AMA's Rasor to Direct International Affairs

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Robert Rasor will retire as the Association's President to assume the role of Director of International Affairs, coordinating the AMA's relationship with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the international governing body for motorcycle sport and touring, as well as other international organizations.

Rasor, who had been AMA President since 2000, has long represented the AMA and the American motorcycling community on the international stage, and in October of 2005 he was elected as an FIM Vice President. Rasor has served the FIM as the first president of its Commission on Mobility, Transport, Road Safety and Public Policy, increasing the organization's involvement in motorcyclists' rights. He's been president of the North American Motorcycle Union, one of six such regional groups within the FIM, and is a member of its management council.

"It's been both a great pleasure and an extraordinary opportunity to have served the AMA and its membership as President," Rasor said. "I'm now looking forward to devoting all of my energy to working on behalf of American motorcyclists at the international level. I continue to believe that contributing to that global conversation is one of the most important ways that we can influence motorcycling's future, both here and worldwide."

A 34-year member of the AMA staff, Rasor began his career in AMA Government Relations, serving as Vice President from the early 1980s until his appointment as AMA President. During that time, the AMA established its Washington office, and the Association's advocacy efforts defeated federal legislation that would've outlawed sportbikes, legitimized responsible off-highway-vehicle recreation on public lands, and confronted healthcare discrimination against motorcyclists.

In his over 35 years of motorcycling experience, Rasor been an amateur motocross racer and has toured extensively in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Rasor will be succeeded as AMA President by Robert M. Dingman, effective November 27, 2006. During the accompanying transition period, Rasor will report to AMA Chief Executive Officer Patricia DiPietro.