25TH ANNUAL AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS THRILL FANS, HONOR CHAMPIONS AND SET RECORDS

A01038
Tuesday, July 10, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cherie Daniels
Phone: (614) 856-1900
Fax: (614) 856-1920

                 25TH ANNUAL AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
                  THRILL FANS, HONOR CHAMPIONS AND SET RECORDS

     PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The 2001 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships were the

most successful in the event's 25-year history, the American Motorcyclist

Association (AMA) announced today.

     With a field of 1,200 competitors and near-perfect weather, this year's

renewal lived up to its reputation as America's most prestigious amateur

dirt-track event.

     The 25th Annual AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships were held July 1 through

July 7, at the Lawrenceburg (Indiana) Speedway and the Indiana State Fairgrounds

in Indianapolis. Riders in 21 classes competed on three distinctly different

tracks, accumulating points in the finals of each day of racing. Both for

amateurs and aspiring pros, the event is widely regarded as the top rung of the

dirt-track ladder.

     The highlight of the week, for riders and dirt-track fans alike, was the

presentation of the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award. After winning overall titles

in two classes during the competition, Jared Mees of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania

took home this year's award.

     "That was the goal from the start,'' Mees said, "to try to go for the

Horizon Award.'' Mees achieved his goal by showing his versatility on

short-track, TT and half-mile racetracks, in both the 505cc Modified and 600cc

Modified classes.

     The AMA Horizon Award is presented each year to an outstanding young rider

who's most likely to succeed at the sport's next level. Since 1997, several AMA

Dirt Track Horizon Award winners have distinguished themselves in AMA Pro Racing

-- in fact, 1997 winner Nicky Hayden was named 1999 AMA Speedvision Pro Athlete

of the Year. Other notables include Roger Lee Hayden (1998), Brian Smith and

Tony Meiring (1999), and Cory McDermitt (2000).

     The only other two-class winner at the 2001 AMA Dirt Track Grand

Championships was Bobby Fong of Stockton, California, who took top honors in the

85cc Modified 7-11 and the 85cc DTX classes.

     Also honored at week's-end were John Lewis of Brandamore, Pennsylvania,

winner of the CycleNews "Fast Brain Award," which recognizes success both on the

track and in the classroom; and 70-year-old racer Jim "Grandpa" Beck of Newark,

Ohio, who was presented with the AMA's 2000 "Sportsman of the Year" award.

     Day-by-day track-side reports from last week's competition are available at

www.AMADirectlink.com. And for a complete report, look for the next issue of

American Motorcyclist magazine.


2001 AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award
Jared Mees, of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania

Friday, July 6th
50cc Junior: Bailey Spence, of Rising Sun, Maryland
50cc Senior: Brad Baker, of Chehalis, Washington
65cc Modified 7-11: James Rispoli, of Londonderry, New Hampshire
85cc Modified 12-15 Joseph Hernandez, of
ATV Open: Jamey Carter, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Saturday, July 7th
18+ Twins: Gary Hite, of Hauser Lake, Idaho
250 DTX: Clayton Riggle, of Chillicothe, Missouri
400 Modified: Charlie Italia, of Cuyohoga Falls, Ohio
125 Modified: Ricky Marshall, of Solon, Ohio
Open 50+: Jim Bauerle, of Lansing, Michigan
Open 40+: John McClelland, of Gillete, Wyoming
505 Pro Sport: Steve Murray, of Grand Blanc, Michigan
30+ Single: Mark Cheza, of Clio, Michigan
600 Pro Sport: Noot Irvin, of Swansboro, Georgia


                                      -30-

     The American Motorcyclist Association, founded in 1924, is a 270,000-member

non-profit organization. The Association's purpose is to pursue, protect and

promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members.

For more information, visit the AMA's website at www.AMADirectlink.com, or call

1-800-AMA-JOIN.