Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1048469
IN THE WIND P36 NORTH AMERICA FINAL SPEEDWAY U.S. QUALIFIER RETURNS T he biggest domestic American speedway event is scheduled to return at Perris Raceway on Saturday, December 8, with the return of the AMA/ FIM North America Final. The event was a past staple on the U.S. Speedway calendar for a quarter of a century, most notably its run at the Long Beach Veterans Stadium. Each year the cream of American-based speedway stars would race against the overseas-based U.S. riders for limited spots in the World Championship qualifying rounds. Much has changed since that era with the Grand Prix Series replacing the one-off World Final, and the U.S. rider base in Europe declining until a sudden resurgence in 2018, with Max Ruml, Gino Manzares, Broc Nicol and Luke Becker joining Ricky Wells and, of course, Greg Hancock on the other side of the Atlantic. The USA allocated spot in the Grand Prix Quali- fiers (rounds to earn one of three available places in the following year's SGP Series) have gone to Ryan Fisher (now retired) and Ricky Wells in recent years. Team USA boss Lance King has recognized the sud- den increase in rider presence in Europe and has applied to the FIM for additional allocations in next year's rounds, which should be confirmed in the next few weeks. So, for the first time in a long time the USA may have more rider demand than spots avail- able, hence the plan to resurrect the American Final. The event will feature 16 riders over 20 heats and the top scorers will get preference to take the GP Qualifier spots that are allocated to the USA. Steve Evans The AMA/FIM North America Final Speedway is set to return to California. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL KIRBY WEISEL RECEIVES 2018 EDISON DYE MX LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD M otocross Action magazine editor Jody Weisel is this year's recipient of the Edison Dye MX Lifetime Achievement Award. Weisel was a staffer at Cycle News in the early 1970s, then went to work for Motocross Action in 1976. Forty-two years later, Weisel still runs the ship at MXA. In addition, Weisel serves as a track de- signer for Glen Helen Raceway, moto consultant for many industry entities, and a mentor to countless motocross racers over the years. Weisel was honored at the November 3-4 Dubya World Vet MX Vet Championships at the Glen Helen Museum at Glen Helen Raceway. Some of those who attended the presentation included Lars Lars- son, Chuck Sun, Gary Jones, Doug Dubach and other past Edison Dye recipients and Glen Helen Hall of Fame members. CN Bud Feldkamp (right) presents Jody Weisel with the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement award with Larry "Supermouth" Huffman (left). PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN TURNER