2007
5th Annual AMA Sports &
AMA Pro Racing Banquets
Las Vegas, NV
Rio Suites & Casino
November 16-18, 2007
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2007
AMA / ATVA Las Vegas, NV Weekend Invasion
AMA Sports Awards Banquet
Report |
Las
Vegas Photo Galleries |
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Las Vegas, NV (11/21/2007) - What
happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Not this
time! This past weekend Las Vegas was invaded by
thousands of AMA racers, their supporters and industry
folks, for an AMA Las Vegas invasion with the AMA
Sports Awards Banquet on Friday night, the Maxxis
Endurocross Championship on Saturday, and the Pro
AMA Awards Banquet on Sunday.
The weekend kicked off with the AMA Sports Awards
Banquet on Friday at the Rio All Suite Hotel and
Casino, which saw awards handed out to some of
the top names in ATV racing. KTM’s Tim Farr
wore in the carpet with several trips to the stage
for ATVA Supermoto Grand Championship, Maxxis
ATV Endurocross Championship, and Extreme Dirt
Track ProAm Championship awards. “It’s
great to be up here and be recognized with all
the other great riders that are here tonight.”
Stated Farr. “I can honestly say that this
year Supermoto was the most fun for me. I think
all racers should come out and give it a try.”
He added before thanking all of his supporters.
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Youth
ATV Rider of the Year went to motocross
racer, Jeffrey Rastrelli, and Walker Fowler
earned the AMA Rider of Year Award after
being nominated for both ATV & Motorcylce
Awards |
Vet/Senior
ATV Rider of the Year Award once again went
to Tommy Tantillo, which is the first time
a rider has received the award in back to
back, which is no surprise after earning
2 Class Championships |
One of the more notable winners of the evening
was Youth racer Walker Fowler. Walker made history
by being the only racer to ever secure the AMA
Sports Youth Rider of the Year award for his accomplishments
on both two wheels and four wheels. The ATVA Female
Rider of the Year went to Angela Butler, who edged
out Heather Byrd for this years Women’s
Championship. Along with her extensive list of
“Thank You’s” to all her sponsors,
Angela also gave a special shout out to Harlen
Foley and ATVriders.com for all the great coverage
that has been provided throughout the racing season.
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ATV
Hillclimb Champion, George Loring &
his Yamaha Banshee once again out ran everyone
to the top of the hill to claim the ATV
Championship |
Another remarkable winner at this year’s
awards banquet was George Loring who won the ATV
Hillclimber of the Year award. The Massachusetts
native, not only had the fastest hillclimb time
of any ATV rider out there, but his time was also
faster than any rider on two wheels which earned
him a nomination for the ATVA Athlete of the Year
Award.
The ATVA Athlete of the Year award is presented
to one lucky athlete whose achievements have stood
out from the crowd and had a significant impact
in the ATV world. It is one of the most prestigious
awards presented and was also one of the most
anticipated events of the evening. The nominees
included Tim Farr, Harold Goodman, George Loring,
Clay Holmes, and of course, eight-time consecutive
ATV GNCC Champion, Bill Ballance. Predictions
that Ballance would claim the award came true.
“It’s really an honor to be up here.
There was some really good competition this year
and I have to thank Yamaha and all my sponsors
for all their help. I’m living a dream right
now!” Stated Bill. “Everyone did a
great job in all the different series this year
and it’s really starting to pay off. The
sport keeps growing and getting better for all
of us.” Bill concluded.
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8
Time GNCC Pro Champion,Bill Ballance, claimed
the 2007 Athlete of the Year Award against
some stiff competition |
2007
Fastest Women on ATVs
Amanda Howe, Angela Butler, Bailey Williams,
Traci Cecco, Kacee Frazier |
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2007
Extreme Dirt Track Pro champion, Harold
Goodman, along with previous Pro Champions
Shane Hitt & Tim Farr |
Harold Goodman, who had just returned from a second
place finish in the Baja 1000 the weekend prior,
was very excited about his award for his first ever
Pro Championship in the Extreme Dirttrack Series.
“The Awards Banquet was a great event.”
Said Harold when we caught up with him after the
ceremonies. “I knew that Bill pretty much
had a lock on the Athlete of the Year Award, but
I’m proud of him and I’m proud to be
here and be nominated with him.” Stated Goodman.
Like most racers, Harold plans to take a little
time off after the awards banquet, but will soon
be back out training and racing. “I just found
out while I was down in Mexico at Baja that there
is an indoor event in France in February that I
have been invited to attend. It should be fun!”
He concluded enthusiastically.
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