The American Motorcyclist Association’s 2012 Vintage Motorcycle Days was an enormous success, according to the organization. AMA and the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation thank the racers, enthusiasts, collectors, restorers, fans, clubs, companies and others who came together during the three-day celebration.
“AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a product of cooperation fueled by a shared love of motorcycling’s history and the accomplished men and women who made our sport and pastime what it is today,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “I personally thank 2012 Grand Marshal Craig Vetter and all the other volunteers and partners who contributed to the event this year and helped raise funds to support the mission of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, as well as Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, which hosted 2012 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.”
The AMA organizes the annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days as a fundraiser for the Hall of Fame. It includes North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, national championship vintage racing in numerous disciplines, classic bike shows, numerous awards and presentations by some of motorcycling’s leading experts and personalities.
The grand marshal this year was AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member and noted designer Craig Vetter, whose contributions to motorcycling include the iconic Windjammer fairings. In addition, this year’s event celebrated the classic "Rockers and Mods" two-wheeled subculture that is experiencing a popular resurgence in America.
The AMA Vintage Grand Championships, which run in conjunction with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, not only add to the atmosphere of the event, but draw hundreds of participants. With registration up significantly in four out of five disciplines, numerous partners worked hard to make the racing program a success. AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley thanked those individuals and clubs who helped organize the racing.
“We owe a big thanks to WERA Motorcycle Road Racing for its stellar work on the roadracing program," Bromley said. "But as just one part of the racing show, there also were several other groups that made this year’s vintage racing stand out."
Those groups and individuals included Tom Reese and the Moto Armory team, Spectro Oils, Alex Morros with the Legends of Motocross display, the Ashland Fairgrounds, the Dayton Motorcycle Club, Don May and Ohio Trials Inc., Mandi Mastin and family, Bart Newman and Jeff Beerbower of Log Road MX Park in Coldwater, Mich., National Anthem singer Dawn Merical, Don Miller of Metro Racing and Jim Pooler.
“In addition, the vintage motocrossers and fans enjoyed AMHF Board Member Tom White’s marathon announcing performance through two days of racing,” Bromley said.
Dingman also extended his appreciation to the groups and individuals who supported the efforts of the several Hall of Fame activities at the event.
“The Hall of Fame and Ride ‘Em, Don’t Hide ‘Em Bike Show participants contributed not just time, but their marvelous motorcycles that provided eye candy for thousands of attendees this year,” Dingman said. “We also greatly appreciate the Mods and Rockers, including Mike Seate, ‘Café Racer’ magazine, Phil Waters with the Pride of Cleveland scooter shops, and the several café racer and scooter enthusiasts who came out.”
Dingman thanked the classic clubs in attendance, including the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club and the Kawasaki ZL Owners Club, as well as the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, the Christian Motorcyclists Association, Ride for Kids, Motorcycle Ohio, and ABATE of Ohio.
"Then, there are the AMA Life Members who joined us for the AMA Life Member Appreciation Breakfast,” Dingman added. “We couldn’t do any of this without your support."
Dingman also thanked announcer Griff Allen; AMA member benefit provider Red Roof Inn; demo ride providers Can-Am, Kawasaki, KTM North America and KYMCO; the companies who filled up vendor row; all the seminar speakers; the riders who participated in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Lap for History rides around the roadrace course; riders in the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge; bike show judges, which included AMHF Board Member Ron Ribolzi, Ellis Holman and Scotty VanLeuwen of the VJMC, and Mark Mederski of the National Motorcycle Museum; everyone who purchased a raffle ticket for the Hall of Fame raffle bike, Mitch Boehm with “Moto Retro” magazine; and the small army of volunteers who supported the event.
"We also must thank all the vendors who turned out to make the 2012 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days swap meet one of the best ever," Dingman 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.
"The biggest thanks, of course, goes out to all the motorcyclists and fans enjoyed the festivities while supporting the Hall of Fame," Dingman added. "The Hall of Fame is the premier organization in the country that preserves the legacies of the people who built our two-wheeled heritage, and everyone who lends a hand in making AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a success is helping further that mission."
