The first ever AFMXA Amateur Freestyle Motocross contest went down at Pala Raceway over the weekend and it was a huge success! Amateur FMX riders traveling from all around the United States, with some coming for as far as Canada and even Japan, made it to Southern California, the Mecca of the FMX industry, for their chance to shine on a big stage. The big stage being a FMX course built with the safety of up-and-coming riders in mind, and the once rare opportunity to show their skills to a judging panel of FMX legends.

The judges were Ronnie Faisst, Blake “Bilko” Williams, Nate Adams, Ronnie Renner, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, and Mike Metzger. You couldn’t even begin to count the X Games medals collectively hanging from these guys’ walls! With that star-studded panel judging your ever jump and trick, it’s safe to say the pressure was on for these amateurs, who for most it was their first time competing in a contest.

The best of 2 run qualifying round narrowed down the 18 riders to the top 9 for a 1 run final. Top qualifier Rob Sakai of Japan rode his momentum into the finals where he tied for 1st place with Jimmy Hill out of Bakersfield, CA. Rob and Jimmy both agreed that they don’t like ties and the only way to settle it was with an old school run-off! Jimmy won the coin flip and decided to go first. Unfortunately for Jimmy, a dead sailor really cost him in the judges scoring. Rob followed up with a near flawless run that made it obvious that he was the winner.

Congratulations to Rob Sakai on the win, Jimmy Hill in 2nd and Bryce Hudson 3rd!

After the amateurs tore up the course it was on to the Pro-Am division. The Pro-Ams are the guys that have ridden in paid demos, have some sponsors, and some can backflip, but they’re still new or little known in the sport and haven’t competed in any pro level contests. It’s a fine line between Pro-Ams and the real Pros, but you can bet some of these guys will be competing in the big leagues real soon.

Lance Coury came out on top of the Pro-Ams. With a bag full of big tricks, and some solid backflip tricks to boot, Coury rode smooth and consistent, all things the judges love to see. Very close behind Coury in 2nd palce was Destin Cantrel, who has some of the best tricks in the game but is not backflipping. To pull off second place without the backflip in a field of guys with the backflip says a lot for the quality and extension of Cantrel’s upright tricks. Rounding out the podium in 3rd was Keith Sayers of Butte, Montana.

Here are the full results:

Amateur Final Results:
1. Rob Sakai
2. Jimmy Hill
3. Bryce Hudson
4. Kyle Demelo
5. Andy Bakken
6. Edgar Corona
7. Rob Haslam
8. Matt Halmark
9. Nick Gore

Pro-Am Final Results:
1. Lance Coury
2. Destin Cantrell
3. Keith Sayers
4. Nick Dunne
5. Wes Agee
6. Greg Schaffe
7. Jesse Jolson
8. Luke Dolin
9. Garrett Ahlf
10. Steve Haughelstine

Check out the full photo gallery from the Amateur Contest and the AFMXA Awards right here!

1st Annual AFMXA Amateur Competition and Awards Show presented by Fuel TV celebrate the past, present and future of FMX at Pala Raceway and Casino this Saturday, November 7.

What: The American Freestyle Motocross Association (”AFMXA”), a governing collective of Freestyle Motocross riders and action sports industry leaders, is hosting an action-packed series of events this Saturday, Nov. 7th, in Pala, CA.

1. The 1st annual AFMXA Amateur Competition kicks things off at 8:00am and will be filled with great young potential from around the world. Riders from Japan, Mexico, Canada, Hungary and across the U.S. are registered to compete. In order to qualify, riders have to be at least 14 years old and submit video entries to www.afmxa.com. The top 10 rider videos chosen for best execution, style and innovation were invited to compete in the event. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place titles will be decided by a judging panel that includes Brian Deegan, Ronnie Faisst, Jeremy Stenberg, Mike Mason and Nate Adams.

2. A professional FMX demo will take place after the Amateur competition, showcasing the talents of the athletes on the judging panel and fellow riders, including Taka Higashino, Todd Potter and more.

3. The AFMXA Awards Show will take place in the evening, recognizing top athletes and companies for their accomplishments, commitment to and influence on the sport. Hosted by Metal Mulisha team rider and X Games Gold medalist, Todd Potter, and FUEL TV’s Pat Parnell from “The Daily Habit,” the AFMXA Awards will bring some of the biggest names in action sports together in one room to celebrate freestyle motocross and its talent. With a variety of categories, including Best Spread in a Magazine and Biggest Slam, this year’s most dedicated rider will be recognized with the Lusk Legacy Rider of the Year award, in memory of fellow FMX gold medalist, Jeremy Lusk.

***Open to the public and tickets are still available. Visit www.afmxa.com to learn more.***

Who: Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, Mike Mason, Beau Bamberg, Takayuki Higashino, Blake Williams, Jackson Strong, Lance Coury, Levi Sherwood, Robbie Maddison, Travis Pastrana, Brian Deegan, Ronnie Faisst, Mike Metzger, Nate Adams, Drew Brown, Toby Bost, Leah Steiger, industry insiders and more!

Where and When:
AFMXA Amateur Competition
November 7th, 2009
8:00am – 2:00pm

Pala Raceway
12799 Highway 76
Pala, CA 92059

AFMXA Awards Ceremony
November 7th, 2009
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Pala Casino
11154 Highway 76
Pala, CA 92059

AFMXA Awards Nominees

Best Part in a Video
Jeremy Lusk, On the Pipe 5
Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, Hood Rich
Mike Mason, On the Pipe 5

Biggest Slam
Beau Bamberg
Cameron Sinclair
Takayuki Higoshino

Best Spread In a Magazine
Blake Williams
Jeremy Lusk
Todd Potter

New Blood
Jackson Strong
Lance Coury
Levi Sherwood

Mucho Cohones
Cameron Sinclair
Robbie Maddison
Travis Pastrana

Unsung Hero
Dane Heron
Dr. Gus Gialamas
Lizz Leach

Legends Award
Brian Deegan
Mike Metzger
Travis Pastrana

Lusk Legacy Rider of the Year
Blake Williams
Jeremy Stenberg
Nate Adams

Potter & Manley photos from ESPN.

Download (QuickTime 16.8MB)

If you’re going to NASCAR this weekend at California Speedway, make sure you get out to the Fan Zone and check out Todd Potter, Nixey Danielson and Derek Garland throwing down!

Saturday, October 10th
10:30am – 11:00am – Metal Mulisha Show
12:00pm – 12:30pm – Metal Mulisha Show

Sunday, October 11th
8:45am – 9:10am – Metal Mulisha Show
9:45am – 10:15am – Metal Mulisha Show
11:15am – 11:30am – Metal Mulisha Show

Here’s the press release and flyer. Hope to see ya there!

The AFMXA has planned the inaugural FMX Amateur Competition for November 7th in Temecula, California. “We have gathered together the top professionals in the field of Freestyle to bring to life the AFMXA Amateur Competition and Awards show, the first of its kind! In keeping with the mission of the AFMXA our goal is to organize the sport by developing an amateur circuit, recognizing those who have given so much to build the sport and fostering the growth of those who are next in line to do so.” In order to qualify riders must submit video entries to the AFMXA Facebook page or on afmxa.org. The top 10 amateur selections will be chosen to participate based on execution, style and innovation. Those riders will be invited to participate in the event. Riders must be able to get themselves to the Pala Raceway in Temecula, Ca. on Nov. 7th. Participants must be at least 14 years of age and riders under 18 must be accompanied by parent/guardian on the event date. The judging panel is a “who’s who” of the sport, including Nate Adams, Ronnie Faisst, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, Brian Deegan and Mike Mason, among others. A professional FMX demo will take place following the amateur event, showcasing the talents of our judges and fellow riders including Taka Higashino, Todd Potter and others. The top three riders will take home awards and all ten will participate in a “Best Whip” contest. Videos must be submitted by Oct. 20th. Winners will be announced and contacted by Oct. 27th.

Following the competition will be the AFMXA’s 1st Annual FMX Awards ceremony to recognize top athletes and companies for their accomplishments, commitment to and influence on the sport. Award categories include Best Riding Part in a Video, Biggest Slam, Best Spread in a Magazine, Un sung Hero Award, Legends Award, Top 3 placers in Amateur Event and more. In memory of Jeremy Lusk, fellow FMX gold medalist there will also be the Lusk Legacy Rider of the Year given to this year’s most dedicated rider.

General Admission Tickets only $20!

Contact info@afmxa.com for tickets and more info.

Amateur Event and Awards Ceremony Details are as follows:

Amateur Competition
November 7, 2009
8am – 2pm
Pala Raceway
12799 Highway 76, Pala, CA 92059

Awards Ceremony
November 7, 2009
6:00 – 7:30pm
Pala Casino
11154 Hwy 76 Pala CA 92059

Further information about the AFMXA including our mission, events, membership and partners can be found online at www.afmxa.org