From a press release issued by AMA:

AMA SPORTS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2003 AWARDS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Sports, which manages amateur and pro-am competition for the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), is pleased to announce the nominees for several of the special awards that will be presented at the inaugural AMA Sports Awards Banquet on Friday, November 21 at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and Conference Center.

Champions in the AMA Sports programs from across the country, as well as some of the key media who cover them, will be honored at this year’s ceremony. Naughton Insurance will be the presenting sponsor for the banquet, while reception sponsors include MX Sports and Racer X Illustrated with additional sponsors for the banquet such as Trackside Software, KTM, Kenda Tire, and Troy Lee Designs. “Support for this event and the champions who will be honored at it has been tremendous,” said Douglas Neubauer, director of AMA Sports.

The nominees include:

2003 AMA Sports Athlete of the Year

Geoff Aaron, Ramona, CA, Observed Trials Champion Greg Hancock, Costa Mesa, CA, National Speedway Champion

Barry Hawk, Smithfield, PA, GNCC Champion
Mike Lafferty, Millfield, NJ, Enduro Champion

Brian Stokes, Kingston, GA, Road Race Champion and Horizon Award Winner

Blake Young, Madison, WI, Dirt Track Champion and road racer


2003 AMA Sports Print Media Journalist of the Year

Clete Campbell, Dubuque, IA, Telegraph Herald

Dewanna Comer, Hazel Green, AL, Flat Track Illustrated

Kit Palmer, Costa Mesa, CA, Cycle News

Jason Weigandt, Morgantown, WV, Racer X Illustrated


2003 AMA Sports Broadcast Journalist of the Year

Brian Jackson, Evansville, IN, Corbin’s Ride On

Kevin Kelly, Autell, GA, DMXS Radio

Larry Maiers, Hogansville, GA, Speed Channel


2003 AMA Sports Track Racing Organizer of the Year

Lodi Motorcycle Club, Lodi, California

Pine Lake, Ashtabula, Ohio

Polka Dots Motorcycle Club, Midland, MI


2003 AMA Sports Off-Road Organizer of the Year

Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan

P&D Promotions

Racer Productions


2003 AMA Sports Vet/Senior Rider of the Year

Kevin Foley, Cypress, CA, Motocross Vet/Senior of the Year

Kevin Snyder, Taylorville, IL, Dirt Track Vet/Senior of the Year

Craig Pickett, Linden, MI, Ice Racer of the Year


2003 AMA Sports Female Rider of the Year

Amanda Mastin, Whitehouse, OH, Enduro, Hare Scrambles, GNCC, Motocross

Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, MI, Motocross
Nichole Cheza, Clio, MI, Dirt Track, Ice Race


2003 ATVA Amateur Rider of the Year

Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, PA, Motocross

Jeffrey Hillian, Beebe, AR, Dirt Track

Bryan Cook, Casar, NC, GNCC


2003 ATVA Youth Rider of the Year

Cody Miller, Greenville, TX, Motocross, Dirt Track

Mitch Reynolds, Greenbrier, AR, Motocross, Dirt Track

Joel Hetrick, Seneca, PA, Motocross, Dirt Track


Several other categories and nominees will be announced shortly, including Motocross Organizer of the Year, AMA Sports Youth Rider of the Year, ATVA Pro Rider of the Year, ATVA Vet/Senior Rider of the Year and ATVA Female Rider of the Year, as well as two other media awards, Photojournalist of the Year and Website of the Year.

Tickets for this exciting inaugural event are $75 per person, which includes entry to the evening’s hosted reception, dinner, a souvenir program, memorabilia and seating for the awards ceremony. Our masters-of-ceremonies will be Speed Channel personality Greg White and veteran race announcer Tim Cotter. To make reservations for the AMA Sports Awards Banquet, contact Sue Mason at (614) 856-1900, extension 1244, or at [email protected].

Attendees staying at the Las Vegas Hilton will receive a special room rate of $79 if they call (800) 732-7117 and mention the AMA Sports
Awards Banquet by October 21st, so call soon!