Late to The News...and BUSY!

This one only came to my attention at the start of this week, unfortunately. I have had one rather notable week, to be fair to all involved. Run in with the police...for not having an operator's license...but I do have a valid driver's license which does not expire until next year...impounded vehicle...and, of course, it's going to cost me in the $$$$ range. However, there is light for this one. It seems that I have a valid case to plead - poverty. This is factual. But, oddly enough, had I lied to the good officer, I would have only incurred a minor ticket. Moreover, it was a dumb mistake and I made the safest move. Eh, we will see...cities are hungry for $$$$ right now just like the rest of us.

Good news, though, I have a real JOB now in my favorite industry...more later.

Enough about me...This is about the new FIM Speedway GP World Champion: American, and all around good man, Greg Hancock! He claimed it a few weeks ago now, but I just cannot ignore this and leave it off of this blog. Hancock is not only a fierce competitor with a heart that burns nitro-methane, he is also my age ;^)

It's sad that almost no one here in the USA knows who he is...

Congratulations Greg! Someday I'll see you out there...

Please read: http://tinyurl.com/3n8d62w

And, any readers, please at least share the linked article...his home nation should know this story!

FIM Speedway Grand Prix 2009 Season Review

Very nice! Jason Crump, Greg Hancock - funny that he is not mentioned here even though he was also named AMA Racing Athlete of the Year - and Emil Sayfutdinov, the incredible new talent in 2009, all made for a fantastic season in FIM Speedway GP. It was sad for some, though, as many suffered serious setbacks during the season. Here's to hoping that 2010 will be an even better year for the series! I know I will be watching.

http://tinyurl.com/yc6rts3

AMA Motorcyclists of the Year + Racing Athlete of the Year

Two big stories in one post (and a small one at bottom). First of all, the American Motorcyclist Association named kids who ride motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as Motorcyclists of the Year. This was due to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) working out the details on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which ultimately banned youth motorcycles and ATVs. CPSC has pushed enforcement on those vehicles out two years, but the state can decide to prosecute if they wish. It's still complex, but they have made progress and a bill should soon make it to President Obama's desk very soon!

http://tinyurl.com/yh8y28t

And, in the news from the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, my favorite Speedway star, Greg Hancock took the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year award! He is such a hard core racer, he really deserved it. There were several other awards presented, though, so please take the link - I simply cannot write everything here.

http://tinyurl.com/ygz27nv

In other news - not what I call a good story, so I just threw it here anyway. Dal Smilie, former chairman of the AMA's board of directors, has had his criminal trial postponed until 12 January 2010. Since he has paid back most (if not all) of the money to the AMA, this just seems ridiculous...but, that is only my opinion.

http://tinyurl.com/yg4db7e

AMA Announces Nominees for Awards Banquet Next Month

In Las Vegas, as if you don't know, the AMA will hold its annual Racing Championship Banquet (brought to you by KTM) on 4 December 2009. The people who may win awards at this show have now been announced to the public. This list is for 2009 and is only made up of Americans (thus the 'American' in the name). Get your tickets soon as it will soon be sold out. It really is worth it to get to meet some of the greatest personalities in motorcycle culture. Take the link to learn the names (Greg Hancock if up for Racing Athlete of the Year - good choice guys, but so few Americans get to see him race).

http://tinyurl.com/ycfxqpt