Royal Enfield Named Presenting Sponsor of VMD

Royal Enfield, a motorcycle manufacturer that produced its first motorcycle in 1901, was recently announced as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, which takes place July 23-25 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“Royal Enfield is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for 2021 Vintage Motorcycle Days,” said Bree Poland, Royal Enfield’s Marketing Lead for the Americas Region. “Since 2015 we’ve been looking for the opportunity to support VMD, and now we’re excited to have the chance to be a part of this event.”

In 1901, Frenchman Jules Gotiet and Bob Walker-Smith made the first motorcycle for Royal Enfield, and just a few years later the company introduced its first V-twin-powered bike, which became a huge success. World War 1 led to the production of Royal Enfield’s first 2-stroke, and then pushed them to create their largest motorcycle yet — a 700cc V-twin. In 1932, the legendary “Bullet” motorcycle was born, which has been produced in multiple forms through the years.

In more recent history, Royal Enfield’s INT650 won the Indian Motorcycle of the Year award and also was voted the Best Retro Bike of the Year in the UK by Motor Cycle News. In 2021, Royal Enfield is celebrating “120 years of pure motorcycling.”

“Royal Enfield motorcycles have a huge following due to their authentic retro look and substantial history,” said AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm, “all of which makes them an excellent sponsor of our 2021 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event. VMD attracts die-hard vintage bike enthusiasts from across the country, and that’s something the folks at Royal Enfield definitely recognize. They’ve been in the motorcycle business a long time, and having Royal Enfield as the presenting sponsor is an excellent fit.”

The event will also include all the vintage-oriented happenings that classic-bike fans love, including Hall of Fame activities, vintage bike shows and the legendary swap meet. Tickets are still available at midohio.com or can be purchased at the gate on the days of the event for an additional $10.

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.