AMA Sports Champions honored in Vegas

It was a night for champions to shine in the Las Vegas Friday, as the best and fastest AMA Sports racers took to the stage at the Rio to be honored by their peers at the AMA Sports Awards Banquet. Taking top honors for the evening was 10-time AMA/NATC Observed Trials Pro National Champion Geoff Aaron, who was named AMA Sports Athlete of the Year.

The Bailey, Colorado, rider topped an all-star list of nominees that included AMA Road Race Horizon Award winner Cory Burleson, AMA Speedway National Champ Greg Hancock, AMA Motocross Horizon award winner Josh Hill and AMA Grand National Cross Country Pro Champion Juha Salminen.

"This is just great," a smiling Aaron said from the stage. "I've spent most of my life doing this, and I love it. Being recognized by the AMA means a lot."

The award was a touch bittersweet for the modern trials legend, coming as it does at the end of his final year of competition. Aaron will be stepping back from chasing the title in 2007, though he will still focus on his successful extreme riding demonstrations.

"After 10 titles, I think this might be it for me,'' he said, smiling. "And this time, I'm serious. I've got over 70 wins and 10 championships, and I've achieved what I wanted to achieve. It's great to go out on top."

Other standouts on the evening included Jason Griffin, who won Sportsman of the Year for his gutsy riding on AMA dirt-track ovals, and the route he took to reach them. Riding with one arm on a specially modified flat-track machine, Griffin used racing as a way to help his family unite after the loss of his brother, providing an inspirational note to the night.

"Dirt-tracking has really saved my life," he said. "It really has. When I won the National at Daytona, the bike I rode was the one my brother rode. If he was here today, he'd be so pumped."

AMA Prostar top fuel racer Larry "Spiderman" McBride got a good laugh when he noted from the stage that Friday was his 23rd wedding anniversary: "I do love you," he told his wife. "Thanks for your support."

Stars from the world of AMA Pro Racing were also in attendance, with AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies, Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Champions Kenny Coolbeth and Jake Johnson--and Chris Car, the fastest man on two wheels, recognized for his 350mph world record, set in September on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

For his part, Chris thanked streamliner designer Denis Manning and his team.

"They made it so that a stupid flat-tracker could get in the thing and get the record,'' he said. "You can't do that without a good team, and that group is a hell of a team."

Plenty of other riders were part of the festivities, which recognized every champion in AMA Sports, with a few singled out for awards announced at the banquet. Notable winners included: