BUCHER-MOTOREX Group is an independent family-owned business that pride themselves on high-quality products and world-class customer care. To learn more, please visit www.motorex.com
ABOUT ÖHLINS
Öhlins Racing has been an integrated part of the motorsport industry as well as the motorcycle and automotive industry for 40 years. Our focus has always been on high quality products, service and support, all the way from the MotoGP circuits to the local national racing events in over 50 distributing countries. Our philosophy has always been to supply the aftermarket, OEM partners and teams with high-end suspension technology and we are all dedicated to exceed our customer’s expectations throughout the world. To learn more, please visit www.ohlins.com
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
Indian Motorcycle is America’s first motorcycle company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.eu.
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PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association has named James Holter as Chief Operating Officer. Holter, most recently the AMA vice president of communications and marketing, assumes the responsibilities of Jeff Massey, who is leaving his position as AMA chief operations officer on March 6.
“James has demonstrated remarkable leadership skills as a member of our executive team,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “It is a pleasure to welcome him to the role of Chief Operating Officer, where he oversees the department directors who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day work to fulfill the AMA’s mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.”
As COO, Holter reports to Dingman. His direct reports are the department directors who execute the AMA’s mission in the areas of government relations, competition, recreational riding, finance, communications, membership and marketing, creative services, industry relations and business development, and all other aspects of operations.
“I’ve been a motorcyclist since my dad put me on a Tecumseh-powered minibike in the early 1980s, and it was a choice that fundamentally altered the trajectory of my life,” Holter said. “I’m honored that Rob would trust me with these additional responsibilities, and I’m looking forward to my expanding role with the AMA, particularly any and all opportunities to work with those inside and outside the organization to pursue our mission.”
Holter, 45, has worked at the AMA for 15 years, with responsibilities in editorial, communications, marketing and membership. Prior to his work at the AMA, he was a financial journalist with a focus on Chicago’s commodity and financial markets. A graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, Holter has ridden and competed in various amateur disciplines for nearly four decades. He owns both street and dirt bikes, including vintage machines.
Massey has served as AMA COO since September 2014. He will return to his hometown of Indianapolis and resume a career in education.
“Jeff Massey served with distinction and great integrity during his tenure here,” Dingman said. “Jeff and James have worked closely together on many levels, and a seamless transition is already underway.
“While Jeff is leaving AMA employment, I fully expect he will remain one of our most active members, and we will continue to find ways he can contribute to the AMA mission,” Dingman said.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
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