PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the creation of the “AMA Competition Membership,” offering benefits specifically for racers, along with a new annual liability release that will cover an AMA Competition Member’s racing for an entire year. Available to renewing AMA members beginning with notices mailed October 15, the AMA Competition Membership will be offered at the standard annual membership rate of $39. Members applying for the AMA Competition Membership must complete the annual liability release enclosed with the renewal notice and have it notarized. Once the AMA receives a member’s renewal, release, and payment, an AMA Racing Credential will be issued. The credential card will have the AMA Competition Member’s information embedded on a magnetic stripe that can allow entry into an event by swiping the card through a reader (where available). “As the leading sanctioning body for professional and amateur motorcycle competition, we’re pleased to recognize this elite class of members, our racers, with the AMA Competition Membership,” said Patricia DiPietro, AMA Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that providing more benefits to racers and event organizers will help build a stronger racing community, ensuring that the world’s best motorcycle racing will continue to thrive.” The new AMA Competition Membership is the first of a series of new AMA Racing benefits and services. Others under development include online pre-race registration and results, national advancement tracking, and expanded card-reader capabilities. The first AMA Racing Credentials will be mailed beginning October 30. More information about the AMA Competition Membership, in Q&A form, is available online at ~http://www.amadirectlink.com/joinama/competitionqa.asp~ . The American Motorcyclist Association: rights. riding. racing. Founded in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with more than 280,000 members. The Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. The AMA also is the world’s largest motorsports-sanctioning body. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.