PICKERINGTON, Ohio — A number of expertly restored motorcycles and original classics were on hand for the annual American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Ride ‘Em Don’t Hide ‘Em Bike Shows, Saturday, July 10, as part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. “Great weather, beautiful motorcycles and a diverse stable of entries made this one of our most memorable years,” said bike show organizer Katy Wood, operations manager of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “The motorcycles were stunning, and AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Grand Marshal Malcolm Smith was extremely gracious in his support. I want to personally thank all our judges and participants for supporting the Hall of Fame at this event.” Although several bikes won awards, participants Jim and Joan Vandergriff of Linwood, Kan., were two stars of the event, with three of their motorcycles winning individual categories and two finishing as category runners-up in the Hall of Fame Bike Show (full results below). Among the Vandergriff’s honors was the coveted Grand Marshal’s Choice Award for their 1939 AJS. In presenting the award, Grand Marshal Smith said the bike reminded him of his early racing years, when he had a ’49 Matchless. Matchless and AJS had a common owner but were produced under their own marques for many years. “[The Matchless] was my first motorcycle after a Lambretta scooter, and I remember the thrill of it, and I remember that primary case, the magneto and the rigid frame,” Smith said. “I actually raced something like that in the desert with that seat and a rigid frame. I didn’t know any better. I thought that’s what you did. It’s just so meticulously done. I’m no expert on what’s original or not, but it’s the one that appealed to me the most.” Both Joan and Jim said the motorcycle symbolizes, for them, a special era in motorcycling’s history. “Especially these ’30s and ’40s bikes, they represent the golden age of motorcycles, and we just can’t live without them,” Joan said. “We just love this event. We’ve been coming for about five years. We support the AMA. We’ve been Life Members for years, and we support the Hall of Fame.” Jim added: “When you get on it and ride it, you feel like a good, proper gentleman. The unique thing about the AJS, you’ll notice that it has two exhaust pipes, but only one piston. It’s called a dual port, and it’s got an incredibly unique sound.” AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is an annual three-day celebration of motorcycling’s past, present and future, with proceeds supporting the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. Held July 9-11 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, this year’s event featured vintage motorcycle racing in numerous disciplines, demo rides of new motorcycles, seminars by motorcycling legends, North America’s largest swap meet and Husqvarna as Marque of the Year. More information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days can be found at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com. Hall of Fame Bike Show Results Grand Marshal’s Choice Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1939 AJS Best of Show American Gary E. McMahan’s 1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster Best of Show British Larry Barnes’ 1954 Velocette LE Best of Show European Peter Calles’s 1964 MV Agusta Best of Show Japanese Art Bensheimer’s 1970 Kawasaki H-1 American Motorcycle through 1939 1st Place – Peter, Beulah & Amie Knick’s 1915 Indian Board Tracker 2nd Place – Scott Picklesimer’s 1933 Indian Motoplane American Motorcycle 1940-1949 1st Place – Larry Barnes’s 1949 Indian 249 “Super Scout” 2nd Place – Bill France’s 1948 Harley-Davidson EL American Motorcycle 1950-1959 1st Place Marcie McManah’s 1956 Harley-Davidson 165 2nd Place Sam Arlia’s 1958 Harley-Davidson Panhead American Motorcycle 1960-1969 1st Place – Tom Boron’s 1969 Harley-Davidson Sportster 2nd Place – Roy Poore, Jr.’s 1963 Allstate 125 American Motorcycle 1970-1979 2st Place – James Shea’s 1978 Harley-Davidson MX250 British Motorcycle through 1939 1st Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1939 AJS British Motorcycle 1940-1949 1st Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1942 Triumph 3HW 2nd Place – Bob Lincoln’s 1946 Norton Model 18 British Motorcycle 1950-1959 1st Place – Steven M. Carter’s 1957 Ariel Square 4 2nd Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1957 Triumph TR6 British Motorcycle 1960-1969 1st Place – Keith Kleman’s 1968 Triumph Bonneville 2nd Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1965 Velocette Thurxton British Motorcycle 1970-1979 1st Place – Sergei Traycoff’s 1972 Norton Commando Interstate 2nd Place – Gregg Brown’s 1975 Norton Commando British Motorcycle Specials & Customs 1st Place – Hunter Garrison’s 1969 Norton Fastback 2nd Place – Willy Saulsberry, Jr.’s 1968 Triumph Bonneville European Motorcycle 1950-1959 1st Place – Peter Calles’s 1955 Moto Morini 2nd Place – Steve Hatfield’s 1955 Ducati 98 Sport European Motorcycle 1960-1969 1st Place – John Walsh’s 1966 Ducati Scrambler 2nd Place – Bob Peters’ 1962 Ducati 125 Bronco European Motorcycle 1970-1979 1st Place – Steve Morris’s 1974 Laverda SF2 750 2nd Place – Mick Milakovic’s 1978 Husqvarna 390-OR European Specials & Customs 1st Place – Peter Knick’s 1976 Bultaco Astro Japanese Motorcycle 1960-1969 1st Place – John Walsh’s 1963 Bridgestone Surfrider 7 2nd Place – Art Bensheimer’s 1962 Honda CBM72 Japanese Motorcycle 1970-1979 1st Place – Andrew Menter’s 1974 Hodaka Wombat 2nd Place – Jim Bright’s 1979 Honda CBX Japanese Motorcycle 1980-1989 1st Place – Big Paul & Little Paul Deitz’s 1980 Yamaha YZ50 Japanese Motorcycle Specials & Customs 1st Place – Billy Aldrich’s 1962 Honda Replica GP Racer RC-163 2nd Place – Joe Nadock’s 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 Ride ‘Em Don’t Hide ‘Em Bike Show Results Grand Marshal’s Choice Larry McKeown’s 1970 Triumph T100C Oldest Bike Tom Beasley’s 1937 Velocette KSS Hard Luck Award Jack Fiero’s 1973 Ducati 750 GT (almost ran out of gas) American Motorcycles 1st Place – Mark Schmalbach’s 1970 Harley-Davidson XR British Motorcycles 1st Place – Donald W. Beadle’s 1939 BSA B21 Std. 2nd Place – Jerry Ficklin’s 1957 Norton International European Motorcycles 1st Place – Bill Crookston’s 1976 BMW R90S 2nd Place – William Sisco’s 1973 Ducati 750 GT Japanese Motorcycles 1st Place – Glenn Rumburg’s 1964 Suzuki T10 2nd Place – Todd Whited’s 1976 Hodaka Road Toad Specials & Customs 1st Place – Billy Aldrich’s 1977 Honda CJ360 2nd Place – Paul Walsh’s 1975 Honda CB500T About the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors the distinguished men and women whose vision, passion and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation and located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, the Hall of Fame immerses visitors in the excitement of the open road or trail, the thrill of racing, the allure of motorcycle design and technology, and the inspiration of memorable personalities. For more information, please visit MotorcycleMuseum.org. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, 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 and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.