The first annual Riders Above Dirt Award Show took place Sunday Night at the Pala Casino in Pala, Calif. hosted by pro skateboarder Jason Ellis. Jeremy Twitch Stenberg founded the 2011 R.A.D. Awards designating the Chris Ackerman Foundation, an organization with the goal of bringing awareness and assistance to those affected by spinal cord injuries, as the benefitting charity.

Carey Hart received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his freestyle motocross pioneering efforts throughout his career. Hart is credited with landing the first ever backflip on a full-size motocross bike.

"I think everyone in this room has looked up to this dude at one time in their life, and if not you better recognize and learn," said Stenberg, who presented the Award to Hart.

Josh Sheehan won the Rookie of the Year Award for his successful season including a bronze medal in the Moto X Best Trick competition at X Games 17 with a double backflip, won the Red Bull X-Fighters event in September in front of a hometown crowd in Sydney, Australia, and won a string of four events in a row on the 2011 FIM Freestyle MX World Championships tour.

Stenberg won the Fan Favorite award, Nate Adams received the award for "Biggest Steeze", Robbie Maddison won the "Biggest Nuts" award, and Mike Mason won the "Steppin' Up the Game" award.

The most prestigious award in FMX went to Andre Villa who won the "Biggest Getoff" award for the year's gnarliest slam.

The emotional moment of the night came when the R.A.D. took a minute to honor Jeff 'Ox' Kargola and Jim McNeil who were lost during the 2011 season.