AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame creates more inclusive rules, expands accessibility
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation has enacted changes for the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame that increase the Hall of Fame’s inclusiveness.
The changes include:
A Highly Qualified Candidate category that will empower the independent Hall of Fame Selection Committees to nominate candidates whose accomplishments have taken place outside the public eye but have played a significant role in motorcycling.
Starting with the Hall of Fame Class of 2016, all AMA Life Members with at least 25 consecutive years of membership will be invited to vote for Hall of Fame inductees. This includes all AMA Charter Life Members and paid AMA Life Members who have at least 25 consecutive years of membership.
In addition, in recognition of the past and ongoing financial support that the AMA and its members contribute to the AMHF, all current AMA members who show their valid AMA card will receive free entry into the Hall of Fame museum.
“Over the past few years, we have implemented changes to improve the management of the museum and bring transparency to the selection process, and now we are proud to do even more to expand the inclusiveness of motorcycling’s Hall of Fame — for nominees and for voters,” said AMA Board Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw.
The Highly Qualified Candidate category gives the independent Hall of Fame Selection Committees a tool to recognize advocates and other behind-the-scenes workers whose accomplishments have played a major role in motorcycling but go unnoticed because they avoided the limelight.
“We’re also excited to share the Hall of Fame voting responsibility with all of our 25-plus-year AMA Life Members,” McNally-Bradshaw said. “This is a huge step in involving our members in what is their Hall of Fame and museum, and will further expose our nominees to all riders, not just race fans.”
Hall of Fame voting is done electronically through independent voting firm VoteNet. To participate in the Class of 2016 vote, AMA Life Members with at least 25 consecutive years of membership must have have a valid email address on file with the AMA, which administers the Hall of Fame voting process. Eligible voters with a valid email address on file will be contacted to vote in May.
Over the next two months, the AMA will request updated email addresses for eligible voters. AMA Life Members with at least 25 consecutive years of membership who believe they do not have updated information on file with the AMA are invited to update their information now by emailing their AMA number, name, postal address, phone number and email address to [email protected].
Previously, Hall of Fame voting was limited to living Hall of Famers, the boards of the AMA and AMHF and the independent Hall of Fame Selection Committee. For more information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame voting process, see www.motorcyclemuseum.org > Inductions > Induction Process.
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. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join