All news
Kyle Johnson: AMA Ice Racer Of The Year
February 15, 2012
The AMA recognized its first champions of 2012 with the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships, Feb. 11-12 in Cadillac, Mich. Promoted by North American Action Sports, the amateur championship event took place at the William Mitchell State Park.
“While this year’s relatively warm weather forced a date and venue change, we were pleased with the level of talent that showed up to compete for AMA National No. 1 plates,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “This event always brings out some incredibly tough racers, and 2012 was no exception as we crowned several champions in a number of classes.”
In addition to 30 championships in classes featuring riders of all ages competing on bikes ranging from lightly modified off-road machines to full-on, purpose-built ice racers, the AMA also recognized two riders for outstanding performances. Kyle Johnson (right), from Twin Lake, Mich., won the 2012 AMA Ice Racer of the Year Award and Nathan Gross from Clio, Mich., won the 2012 AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year Award.
This was the second consecutive year that Johnson won AMA Ice Racer of the Year honors. Johnson won AMA National Championships in both the 251-500 DTX class and the 450 Modified class.
“Winning this [for] the second year in a row is pretty cool,” says Johnson, whose younger sister, Kaley, races the 450 DTX, 250 DTX and 250 B classes. “When we went to the awards ceremony, I wasn’t sure I would get it, so I was pretty surprised. My races went well. I won all my heats, then got a good holeshot in both main events. Sunday was a real nice day, and the sun was shining. But the track got real challenging at the end of the day. When it’s rough like that, it just pounds your body.”
Gross won an AMA National Championship in the 65 Mod class and finished second in the 65 Stock class.
“I got first in one race, but I had a bad start in the second one, and I got second,” he says. “I’ve been ice racing for three years. It’s fun because you don’t have to stop. You can just ride wide open. Railing the corners also is fun.”
For more information and full results from the event, see BajaMX.com.
