This year's AMA Motocross Banquet & Season Celebration was held in a magnificent banquet room at the Pala Resort & Casino. The room was decorated beautifully, lined with motocross décor, as well as a stage decorated with the championship bikes and awards. The line-up of food, appetizers, desserts, and beverages was very elegant and delicious.
After dinner, the awards ceremony began. Jason Weigandt, along with Tim Cotter hosted the show. And of course Jason started it just like he does many of his shows - after slamming down an energy drink.
Jason went on to talk about each round of this summer's AMA Motocross Nationals, with a list of funny jokes pertaining to all the good and bad situations at each of the races. After that, the awards and trophies were handed out.
The night was filled with special memories, good times, and laughs. One poignant moment was when Kevin Windham accepted the award for 'Sportsperson of the Year'. Kevin always has a great way of expressing himself, but made a great comment towards his friend & the team manager, Mike LaRocco. He commented on Mike's motivation, that pushed Kevin to work hard and do his best ... it was touching, but at the same time very funny.

Kevin Windham accepted the award for 'Sportsperson of the Year'
Yves Demaria Gilbert De Roover Clement Desalle John DeSoto Tony DiStefano Jamie Dobb Gert van Doorn John Dowd
When Steffi Laier, Red Bull Teka KTM factory rider and two-time Women's MX World Champion takes to the track in the pre-season MX races in Valence, France, this weekend it will be her first competitive ride for 2011. Steffi has been training hard on the bike since mid December and in Valence tests herself against a field of male riders.

At the French pre-season special, she faces off with a strong lineup of riders including those from the Nestaan JM Racing KTM squad led by Joel Roelants, Yentel Martens and young talents like 125 European champion Jordi Tixier of France and Austrian Pascal Rauchenecker. Also in the field are other KTM riders like British rider Nathan Parker (PROPPA-COM KTM and French riders Loïc Leonce (B G R KTM) and Loïc Larrieu (WOLFF KTM). But these and other top riders hold no fear for Steffi who his very well known for her toughness, skill and courage when attacking any MX track.
Alex Salvini Donny Schmit Fritz Schneider Darrell Schultz Tommy Searle Gary Semics Andrew Short Shaun Simpson
I was back out at Pala Raceway for something very special. I had already been there for four days for the Finale of the 2010 AMA MX season and the Awards Banquet.
But, as I mentioned, this was something special - the first official get together of Team USA for the 2010 Motocross of Nations. Team Manager Roger De Coster, racers Ryan Dungey, Andrew Short, Trey Canard, and all the support staff needed for an effort like this.

Ryan Dungey, Roger De Coster, Trey Canard, Andrew Short and Mitch Payton
I felt very privileged to be invited to such an event. I soon came to realize that the most unique and moving part of the day was seeing the look of real happiness, the feeling of true honor, and the comraderie for each person involved, as 'The Team' came together for the first time. It was contagious. They seem to be a real 'team' already, working together well, and have great things to say about each other. Again, it was contagious!
Stefan Everts Jaroslav Falta Claudio Federici Tim Ferry Ashley Fiolek Ernesto Fonseca Lauris Freibergs Paul Friedrichs
Donny Schmit Fritz Schneider Darrell Schultz Tommy Searle Gary Semics Andrew Short Shaun Simpson Joël Smets
Jeff Leisk Victor Leloup Aigar Leok Tanel Leok Billy Liles Ove Lundell Sten Lundin Jeremy Lusk
In the 2010 AMA Supercross Championship series, Josh Hill consistently found himself on the podium. He ended the season sixth overall in points, in which he finished second in 5 of the 17 Main Events. In July, Josh spent time preparing for the 'Speed and Style' event for X Games 16. His practice session went from 'landing a backflip on his first attempt' to 'under rotating the next time around.' This horrific crash sent Josh to the hospital with a list of injuries and a whole new respect for the sport of Freestyle Motocross. I caught up with Josh, at Pala Raceway for the DC Moto TF Ride day, where he talked about his rehabilitation, his plans for Supercross 2011, and more!

Josh Hill at the DC Moto TF Ride Day
Angela: Hey Josh, you are looking good. How are you feeling?
Josh: Yeah I am getting better, everything is starting to heal up and I am getting to where I can function normally again. So it is getting better, but I need to focus on getting my body stronger. That is my main thing right now.
Rene Baeten David Bailey John Banks Mark Barnett Jonathan Barragan Andrea Bartolini Willy Bauer Jean Michel Bayle
MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli Sports announce that the brand new Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park will become the new home of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, in Southern California. On the heels of announcing the 2012 series schedule and advance ticket sales for next summer, both parties are pleased to welcome the completely renovated Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park as the host site of the season finale, set to take place on Saturday, September 8, 2012.
Located in the hotbed of the motocross industry, and about an hour outside of the major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Diego, Lake Elsinore serves as an ideal location for fans of the sport across the entire southern portion of the state. It's also well-known to students of the sport's history as the site of the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix, which was featured prominently in the epic motorcycle racing documentary film On Any Sunday back in 1971 - one year before the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship was born.
Roger De Coster Ken De Dycker Yves Demaria Gilbert De Roover Clement Desalle John DeSoto Tony DiStefano Jamie Dobb
A Supercross is usually filled with its share of dramatic moments. From the jump off the gate to those first turn pile ups, all the way to that finish and everything in between, the action at Supercross is always nonstop.
The 2010 Phoenix Supercross had more dramatic moments than your normal race. However it was in those days that followed that the drama grew with various opinions that were blasted across message boards and blogs. I certainly appreciated the hot topics brought to the surface by the many people who love the sport of Supercross. And like you I have my own thoughts on the James Stewart and Chad Reed 'incident' ... It was just one year ago when a controversy made headlines with Jason Lawrence, Josh Hansen and Steve Boniface were 'fighting'.The backlash for those guys were met by AMA officials. Last year the Rules stated that the following offense is subject to disciplinary action:An attack on a Racing official and/or engaging in a fight. This includes any person who attacks or is involved in a fight anywhere on the premises prior to, during, or after an AMA Supercross meet. There will be no maximum fine or suspension period for this offense. My point here is that Supercross is no stranger to its share of drama but in the aftermath of last year, and now Phoenix, what does it take to show some true sportsmanship and character in tough occupation?James commented thru his blog initially. Info on Chad Reed came thru Kawasaki and Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Manager Mike Fisher stated that Chad would not return to racing until he is 100 percent. Chad is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks to heal his broken left hand. Six to seven weeks puts us near the Daytona Supercross and by then there will still be eight races left on the schedule.Billy Liles Ove Lundell Sten Lundin Jeremy Lusk Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii Andre Malherbe Paul Malin