Franks Biker News July 29th archive

Cory Buttrick and Paul Germain win 2009 AMA Vintage Grand National Championships

Note to editors: YouTube embed code for video interviews with Buttrick and Germain is included at the end of this press release.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that Shock Doctor/KTM's Cory Buttrick took home the top off-road honors at the inaugural AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, which took place July 24-26 as part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in Lexington, Ohio, while Paul Germain emerged as the weekend's top track-racing competitor.

Buttrick, from Logan, Ohio, was crowned the AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand National Champion, while Germain, from Winnipeg, Canada, earned the AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand National Championship.

The weekend of competition ushered in a new era of national recognition for vintage competitors. In addition to recognizing the AMA Vintage Grand National Champions, national championships were decided in trials, vintage motocross and hare scrambles, post-vintage motocross and hare scrambles, dirt track, and road racing. Results from all classes can be found at AMARacing.com.

There were only two AMA Vintage Grand National Champions, however. To capture these unique awards, Buttrick and Germain demonstrated not just speed but consistency and versatility across multiple disciplines.

The 18-year-old Buttrick, who is currently second in points in the XC2 Pro Lites class in the Grand National Cross Country series, combined dominant performances in hare scrambles and motocross with a solid effort in trials to claim the AMA Off-Road Racing Vintage Grand National Championships.

"That was so much fun riding those old bikes in the woods," Buttrick said. "The motocross ended up being so much fun, too. The track was perfect. They took such good care of it. That was a blast. Everything was so much fun this weekend. Everything was great... I'll be back for sure. I guess I have to now to defend my championships, right?"

Buttrick raced vintage Penton motorcycles in the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships. In the 1970s, the Penton brand, which was founded by American off-road racing legend and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer John Penton, became KTM, Buttrick's current sponsor.

In vintage motocross, Buttrick finished first in the 201-250cc A class with a 1-1 moto score and first in the 251cc-Open A class with a 1-1 moto score. In hare scrambles, he won the 201-250cc A class, and in trials he finished third in Vintage Factory.

The next stop for the GNCC racer will be the International Six Days Enduro this October. Buttrick is a member of the Team USA Junior Trophy Team and along with three teammates will try to win back the Junior Trophy that Team USA last won in 2006.

The 59-year-old Germain, who was the 1975 360cc Canadian Dirt Track National Champion, raced his way to the AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand National Championship with the 250 Grand Prix road racing title as well as a consistent showing in dirt track.

Germain said that the vintage title had special meaning to him because of his past history in dirt-track competition, where the top riders battle for the AMA Grand National Championship.

"I had my AMA license and ran AMA races, but I spent too much time in Canada to really excel down here, but for sure, an (AMA Grand National Championship) was always my dream," Germain said. "When I saw the posting for this Grand National format for this year, I said, 'This is it! I'm going down there, and I'm doing it.'"

Germain added that he's definitely coming back next year to defend his title.

"The crosshairs are already lining up on us," Germain said. "I'm sure everybody figures it was too easy for those guys, so let's go get 'em. So, we've got to come back and show them what it's all about."

Germain raced his 1968 Yamaha in two classes, finishing third and first in 250 Grand Prix and earning two second-place finishes in 350 Grand Prix. In dirt track, Germain finished 10th in 501cc-Open Singles on a 1979 Yamaha 560 and fifth in 501cc-Open Twins on a 1972 Yamaha 750.

"These special honors, as well as the individual class national championships, were created to give our members who compete in vintage motorcycle racing the national recognition they've long deserved," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "These are some of the most dedicated motorcyclists on the planet. They compete on decades-old machinery with the enthusiasm of kids who just got new dirtbikes under the Christmas tree. It will be a pleasure to present them with their personalized AMA Racing No. 1 plates at the AMA Racing Champions Banquet at the end of this season. It will be an even bigger pleasure next year, when these champions return to defend their titles at the second AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships."

The AMA Racing Champions Banquet will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Dec. 4. Held on the eve of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2009 Induction Ceremony, also scheduled for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the weekend will provide a special opportunity for racers and fans to not only celebrate the accomplishments of racing's present, but witness the elevation of individuals from all of motorcycling's past.

YouTube embed code for interview with Cory Buttrick, 2009 AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand National Champion:

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YouTube embed code for interview with Paul Germain, 2009 AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand National Champion:

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About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling organization, 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 and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

Hells Angels get one-day sentences - Globe and Mail - Randall Potts, a full-patch member of the East End Hells Angels, stored four grenades, six guns, four silencers and ammunition at his mother's and stepfather's home – an arsenal that B.C. Supreme Court Judge Selwyn Romilly was convinced could have only sinister purposes.
Judge Romilly, however, sentenced Mr. Potts Monday toone day in jail in addition to the time he had already spent in custody waiting for his trial, citing a B.C. appeal court precedent.
Also yesterday, Judge Romilly sentenced John Punko – described at trial as an East End motorcycle club full-patch member – to one day in jail in addition to the time he was in custody. Mr. Punko was convicted of counselling another person to destroy or damage the property of a man with an outstanding debt, and with possession of a prohibited handgun. Both Mr. Potts and Mr. Punko were arrested after a high-profile raid of their clubhouse in 2005.
“A five-person [appeal court] held that a two-for-one credit for time served in presentence custody will usually be appropriate,” Judge Romilly said in a ruling read out in court over almost two hours.
“Two-for-one” refers to the procedure of regarding one year in custody before a verdict as comparable to two years after a verdict. The federal government this spring announced plans to eliminate the procedure as part of an anti-crime bill, but Judge Romilly relied on court precedent in sentencing the two men.
“[The appeal court ruling on giving credit for time in custody] is based on two considerations: a prisoner serving time before sentence will not have that time credited toward parole eligibility, and there is often greater hardship associated with pre-sentence custody,” he said. Referring to pre-sentence time as “hard time,” Judge Romilly said the appeal court had found that “hard time and regular time are not equivalent.”
After reviewing the evidence in the case, he sentenced Mr. Potts to seven years for having grenades under his control and to three three-year sentences for possession of the weapons. He decided sentences should run concurrently and Mr. Potts should receive credit for spending four years and 12 days in custody before his conviction. As the amount Mr. Potts had already served exceeded his sentence on the grenade and gun charges, the judge sentenced him to one day in jail.
Similarly, he sentenced Mr. Punko to four years for the crime of counselling mischief and 15 months for illegal possession of a firearm. However, after receiving credit for the time spent in custody before the verdict, Mr. Punko was also sentenced to one day in jail.
Mr. Potts, Mr. Punko and two additional Hells Angels members – Ronaldo Lising and Jean Joseph Violette – were acquitted this month of committing crimes in association with or for the benefit of a criminal organization. The police investigation was reported to have cost $10-million. The Crown's theory relied heavily on a police agent who was reportedly paid $1-million. The Hells Angels say the group is nothing more than a motorcycle club.
Mr. Lising was sentenced yesterday to 30 months for possessing two prohibited firearms while on bail.
He was currently imprisoned on previous offences and was not entitled to any credit for pretrial custody, Judge Romilly said. Mr. Violette, who has been found guilty of extortion and possession of a prohibited firearms, has not yet been sentenced.

Court hears stab accused has Finks link - ABC Online - The Supreme Court has heard that a man accused of stabbing a fellow inmate at the Adelaide Remand Centre may have done so to impress members of the Finks Motorcycle Club.
Paolo Luigi Marchesini, 28, has pleaded not guilty to causing serious harm with intent over the alleged incident in February 2008.
Prosecutor Phil Crowe alleged Marchesini slashed the face of David John Partridge, who was in custody for criminal neglect of toddler David Mamo.
Mr Crowe said the jury might infer from the evidence that Marchesini carried out the assault to ingratiate himself with members of the Finks.
The trial continues.

Drugs and weapons seized in raid on alleged bikie house - LIVENEWS.com.au - NSW police have raided the home of an alleged associate of the Rebels motorcycle gang as part of their crackdown on bikie gangs.
Officers allegedly discovered amphetamines, cannabis and a sum of cash during a raid on a Noraville house on the Central Coast at about 10.30pm (AEST) on Monday.
Officers also seized drug paraphernalia and weapons, including a compound bow and an extendable baton.
A 31-year-old man was due to face Wyong Local Court on Tuesday morning charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited drug and one count each of supplying a prohibited drug and possession of a prohibited weapon without a permit.

Police indentify Brandon man killed in motorcycle accident - Sioux Falls Argus Leader - A Brandon man killed in a motorcycle accident Saturday has been identified as 19-year-old Derick Lux.
Witnesses reported that Lux was driving a Honda CBR600 motorcycle north on Interstate 29 at speeds of up to 90 mph and was weaving in and out of traffic, Sioux Falls police spokesman Sam Clemens said Monday.
Lux tried to exit at 12th Street and ran into a curb, Clemens said. He flew into the center eastbound lane on 12th Street and was hit by a tow truck driver, Clemens added.
Lux was not wearing a helmet, officers said. Preliminary reports indicate that alcohol was not a factor, but an autopsy will be performed today, Clemens said.

Sioux Falls man dies Monday after Saturday motorcycle crash - Sioux Falls Argus Leader - A Sioux Falls man died Monday as the result of injuries received in a weekend motorcycle crash.
Tommy W. Little, 60, of Sioux Falls was driving a Harley Davidson north on Westport Avenue just after 3 p.m. Saturday when Michael N. Rezac, 18, of Renner attempted to turn east off of Westport onto 60th Street and collided with Little in the intersection, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Rezac was driving a Ford Focus.
Little, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his motorcycle. He was transported to a hospital, where he died.
Rezac was wearing a seat belt and was not injured, the patrol said. He faces charges for failing to yield to traffic while making a left turn.

Bikers to escort memorial replica into Junction City on Wednesday - StandardNet - OGDEN — Several hundred motorcycle riders are expected to escort a replica of the Vietnam Memorial into Ogden at noon Wednesday.
The replica is 80 percent the size of the actual wall.
The Memorial, which will also include memorials to other wars, is part of the Patriot Guard annual "Gathering of the Guard," being held this year in Ogden.
The wall, and memorials to World War II, the Korean War, the Gulf War and others, will join the "Healing Field" of 5,000 American flags already on display at the Weber County Fairgrounds.
The Patriot Guard is an ad hoc group of people, most of whom ride motorcycles, formed to guard the funerals of American military personnel who died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Guard holds annual gatherings. This year’s gathering starts Thursday in Ogden and will include social events for guard members, organized tours around Utah and one public concert open to the public.
In conjunction with the gathering, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute is being brought to Utah.
The Tribute, which is 80 percent as large as the original memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display at the Weber County Fairgrounds from Thursday through Monday.
Larry "Kooter" Knudson, a member of the Utah Chapter of the Patriot Guard, said all members of the guard, and anyone else who wants to, can meet the truck carrying the wall at the Morgan County Fairgrounds at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Morgan.
The escort and truck will leave at noon, go down Interstate 84 to Interstate 15, take the Slaterville exit off I-15, then proceed to the Weber County Fairgrounds.
Knudson said he is expecting at least 300 motorcyclists to take part.
The wall will be assembled Wednesday afternoon and will be on display around the clock after that.
Members of the Utah Patriot Guard chapter have no idea how many will turn out for the annual gathering.
Kelly Yocum said last week 550 people had registered, "but bikers are, well, bikers, so we’re expecting significantly more than that, but we don’t know."

For more information and a complete schedule of events, go to the Patriot Guard Web site at http://gotg.patriotguard.org  and click on "schedule.

Teen Killed In Weare Motorcycle Crash - WMUR - WEARE, N.H. -- Police in Weare said a 17-year-old died after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck on Reservoir Drive Monday afternoon.
Police said Sean Sandmann, of Grandview Drive, hit the truck head-on when he crossed the center line as he rounded a corner. He was taken to Concord Hospital where he later died. Police said Sandmann was wearing a helmet.
The driver of the truck, 50-year-old Michael Pelletier, was not injured.