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/434045
IN THE WIND P44 AMA, MOTOAMERICA TALK ROAD RACING R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s from the AMA, Mo- toAmerica and seven regional and amateur road racing organiza- tions met at AMA head- quarters on Thursday, December 11, to discuss ways they can work to- gether to improve road racing in America. "The AMA is commit- ted to creating a bright- er future for all levels of road racing competi- tion," said AMA Presi- dent and CEO Rob Dingman. "MotoAmeri- ca is demonstrating exceptional dedication with respect to the professional national and conti- nental championship series. This meeting was an important step to extend that level of collaboration to the grassroots level, where to- morrow's stars will get their first taste of competitive road racing." MotoAmerica principals Wayne Rainey and Chuck Ask- land attended the meeting, as well as MotoAmerica Race Op- erations Manager Niccole Cox. In addition to Dingman, the AMA was represented by Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey, Racing Director Bill Cumbow, Director of Pro Racing Relations Kevin Crowther and Track Rac- ing Manager Ken Saillant. Representatives from other road racing groups included Evelyne and Sean Clarke from WERA Motorcycle Roadracing; Kevin Elliott, president of ASRA/ Championship Cup Series; Greg Nulman, owner, and Mana Claus, timing and scoring, with Moto West Grand Prix; Walter Walker, director of competition for the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association; Dana Wilson with the Utah Sport Bike Association; Jim Wilson, president of the Mo- torcycle Roadracing Association; and Berto Wooldridge, president of the American Federation of Motorcyclists. "Our goal is to create a bet- ter path from the amateur ranks to national championship com- petition and, ultimately, to help American riders ascend to the MotoGP World Championship," said Rainey, a three-time World Champion and an AMA Motorcy- cle Hall of Famer. "That work be- gins at the club level. The more cooperation and standardization that we can create across the board, the easier it will be for am- ateur racers to one day become pros in MotoAmerica." Askland reported that the in- dustry has expressed ongoing support for MotoAmerica's prog- ress. He asked the other orga- nizations in attendance to work closely with the AMA to build a framework for long-term viability. "We also want to create value for the sport," Askland said. "If all of our organizations can be aligned on key classes, develop standardized race procedures and work together to homog- enize certain rules, the founda- tion will be in place for sustain- PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN J NELSON The American Motorcyclist Association hosted a summit with MotoAmeri- ca and other regional and amateur road racing organizations to talk about the advancement of road racing in America.