AMA Announces 2010 Vintage Motorcycle Days

Example of the classics you can see there!

October 15, 2009 – The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the 2010 dates of the country’s premier annual celebration of motorcycling heritage.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will take place next year on July 9-11, 2010, at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Tickets will go on sale Nov. 30.  Please visit MidOhio.com or call (800) MID-OHIO for more information or to order tickets.

The 19th Annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features classic motorcycles of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous.

Husqvarna Named Marque of the Year for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Husqvarna, the legendary make that ruled AMA Racing off-road competition throughout the 1970s and 1980s, has recently made a full-throttle return to national championship contention. This July 9-11, the iconic brand will celebrate its heritage and build toward its future as the Marque of the Year at the 19th annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. “Arguably the most dominant off-road racing brand in the United States for a generation of racers, Husqvarna has recently returned full force to AMA Racing national competition,” said Tigra Tsujikawa, AMA special events and marketing manager.  “We’re pleased to showcase both Husqvarna’s history and the company’s renewed investment in motorcycling’s present and future at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.” “Husqvarna Motorcycles is delighted to be the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Marque of the Year for 2010,” said Husqvarna Motorcycles North America President Mark Brady.  “Launching the new decade with this prestigious recognition is indeed an honor.  Everyone at Husqvarna Motorcycles is very much aware of the great history of the brand, and we are determined to bring back the glory days. “We believe that developing a closer relationship with the AMA is an important part of growing and protecting the rights of every rider in America,” Brady added. As part of Husqvarna’s participation in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, fans will be able to get up close and personal with the Husqvarna’s moto-history, from its genesis in Sweden in the early 1900s to the high-tech off-road, motocross and dual-sport bikes the company sells and races today. Although many U.S. riders first became familiar with Husqvarna in the early 1960s, the company had been selling motorcycles since 1903 when it fitted Husqvarna frames with engines from makers such as FN and Moto-Reve. In 1920 Husqvarna began building its own engine, a 550cc four-stroke 50-degree side-valve V-twin.  Another early milestone was the legendary “Svartkvarna,” built in 1946. It was a lightweight, reliable two-stroke that could endure hard use with minimal maintenance.  The machine established a reputation that would define the Husqvarna marque for decades to follow. By the early 1960s the two-stroke revolution had yet to reach the United States. U.S. riders were still tackling the woods and deserts on converted Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs and BSAs.  It was about this time that a man named Edison Dye, now a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, took a motorcycle tour of Europe during which he became instantly enthralled with the European sport of motocross, and a new breed of lightweight two-stroke bikes favored by its competitors. A few years later, Dye put a Husqvarna motocross bike in the hands of a young American rider named Malcolm Smith for evaluation. Smith, also an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, gave the bike a thumbs up. This persuaded Dye to become the U.S., Husqvarna importer in 1966. As part of a marketing campaign Dye organized visits to the U.S., by the reigning Swedish world motocross champion Torsten Hallman, who also has since taken a seat in the Hall of Fame.  Not only did Dye sell Husqvarna motorcycles but he also introduced a new style of motorcycle racing to America. While educational displays and seminars at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will focus on Husqvarna’s rich history, the machines also will be among the many brands that amateur racers will test on the racetrack in the multiple racing disciplines that are part of the weekend’s competition schedule.

AMA Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith to serve as Grand Marshal for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

One afternoon in the mid-1960s, a man walked into a Southern California motorcycle shop looking for someone to race an unproven motorcycle with a foreign-sounding name.  Lucky for that man, he walked into the right shop and found the right racer.  Malcolm Smith took Edison Dye’s offer, and their partnership would help establish the Husqvarna motorcycle brand as a force in American off-road. In recognition of Malcolm Smith’s contributions to the success of Husqvarna, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Husqvarna Motorcycles North America are pleased to announce that Smith will serve as Grand Marshal at the 19th annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 9-11 in Lexington, Ohio. “Even today, decades after Malcolm Smith’s racing prime, his fan base rivals some of the top names in the sport,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.  “To anyone who has met him, the reason for that is clear: Malcolm Smith is synonymous with everything positive about motorcycling — fun, sportsmanship, and excitement. He will serve as an exceptional Grand Marshal at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days as we celebrate the brand on which he became famous: Husqvarna.” Added Husqvarna National Sales and Marketing Manager Scot Harden: “When it came to honoring a Grand Marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Malcolm Smith was the obvious choice.  We look forward to celebrating the storied history of Husqvarna with Malcolm, as well as a large number of other past Husqvarna legends and champions on July 9-11.” Smith says he’s looking forward to meeting fans and enjoying the activities himself at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. “I was last at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days three years ago and had a wonderful time,” Smith said.  “I particularly liked walking around the large field where they sell all the old bike parts, buying a truckload and then figuring out how to get it all back to California.  I’m spoiled.  I like to ride new bikes, but I really enjoy working on old motorcycles.  I work on them every day.” Smith said that he remembers the day he was introduced to Husqvarna motorcycles like it was yesterday. “When Edison Dye brought me the bike, we laid out a track and some trail that went up into the hills,” Smith said. “When I came back from that ride, I said, ‘Mr. Dye, you have yourself a rider.’  The bike was so far ahead of anything else available at the time, and so reliable.” Following his encounter with Dye, Smith’s success and influence wasn’t limited to the track.  Smith’s positive evaluation of those first Husqvarnas also persuaded Dye to become the U.S. Husqvarna importer in 1966. That decision paved the way for Dye to bring in reigning Swedish world motocross champion Torsten Hallman to race the bikes in the United States.  Not only did that move further advertise the quality and speed of Husqvarnas and help Dye sell a lot of motorcycles, but it also established the sport of motocross on American soil. In his role as grand marshal, Smith will participate in numerous fan-friendly activities, from autograph signings to discussions of his history with Husqvarna.  This will be a rare and unique opportunity for Smith’s thousands of fans to meet and greet the off-road legend. As a racer, Smith gained fame for his accomplishments in the Baja 1000 and for his gold-medal-winning rides in the International Six Day Enduro competitions, but his notoriety reached well beyond the motorcycling community as the star of the influential 1970s motorcycle movie, “On Any Sunday.” The scenes of Smith play-riding with his buddies, which included popular actor Steve McQueen, showed people across the country just how fun motorcycling could be. The movie helped launch an explosion in the popularity of off-road motorcycling in America.

More on the 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Event

Activities include the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, which feature road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track racing.

The event will also inlude North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet; bike shows and awards; a Marque of the Year display that showcases the history of a unique brand; a Grand Marshal; a new-product vendor midway; stunt shows; demo rides of current production bikes; and seminars on a number of topics by noted motorcycling experts.

“AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the highlight of many motorcyclists’ calendars,” said AMA Special Events and Marketing Manager Tigra Tsujikawa. “By announcing the dates now, we hope to provide our fans, enthusiasts and racers ample opportunity to set their schedules for next year.”

“As always, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will be a treat for motorcycling fans of all eras — and ages – and we don’t want anyone to miss out on this unique opportunity.”

Michelle Trueman Gajoch, president of TrueSports Inc., which owns and operates the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Mid-Ohio School, added: “The AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days weekend is a special event that we are proud to host for the 16th straight year.”

“Classic sportbikes on a historic track like Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course make the races a real spectacle to see. The on-track action, coupled with one of the world’s largest motorcycle swap meets, is a treat for fans as well as riders.”

Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  The goal of the Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling’s legends and heroes.

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

For more information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com

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May 4th, 2009

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to stay enforcement of a lead law that currently bans the sale of youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The stay, which extends through May 1, 2011, follows a unanimous vote by Acting Chairwoman Nancy Nord and Commissioner Thomas Moore.

The AMA Government Relations Department is currently examining the 25-page Stay of Enforcement document and will issue more details shortly. It can be viewed by clicking here.

The law in question is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Designed to protect children from lead in toys that might easily end up in children’s mouths, the language of the legislation has ensnared a number of products that have little exposure risk, including youth-model motorcycles and ATVs.

“While we applaud the CPSC commissioners’ vote to stay enforcement of the law, this doesn’t solve the real issue, which is the law itself,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “Youth-model motorcycles and ATVs should be exempt from the law, and Congress needs to act to make that happen. Hopefully, this stay will give Congress the time it needs to fix this law, and we will continue to work with both legislators and our partners in the industry to make certain that it does.”

Moreland added that nearly 80,000 AMA and ATVA (All-Terrain Vehicle Association) members contacted their lawmakers and the CPSC to let them know how they feel. “I’m convinced this helped shape Chairman Nord’s and Commissioner Moore’s decision to support a moratorium on enforcing the lead law,” he said.

Despite the stay, it is unclear whether state attorneys general will also decline to enforce the CPSIA. The sale of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs is still technically illegal. Even though a stay means that dealers would not be subject to fines or penalties imposed by the CPSC, state attorneys general would still be able to prosecute violators if they chose to do so.

“Motorcyclists and ATV riders need to let the Congress know that we are concerned about the law, and that we want kids’ OHVs excluded from the law,” said Moreland. “We need to continue to let our decision-makers know how we feel.”

Riders should contact their federal lawmakers and ask them to support legislation to exempt youth-sized motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA by going to the “Rights” and then “Issues and Legislation” section of the AMA website at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Also, individuals can sign up for the AMA/ATVA Government Relations Department’s Action E-list so that they can be notified by e-mail when their support is needed to make a difference on important issues.

Those interested in circulating a petition to change the CPSIA should contact Jessica Irving, AMA/ATVA grassroots coordinator, at jirving@ama-cycle.org.

CPSIA Background
The CPSIA took effect in February and it immediately stopped the sale of dirt bikes and ATVs designed for children 12 and under. The law was meant to protect children from dangerous levels of lead in toys, but it was written so broadly that it also impacted children’s books, clothes, motorcycles and ATVs.

Under the CPSIA, all youth products containing lead must have less than 600 parts per million by weight. The CPSC has interpreted the law to apply to various components of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs, including the engine, brakes, suspension, battery and other mechanical parts. Even though the lead levels in these parts are small, they are still above the minimum threshold.

To ensure continued availability and access to youth-model motorcycles and ATVs, the Motorcycle Industry Council, Specialty Vehicle Industry Association, the AMA, ATVA and others asked the CPSC to consider petitions submitted to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the final rule governing the law.

The CPSC staff admits that the risk of exposure to lead from youth-model motorcycles and ATVs is relatively low. But the staff told the commissioners that the law is written so strictly that no lead absorption into the body is allowed. As a result, they say, motorcycles and ATVs shouldn’t be exempt from the law.

In April, the two-member CPSC rejected an industry request to exempt youth-model off-road motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA because the agency did not believe that it had the authority to exclude these vehicles from the lead-content limits imposed by Congress. However, the commissioners signaled their desire to issue a stay to give Congress the opportunity to change the law so that youth-model motorcycles and ATVs can be legally sold. The commissioners also expressed hope that manufacturers will use the delay to make changes to their products to make them meet the requirements of the new law.

“…ATVs and motorized bikes appropriately sized for children 12 and younger can again be available and the commission will not seek penalties for violation of Section 101 and related provisions of the (law) against those who sell them,” said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord on April 3. “I hope that the state attorneys general will follow the lead of the agency on this matter.

“All stakeholders — industry, users, Congress and the commission — need to come together to fix the statutory problems that have become so apparent, in a common sense approach that does not unnecessarily burden those regulated, yet provides safety for American families,” she said.

Courtesy of the AMA

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Press Release Issued By American Motorcyclist Association (April 21, 2009)

What do the Crimean War, the manufacturing of rifles, and the building of bicycles have in common?

They’re all events that led up to the British Birmingham Small Arms Co. — better known to the world as BSA — producing motorcycles that ultimately became among the most iconic in the world. The legendary brand will be honored this year as the Marque of the Year at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, set for July 24-26 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“Despite its rather unorthodox beginning, BSA endured and carved out an impressive place in motorcycling history,” said Tigra Tsujikawa, marketing and special events manager for the AMA. “BSA Gold Stars, Shooting Stars and other models rightfully earned a reputation for performance on the track, and played a large role in the brand remaining popular long after the factory shuttered its doors in the 1970s. I’m personally looking forward to showcasing the marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and highlighting the machines and people who made BSA famous.”

The Birmingham Small Arms Co. was formed in 1861 by a group of gun makers to supply weapons to the British government during the Crimean War. As the war declined, the company branched out into making bicycles, and by 1903 produced its first experimental motorcycle, along with automobiles. Its first in-house motorcycle appeared in 1910, and a subsidiary, BSA Motorcycles Ltd., was created after the first World War saw the company move back into arms manufacturing for the duration.

Between wars, the company focused on refining its motorcycles into well-regarded, reliable transportation that sold well in England, where BSA boasted that one in four motorcycles on the road was made by their company. From the beginning and throughout its history, BSA made a splash with the evocative names it chose for its motorcycles: Blue Star, Empire Star, Golden Flash, Road Rocket, Spitfire, Thunderbolt and Lightning are among the most well known.

Perhaps its most famous model was the Gold Star, “born” in 1938 but refined after WWII. It was named after the Gold Star pins awarded to motorcycles that lapped the famed Brooklands track at more than 100 mph, and would ultimately become the bike of choice among England’s young rockers, who stripped them of unnecessary parts and hot-rodded them into café racers.

During the 1950s the company turned to racing, fielding teams in the Junior Clubman class at the Isle of Man TT. By 1956, BSAs made up 53 of 55 entries in the class.

Looking to replicate its sales success with racing in the United States, the factory entered a team of racers in 1954 in the Daytona 200, which, at the time, was held on the beach course. Aboard a mixture of single-cylinder Gold Stars and twin-cylinder Shooting Stars, BSA riders swept the top five places in the race, cementing the brand’s image in the U.S. as a performance machine.

However, small, reliable, oil-tight Japanese machines were starting to gain momentum in the United States. BSA continued to have mild success with the three-cylinder Rocket 3, but by the 1970s, performance Japanese motorcycles had displaced BSAs in the minds of many motorcyclists.

Following a merger with the Norton Villiers Triumph Group, the combined company stopped producing BSA-branded machines in 1973.

Still, BSAs endure today as both competitive vintage racers and, along with other British brands such as Triumph, staples of the modern café racer culture.

To learn more about BSA history, see numerous machines in person — both on display and on the track — and maybe even add one to your own collection, there’s no better place than the country’s largest celebration of motorcycling heritage: 2009 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

The weekend will include highlights such as vintage racing and North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet. Also on tap are demo rides of current production bikes, motorcycling seminars, stunt shows, the new product Manufacturers’ Midway, club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs, and guided rides through the rolling Ohio countryside. The Classic Clubs this year will be the Sandcast Only Owner’s Club (SOOC), and the International CBX Owners Association.

This year will be particularly special because it commemorates the 85th anniversary of the AMA, and will feature a parade of classic motorcycles representing each year of the AMA’s 85 years. Museum staff has compiled a list of significant models produced since 1924 for the parade. Volunteers with bikes on that list are encouraged to contact the Museum for information about participating. Information is at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefits the AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The goal of the Museum, located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling.

For more information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com. Tickets can be purchased at the website for the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: www.midohio.com.

Source: www.amadirectlink.com

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Press Release Issued By MX Motorsports and AMA Pro Racing (March 19, 2009)

The press release follows:

MORGANTOWN, W.V. (March 19, 2009) – With the series-opening race just over two months away, MX Sports, in conjunction with AMA Pro Racing, is pleased to announce the release of this year’s AMA Pro Racing Motocross Rulebook.

While much of the rulebook remains familiar, four significant changes have been made, thanks in part to the transition of MX Sports as series manager of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships. (more…)

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2009 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Mid-Ohio

Just wanted to remind everyone about this years Vintage Days in Ohio. Although it is still well over 4 months away we all know how fast these coming spring months fly by and next thing you know it we are in the sweltering hot days of summer. For those of you who have never attended Vintage Days before i will give you on piece of advice it is well worth it. From the huge swap meet to the old vintage bikes whipping around the track along with stunt shows and a very friendly crowd it is something not to miss. Last year alone  almost 70 000 people flocked to vintage days to see the showcase of vintage bikes. Like i said it is still early to think about it but it is literally around the corner. If anyone requires additional information feel free to check out this link. http://www.amadirectlink.com/vmd/2009/

here is a couple of  pics from last years show:

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Language that provides a tax deduction for the purchase of a motorcycle has been added to the current economic stimulus bill, the AMA reports. The AMA, working in conjunction with other stakeholders, worked diligently to secure the motorcycle provision within the measure. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law shortly.

“This inclusive and equitable solution will provide much-needed relief to riders, as well as to those who sell motorcycles,” said AMA Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. “When it appeared that motorcycles were going to be overlooked in this bill, the AMA and the Association’s members, along with Harley-Davidson and others, took our case straight to Capitol Hill and persuaded lawmakers that this was the right decision.”

Moreland added that motorcycle riders are just as likely to have been hit hard by the economic downturn as those who buy automobiles and light-duty trucks. Moreover, motorcyclists typically purchase new bikes, apparel, vehicle servicing and aftermarket equipment from local dealers that are family-owned small businesses.

Specifically, motorcycles are included as “qualified vehicles” in Section 1008 of the legislation. Those purchasing a new motorcycle will be able to deduct the sales and excise taxes on their 2009 tax returns. Prior to the actions taken by the AMA and others, the deductions only applied to the purchase of a new car or light truck.

“We want to thank all motorcyclists who took the time to contact their elected officials,” said Moreland. “This victory is particularly gratifying because it represents a community-wide effort to elevate motorcycles as a recognized and viable means of transportation in America. Motorcycles are vital to the reduction of traffic congestion, provide efficient use of limited parking, have far less impact on our roads and bridges, and contribute significantly to our nation’s efforts to consume less fuel. Our success today clearly indicates that our legislators are listening.”

Courtesy of American Motorcyclist Association

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