PICKERINGTON, Ohio — One of Great Britain’s most storied motorcycle companies, BSA, will be the Marque of the Year for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2009, the world’s largest gathering of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, set for July 24-26 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. “BSA’s place in motorcycling history is impressive, with its well-known and well-raced BSA Gold Stars, Shooting Stars and more,” said Tigra Tsujikawa, events coordinator for the AMA. “We’re glad to showcase the marque at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and highlight the machines and people who made BSA famous.” Founded in the 1860s as the Birmingham Small Arms Co. to build weapons for the Crimean War, BSA branched out to motorcycles and was making machines entirely in-house by 1910. Originally aimed at the utility and recreational market, the bikes became well-known to racers the world over after the factory entered a team in the Daytona 200 in 1954, and BSA riders swept the top three places. Its Gold Star 500cc single, in particular, has become one of the most iconic bikes in all of motorcycling. Not only will the weekend feature bike shows, vintage racing and North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, but a parade of classic motorcycles representing each year of the AMA’s 85 years will celebrate the heritage of American motorcycling. Also on tap: demo rides of current production bikes, motorcycling seminars, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame auction, stunt shows, the new product Manufacturers’ Midway, club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs, and guided rides through the rolling Ohio countryside. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefits the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The goal of the Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org. For more information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2009, visit www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life and they navigate many different roads on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.