Moto For Japan To Raise Money for Disaster Relief

The recent disasters in Japan have left the nation devastated with thousands dead, as well as businesses and homes destroyed. There are many people who need help and many more who want to help.

In order to get help to the Japanese people quickly, industry veterans Greg Hatton and Jon Bekefy started Moto For Japan on Crowdrise, a website that organizes charities, to bring the motorcycle industry together to donate to Japan relief.

"The Japanese people have contributed to our passions and our livelihoods, and we believe, both as motorcyclists and regular humans, that we have an obligation to aid and assist them in this time of disaster and terrible loss," Hatton and Bekefy said on the Moto For Japan website.

"Whether you’re a rider, a racer, an industry employee, or a fan of any of the Big Four, this is your opportunity to give back to one of the most important nation-contributors of all things riding and racing."

The money donated to Moto For Japan will go directly toward funding the Red Cross.

For more information or to donate, visit Moto For Japan at www.crowdrise.com/moto4japan.

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.