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The Motorcycle Hall of Fame announces inductees for 2007 - Kiedrowski, Parker, more.
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HEROES!! MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE CLASS OF 2007!
PICKERINGTON, OHIO - Twelve new members have been selected for
induction into The Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Each new inductee has
furthered American motorcycling through a lifetime of achievement.
Induction ceremonies for the Class of 2007 are scheduled for the
evening of Saturday, October 6, 2007, in Columbus Ohio.
Through induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, these champion
racers and influential industry leaders are ensured that their stories
and accomplishments will be preserved for the enjoyment and education
of motorcycle enthusiasts for generations to come.
Each inductee will be honored with the distinguished gold Motorcycle
Hall of Fame medal, and have his name permanently featured in the
Museum's Hall of Fame gallery.
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2007 includes:
Rex Beauchamp - As one of the original "Michigan Mafia" flat track
racers, Rex Beauchamp was a crowd favorite on his factory sponsored
Harley-Davidson. Beauchamp was the winner of four Grand National races
between 1973 and 1976. During all three years, he also finished in the
top ten in the AMA National Standings. Beauchamp may be best known for
his race with Kenny Roberts at the Colorado Springs Mile in the early
1970s. The wheel to wheel action photograph of Beauchamp and Roberts
taken during the duel has become an iconic image of flat track racing.
Bob Greene - Nicknamed "The Old Greenhorner," Bob Greene gained
national recognition as the editor of Cycle magazine. After his tenure
at Cycle, Greene went on to publish numerous books on motorcycling.
Throughout his life, Greene also regularly competed in desert racing
events, speed trials, and scrambles. From the 1940s through the late
1960s, Greene was the chief organizer of the prestigious Greenhorn
Enduro.
Pat Hennen - Always a competitor, Pat Hennen was the first American to
win a 500cc World Grand Prix race. His victory at the 1976 Finland GP
paved the way for a flood of American riders who would come to
dominate the sport. Hennen began his career in 1972 as an AMA dirt
track and road racing competitor. His career was ended prematurely by
a crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1978, while he was battling Kenny
Roberts for the Grand Prix title. Hennen's winning career continues to
inspire Grand Prix racers.
Professor Hugh H. "Harry" Hurt - Award-winning author Professor Harry
Hurt set the benchmark for motorcycle safety research in 1981 with a
study titled "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of
Countermeasures" that became widely known as the "Hurt Report." In
addition to that groundbreaking study, he is the author of dozens of
publications in the fields of motorcycle handling, safety, crash
analysis, and helmet performance. Currently, Professor Hurt is
president of the Head Protection Research Laboratory of Southern
California and Professor Emeritus, Safety Science, USC.
Mike Kiedrowski - During his seven-year career as a motocross racer,
Mike Kiedrowski won championships as easily as he did fans. Between
1988 and 1995, he was a four-time AMA National Champion. Kiedrowski's
career included nine top-five season finishes in motocross and six top-
five season finishes in Supercross. Kiedrowski was also a member of
three victorious U.S. Motocross des Nations teams.
Sammy Miller - As a trials competitor, motorcycle designer, and
motorcycling historian, Sammy Miller has won international renown.
During his career, Miller rode his way to nine gold medals in the
International Six Days Trials. He also designed trials motorcycles,
including the Ariel GOV 132 and Bultaco Sherpa, which influenced the
Trials movement across America in the 1960s. As founder of The Sammy
Miller Motorcycle Museum in Southern England, Miller continues to
promote and preserve the history of motorcycle competition worldwide.
Trampas Parker - As versatile as he was consistent, KTM factory racer
Trampas Parker made history as a two-time World Motocross Champion. He
was an unknown American rider living in Italy when he burst onto the
world motocross scene by winning the 125cc championship in 1989. Two
years later, he repeated the feat for a 250cc championship. Now
residing back in the United States, Parker enjoys participating
occasionally in Supermoto racing.
Derek and Don Rickman - Brothers Derek and Don Rickman found success
ran in their blood as motocross racers in 1960s England. After tasting
victory on the track, the Rickmans began designing and building their
own motorcycle frames. Soon their distinctive designs allowed them to
expand their business to include street machines and fairing
production.
Orie Steele, Sr. - In the early twentieth century, hill climb racing
was an immensely popular sport dominated by Orie Steele, Sr. In 1926
alone, Steele competed in 49 events and won 33 firsts. A National Hill
Climb Champion and an Indian factory rider in the 1920s, Steele's
legendary skill thrilled crowds across the country.
Billy Uhl - Racing alongside his father at the International Six Day
Trials in 1969, Billy Uhl won his first of seven ISDT gold medals. Uhl
competed for the US in the famed trials between 1969 and 1979. Today,
Uhl is a senior instructor at the Billy Uhl Riding School where he
uses his trials experience to educate riders of all skill levels. When
he is not instructing, Uhl designs and maintains trails for the State
of Idaho Parks and Recreation Department.
Ed Waldheim - A tireless advocate for off-road motorcyclists, Ed
Waldheim also won more than thirty trophies during his racing career.
Waldheim is the founder and President of the California Off-Road
Vehicle Association. He has won numerous awards for his advocacy on
behalf of all off-road enthusiasts, including the prestigious AMA
Motorcycling Advocate Award, and continues to advance their cause with
the government and in the media.
Induction Weekend to Feature 6th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Concours
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction is an emotional celebration that
brings together some of the most recognizable people and machines from
the world of motorcycling. Besides induction ceremonies, the Hall of
Fame Weekend will also feature the Museum's 6th annual Concours
d'Elegance, which drew over 100 juried entries in 2006 - including
many bikes ridden, raced, designed or built by current Motorcycle Hall
of Fame members. The weekend kicks off with "An Evening of Stars and
Legends," a reception honoring the Class of 2007, set for the evening
of Friday, October 5, at the Museum. All activities are open to the
public.
For more information, call the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at
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