AMA

PRESIDENT SIGNS AGRICULTURAL ACT THAT ENDS SUBSIDY FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF ETHANOL BLENDER PUMPS

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Agricultural Act of 2014 signed into law by President Barack Obama today contains a provision that helps deter distribution of E15 fuels into the U.S. marketplace. The American Motorcyclist Association considers this farm-bill provision a major victory for the owners and riders of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles currently in operation. Those vehicles could be damaged by the use of E15 fuel, a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume. Also, use of E15 can void owners' vehicle warranties. The Agricultural Act of 2014, which extends through 2018,…
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FCC CHAIRMAN MAKES COMMITMENT TO KEEP V2V SPECTRUM FREE FROM INTERFERENCE

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has made a commitment to ensure that the 5.9 GHz bandwidth -- which supports vehicle-to-vehicle communications, or V2V -- remains free from interference that could result from expanded use of Wi-Fi in the band. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the agency has allocated the 5.9GHz bandwidth "for the development of connected vehicle technology" in response to the Intelligent Transportation Society of America's request for a V2V spectrum. Wheeler offered his commitment in conjunction with the U.S. Dept. of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announcement that it intends to…
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FARM BILL PROVISION PROHIBITS REAP GRANTS FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SPECIAL ETHANOL BLENDER PUMPS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Agricultural Act of 2014 passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 29 contains a provision that would deter distribution of E15 fuels into the U.S. marketplace. The bill will be considered by the U.S. Senate next week before going to the president for his signature. The American Motorcyclist Association considers this provision a victory for the owners and riders of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles currently in operation, which could be damaged by the use of E15 fuel (a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume). Known…
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APPROPRIATIONS BILL SUPPORTS PUBLIC ACCESS, CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN WESTERN STATES

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Omnibus Appropriations Act, a massive funding bill now working its way through the U.S. Congress, includes provisions that would prohibit implementation of the Wild Lands initiative and continue conservation efforts to prevent the sage-grouse from being listed as an endangered species. In addition, it would require federal land managers to disclose how Equal Access to Justice Act funds are being disbursed. The American Motorcyclist Association supports the inclusion of these vital public lands issues in the bill. The appropriations act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday and is currently being considered by…
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FEDERAL TASK FORCE PREPARING RECOMMENDATION FOR MANDATORY MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAWS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A federal task force is poised to recommend that all states have mandatory helmet laws for all motorcyclists, which the task force says would reduce injuries and deaths as well as result in economic benefits, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The AMA has repeatedly expressed its belief that motorcyclists would be best served if regulators and legislators focus on programs to prevent motorcycle crashes from occurring in the first place. The AMA also said that any economic benefits would be insignificant since health care costs related to motorcycle crashes are miniscule in the context of total health…
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION THANKS VETERANS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association thanks veterans of the U.S. armed forces this Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, for their willingness, commitment and sacrifice to protect and defend the United States and the American way of life. "This Veterans Day -- and every day -- we salute America's veterans for their devotion to serving our country," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Veterans are a dedicated and growing segment of motorcycling, and the same patriotism and valor that they demonstrate as American servicemen and women are welcomed qualities to our two-wheeled community. "The freedoms that we enjoy…
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FEDERAL JUDGE WANTS NEW TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL IN UTAH

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A federal judge in Utah is ordering the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to come up with a plan to protect cultural resources from off-highway vehicles along 4,300 miles of Utah trails, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The BLM, as well as anti-OHV groups, are expected to file briefs with the court related to this by Dec. 6 and respond to those arguments by Jan. 10. On Nov. 4, Utah U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball issued a ruling that indicated the BLM didn't do enough to protect the land and other resources in southern Utah when it…
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AMA CONGRATULATES U.S. TEAM ON RUNNER-UP FINISH AT FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The U.S. team of Ryan Dungey, Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia finished second behind the team from Belgium at the 2013 FIM Motocross of Nations in Teutschenthal, Germany, on Sept. 29. Competing against the best motocross racers in the world, the American riders came close to their goal, but ultimately fell short of a world title. "We congratulate Belgium for a stellar world championship performance at the 2013 FIM Motocross of Nations," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "As one of the most high-profile and prestigious motorsports events, the FIM Motocross of Nations attracts the best…
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NEW U.S. FOREST SERVICE RULE COULD ACCELERATE TRAIL DECONSTRUCTION

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Forest Service has adopted a new rule that will allow the agency to fast-track the destruction of motorized trails, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. On Sept. 12, the Forest Service published a final rule in the Federal Register that adds three new "categorical exclusions" to its national Environmental Policy Act regulations "for activities that restore lands negatively impacted by water control structures, natural- and human-caused events, and roads and trails." Categorical exclusions allow the agency to act without preparing a costly and time-consuming environmental assessment or environmental impact statement to determine the project's impacts. Among…
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AMA CONGRATULATES U.S. JUNIOR MOTOCROSS TEAM ON 2013 FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates the U.S. Junior Motocross Team for its overall title at the 2013 FIM Junior Motocross World Championships in Jinin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 10-11. The Czech Republic team finished second, and Spain was third in the team-based competition. In addition to the team title, U.S. rider Aiden Tijero, from Danville, Calif., earned the individual world championship in the 65cc class at the event, which broke participation records with 231 entries and 41 countries taking part. Rock River Racing rider Chase Sexton, from La Moille, Ill., was the top-finishing U.S. rider in the…
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION ROLLS OUT IMPROVED ONLINE RESULTS REPORTING

AMA Race Center includes all AMA-sanctioned events in one location PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Members of the American Motorcyclist Association, the country's largest sanctioning body of amateur motorsports competition, now have access to a new online portal for amateur race results. AMA Race Center, available at http://results.americanmotorcyclist.com, offers a number of enhancements to previously available online motocross results. Although still in beta, the system features several exciting features, including results and advancement points for all classes, cross-linked results by rider or track; rider performance charts; upcoming events; speedy performance; a comprehensive search function; and an easier-to-navigate user interface. "Phase one of…
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U.S. AGENCY ADMITS DEMAND FOR ETHANOL-GASOLINE FUEL NOT AS HIGH AS ANTICIPATED

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that demand for ethanol-related fuel probably isn't enough to meet the requirements of federal law and changes may need to be made next year, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. In a regulatory announcement released Aug. 6, "EPA Finalizes Renewable Fuel Standards," the EPA said that for 2014 "the ability of the market to consume ethanol in higher blends such as E85 is highly constrained as a result of infrastructure- and market-related factors. EPA does not currently foresee a scenario in which the market could consume enough ethanol sold in blends…
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ZERO MOTORCYCLES RETURNS AS RING SPONSOR FOR 2013 AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Zero Motorcycles, manufacturer of American-made electric motorcycles, is the official ring sponsor for the 2013 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, taking place on Friday, Oct. 18, at the Green Valley Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The prestigious AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame ring is a symbol of the significant contributions made by an inductee to the sport, business and lifestyle of motorcycling. The gold ring, which is created exclusively for the Hall of Fame, bears the institution's logo, the "Glory Days" design and the name of the inductee. The rings will be presented…
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AMA CONGRATULATES CHAMPIONS IN AMA VINTAGE MOTOCROSS AND HARE SCRAMBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, PRESENTED BY JT RACING

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates the champions crowned at the season finale of the AMA Vintage Motocross and Hare Scrambles National Championship Series, presented by JT Racing. The series wrapped up at BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 19-21, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Racers travelled from as far away as California to contest the five-round series in its inaugural year. Rounds were held in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Illinois before the final round at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. "In previous years, our national vintage champions were determined by the single-event AMA…
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION THANKS ROADRACING WORLD ACTION FUND FOR SOFT BARRIER DEPLOYMENT

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- American Motorcyclist Association members who compete in the road race program during the AMA Vintage Grand Championships July 19-21 will be better protected in the event of a crash, thanks to the Roadracing World Action Fund, "We appreciate the Roadracing World Action Fund stepping up to provide soft-barrier deployment," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "AMA members deserve a safe racing environment, and thanks to the generous support of the Roadracing World Action Fund, which donates the use of their soft barriers, the AMA Vintage Grand Championships will be a safer venue for our road race…
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION CONGRATULATES AMA REGIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONS

  Next stop: Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, July 28-Aug. 3 PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates the AMA Regional Motocross Champions who will race for AMA national No. 1 plates at the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., July 28 through Aug. 3. "AMA Amateur National Motocross titles are the most coveted rewards on the national circuit, and are only won at the end of a long and highly competitive journey that culminates at the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship," said AMA Motocross Manager…
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