American Motorcyclist Associations Congratulates Amateur Champions from AMA Road Race Grand Championships at VIR From September 21-22

American Motorcyclist Association congratulates road racing's amateur champions

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- September 24, 2013 -- The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates the AMA members who excelled at the AMA Road Race Grand Championships at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., Sept. 21-22.

"Virginia International Raceway proved an excellent venue for the AMA Road Race Grand Championships, showcasing some the country's most-talented up-and-coming young road racers," said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. "AMA national No. 1 plates were won in several skill-, age- and displacement-based classes, representing the diverse nature of AMA membership. We particularly congratulate 15-year-old Ian Tetrick, who captured the event's highest honor."

Tetrick, from Sutton, W.Va., won the AMA Road Race Horizon Award, which recognizes the amateur racer with the brightest prospects for a successful pro career. Tetrick, who competed on a Kawasaki 600 sponsored by MRP Motorsports and MWR Investigations, has been racing since 2009.

Tetrick finished second in both AMA Expert 600 SuperSport and AMA Expert 600 SuperBike to Seth Starnes, 28, of Charlotte, N.C. The AMA Road Race Grand Championships allow current and former pro racers, with restrictions, to compete at the event. Starnes was the AMA Pro Racing SuperStock Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2008 and was a contender for the AMA Horizon Award in 2007. Starnes, who also won AMA Expert Unlimited Twins SuperBike, will compete in AMA Pro Racing events in 2014 for TOBC Racing.

The 2013 AMA Youth Road Racer of the Year was 13-year-old Anthony Mazziotto III from Hammonton, N.J. Mazziotto finished first in AMA Expert 250GP on a Moriwaki MD250H, AMA Expert Lightweight Twins SuperSport, and AMA Expert Lightweight Twins SuperBike on a Suzuki SV650.

It was a tight race between Mazziotto and Palmer Kling, 13, from Martinez, Ga. Kling won the AMA Expert Moto3 class, finished second in AMA Lightweight Twins SuperBike and had a commanding lead in the AMA Expert 250GP on a Moriwaki MD250 in the wet when he crashed after passing the lead bike in another class.

Tommy Wilson of Manassas, Va., won the AMA Novice Road Racer of the Year award. Wilson was challenged by Tristan Avery of Chesterfield, Va. Each rider won a race and finished second against each other in the Lightweight Twins classes on SV650s.

The AMA Vet/Senior Road Racer of the Year honor went to Arnold Hastings of Severn, Md. He finished second in AMA Expert 1000 SuperSport after crashing on the first lap avoiding another rider who went down in front of him. He led part of the race after the re-start and was passed by Paul Scalph in the last few laps. He finished fourth in AMA Expert 1000 SuperBike and won AMA Expert Formula 40.

The AMA partnered with the American Sportbike Racing Association and Championship Cup Series to help run the AMA Road Race Grand Championships. The grand championship event ran in conjunction with CCS and U.S. Grand Prix Racer Union classes. The 2013 AMA Road Race Grand Championships welcomed racers from all clubs and organizations and was open to all licensed road racing AMA members.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

 

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling.

 

For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

 

Media contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org