Enthusiasts, partners thanked for making 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a success

With the conclusion of 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days featuring Kawasaki, Marque of the Year, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) extends its thanks to the fans, attendees, racers, vendors, seminar speakers and sponsors who made this year's event successful.

The AMA organizes the annual fundraiser to benefit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The event brings together racers, enthusiasts, collectors, restorers, fans and other organizations in a 3-day celebration of motorcycling's heritage. Highlights include North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, national championship vintage racing in numerous disciplines and a historical retrospective of a classic brand.

This year that brand was Kawasaki, which was on hand with company representatives, a product display, demo rides of new models, as well as Motorcycle Hall of Fame off-road champion Jeff Fredette, who greeted fans and competed in vintage off-road competition.

Jack Penton, AMA director of operations who is also a Motorcycle Hall of Famer, said this year's event owed its success to everyone involved.

"In addition to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, our partner in this event, I particularly want to thank Kawasaki for its extraordinary efforts to showcase its storied motorcycling history at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days with its displays, demo rides, seminars and autograph signings," Penton said.

"And I can't say enough about Jeff Fredette, whose stellar off-road racing career aboard Kawasakis earned him a spot in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame," Penton continued. "As the grand marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Fredette was an iron man -- rushing here and there to sign autographs, race, and to take part in other special activities. Thanks, Jeff."

AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley thanked a number of individuals who supported the racing program.

"On the racing side, we owe a tip of the helmet to WERA Motorcycle Road Racing for its extraordinary work to move our vintage road racing program forward," Bromley said. "But the WERA crew was just one part of the vintage racing show. Several other partners came together to support the competition events as well."

Those groups and individuals included the Dayton Motorcycle Club, Ohio Trials Inc., Mandi Mastin and her family, Jim Pooler, Kim Adams, Don Miller of MetroRacing.com, Alex Morros with the Legends of Motocross display, and Bart Newman and Jeff Beerbower of Log Road MX Park in Coldwater, Mich.

Penton also thanked the Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Club, organized by John Basore. The club contributed to the success of the event by displaying rare and historically significant machines as this year's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Classic Club.

"I also want to thank Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter, who brought his Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge to the event to promote interest in creating more fuel-efficient transportation," Penton added. "Then, there are the AMA Life Members who joined us for the AMA Life Member Appreciation Breakfast. We couldn't do any of this without your support."

Others deserving thanks, Penton said, include announcer Griff Allen, Café Racer magazine for its expansive display and bike show; the numerous clubs that participated in the club corral, Kane "Insane" Friesen for his extreme motorcycle stunt show; Kawasaki, KTM North America and KYMCO for bringing their demo fleets; all the seminar speakers who enlightened and entertained; the bike show participants who brought out their stunning examples of motorcycle history and technology; the racers who took part in vintage and post-vintage motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track competition; and a small army of volunteers who braved the record heat to support the event.

"Of course, we must thank all the vendors who turned out to make the 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days swap meet one of the best ever," Penton said. "The swap meet is a premier attraction of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for many of our attendees, and the event simply wouldn't be the same without our vendors.

"Finally, a special thanks goes out to all the motorcycle fans of all things vintage who attended AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to enjoy the festivities and help support the Motorcycle Hall of Fame," Penton continued. "The Motorcycle Hall of Fame is a critical part of preserving our two-wheeled heritage, and everyone who lends a hand in making AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a success is helping further that mission."

Located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, the Hall of Fame celebrates, elucidates and preserves the rich tradition of motorcycling in America. Its exhibits honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling.

For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame's website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.