PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has joined the growing list of companies honoring the 2012 inductees of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Nov. 16 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev. Kawasaki is the dinner sponsor for the induction ceremony.
The gala event will officially welcome the class of 2012: off-road racing champion Ty Davis, who won Kawasaki's first AMA National Enduro Championship; the late Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary; roadracing world championship tuner Nobby Clark; 1975 AMA Supercross Champion Jimmy Ellis; pioneering female motocrosser Sue Fish; world-class bike restorer Brian Slark; and the late iconic race flagger Al Wilcox.
"Each year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame welcomes a new class of stars to its ranks, and 2012 is no different," said Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Marketing Director Chris Brull. "We're excited to be a part of the effort to recognize the 2012 class, and we're looking forward to an amazing night in Las Vegas this November."
In addition, two existing members of the Hall of Fame will be honored as Hall of Fame Legends and will receive their official rings: 1998 inductees Malcolm Smith, a pioneer in off-road motorcycling, and Mert Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion. Both Smith and Lawwill starred in the timeless motorcycling documentary "On Any Sunday," directed by Hall of Famer Bruce Brown.
"Kawasaki's history with American motorcycling goes back decades, and its racers, team managers and tuners represent some of the best-known personalities in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame," said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame. "We're honored that Kawasaki, one of motorcycling's most highly respected companies, has become directly involved with this year's induction ceremony."
The 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by KTM, is part of AMA Legends Weekend. The event also includes one of the country's leading motorcycle shows and the finale of one of the most thrilling AMA-sanctioned national racing series. On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Red Rock will host the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d'Elegance, featuring many of the country's most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles. That evening, at the nearby Orleans Arena, fans can catch the last round of the 2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series.
The induction ceremony and bike show will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility's expansive ballrooms provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends Weekend. Room reservations are available now at a special group rate by calling (866) 767-7773 and referencing group code RCIAME or AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST. Online room reservations are available at www.redrocklasvegas.com.
For tickets to the final round of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series at the Orleans Arena, see www.endurocross.com.
About the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation
Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the goal of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Museum's three major exhibition halls feature the machines and memorabilia of those who have contributed notably to the sport. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering. More information can be found at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.