American Motorcyclist Association congratulates racers, thanks backers for 2008 AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships PICKERINGTON, Ohio–The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) congratulates the amateur road-racing champions crowned at the 2008 AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships, which wrapped up September 19-21 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships is the premier amateur road-racing event in the U.S. This year the event awarded AMA National No. 1 plates to competitors in 31 classes. Sanctioned by the AMA and run by the Championship Cup Series (CCS), the 2008 AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships featured CCS classes and operated under CCS rules and regulations. The event honored Chris Clark with the AMA Sports Road Race Horizon Award, which recognizes the amateur competitor with the best prospects for a successful professional career. Also recognized for an outstanding performance was Clint Shobert, who took home the AMA Sports Top Rookie Award. “It’s no small feat riding a motorcycle the quickest around a road-race course, especially against some of the country’s most-talented amateur competitors,” said AMA Sports National Technical Manager Anthony Grilli. “The AMA thanks CCS for its hard work to make this event a success and congratulates all of the racers and families who made the trek to the 2008 AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships and helped make this a memorable weekend for all involved. Clearly, the future is bright for amateur road racing in America.” Clark, who primarily competes in WERA-sanctioned events on the West coast, won the Expert Unlimited SuperBike and Expert Unlimited Grand Prix classes. He also finished second in Expert Middleweight SuperBike, Expert Middleweight Grand Prix and Expert Middleweight SuperSport. Clark took third in Expert Heavyweight SuperBike and Expert Heavyweight SuperSport. Shobert, the son of three-time AMA Grand National Champion and 1988 AMA Superbike Champion Bubba Shobert, won the Amateur Heavyweight SuperBike, the Amateur Middleweight SuperSport and the Amateur Heavyweight SuperSport classes. A number of sponsors and supporters provided critical backing for the 2008 AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships, including HaydenBrosGeneralStore.com, the official online store of memorabilia from the professional racing careers of Nicky, Tommy and Roger Hayden, as well as Brian Weston and Bruce Porter of Arai Helmets, which donated two Arai helmets showcasing the autographs of many top AMA Superbike competitors. Both Clark and Shobert took home one of the autographed helmets as part of their awards. “The Hayden family and Arai Helmets provided much-appreciated support for this year’s AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships,” said AMA Racing Sponsorship Implementation Manager Gary Beggrow. “As the premier event for America’s amateur road racers, the Hayden family and Arai were a perfect fit for this unique program. Looking forward to 2009, we hope to bring additional well-respected brands to the AMA Sports Road Race Grand Championships and elevate the experience even higher for all of our competitors.” 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.