From a press release issued on behalf of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum:

Industry Stars and Legends to Shine at Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction and Concours d’Elegance

From today’s superstars to yesteryear’s classics, the best of the best meet at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum October 4 – 5

PICKERINGTON, OHIO – From famous names and faces to an unparalleled collection of exquisitely preserved and restored motorcycles, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum will be filled with the industry’s brightest stars and rarest classics on October 4 – 5, 2003. This signature weekend event combines the prestigious 2003 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction, which annually honors motorcycling’s best-loved personalities and pioneers, with the by-invitation-only 2nd Annual Concours d’Elegance, a showcase of over 100 of the country’s finest, privately-owned classic motorcycles.

“This is our weekend to celebrate the amazing people and machines that have inspired America’s passionate love affair with motorcycles,” said Mark Mederski, Executive Director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “There is no other event that brings together such a priceless collection of living legends and their stories in one venue and then immortalizes their achievements for future generations.”

As announced in June, 2003 Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees include several of America’s most successful and best-known motorcycle racing stars, including AMA Supercross legend Jeremy McGrath, and Harley-Davidson factory stars Jay Springsteen and Scott Parker. They will be joined by industry mavericks, like Hollywood stunt star Debbie Evans, whose work most recently awed motion picture audiences in The Matrix: Reloaded and Fast and Furious.

Both the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and the Concours d’Elegance will take place at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the 23-acre campus of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), just outside of Columbus, Ohio.

2nd Annual Concours d’Elegance Features Country’s Finest Vintage Motorcycles

Much like the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the gold standard for vintage automotive excellence, so does the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Concours d’Elegance strive to assemble the nation’s rarest and finest vintage motorcycles. With this goal in mind, the inaugural 2002 Concours d’Elegance set a new standard for showcasing the art, design and historical significance of over 100 classic motorcycles. For the 2003 Concours d’Elegance, quality of restoration, preservation and presentation again are the key criteria for each entry. Participation is by invitation only and owners of pre-1975 motorcycles who are interested in submitting an application for consideration are invited to contact the Museum.

Executive Director Mederski expects the caliber of entries to be superior in every category, including American, European, British and Asian brands. “Our Museum’s role has always been to act as the steward of this country’s motorcycling history and heritage. As a result, we have excellent access to significant makes and models from all corners of the country, both from personal and institutional collections.” Last year’s Concours included seldom seen models, ranging from the pristinely restored “Best of Show” 1966 BSA Spitfire Mk. II to an original, unrestored 1934 Harley-Davidson VLD.

One of the thoroughly unique elements of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance is the fact that so many famous competitors and industry people are on the Museum grounds for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction. “Where else can you see the legendary John Penton admire a Concours entry near and dear to his heart—a 1971 Penton Six Days?” said Mederski.

The 2nd Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, from 10 am to 4 pm (rain or shine).

Public is Invited to See the Stars, Learn About the Legends

Visitors can meet many past Motorcycle Hall of Fame members as well as this year’s inductees at a special Museum reception and dinner, scheduled for Saturday October 4, at 6 pm. This special event, held in the Museum’s galleries, also offers an ideal opportunity to see the Museum’s latest exhibit, “Heroes of Harley-Davidson, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance.” The 8,000-square foot exhibit—open through the end of 2004—celebrates the people and products that transformed a backyard experiment into an American icon.

In addition to Motorcycle Hall of Fame members and inductees as well as media and industry representatives, special guests include two American artists whose work is currently featured at the Museum, including bronze artist and sculptor Jeff Decker and licensed Harley-Davidson artist, painter David Uhl. Visitors will also be able to capture their favorite industry legend’s autograph on memorabilia and posters—the Class of 2003 inductees will be participating in a special autograph session on Sunday.

Admission to the Saturday, October 4 reception and dinner is $15.00 per person. The event is open to the public and reservations are required. The Sunday, October 5 Concours d’Elegance and Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction ceremony are also open to the public at no charge.

About the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

The goal of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum honors those who have contributed notably to the sport, and three major exhibition halls showcase the machines and memorabilia that have shaped motorcycling. The Museum is open from 9 am. to 5 pm. daily; and closed on New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $5 per person; ages 17 and under are admitted free. AMA members, members of national motorcycle organizations and senior citizens are eligible for a $1 discount off regular admission. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.