VOL. 54 ISSUE 3 JANUARY 24, 2017 P31
Erin Okonek received her official
world record recognition.
Driessen also presented AMA
President and CEO Rob Ding-
man and AMA Board of Directors
Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw
with the 2016 FIM Women in
Motorcycling Award for the AMA
Get Women Riding Campaign.
"The AMA has a long and
rich history of promoting motor-
cycling to all groups, including
women," said Dingman, who
thanked the FIM and Driessen
for the honor. "The AMA Get
Women Riding Campaign is just
the latest example of that effort,
and it certainly won't be the last.
We ask all of our members to
endorse motorcycling as a safe,
fun and exciting activity to all
demographics."
Grand National Cross Country
racer Becca Sheets was the
AMA Female Racer of the Year.
The Columbus local was emo-
tional on stage as she talked
about her successful 2016
season.
"This is a huge honor to
receive," Sheets said. "I've been
an AMA member for 17 years. I
dreamed about being where I
am now as a professional racer
when I was a little girl. So, win-
ning this award is the icing on
the cake for me."
Speedway racer Bart Bast
was named AMA Vet Racer of
the Year.
"Racing is my life," Bast said.
"I've been an AMA member for
40 years, so winning this award
means so much to me. I appreci-
ate the AMA for this opportunity."
The 2016 AMA Youth Racer of
the Year was motocross phenom
Jett Reynolds from Bakersfield,
CA. Desert and hare scrambles
racer Colt Brinkerhoff from Utah
was the 2016 AMA ATV Racer of
the Year.
Top-three finishers were
recognized from six regional
championships and 21 national
championships, representing all
disciplines of AMA-sanctioned
competition.
Among the most decorated
national champions was Russell,
who in addition to being a mem-
ber of the U.S. World Trophy
Team, won the overall for the
Amsoil GNCC series, the AMA's
national championship for hare
scrambles competition.
"Winning the [World] Trophy
was an unreal feeling," Russell
said. "It was so great to be over
there with all the guys and be
able to bond together and then
celebrate with them afterward.
A lot of hard work was put into
winning this. I can't thank the
AMA enough for their efforts in
supporting racing and making all
of this possible."
The AMA Sportsman of the
Year was Ricky Rickords, who
works with the Brett Downey
Safety Foundation to improve
flagger training and other safety
aspects of motorcycle racing.
The AMA Sportsman of the
Year Award honors an individual
in the AMA racing community
who exemplifies the spirit of fair
competition and sportsmanship,
as well a strong dedication to
motorcycling.
Other award winners an-
nounced are below. CN
AMA Motocross Organizer of the Year
MX SPORTS INC.
AMA Off-Road Organizer of the Year
FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO SERIES
AMA Track Racing Organizer of the Year
FAST FRIDAYS MOTORCYCLE SPEEDWAY
AMA ATV Organizer of the Year
RACER PRODUCTIONS (GRAND NATIONAL
CROSS COUNTRY SERIES)
AMA Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year
ROAR ON THE SHORE
AMA Recreational Off-Road Organizer of the Year
KNAPP CREEK FIRE DEPARTMENT
AMA Club of the Year
TRIALS INC.
AMA Media Award
RACER TV
