PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) are pleased to report that AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Kevin Schwantz, numerous sponsors and volunteers, and hundreds of attendees combined forces to make the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona a major success.
“The AMA was honored when 1993 500cc World Champion and 1988 Daytona 200 winner Kevin Schwantz agreed to talk about his amazing career at this year’s Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona fund-raising event,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Kevin’s participation exceeded even the high expectations we had before the event, and served as a stellar example of the amazing careers showcased by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The AMA thanks Kevin, interviewer Ben Cheatwood and numerous sponsors and donors for their generous contributions.”
Jeff Heininger, chairman of the AMHF, which raises money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, added that support for the Breakfast at Daytona is growing.
“The participation of superstars like Kevin and the support of so many donors and companies over the years have made the Breakfast at Daytona a must-attend event during Bike Week,” Heininger said. “We’re encouraged that this enthusiasm will continue at our other events throughout the year, from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 20-22 in Lexington, Ohio, to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 16-17.”
A video commemorating Schwantz’s career and participation in the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona can be viewed at the AMA’s Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/americanmotorcyclist.
Sponsors of the event included AMA Board of Directors Chairman Stan Simpson, Motorcycle Hall of Famers and longtime patrons Melbourne J. “Mike” and Margaret Wilson, Motul USA Inc., Terry Knott, Sidewinders MC, the John Penton Family, Don Rosene, Corbin Pacific, John Tibben and KK Motorcycle Supply.
In addition, a silent auction of unique memorabilia raised several thousand more dollars. Organizations and individuals who donated items and resources included Arai Helmets, Bobby Lemming, Bromley Motorcycle Sales Inc., Chris Carter, Steve Dance, Don Emde, Feld Motor Sports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Buzz Kanter, Mark Mederski, Motul USA Inc., JJ O’Malley, Rob Rasor, Chris Sommer-Simmons and the AMA.
Featured speaker Schwantz, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, rocketed to prominence as one of America’s best roadracers during the mid-1980s. By the end of the decade, Schwantz had moved to international competition in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championships. He was a perennial top rider in that series, and won the world championship in 1993. During his Grand Prix racing career, Schwantz racked up 25 500cc GP victories, making him second all-time among American riders.
More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, including how to donate or attend future events, can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org.
