Editorial Note: Retired Yoshimura worldwide boss Fujio Yoshimura and his son Yusaku Yoshimura (who now runs Yoshimura operations in the U.S.A.) attended the 2025 Quail MotoFest Awards event, which featured “A Tribute To Yoshimura” centered around a Honda CB72 (built by the late and great tuner Hideo “Pops” Yoshimura, Fujio’s father), which competed in the 1964 (inaugural, then-18-hour) endurance race at Suzuka Circuit. Others associated with Yoshimura and attending the event last Saturday included Don Sakakura, a 1970s-1980s mechanic and crew chief who later ran Yoshimura Racing, and is now retired; Dr. John “JB” Barrett, who now owns the racebike; Gilbert Jennings, who did research on the bike; Yoshimura USA marketing executive Erick “Big E” Bartoldus; and Yoshimura fan and supporter Pepe Merrick.  

Steve Baker, the 1977 FIM Formula 750 World Champion (the first American to win an FIM World Championship) was also honored with the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Heritage Award at the event, presented to him by 1980s AMA Pro Superbike and F1 racer Thad Wolff, on behalf of the AMA.

A pair of official press releases from the organizers of the (recently renamed) Quail MotoFest follow:

The Quail MotoFest 2025 Awards

CONGRATULATIONS TO AWARD WINNERS

15th Annual The Quail MotoFest is proud to present the 2025 Award Winners

Hosted at The Quail Golf Club in Carmel, California

Clyde Crouch, Best of Show winner, 1937 Indian Arrow, American Class 1936-1979

Troy Lee, Legend of the Sport, Renowned Motorsports Protective Apparel Designer and Artist, Troy Lee Designs

Aero Precision Metal Works, Arlen Ness Award winner, The Medusa, Choppers

Michael Szymanski, Spirit Of The Quail winner, 1983 Yamaha XV920 Midnight Virago, Custom Modified

Steve Huntzinger, Antique 1st Place, Presented by Bonhams, 1913 Sears Dreadnaught

Clyde Crouch, American 1936-1979 1st Place, Presented by Mecum, 1937 Indian Arrow

Peter Kushner, British 1936-1979 1st Place, 1955 Vincent Black Shadow Series D

Josh Rogers, Italian 1936-1979 1st Place, 1946 Vespa V98

Larry Boman, Japanese 1936-1979 1st Place, 1969 Honda CB750

Scott Williams, Other European 1936-1979 1st Place, 1950 BMW R51/2

Bryan Thompson, Custom/Modified 1st Place, 1953 Triumph Thunderbird

Robert Steinbugler, Italian Innovation by Bimota, 1987 Bimota YB4R

John Barrett, Tribute to Yoshimura, 1964 Honda CB72

Robert Talbott, Celebrating 45 Years of the BMW GS, 1981 BMW R80 G/S

Brian Wisemann, The Why We Ride Award, 2024 Lightfighter LFR V3

Steven Poggi, Competition On Road, 1969 Bultaco TSS 350

David Pierce, Competition Off Road, 1970 Husquvarna 400 Cross

Richard Jones, Choppers, 1970 Chopper Long Bike

Russel Harmon, Antique 2nd Place, Presented by Bonhams, 1913 Indian Single Speed Twin

Michal Wojtowicz, American 1936-1979 2nd Place, Presented by Mecum, 1936 Indian Chief

Robert Simeral, British 1936-1979 2nd Place, 1969 BSA Victor Special

Museo Moto Italia LLC – John Goldman, Italian 1936-1979 2nd Place, 1973 MV Agusta 350 B Sport Elettronica

John Fulton, Japanese 1936-1979 2nd Place, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

John Hernandez, Other European 1936-1979 2nd Place, 1973 Husqvarna 250cc WR/RT

Dustin Kott, Custom/Modified 2nd Place, 1969 Triumph Daytona 500

Russel Harmon, Historic Vehicle Association, Antique Class, 1913 Indian Single Speed Twin

Steve Baker, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Heritage Award, 1978 Yamaha YZR750

More about The Quail MotoFest, from another Quail MotoFest press release:

The 15th annual The Quail MotoFest, previously The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, returned to The Quail Golf Club in beautiful Carmel, California last weekend. The highly anticipated annual motorcycling event offered a unique opportunity to see a diverse selection of more than 300 vintage and modern motorcycles on display, plus a Fireside Chat with Troy Lee, this year’s Legend of the Sport honoree. The revamped event featured a festival-like atmosphere, including a beer garden, children’s area, local food trucks, lifestyle vendors and much more.

The family-and pet-friendly event celebrated three featured classes that highlighted special brands and anniversaries in motorcycling, Italian Innovation by Bimota, Tribute to Yoshimura and Celebrating 45 Years of the BMW GS, alongside 10 traditional classes.

2025 FEATURED CLASSES:

Italian Innovation by Bimota

Tribute to Yoshimura

Celebrating 45 Years of the BMW GS

TRADITIONAL CLASSES:

American

British

Italian

Other European

Japanese

Competition On Road

Competition Off Road

Antique

Custom/Modified

Choppers

LEGEND OF THE SPORT HONOREE:

Renowned motorcycle designer and racer Troy Lee was honored as this year’s Legend of the Sport, participating in the event’s annual Fireside Chat. Lee also led The Quail Ride to kick off an exciting weekend.