AMA Announces Championship Banquet Nominees

2012 AMA Championship Banquet

The American Motorcyclist Association announces the nominees for 2012 year-end awards for standout individuals and organizations involved in AMA-sanctioned competition.

The awards will be presented at the 2012 AMA Championship Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Aladdin Event & Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Jeff Massey (AMA Vice President of Operations) says: “The AMA, our promoting partners and chartered clubs work hard to provide the country’s leading competition and recreational events for motorcyclists and ATV riders.

“Tens of thousands of dedicated racers and organizers pour their hearts and souls into this sport, so it’s with great significance that we single out those who have excelled to represent their fellow racers, their clubs, their AMA Districts and the Association itself with the utmost skill, sportsmanship and character. All of the riders nominated for these awards have contributed to the AMA’s mission of promoting and protecting the riding lifestyle.”

The AMA’s highest competitive honors are the AMA Athlete of the Year awards that recognize two exceptional racers: one from AMA National Championship Series competition and one who has excelled at an AMA Grand Championship event. Both awards are selected by an independent group that includes members of AMA Congress, retired AMA Athletes of the Year from previous years, and previous winners of the AMA Media Award.

Jeff Massey says: “The AMA Athletes of the Year for National Championship Series and AMA Grand Championship competition recognize exceptional levels of performance, dedication and sportsmanship, and it’s important that those riders are selected by an informed and diverse group of racing experts from across disciplines. We’re appreciative of the time and effort our voters invest in this process.”

All award winners will be announced and recognized alongside hundreds of their fellow competitors from numerous disciplines at the 2012 banquet. The banquet will honor riders who finished in the top three in AMA National Championship Series and AMA Grand Championship events. All honored riders will be invited to the stage, with class champions receiving their personalized AMA national No. 1 plates.

The AMA Championship Banquet will include a reception, bike show, dinner, an awards banquet and a full slate of activities for riders and fans of all ages. In addition to awards and No. 1 plates, attendees will have a chance to win a number of door prizes, including a Kawasaki KLX110 minibike. On Friday evening, Jan. 18, all riders are invited to an open house at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in nearby Pickerington, Ohio.

Tickets to the AMA Championship Banquet and event details are available here: americanmotorcyclist.com/Racing/RacingBanquet.aspx.

AMA Rider Award Nominees

AMA Athlete of the Year: National Championship Series:

* Steward Baylor, Belton, S.C.: Champion, AMA National Enduro Championship Series Second

* Taddy Blazusiak, Murrieta, Calif.: Champion, AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series

* Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky.: Champion, AMA Arenacross National Championship Series

* Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif.: Champion, AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series

* Cory Graffunder, Palm Desert, Calif.: Champion, AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series

* Jeffery Lowery, St. Louisville, Ohio: 450cc Mod, 250cc Mod, 251-500cc DTX Champion, AMA

Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series:

* Pat Smage, Elkhorn, Wis.: Champion, AMA/NATC MotoTrials National Championship Series

* Jedediah Haines, Fairfield, Pa.: AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series

AMA Athlete of the Year: Amateur Grand Championships

* Zach Bell, Cairo, Ga.: AMA Motocross Horizon Award Winner, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s

* JR Addison, Bucyrus, Ohio: AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award Winner, AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships

* Andre Ochs, Fallbrook, Calif.: AMA Roadrace Horizon Award Winner, AMA Roadrace Grand Championships

* Logan Cipala, Ellsworth, Wis.: AMA Hillclimber of the Year, AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships

* Kyle Johnson, Twin Lake, Mich.: AMA Ice Racer of the Year, AMA Ice Race Grand Championships

ATV Athlete of the Year:

* Cody Gibson, Englewood, Tenn.: Pro-Am Production, Pro-Am Unlimited Champion, AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series

* Nicholas Gennusa, Wall Township, N.J.: 450 A, 4-Stroke A, Production A Champion, AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series

* Harold Goodman, Brownstown, Mich.: Pro, Pro-Am Champion, AMA ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series

* Scott Samuel, Westborough, Mass., Champion, AMA ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series

AMA Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year:

* Michael Grizzle, Dahlonega, Ga.: 45+ A Champion, AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series

* Kurt Nicoll, Temecula, Calif.: Vet 35+ Champion, AMA Endurocross Grand Championships

* Gary Semics, Masters 50+ Champion, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s

AMA Female Rider of the Year:

* Maria Forsberg, Lynnwood, Wash.: Women’s Champion, AMA Endurocross Championship Series

* Mandi Mastin, Whitehouse, Ohio: Bronze Medal, FIM International Six Days Enduro

* Molly Terry, Creve Coeur, Ill.: 450 Modified Mile Champion, Women’s Grand Champion, AMA

Dirt Track Grand Championships

AMA Youth Rider of the Year:

* Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla.: Super Mini 1 (12-15), Super Mini 2 (13-16) Champion,

AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s:

* Sophia Olivera, Hollister, Calif.: Girls Champion, AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series

* Tyler Scott, Emmaus, Pa.: 50cc DTX PW Shaft, 50cc DTX Champion, AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships

AMA Media Award:

* Dick Lague

* Next Moto Champion

* Moto Playground/The Pickle

AMA Sportsman of the Year:

No nominees announced

AMA Organizer Award Nominees

Motocross Organizer of the Year:

* RPM

* Unlimited Sports

* MX Sports

Off-Road Organizer of the Year:

* WNYOA (Western New York Off Road Association)

* National Enduro Promotions Group

* 100’s MC

Track Racing Organizer of the Year:

* Steve Nace Racing

* Valley Springs MC

* Lodi MC

ATV Organizer of the Year:

* Mid-America XC

* Extreme DT Michael Coburn Racing

* Racer Productions

Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year:

* ABATE of Ohio

* Motorcycle Sport Touring Association

* Ride for Kids

Recreational Off-Road Organizer of the Year:

* Tri County MC

* District 37 Off Road

* Enduro Riders

AMA Club of the Year:

* Brandywine Enduro

* Polka Dots

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.