Ups & Down

Ups & Down

ROUNDUP

DOWN: To

Jake Johnson, for disrespecting his elders. At the seasonopening Daytona Short-Track this past March, the 20-year-old New Jersey resident shook up the establishment by becoming the first person to win an AMA Grand National dirt-track race on a Suzuki. Following two restarts, the RM-Z450-mounted Johnson came from sixth place to pass reigning series champ Chris Carr, eventually pulling away and winning by more than 1 second. Fellow Suzuki rider Kevin Varnes was fourth.

IIP: To Dave Despain, for getting his just desserts. The popular motorsports personality and Motorcycle Hall of Fame member is the latest recipient of the AMA Dud Perkins Award for Outstanding Contribution to Motorcycling. Despain got his start calling local races in his native Iowa and has worked as a radio disc jockey, journalist, promoter and television color commentator. He also served on the AMA Pro Racing board and helped found the Dirt Track Hall of Fame. “There’s perhaps no more deserving recipient of the Dud Perkins Award than Dave Despain,” said Robert Rasor, president of the AMA. “His immeasurable contributions to motorcycling, both behind the microphone and beyond, showcase the very best of our sport.”

UP: To Ricky Carmichael, for helping out with a good cause. Despite freezing rain and gusting winds, the Suzuki rider showed up at the DMXS Charity Ride for Ataxia-Telangiectasia (a progressive, degenerative disease that affects a variety of body systems in children) following the AMA Supercross race in Atlanta last March. Said Carmichael, who signed autographs and auctioned off gear, “I was honored to be a part of the weekend. Hopefully, we raised a little more awareness to the project and a lot of money toward a cure.” Thanks in part to donations from Carmichael’s sponsors Fox Racing, Makita USA and Oakley, the one-day event raised $23,580. For more information on the disease and how to help, log on to www.ride4at.com.