Cory Buttrick and Paul Germain win 2009 AMA Vintage Grand National Championships

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that Shock Doctor/KTM's Cory Buttrick took home the top off-road honors at the inaugural AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, which took place July 24-26 as part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in Lexington, Ohio, while Paul Germain emerged as the weekend's top track-racing competitor.

Buttrick, from Logan, Ohio, was crowned the AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand National Champion, while Germain, from Winnipeg, Canada, earned the AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand National Championship.

The weekend of competition ushered in a new era of national recognition for vintage competitors. In addition to recognizing the AMA Vintage Grand National Champions, national championships were decided in trials, vintage motocross and hare scrambles, post-vintage motocross and hare scrambles, dirt track, and road racing. Results from all classes can be found at AMARacing.com.

There were only two AMA Vintage Grand National Champions, however. To capture these unique awards, Buttrick and Germain demonstrated not just speed but consistency and versatility across multiple disciplines.

The 18-year-old Buttrick, who is currently second in points in the XC2 Pro Lites class in the Grand National Cross Country series, combined dominant performances in hare scrambles and motocross with a solid effort in trials to claim the AMA Off-Road Racing Vintage Grand National Championships.

"That was so much fun riding those old bikes in the woods," Buttrick said. "The motocross ended up being so much fun, too. The track was perfect. They took such good care of it. That was a blast. Everything was so much fun this weekend. Everything was great... I'll be back for sure. I guess I have to now to defend my championships, right?"

Buttrick raced vintage Penton motorcycles in the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships. In the 1970s, the Penton brand, which was founded by American off-road racing legend and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer John Penton, became KTM, Buttrick's current sponsor.

In vintage motocross, Buttrick finished first in the 201-250cc A class with a 1-1 moto score and first in the 251cc-Open A class with a 1-1 moto score. In hare scrambles, he won the 201-250cc A class, and in trials he finished third in Vintage Factory.

The next stop for the GNCC racer will be the International Six Days Enduro this October. Buttrick is a member of the Team USA Junior Trophy Team and along with three teammates will try to win back the Junior Trophy that Team USA last won in 2006.

The 59-year-old Germain, who was the 1975 360cc Canadian Dirt Track National Champion, raced his way to the AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand National Championship with the 250 Grand Prix road racing title as well as a consistent showing in dirt track.

Germain said that the vintage title had special meaning to him because of his past history in dirt-track competition, where the top riders battle for the AMA Grand National Championship.

"I had my AMA license and ran AMA races, but I spent too much time in Canada to really excel down here, but for sure, an (AMA Grand National Championship) was always my dream," Germain said. "When I saw the posting for this Grand National format for this year, I said, 'This is it! I'm going down there, and I'm doing it.'"

Germain added that he's definitely coming back next year to defend his title.

"The crosshairs are already lining up on us," Germain said. "I'm sure everybody figures it was too easy for those guys, so let's go get 'em. So, we've got to come back and show them what it's all about."

Germain raced his 1968 Yamaha in two classes, finishing third and first in 250 Grand Prix and earning two second-place finishes in 350 Grand Prix. In dirt track, Germain finished 10th in 501cc-Open Singles on a 1979 Yamaha 560 and fifth in 501cc-Open Twins on a 1972 Yamaha 750.

"These special honors, as well as the individual class national championships, were created to give our members who compete in vintage motorcycle racing the national recognition they've long deserved," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "These are some of the most dedicated motorcyclists on the planet. They compete on decades-old machinery with the enthusiasm of kids who just got new dirtbikes under the Christmas tree. It will be a pleasure to present them with their personalized AMA Racing No. 1 plates at the AMA Racing Champions Banquet at the end of this season. It will be an even bigger pleasure next year, when these champions return to defend their titles at the second AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships."

The AMA Racing Champions Banquet will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Dec. 4. Held on the eve of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2009 Induction Ceremony, also scheduled for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the weekend will provide a special opportunity for racers and fans to not only celebrate the accomplishments of racing's present, but witness the elevation of individuals from all of motorcycling's past.

YouTube embed code for interview with Cory Buttrick, 2009 AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand National Champion:

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.