From a press release:

AMA Flat Track Multi-Time Champion Chris Carr Set To Appear At Chicago Stop Of The 2005 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® Presented By Toyota

Carr will hang out with fans and sign autographs on Friday and Saturday at Chicago’s Donald Stephen’s Convention Center

Santa Ana, CA – Advanstar Powersports Group announced today that six-time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr will attend the Chicago round of the 2005 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows, presented by Toyota.

Carr, the most winning active racer on the AMA Flat Track Championship series, is already a legend in the sport and a highly popular figure in the Illinois flat track racing scene. No less than five different venues host AMA flat track events in the State of Illinois, including Route 66 Raceway (Joliet), Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield), Tri-City Speedway (Granite City), Peoria – home of the legendary “Peoria TT,” and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (DuQuoin).

“The great State of Illinois is the epicenter for the AMA Flat Track Championships,” said Advanstar’s Director of Business Development, Mike Kidd – himself a former AMA Grand National Champion. “Chris Carr is very well known throughout this part of the country and the Chicago IMS will give his legion of fans an opportunity to meet with Chris, get an autograph and talk about the upcoming AMA flat track season.”

The 2003 Speed Channel Athlete of the Year and nominee for the 2002 AMA Athlete of the Year and “Cycle News” Rider of the Year, the Ford Quality Checked/Lancaster Harley Davison-sponsored Carr was excited about the opportunity to be part of the Chicago IMS and looking forward to meeting with his fans from the Midwest.

“The sport of flat track racing is huge in Illinois and the Ford Quality Checked team has an outstanding fan base here in the Chicago area and around the rest of the state,” said Carr. “I’m looking forward to meeting with the fans and spending some time talking racing. The Chicago IMS will provide and excellent forum for this, especially considering I don’t have a race to run. Just kick back, sign some autographs, take some pictures and hang with the fans. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Carr will make several apperances Friday, February 11th, from 4pm-9pm, Saturday, February 12th, from 9am-9pm and Sunday, February 13th 9:30am-6:00pm.

Traveling to 12 major cities across the country, the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows presented by Toyota Trucks is an unparalleled opportunity for bike buffs along with casual enthusiasts to experience the cutting-edge of powersports vehicles, products, and services. Expected to be among the 2004 line-up include BMW, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husquvarna, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. Representatives from local dealerships will be available to answer questions and help enthusiasts determine the perfect ride for their size and experience level.

Show attendees looking for in-depth information on motorcycle parts and accessories can visit expert staff in “The Factory,” a showcase of the latest aftermarket products and essential riding gear where motorheads can compare and discuss everything from performance parts to the latest communications hardware with manufacturer representatives. We are pleased to have the following companies participating in the Factory: Arai Helmets, Autocom, Avon Tyres, Baehr, Bell Powersports, Bub Enterprises, Chatterbox!, Cobra, Dowco, Dunlop, European Motorcycle Accessories, HJC, K&N, Kendon, Metzeler, Odyssey, Ozbike, Pirelli, Pro Circuit, Progressive Suspension, Repsol, River Road, Saddlemen, Shoei, T-Bags, Tomahawk, Travelcade, Troy Lee Designs, Tucker Rocky and Ventura.

Progressive Insurance has recently signed on as official product sponsor of the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows presented by Toyota Trucks. Progressive’s sponsorship includes the Series’ new web based e-ticketing program where attendees can purchase tickets on the web site, print them from home and avoid waiting in line at the show. This gives enthusiasts and families less wait-time and more time to enjoy the show. Visit: www.motorcycleshows.com to purchase your e-tickets and skip the lines.

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® presented by Toyota Trucks kicked off in San Francisco, with later stops including Dallas, Southern California, Seattle and Denver. The show will continue with stops in Washington D.C, New York, Ohio, Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit.

Tickets are available in advance at www.motorcycleshows.com and on-site at the box office. Members of the American Motorcyclist Association who show their membership cards when purchasing tickets at the box office on-site are eligible for a $1 rebate coupon redeemable at the AMA booth inside the show. Discount coupons are also available at participating local dealers. Visit www.motorcycleshows.com for a complete list of participating dealerships. Only one discount will be granted per ticket; no discount offers may be combined.