American Historical Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) will part.
Goodlettsville, TN (May 1, 2009) Dave Janiec AHRMA Chairman and CEO announced today that AHRMA will be moving forward for the rest of 2009 and the future as an independent sanctioning organization without affiliation with the AMA. This follows notification and announcement this evening from the AMA that they will no longer do business with AHRMA. In his announcement to AHRMA members he stated AHRMA members should be assured that we will be conducting all our currently scheduled events this year, in all disciplines, with the exception of those associated with Mid-Ohio in July, where we had previously teamed with the AMA to help build that event up to its current status. We have obtained full insurance coverage for all our disciplines, and at a reduced cost to what was available through the AMA. We are also working toward offering a competitor personal injury insurance option. AHRMA members will no longer be required to obtain annual AMA membership in addition to AHRMA membership. Look for additional announcement of new membership program options from AHRMA in the very near future. Mr Janiec said, "While AHRMA regrets the termination of a mutually beneficial past relationship with the AMA, we also now have the opportunity to take a fresh look at rejuvenating our programs for 2010 and beyond".
The AMA notified AHRMA in mid-February 2009, that AHRMA must resolve all disputes and disagreements with Mr. Robert Iannucci, Team Obsolete, and the individual riders, "to Mr. Iannucci’s and the individual rider’s satisfaction", or the AMA will no longer enter into sanction agreements or do business with AHRMA after April 30th, 2009. Following this notification the AHRMA met with senior AMA leadership during Bike Week in order to more fully understand the issues and options, and have been in contact with them as we have attempted to resolve this.
AHRMA believed we have previously settled all issues with Mr. Iannucci. However, in the best interest of sustaining and preserving the integrated core of multi-discipline vintage motorcycle racing in the US, we contacted Mr. Iannucci (representing TO and the original riders) in March, and agreed to meet, per his request, on April 28th. Dave Janiec (AHRMA Chairman) personally met with Mr. Iannucci for several hours on April 28th at his Brooklyn, NY offices, in a good faith attempt to resolve issues. The meeting was cordial as substantive proposed resolutions were offered and discussed, at length. At the end of this meeting we felt positive on the potential outcome, but were notified on April 29th by Mr. Iannucci that "there was not enough common ground between Team Obsolete and AHRMA to justify any future relationship".
The AMA was notified by both parties of the substance of the meeting, as well as the ultimate failure to achieve Mr. Iannucci’s satisfaction. Subsequently, the AMA notified AHRMA that the AMA would no longer sanction AHRMA events or do business with AHRMA effective May 1, 2009.
This is a sad ending to a great relationship between two premier motorcycling associations. It remains to be seen who has shot themselves in the foot. Since the AMA is promoting their own version of vintage motorcycle racing at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days they may be intending to compete in this arena with the AHRMA. This can't be good for either organization. It is baffling why the AMA went in this direction in the first place. Maybe this was their intent all along to promote their own vintage racing. Since Robert Iannucci was a founding member of the AHMRA maybe he and the AMA are working a deal to promote vintage motorcycle racing. Mr. Iannucci has been at odds with the AHRMA for years having sued them driving them into backruptcy. In court documents it was alleged that Mr. Iannucci told others that his stated purpose was to bleed ARHMA's resources and then sue its trustees. Unfortunately the RIF between Mr. Iannucci and the AHRMA has led to the parting of the AMA and AHRMA.
As far as the AMA is concerned they stand to lose the membership of a good portion of the approximately 5,000 members of AHRMA. Not good for an organization that depends on members for its purpose and livelihood. The AMA is dependent upon it's involvement in racing for a large portion of it's membership involved in the different venues of professional and amateur racing.
It remains to be determined if the AHRMA will be participating in racing at Daytona for Bike Week 2010.
Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling 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 motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members, 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 events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Ltd. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring and competing on classic motorcycles. With well over 5,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes. AHRMA traces its roots to efforts to organize vintage road racing during the late 1970's in the Northeast. In the early 80's, other group's began emerging around the nation, adding scrambles, observed trials, dirt track and concourse events to the competition options available for vintage riders. Among these organizations were the California Vintage Racing Group and, in the Southeast, the Historic Motorcycle Racing Association. By 1986, it was clear that a national organization would be necessary to administer this burgeoning sport. AHRMA was originally formed as a privately held business corporation. Other groups were brought together under one banner and one set of rules, and in 1989 AHRMA was reorganized into the member-owned association of today. For more information click to go to the AHRMA web site.
