Tissot to Sponsor AMA Racing Championship Banquet

Swiss watchmaker Tissot had just been announced by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) as the main sponsor of 2009 AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America and scheduled to take place next month in Las Vegas. The company will present the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year and ATV Athlete of the Year with a Tissot Swiss watch.

"Tissot watches are among the premier timepieces you can buy today," said AMA Director of Business Development Jim Moore in a release. "The particular chronograph model that the company is offering our Athletes of the Year is intriguing. With its automatic, self-winding functions, clear caseback and day and date display, this watch is as eye-catching as it is functional."

Riders nominated for the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year include:

• Russell Bobbitt, the 2009 champion of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing
• Greg Hancock, the 2009 champion of the AMA/USA Speedway National Championship
• Russ Pearson, the 2009 champion of the AMA Racing Hare & Hound National Championship

Riders nominated for the AMA Racing ATV Athlete of the Year include:

• Chris Borich, the 2009 champion of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series
• Paula Shank, the 2009 Women's class and Production B class champion in the AMA Racing ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship
• Brandon Sommers, the 2009 champion in the AMA Racing National ATV Hare Scrambles Championship

"The AMA Racing Athlete of the Year and ATV Athlete of the Year are two riders who have risen to the top of their respective disciplines as two of the fastest, most-talented motorsports stars on the track today," said Brand President at Tissot U.S., Sharon Buntain. "We're excited for the opportunity to be associated with these top talents, and proud to offer a Tissot Swiss watch that exemplifies the precision shown by these competitors: the Tissot PRS516 Automatic Chronograph, personalized for each racer."