Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2006
PICKERINGTON, OHIO – The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum today
announced nine new members for induction into the Motorcycle Hall of
Fame, with ceremonies scheduled for Saturday evening, October 7,
2006. This year’s inductees include racing champions, land-speed
record holders, industry leaders and innovators. Bill Werner, one
of motorcycling’s most successful race bike tuning talents and a
Motorcycle Hall of Fame member since 2000, will serve as master of
ceremonies for the 2006 event.
Every Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee played a major role in building
America’s rich motorcycling heritage. Induction into the
Motorcycle Hall of Fame ensures that each inductee’s achievements, as
well as the colorful stories surrounding them, are preserved for the
enjoyment and education of future generations.
At the October 7 ceremony, each inductee will be honored with the
distinguished gold Motorcycle Hall of Fame medal. In addition, the
inductee’s name will be featured on a permanent plaque in the Museum’s
Hall of Fame gallery.
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2006 includes:
Doug Chandler – During a career that spanned more than two decades,
Doug Chandler earned numerous accolades for his skill as a dirt tracker
and roadracer, including AMA Camel Pro Rookie of the Year in 1983 and
AMA Superbike titles in 1990, 1996 and 1997. He is also one of
only five racers to complete a “Grand Slam” in AMA National
Championship racing, with wins in short track, T.T., half mile, mile
and roadracing. Ever the competitor, Chandler has returned to the AMA
Superbike Series this year as a privateer.
Alfred Rich Child – As Harley-Davidson’s first export representative to
Africa in 1922, Alfred Rich Child was used to breaking new ground. His
career at Harley-Davidson also included serving as Managing Director of
Sales in pre-WWII Japan, as well as negotiating the contract that would
give Sankyo Company exclusive rights to manufacture Harley-Davidson
products in that country. Following the war, Child founded the Rich
Child Cycle Co., a distributor of BSA and Sunbeam motorcycles.
Wally Dallenbach – While many know Wally Dallenbach as a champion race
car driver, it is his passion for motorcycling and helping others that
resulted in the first Colorado 500 Charity Dirt Bike Ride in
1975. These by-invitation-only gatherings of dedicated motorcycle
enthusiasts not only advance the cause of environmentally sound land
use, but continue to raise significant funds for communities and
charitable institutions in the Colorado Rockies.
Denis Manning – A supremely talented and self-taught designer and
fabricator, Denis Manning built the innovative streamliner that allowed
Cal Rayborn to shatter Don Vesco’s long-standing motorcycle land-speed
record in 1970. Today, Manning, also the founder of aftermarket
motorcycle exhaust pipe company B.U.B. Enterprises, continues to build
and compete in motorcycle land-speed record runs at the Bonneville Salt
Flats.
Heikki Mikkola – The “Flyin’ Finn” was one of the most popular and
feared motocross racers of the 1970s. During his
illustrious career, Mikkola racked up four World Motocross Championship
titles and 32 Grand Prix victories, including a win in the 500cc class
at the prestigious 1978 U.S. GP at Carlsbad, California.
Burt Munro – New Zealand native Burt Munro devoted his entire life to
pursuing his dream of setting a world land-speed record with his 1920
Indian Scout. A humble do-it-yourselfer, Munro raced independent
of corporate sponsorship, preferring to personally modify the Indian
every step of the way. His 50-year quest – and 1962 success at
the Bonneville Salt Flats – were immortalized in the 2005 film The
World’s Fastest Indian, starring Anthony Hopkins as Munro.
Cook Neilson – As Editor of Cycle magazine during the 1970s, Cook
Neilson set new standards for motorcycle journalism. Under his
direction the magazine published the first-ever head-to-head tests of
individual bikes, a format used in every category of enthusiast media
today. Cycle’s coverage of AMA Superbike racing also helped
establish the series as America’s premier roadracing
championship. Neilson also walked the talk: he was a leading AMA
Superbike racer in the 1970s and gave Ducati its first AMA Superbike
victory at Daytona.
Roger “Sodie” Soderstrom – The affable “Sodie” Soderstrom not only knew
how to win races, he knew how to capture the hearts of fans, topping
the AMA’s “Most Popular Rider” lists for many years. His racing career
spanned 20 years and included five national wins in class C competition
at Peoria. As a Harley-Davidson dealer, Sodie was also an active
supporter of the sport and helped numerous racers launch their careers.
Mike Wilson – From his days as an expert dirt tracker, to his role as a
dealer and sponsor of notable racers like Leo Payne, Mike Wilson has
made motorcycling a major part of his life. Today, Wilson, along
with his wife, Margaret (inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004),
continue to serve as tireless ambassadors of the sport and active
proponents for preserving motorcycling’s history and heritage.
Induction Weekend to Feature 5th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours
The Class of 2006 will be inducted the evening of Saturday, October 7,
during ceremonies at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the
campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington,
Ohio. Supported by families, industry peers, friends, past
Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees and media, the induction is an
emotional celebration that brings together some of the most
recognizable names in the world of motorcycling. The Hall of Fame
Weekend will also feature the Museum’s 5th annual Concours d’Elegance,
which drew over 100 juried entries in 2005 – including many machines
ridden, raced, designed or built by Motorcycle Hall of Fame
members. The weekend kicks off with “An Evening of Stars and
Legends,” a reception honoring the Class of 2006, set for the evening
of Friday, October 6, at the Museum. All activities are open to
the public. For more information, call the Motorcycle Hall of
Fame Museum at 1-614-856-2222, or visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org