AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Weekend Highlights Hot

Under uncharacteristically cloudy skies in Las Vegas, nine motorcycling legends were enshrined in the 2010 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 19 - 21.  The 2010 class included innovative two-stroke engine tuner Eyvind Boyesen, dirt-track racer Don Castro, sidecar roadracing champion Larry Coleman, off-road rights activist Clark Collins, AMA 250cc Roadrace Champion David Emde, JT Racing founders and competition apparel pioneers John and Rita Gregory, desert racing champion and team manager Bruce Ogilvie, and championship team owner and Pro Circuit founder Mitch Payton.

The highlight of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which was hosted by actor and motorcyclist Perry King, was the heart-felt speech delivered by newly named AMA “Legend”, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah.  The American motocross icon said, "I know a lot of people in here, and I like a lot of people in here, and I know most guys don't look at their buddies and say they love them, so I'm going to do it.  John Penton, I love you. Bevo Forte, I love you, too. Keith McCarty is here. I love you, McCarty."

The weekend also included recognition of a full slate of current AMA racing champions.  Everyone from road racers, to dirt racers, to land speed competitors were in attendance.  Stan Simpson, the chairman of the AMA's Board of Directors, thanked all of the racers for their contributions to the sport.  "On behalf of the board of directors of the American Motorcyclist Association, our AMA staff, and each and every AMA member, I want to congratulate all of you for earning a place among this elite group of champions," Simpson said to the banquet attendees. "Your skill and determination, along with the support of your family and friends, have taken you to the top of amateur racing. You represent the future of motorcycle racing. You may not realize it, but you are the also backbone of the AMA."

Hundreds of competitors from all of the AMA sanctioned events were recognized, and champions received their national championship trophies and No. 1 plates at the AMA Racing Championship Banquet.  The big award of the ceremony was the naming of The AMA Racing Athlete of the Year which was won by Charlie Mullins, the overall champion of the 2010 AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series.