PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Dave Despain, well-known motorsports television personality and member of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, is the latest recipient of the AMA Dud Perkins Award for Outstanding Contribution to Motorcycling. The formal presentation took place at Daytona Bike Week 2005, and Despain publicly accepted the award on Sunday, March 13, during his popular “Wind Tunnel” program on Speed Channel. The AMA Dud Perkins Award for Outstanding Contribution to Motorcycling, established in 1971, was first presented to its namesake. Dud Perkins was a San Francisco motorcycle dealer who embodied tireless and generous dedication to every aspect of motorcycling, serving on many AMA committees and advancing the careers of many noteworthy professional motorcycle racers. The award is the Association’s highest honor for outstanding contributions to motorcycling. Dave Despain is arguably the best-known television personality in the history of motorcycling. He started calling local races in and around his home state of Iowa and progressed through the ranks as race announcer, radio disc jockey, television color commentator and, ultimately, host of a nationally broadcast weekly motorcycling program. Besides being the voice of motorcycle racing, Despain also has done just about everything else in motorcycling, from being AMA Public Relations Director, racer, motorcycle shop worker, journalist, promoter, AMA Pro Racing board member and founder of the Dirt Track Hall of Fame. From the mid-1970s through the 2000s, there’s been no more recognized face and voice in the sport of motorcycling. “There’s perhaps no more deserving recipient of the Dud Perkins Award than Dave Despain,” said Robert Rasor, President of the AMA. “His immeasurable contributions to motorcycling, both behind the microphone and beyond, showcase the very best of our sport, and we’re delighted to take this opportunity to honor him.” The AMA Dud Perkins Award for Outstanding Contribution to Motorcycling is bestowed from time to time at the pleasure of the AMA Board of Directors. A complete list of the award’s past recipients can be found at ~http://www.ama-cycle.org/whatis/dudperkins.asp~