The American Motorcyclist Association and National Championship Hillclimb

Founded in 1924, the American Motorcyclist Association is the nation's largest and most influential motorcycling organization.
Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, the AMA is a multi-faceted, non-profit organization dedicated to building the sport of motorcycling both on the road and on the track. Highly involved in all aspects of this sport, the AMA's activities included professional racing on regional, national and international levels, the world' largest amateur competition program, a broad range of services and activities for road riding members and an international respected government relations program. Another distinguished aspect of the AMA is it's highly acclaimed Motorcycle Heritage Museum, which is also located in Westerville. And, the Association continues it's long time publishing of the informative and successful monthly magazine, American Motorcyclist.
With over 240000 members and hundreds of affiliated clubs and organizations, the AMA is clearly the leader in providing service, information and competition opportunities for American motorcyclists.
Since the early 1970's, the AMA Has been recognized as the sole American affiliate to the Federation Internationale Motocycliste (FIM). AMA is active in the FIM's management and rules-making processes, and has played host to numerous world championship events in road racing, motocross, speedway, enduro and observed trials.
While the AMA sanctions many racing series, hillclimbing is one of the oldest sports in motorcycling. The first rules governing hillclimb competition were by the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M & ATA) in April, 1919. In 1925, the American Motorcyclist Association began providing hillclimb rules and continues to this day. Hillclimbing is now celebrating over 75 years of competition.
From the 1930's to present, professional hillclimbing has enjoyed championship status in the AMA. Rules and class structures have varied significantly over the years, and in 1973 a major change was made in the AMA Pro Hillclimb program. Up to and including the 1972 season, National Hillclimb Champions were determined by the results of a single event, normally held in either Muskegon, Michigan or Jefferson, Pennsylvania. Muskegon and Jefferson continue to this day as alternate-year hosts of the now titled "All Star Invitational Hillclimb". However, effective with the 1973 season, National Hillclimb Champions are determined by points accumulated over a series of events.

A Description of Motorcycle Hillclimb Racing
Courtesy the American Motorcyclist, July 1995

Motorcycle hillclimbing is a motorsport stripped to its essence. It's one rider, one machine, one hill. Fastest to the top wins.
Hillclimb racing has captivated devotees practically since motorcycle competition began. High-strung engines and elongated frames have evolved over time, but the elemental challenge of being quickest up the mountain endures.
In the '20s, hillclimbers were factory stars, riding exotic eight-valve, alcohol-burning monsters from Indian, Harley-Davidson and Excelsior. But the factories are long since gone from the sport. Today, the rewards are modest for rugged eccentric who carry on the tradition. No one gets fat and quits his day job. Come race day, it's just the climbers, enthusiastic fans parboiled in the summer sun.. and that damned hill.
An ominous rumble builds. Acrid nitromethane fumes hang heavy in the air as the rider scans the hill. His eyes reveal it all: apprehension, anticipation, determination.
All hell breaks loose as he pegs the throttle and drops the clutch. His front wheel trips the timing clocks. His wildly spinning rear wheel peppers half the county with earth and stones.
In mere seconds, it's over. He's either at the top, basking in the cheers of the crowd, or beaten by the hill.

Remember & Support

our Troops

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Here's BVMC member Bob Fretz's pop, Jake Fretz and Louise Praed on a 1916 (!) Indian, in Plainfield, NJ. Pop looks happy- Louise seems a little worried about getting her skirt caught in the spokes! You have to look carefully to see Bob in this picture- he's the gleam in his father's eye. Check out the NOS bottle on top of the tank!