From a press release issued by Motorcycle Industry Council: Motorcycle Industry Council Named one of California’s Best Places to Work IRVINE, Calif., – The Motorcycle Industry Council is one of the Golden State’s very best employers, according to the study known as California’s Best Places to Work. The MIC took first place in the small companies category of the 2007 recognition program sponsored by Employers Group, the nation’s largest and oldest non-profit employer association for human resource management. On behalf of Employers Group, Olympic swimming gold-medalist and motivational speaker John Naber announced the results and presented trophies at a ceremony on Feb. 28 in Beverly Hills, Calif. “We strive to be among the best places to work, in California and anywhere else,” said MIC President Tim Buche. “Motorcycling is about passion and freedom and feeding the soul. While we operate and manage a real business here, that sense of personal fulfillment and sharing a great experience remains at the root of everything we do. We have a tremendously supportive group of members and funders who want us to succeed, and a dedicated staff focused on serving them, our customers and fellow riders.” The two-part survey included measurement of 125 criteria, to determine semi-finalists, and then a random, anonymous poll to select first through fifth place in four categories: growing companies, small companies, medium companies and large companies. Out of more than 400 entrants, other winners included Cox Communications, in the large company category, the Lockheed Federal Credit Union, for medium companies, and MortgageIT for growing companies. Other honorees included Fandango and Sun Microsystems. “Above all, a collective passion for powersports products, and promoting their safe use, makes the MIC a great place to work,” Buche said. “As a business, we’re about excellence. Our hiring practices seek to find the most talented people possible, and then set them to work in areas where their skills can shine and add real value to our funding members. At the same time, we foster cooperation, encouraging team efforts and recognizing group success, not just individual stars. We provide the opportunity to succeed, and we strive to be fair about sharing that success as well as our burdens.” The MIC promotes, preserves and protects both the public interests of riders everywhere and the business activities involved in the world of motorcycling. Many MIC associates are deeply involved with motorcycles and ATVs both during the workday and after hours. And for those riders, the MIC offers strong benefits, such as discounts on parts and accessories, and a motorcycle-maintenance program that completely covers upkeep cost. Motorcycle commuters are allowed to wear casual clothes in the office, making it easier to change out of riding gear. The MIC shares other things, too, small and large, from group gatherings to group rides and free RiderCourses from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the ATV Safety Institute. The timeline of the Motorcycle Industry Council stretches back to 1914, and the early days of two-wheeling, when the Motorcycle Manufacturers’ Association was incorporated in New York City. The association added scooters to its name in 1965 and soon merged with the Motorcycle Safety Council. In the 1970s, the group finally became the Motorcycle Industry Council, moving to Washington, D.C., and opening an office in Southern California, the area then emerging as the hub of the motorcycle business. The MIC began its sales statistics program, started representing the aftermarket and was soon surveying its customers about motorcycle usage. The D.C. staff moved to Arlington, Va., becoming the Government Relations Office, while the MIC headquarters moved to its current location in Irvine, Calif., in 1988. Today, there are 77 California-based MIC staff and more than 300 dues-paying members. The Motorcycle Industry Council is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV parts and accessories and members of allied trades, located in Irvine, Calif. More, from a press release issued by Foremost Insurance: Foremost and Scorpion Team Up for Daytona Giveaway (Grand Rapids, MI) Two leaders in the motorcycle industry team up this weekend in Daytona to give motorcycle riders a chance to win a brand new helmet during Bike Week. Foremost Insurance and Scorpion will be giving away six brand new DOT-approved helmets at the Foremost booth during Daytona Bike Week, March 5-8. Interested motorcyclists need to simply fill out a ticket and drop if off at the Foremost booth to be in the running. Winners will be able to choose a Scorpion street helmet from the EXO 400 line, or a Scorpion off-road helmet from the VX 14 and VX 9 Youth lines. Both Foremost and Scorpion are sponsors of the LeoVince Foremost Insurance Ducati Racing Team. Foremost riders Larry Pegram of the LeoVince Foremost Insurance Ducati Racing Team, and Jim Neese of the Foremost Insurance Carolina Xpress Suzuki Team will be available for autographs at the Foremost booth during Bike Week. More, from a press release: Come Watch The DAYTONA 200 by HONDA On Our 15 FOOT Projection TV Saturday March 8TH at 11:00 am the party starts Watch the SUPERBIKE RACES then the DAYTONA 200 With friends and racers 30% DISCOUNT ON ALL IN STOCK AND ORDERED PARTS DISCOUNTS ON ALL NEW MOTORCYCLES FREE FOOD AND DRINKS WIN A CRUSIN COOLER IN THE COOLER RACES $20.00 to enter winner gets a free CRUSIN COOLER min of 10 racers need to sign up ALL COLLECTED MONEY WILL BE DONATED TO THE ROADRACING WORLD ACTION FUND COME ON IN AND HAVE FUN WATCHING THE RACES WITH FRIENDS AND RACERS RACE BIKES WILL BE ON DISPLAY SEE YOU ON SATURDAY MARCH 8TH FOR THE RACES Route 15 Powersports 25 Weldon Road PO Box 927 Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849 (973) 663-3000 Please visit our website at the following location: http://www.route15powersports.com More, from a press release: DAYTONA VIEWING PARTY IN BIRMINGHAM, AL For the third consecutive year McGovern’s Screened Porch and Over-The-Top Party Garage will again host a Daytona 200 viewing party. Festivities will begin promptly at 9:30 am local time with the official icing of the beverages and lighting of the grill. Bring your season opening attitude and outside voice to 605 Brooks Lane. Guest appearance by Sir Joe Brutoni former Daytona and Isle of Mann participant. More details at http://www.yellandscreamasthebikesgoroundandround.com. Joe McGovern More, from a press release issued by National Motorcycle Patrol: National Motorcycle Patrol (NMP) is ramping up for what hopes to be another great year in road racing and motocross. The NMP is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization providing first aid at motorcycle events from the club level to MotoGP. Our first aid providers have included First Responders, EMT’s, Paramedics, RN’s and MD’s. We are currently seeking qualified volunteers to join us in continuing our long history of world-class first aid care. The NMP supports AFM, AMA, and FIM road races at Infineon (formerly Sears Point), Thunderhill, Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca race courses. We also support international, national, and regional enduros, hare scrambles, motocross races, and cross country events. If you are interested in providing racers first aid and watch racing action from a perspective few get to experience, please send us your information so we can determine how best to put your skills to work helping the racing community. We look forward to another great year! National Motorcycle Patrol Email contact: Ann Venenciano [email protected] David Stainbrook [email protected] ~http://www.motorcyclepatrol.org/~