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posted February 19, 2006 05:45 AM
 Edited By: Editor on 19 Feb 2006 05:47
AMA RESPONSE TO HONDA ANNOUNCEMENT
 PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Dal Smilie, newly elected chairman of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Board of Directors, today expressed disappointment over the decision by American Honda Motor Co. Inc. to withdraw from participation in the AMA Board of Directors.
Ray Blank, Honda's representative on the AMA Board, announced his resignation at the Board's meeting February 18 in Indianapolis. Honda said that it will maintain its corporate membership in the AMA and continue to compete in AMA-sanctioned racing. The company has also pledged to support the Association's work to protect the rights of American motorcyclists.
Blank had served on the AMA Board since 1989. He also served on the AMA Pro Racing Board. At its meeting in Indianapolis, the AMA Board made the decision to replace the single AMA Pro Racing Board by a group of rulesmaking committees specific to each discipline of AMA professional competition.
That decision was part of a series of changes in the AMA's organizational structure designed to increase the responsiveness and transparency of the Association's work in its three key areas: rights, riding and racing.
"It is unfortunate that American Honda has chosen to withdraw from the AMA Board at this important time, when the AMA is embarking on a new era," Smilie said. "However, we respect Honda's decision and welcome their continued participation in the Association.
"I have worked with Ray for the past 17 years on the Board, and all of us appreciate his contributions," Smilie added. "Ray has informed us that Honda will be involved in the new pro racing committees that will lead to a more responsive approach to rulesmaking for all disciplines of AMA professional competition."
Source: American Motorcyclist Association
   
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12r1
Expert Class
Posts: 390
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posted February 19, 2006 08:58 AM
Edited By: 12r1 on 19 Feb 2006 09:00
Doesn't make much sense, at face value. There are some corporate issues going on there for sure. As long they keep racin', all is good by me.
jeff
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blitzkrieg
Needs a job
Road kill = Free lunch.
Posts: 2044
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posted February 20, 2006 03:43 PM
Edited By: blitzkrieg on 20 Feb 2006 15:44
I read it more as the retirement (sadly) of of a valued proponent vs. Honda's backing away from the AMA. 
____________
"BTW....You need to get a girlfriend who's last name isn't .jpg"
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trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
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posted February 22, 2006 08:49 PM
Press Release Issued By American Honda Motor Co. Inc. - Motorcycle Press Dept. (February 18, 2006)
Torrance, CA: For more than 30 years, American Honda has maintained a seat on the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Board of Trustees. Unfortunately, recent actions taken by the AMA have caused American Honda to question its continued participation on both the AMA Board of Trustees and the Paradama (AMA Pro Racing) Board of Directors. Ultimately, American Honda has made the decision to vacate both seats on these boards effective immediately.
Ray Blank, American Honda Senior Vice President, has served on the AMA Board of Trustees since 1989, and on the AMA Pro Racing board since Paradama's reorganization in the late '90's. No Honda representative will take Mr. Blank's place.
During the time representatives from American Honda served in AMA board-member capacities, the company played a significant role in many positive changes that have taken place in motorcycle racing; the rise of Supercross as a mainstream sport; improvements in rider safety across a broad spectrum of professional motorcycle racing classes; the building of Paradama as a solid business entity within the AMA organization; and sponsorship growth to a level that now supports more full-time professional motorcycle racers than ever before.
American Honda has supported the Paradama concept since it was conceived as a means to create a profitable corporation to fund a vision of what AMA racing should become, and what an AMA non-profit organization could becomea million member organization that fights for motorcyclists' rights, advocates keeping land open for responsible off-roading and maintains a vital Washington presence.
Recently, however, conflicting interests within the AMA organization have caused a division of ideology and a blurring of the vision that American Honda has always supported. Recent issues, including the departure of dedicated individuals from AMA Pro Racing and its inability to stand by its own rulebook with regard to recent Formula Xtreme considerations, have been particularly alarming.
Honda believes the rulebook is a sanctioning body's most important asset. When a governing body violates the sanctity of its rulebook, it loses credibility with everyone associated with racingthe teams, the riders, the sponsors and, most importantly, the fans who rely on sanctioning bodies to create racing environments which ensure fair, balanced and exciting competition. Honda believes the AMA and other sanctioning bodies must be responsible for coordinating the efforts of all participants to ultimately benefit the sport. Honda also believes that all manufacturers, through technical committees, must participate in, and collaborate on, development and harmonization of technical rules for each class of competition.
American Honda will continue its corporate AMA membership and will continue to support the AMA's all important, industry efforts in the areas of land use, riders' rights and the many other positive programs the organization spearheads.
American Honda will continue to compete in AMA sanctioned racing, and will continue to utilize its resources to build the sport and support more riders and teams. Today, Honda offers unprecedented support throughout the AMA professional paddocks.
Most importantly, Honda remains committed to providing new opportunities for customers to enjoy and race Honda products, and for fans to share in the unique passion and excitement of motorcycle racing.
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