With big names in all classes, including Jeff Ward, Carey Hart, Mike Metzger and Christopher Filmore in the SuperMoto Class, the latest AMA event in Long Beach, California did not disappoint.

Held near the legendary cruise ship permanently docked in Long Beach, thousands of fans watched one of the most intense races of the season this past weekend.  Point leaders Jeff Ward, Doug Henry and Chris Fillmore spent 10 to 16 laps battling it out on the pavement and the dirt. “Surf and Turf” was literally taken in to the concept of the track design, which made for one very interesting location for the race. Troy Lee said to leave the grass and riders were to maneuver the track with a tunnel and bridge.

The main day for racing was on Sunday with the qualifiers making there way through the ranks to see if they could stand on the podium. Race Classes included the Supermoto, Supermoto Unlimited and Supermoto Lights.

For the first time in history in the sport of AMA Supermoto and probably in most MX sports, both a father and son has won a Supermoto title. Honda’s Jeff Ward and his son both won a title in the same day.

In the first round of the last Supermoto Unlimited Class, the corner worker, Dan Willenburg was injured when an unusually bizarre crash sent two riders colliding into each other. Just after the fist corner Troy Herfoss was hit by Alex Thiebault causing the bike to veer at Willenburg and injuring him. But the injuries were minor and he was released from the hospital on Wednesday morning.  The two riders were uninjured and returned to the race and after party.  

All in all, it was a great day for Jeff Ward.  When asked if he ever dreamed he would experience a season like this (Motorsports Hall of Fame induction, X-Games Gold, second career AMA Supermoto title) at the age of 45, Ward laughed. “Not at this level -- maybe at the local motocross in the 45 class. To race against the caliber of Doug and (Mike) Metzger and Fillmore and (Jurgen) Kunzel and (Mark) Burkhart -- all the guys -- to be able to run that speed at my age.”

 “It’s been a big year,” he added.

“I’ve had a great career -- all of it has all been good. From my championships in motocross to Indy Cars to now Supermoto. And my sons are riding really good now too. It’s just a fun time. “

American Motorcycle Association (AMA) is an organized club for motorcycle enthusiasts across the United States and the world. AMA was officially established in 1924 and has grown to the largest organized motorcycle association with both Professional and Amateur divisions. AMA has a few hundred thousand members attending hundreds of events across the nation in Supermoto, Supercross, Flat Track, Super Bike, Motocross, Hill climbing and Desert Racing. Each event is sanctioned for the ability level of the riders. The network and outreach for its members is unbelievable, with locations to race and ride across the nation. A passion to ride and race is a way of life for many of the members and for thousands of business support AMA.