American Motorcyclist Association Sanctions Snow Bike Racing

Dec. 2, 2016      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contact: James Holter Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280 E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org Click here for a photo of snow bike racing (source: Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC): http://tinyurl.com/snowbikeracing    PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- This winter, the American Motorcyclist Association will begin sanctioning the relatively new sport of snow bike racing, which features competition off-road motorcycles modified for snowy terrain. "The AMA is excited to be getting involved in the new and innovative sport of snow bike racing," said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. "We have been watching it with interest for several years and decided that it makes sense to embrace this interesting new competition segment." The inaugural series sanctioned by the AMA will be the AMA Championship Snow Bike Series, promoted by Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC, an AMA-chartered promoter out of Boise, Idaho, that has experience promoting hillclimb and hare and hound events. The first round of the AMA Championship Snow Bike Series will be held at ERX Motorpark near Minneapolis, Minn., on Dec. 18. The snow bikes, which swap out wheels and knobby tires for a ski up front for steering and a high-performance snowmobile-style track in the rear for traction, will compete on a motocross-inspired half-mile track of jumps, banks, right and left hand turns, and whoops and dips. "We have learned from past snow-bike events that when dirt, dust and rocks are eliminated, racing gets closer," said Ron Dillon, the principal of Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC and the series director for the promoter. "Racers will be riding inches from each other, fighting for a spot in our main events, and it is an absolute blast to watch them go at it." Spectator admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for kids 6-12 and free to those 5 and under. Veterans and active military members will be offered free admission with military identification or if wearing full uniform. Practice begins at 9 a.m., with racing starting at 11 a.m. For more information about the Dec. 18 event and the AMA Championship Snow Bike Series, contact Ron Dillon at (208) 573-4255, or visit the series' website. 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. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join