AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Seminar Program to Cover Riding, Racing, Restorations and More

Attendees at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 10-12, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, will have numerous opportunities to hear from motorcycling experts, including AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers, as part of the event’s seminar program.

“One highlight of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is getting to meet and learn from those who have made motorcycling their lives and careers,” said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. “That’s why we pack the seminar program with great presentations that educate, entertain and inspire. There’s something here for everyone.”

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Grand Marshal and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer David Aldana will be part of the seminar program on Saturday, 12:45-1:45 p.m., in the Hall of Fame tent on the infield. Event emcee Griff Allen will interview Aldana about his amazing career, after which Aldana will take questions from fans and sign autographs.

Returning for 2015 is popular speaker and Hall of Famer Craig Vetter, who will discuss streamlining and fuel economy, and the design of the Triumph Hurricane, the subject of a new mini-exhibit at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame museum. Vetter will speak at the Hall of Fame tent Friday, 3-4 p.m., and Saturday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Radio personality Buck Carson will give three presentations. He will present “New Blood, Old Motorcycles: Expanding the Youth Involvement in Vintage Machines” on Friday, 10:30-11:30 a.m., and “The Journey of a Lifetime: The Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run” on Saturday, 1:30-2:30 p.m., both in the Goodyear Tower. On Saturday, 10-11 a.m., Carson will discuss “Real School: Growing Up Around Old Motorcycles” in the Hall of Fame tent.

A new style of seminar this year will pack five short oral essays into one session. “Motorcycling & You” on Saturday, 2-3:15 p.m., in the Hall of Fame tent will feature five speakers who will talk about how motorcycles have impacted their lives in some way. Griff Allen will talk about what he’s learned from motorcycles, Louisville Vintage Motorworks’ Andrew Raitz will discuss motorcycling and community, AMA Associate Editor Heather Wilson will talk about her first racing experience, Matthew Mesarchik will expound on motorcycling and charity, and AMA Director of AMA Supercross and Pro Racing Relations Kevin Crowther will discuss how his motorcycling interests have come full circle.

Admirers of the 2015 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame raffle bike, a 1965 Harley Davidson FLH Electra Glide, will get a real treat. Following the drawing for the bike on Sunday at 11 a.m., the bike’s restorer, Mike Wells, will be interviewed about his process for making old bikes new again. This session will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hall of Fame tent.

Long-distance rider Paul Pelland will give two presentations in the Goodyear Tower: “Moto Medicine” on Saturday, noon to 1 p.m., and “What’s in Your (Saddle) Bag” on Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This year’s speaker lineup also includes bike restorer Christopher Carr, who will talk about vintage customization; representatives from the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club who will discuss the 40-year history of the Honda Gold Wing; tire expert T.J. Tennent, who will present “Motorcycle Tires 101”; AMA Organizer Services Coordinator Serena Van Dyke, who will talk about the history of motorcycling clubs in America; Elizabeth Allen, who will speak about adventure motorcycle travel; and Kraig Schultz, who will present “The State of Electric Motorcycles.”

Purchase tickets now from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

For more information: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.