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AMA: Trials rider Geoff Aaron wins first-ever NAMU title

15 April 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Five-time American Motorcyclist Association/North American Trials Council National Championship Observed Trials champion Geoff Aaron of Jamul, Calif., added another prestigious trophy to his collection by winning the first-ever North American Motorcycle Union (NAMU) Observed Trials Championship April 9 in Goldendale, Wash.

The NAMU Championship consisted of two events, a March 25-26 trials near Ioco, British Columbia, and another April 1-2 in Goldendale, with two rounds each weekend. In the first two Canadian rounds, Aaron was bested by British Columbia's Ryon Bell, who won both events, with Aaron taking a third and a second. Bell struggled at the two U.S. rounds, in the rocky terrain of Goldendale.

Aaron, 27, secured the title by 6 points when he won the final two rounds, while Bell finished third and fifth. Brian Surrey of British Columbia finished third, followed by Ray Peters of Shelbyville, Ky., and Jess Kempkes of Lincoln, Neb.

"I'm really happy to be the first NAMU champion," Aaron said. "I think having Canada and the United States working together to improve trials on the world level is a good move and I hope it continues to grow."

In addition to the Championship class won by Aaron, four more classes of competition also ran: Intermediate, Senior (plus 35), Senior (plus 45) and a women's class. Each rider had to master 12 different trials sections three times each day. The challenging Goldendale, Wash., competition site will play host to the 2001 World Championship Trials.

NAMU was established in 1998 under guidelines of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to assist in the development of motorcycling at the continental level through the FIM's member federations.

Text provided by Cherie Daniels

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