AMA Thanks Partners, Supporters and Attendees Who Made 30th Running of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a Roaring Success
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Royal Enfield — one of the biggest single-weekend summer events in all of motorcycling, including the country’s largest motorcycle swap meet — once again thrilled motorcyclists from around the country and the world who flooded to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, July 22-24, for three jam-packed days of riding, racing, and vintage-bike fun.
Organized and promoted by the American Motorcyclist Association, the annual event raises funds for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps fund the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s mission to promote and preserve the history and heritage of motorcycling in America.
“Tens of thousands of motorcyclists came together at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for a weekend of celebrating vintage motorcycles, spending time with friends, and enjoying the freedom offered by two wheels,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Each year the AMA takes great pride in organizing this weekend event, and none of it would be possible without a long list of partners, supporters and volunteers. We appreciate them all, and everyone who attends from motorcycling’s diverse community, to help us raise money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. It’s one heck of a party!”
The Grand Marshal for the 30th running of the event was AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz, who spent time signing autographs, greeting fans and participating in Q&A sessions. He also led the Lap for History each day aboard a very special motorcycle, a custom-painted Suzuki GSX-R1000 done up in the Pepsi Racing livery he ran early in his Grand Prix career. The GSX-R is one of the two AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Raffle Bikes for 2023, the other being a tricked-out 1985 Suzuki GS750 with a host of Superbike-spec parts.
“Having Kevin there was a real treat,” said AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm, “for the fans, of course, as he’s a beloved figure in American road racing history, and Kevin is nothing if not fantastic with fans. But also because it was his first time attending VMD, and from what I could tell, he had a blast checking out all the cool stuff that is VMD. So thanks, Kevin, for being so gracious to the many attendees, for promoting the 2023 raffle bikes, which help fund the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and for adding something really special to our event.”
AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula thanked the many companies who provided financial support for the event.
“Huge thanks to Royal Enfield who stepped up as the Presenting Sponsor and had their demo bikes out in force,” Kula said. “Suzuki came in as our Associate Sponsor, and then GEICO Insurance, SSR Motorsports, EBC Brakes, Cycle Gear, Biltwell, B’laster, Iron Pony, Fast House, Old Bike Barn, Kenda Tire, Federal Motorcycle Transport, Design Engineering, Red Roof Inn, Arkansas Motorcycling, Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, Classic British Motorcycle Club of Cincinnati, STACYC, Wholesale Cycle, Motorcycle Sherpa, Whiteknuckler Brand, Skidmark Garage, Evil Coffee, Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, Central Powersports Distribution, Merla Moto, Green Leaf Industry Corp, Motorcycles and Coffee, Matt’s Sticks, MoTow USA and Total Energies all generously supported the event.”
“Our friends at Triumph and Indian,” Kula continued, “also had demo bikes for attendees to sample all weekend. We can’t thank these companies enough, because all the proceeds go to help the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”
In addition to sponsoring the event, Kenda Tire, along with STACYC and Iron Pony, also organized a kids’ area that included tracks for kids to experience STACYC’s electric bikes.
“Last, we can’t forget about the hundreds of vendors who make up the country’s largest motorcycle swap meet every year,” Kula added. “Not only do they provide financial support for the AMA Hall of Fame, but they provide a distinct and outright fun atmosphere that attendees simply won’t find anywhere else.”
AMA Director of Membership Marketing and Services Amanda Donchess said she appreciated the AMA members, chartered organizations, partner organizations and large number of volunteers who helped make the event successful this year.
“Vintage Motorcycle Days is always a great place to meet and hear from members,” Donchess said, “and this year AMA members deserve a huge thank-you for showing up in a big way. Between individual members, chartered organizations like the Christian Motorcyclist Association and partner organizations like Motorcycle Ohio, over one hundred volunteers committed their time and effort to make the event a success. AMA chartered Classic British Motorcycle Club, along with the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, returned with collections of vintage bikes that help VMD live up to its name.”
“Hundreds of new members joined over the weekend,” Donchess added, “and a few even earned AMA Charter Life Member status. As always, I’m already looking forward to next year and seeing familiar member faces and plenty of new ones.”
Vintage racing at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days draws thousands of race entries each year in vintage motocross, hare scrambles, trials, road racing and flat track.
“This year’s 30th running of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days was a big success,” said AMA Director or Racing Michael Pelletier, “and none of it could be accomplished without the support of our racing partners and volunteers. They provide the foundation needed to put on such a great event each year, and we are very appreciative of those efforts.”
“Among the most important racing partners is the Roadracing World Action Fund,” Pelletier continued, “and we appreciate them providing soft barriers for the road race course.”
Pelletier also thanked WERA for road race operations, BAJA MX Inc. for motocross operations, Rosanna Gzebinski in racing registration, Mandy Mastin for hare scrambles operations, Trials Inc. for the trials event, announcer Kevin Kelly, motocross track builder Jeff Beerbower/Log Road MX, MX Referee Ray Bergeron, the Christian Motorcycle Association for flagging duties, RaceLine Ministries (Mark and Dawn Merical) and Rapid 2-Way, Zack Eaton for installation and maintenance of soft barriers, and Brian Kozicki Events for the AV assistance.
Off-road racing volunteers included Chad Bailey, Tim McAdams, Tim Kennedy, John Starling, Mikah Cole, Doug Vann, Josh Miller, Roger Miller, Kris Kudla, James Rose, Trevor Barrick, Luke Sanford, Scott Denney, Greg Schlabach and Jon Martin.
AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter acknowledged the work of the AMA’s most important operational partner for the event, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
“Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is our most critical partner for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” Holter said. “The entire Mid-Ohio team, led by Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Craig Rust, helped the AMA produce a smooth-running event in 2022. I’d like to specifically acknowledge the around-the-clock work of the safety crew, led by Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Safety Manager Brian Sipes, for keeping everyone safe and secure during one of the most eclectic and enthusiastic weekends in motorcycling.”
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the country’s premier celebration of vintage motorcycles and one of the largest single-weekend motorcycle events each summer. To learn more about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, read stories from the event and see photos, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
To ensure you stay up to date on the 2023 event, sign up for the sign up for the AMA VMD newsletter, follow the official event Facebook page, follow the AMA VMD Instagram page, and stay tuned to VintageMotorcycleDays.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
