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AMA Leadership Addresses AMA Congress, Future of Amateur Competition
Leaders of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
addressed the 2008 AMA Congress at the rulemaking body's annual meeting
Friday, October 10. Delegates learned that the AMA is committed to growing
amateur motorcycle competition, is better positioned to protect and
promote the motorcycle lifestyle, and that threats to motorcycling demand
a concerted effort by the AMA down to the grassroots level.
Speeches by AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, and AMA Board of Directors
Chairman Stan Simpson covered these topics and more. Also addressing the
gathering was special guest Roger Edmondson, principal of the Daytona
Motorsports Group (DMG), which recently purchased certain AMA Pro Racing
properties.
Video of all three speeches is available online at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/congress/.
Speaking directly to the concerns of the delegates, most of whom represent
clubs and promoters, Dingman asserted that the AMA's future involvement in
amateur racing is unwavering.
"I want to unequivocally affirm that we will maintain and enhance our
involvement in amateur racing," he said. "We will be in amateur
racing in perpetuity. Amateur racing is a significant part of our
heritage. Congress is a significant part of our heritage. And we're going
to be involved with both for a long time to come."
Also in his remarks to Congress delegates, Dingman addressed
unsubstantiated expense reimbursement reports filed by former board
chairman Dal Smilie, and how the sale of certain AMA Pro Racing assets to
DMG allows the AMA to return to its core mission to protect and promote
the motorcycle lifestyle.
"This enables us to realign our resources in a very real way so that
we can provide benefits to our members that we've been unable to provide
before. We will, once and for all, be able to properly resource our
government relations department," said Dingman, who also noted that
the volunteer efforts of AMA members at state capitals have been the
backbone of the organization's legislative effort, and that AMA staff will
continue to augment these grassroots initiatives.
In his remarks, AMA Board Chairman Stan Simpson welcomed the delegates and
reminded them of their crucial role at AMA Congress.
"You are the leaders of the membership from the various districts and
are here to help mold the future of your AMA," he said.
Simpson also made it clear to the delegation that the AMA Board of
Directors, which is elected by AMA membership and sets broad policy for
the Association, backs the new direction of the AMA wholeheartedly.
"The AMA Board of Directors is fully supportive of the changes taking
place at your Association," Simpson said. "A lot of them have
already happened, there's more to come. The Board has had input on every
major change that has occurred. When changes appear -- when you see them
-- we have approved them at the Board first."
In his address, Edmondson talked about the challenges of moving
professional motorcycle racing forward and developing a fairer rules
package that will result in greater safety, better parity and more
efficient cost containment for everyone involved.
AMA Congress is the rulemaking body for amateur and Pro-Am motorcycle
competition sanctioned by the AMA. AMA Congress also sets the rules,
procedures and policies that govern recreational motorcycle activities
sanctioned by the AMA. In all, the 2008 AMA Congress considered 83 rule
proposals at the 2008 annual meeting, 47 of which were passed or amended
for possible ratification by the AMA Board of Directors.
"I am absolutely confident in our plan," Dingman said in his
address. "I am extremely confident about the future of motorcycling
in this country, and I am extremely confident about the future of the
AMA."
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle.
AMA members come from all walks of life and they navigate many different
roads on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As
the world's largest motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members,
the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local,
state and federal government, the committees of international governing
organizations and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs,
promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition
events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle
Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for
future generations. For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
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