Series 2009 banquet news 2009-11-15

Tissot Watches will honor AMA Racing Athletes of the Year at the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is proud to announce that Tissot, an innovative Swiss-made watch brand, will present the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year and ATV Athlete of the Year with a Tissot Swiss watch at the 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, this Dec. 4 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

"Tissot watches are among the premier timepieces you can buy today," said AMA Director of Business Development Jim Moore. "The particular chronograph model that the company is offering our Athletes of the Year is intriguing. With its automatic, self-winding functions, clear caseback and day and date display, this watch is as eye-catching as it is functional."

Riders nominated for the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year include: Russell Bobbitt from Fayetteville, Ga., the 2009 champion of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing; Greg Hancock from Costa Mesa, Calif., the 2009 champion of the AMA/USA Speedway National Championship; and Russ Pearson from Henderson Nev., the 2009 champion of the AMA Racing Hare & Hound National Championship.

Riders nominated for the AMA Racing ATV Athlete of the Year include: Chris Borich from Sunbury, Pa., the 2009 champion of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series; Paula Shank from Petersburg, Pa., the 2009 Women's class and Production B class champion in the AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship; and Brandon Sommers from Millersburg, Ohio, the 2009 champion in the AMA Racing National ATV Hare Scrambles Championship.

"The AMA Racing Athlete of the Year and ATV Athlete of the Year are two riders who have risen to the top of their respective disciplines as two of the fastest, most-talented motorsports stars on the track today," said Brand President, Tissot U.S., Sharon Buntain. "We're excited for the opportunity to be associated with these top talents, and proud to offer a Tissot Swiss watch that exemplifies the precision shown by these competitors: the Tissot PRS516 Automatic Chronograph, personalized for each racer."

In addition to the AMA Athletes of the Year, hundreds of champions and other special honorees will be recognized at the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America.

The celebratory weekend will also include the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held the following evening on Dec. 5, also at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

Led by Master of Ceremonies Perry King, legendary actor of stage, screen and TV, the event will officially welcome the 2009 class to the Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are industry innovator Robert Bates, off-road racer Randy Hawkins, motorsports giants Bob and Geoff Fox, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, longtime motorcycle safety proponent David Hough, noted race team manager Gary Mathers and successful dirt-track racer and tuner Chuck Palmgren.

The weekend program will feature the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance, presented by FOX Racing Shox, on Saturday morning, and include some of the most beautiful motorcycles in existence. In addition, attendees will be able to meet the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees and other Hall of Famers at an autograph session held earlier in the day.

Advance ticket purchase is required for both the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Tickets, which include dinner, cost $49 per person per single event, or $89 per person for both events. To purchase tickets, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/LetsRock. Tickets will remain on sale through Nov. 29. Admission to the Hall of Fame autograph session and the Concours d'Elegance, presented by FOX Racing Shox, bike show is free.

-credit: ama