“Motocross America: The Early Years” Exhibit
Popular Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Exhibit Begins National Tour
PICKERINGTON, OHIO – The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has announced that the “Motocross America” exhibit will begin its national tour at the San Diego Automotive Museum.
“Motocross America,” which traces the complete evolution of motocross and features more than 60 memorable off-road machines owned and raced by legends of the sport, is concluding a successful three-year run at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. Highlights from “Motocross America” will be featured in the installation “Motocross America: The Early Years.” Scheduled for display April 1 through June 25, 2008, “Motocross America: The Early Years” will showcase the history of motocross for audiences in Southern California, a region that is home to many of today’s racing champions and tomorrow’s superstars. A grand opening party celebrating the exhibit is planned for May 10, 2008, at the San Diego Automotive Museum.
“Motocross America: The Early Years” will chronicle the birth of motocross in 1920’s Britain, as well the sport's arrival and expansion in America. Additionally, the exhibit will feature a “Hall of Heroes,” which pays tribute to decades of American racing champions. “Motocross America: The Early Years” will be curated by Tom White, founder of White Brothers Performance and The Early Years of Motocross Museum.
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the country’s premier showcase of motorcycling heritage and history, is dedicated to telling the stories behind motorcycling’s famous machines and leading luminaries.
“Motocross America: The Early Years” stays true to the mission of Museum exhibits, presenting visitors with an in-depth look at the dawn of motocross and the riders who made the sport a phenomenon. Upon entering the exhibit, visitors will find the humble beginnings of motocross showcased through early bikes, including a 1952 Mondial 200 Scrambler, and authentic gear, such as modified leather lineman’s boots. The next section of the exhibit celebrates the personalities who launched motocross in America in the 1960s. Highlighted riders include Torsten Hallman, the young Swede showman, and Gary Bailey, the first American rider to beat the Europeans in competition. Exhibit visitors will also be introduced to the personalities who defined American motocross in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including five-time World Champion Roger DeCoster and three-time American National Champion Gary Jones.
“The ‘Motocross America’ exhibit featured a collection of rare machines and ephemera to encapsulate the full history of motocross. In ‘Motocross America: The Early Years,’ curator Tom White gathers a similarly remarkable set of motorcycles and memorabilia to explore the sport's beginning,” says Mark Mederski, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum executive director. “Visitors to the San Diego Automotive Museum are sure to be enthralled as they learn the high-flying story of motocross.”
The San Diego Automotive Museum is home to a renowned collection of automobiles and motorcycles. The Museum’s exhibits examine the impact of these classic machines on American culture. Rebecca Morales, San Diego Automotive Museum curator, says, “It was a natural choice to bring ‘Motocross America: The Early Years’ to our Museum. The exhibit will allow Southern California audiences a fresh look at the cultural phenomenon that is motocross.”
Please visit www.sdautomuseum.org or www.motorcyclemuseum.org for more details on “Motocross America: The Early Years” and “Motocross America.”
About the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
The goal of the 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 Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed notably to the sport, and three major exhibition halls showcase the machines and memorabilia that have shaped motorcycling. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; and is closed on New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $10 per person; students 12 – 17, $3. AMA members $5. Seniors receive a $2 discount and members of motorcycle clubs and organizations are eligible for a $1 discount per ticket. A $25 family rate and group rates are also available. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
About the San Diego Automotive Museum
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the last admission at 4:30 p.m.). The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. New admission prices are as follows: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 and over), $6 active duty military with ID, $5 students with ID, $4 children ages 6 – 15. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free of charge. The museum is free to all San Diego County residents and military with ID on the 4th Tuesday of each month. The museum is located at 2080 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park. Phone: (619) 231-2886. Website: http://www.sdautomuseum.org.
The San Diego Automotive Museum receives funding from the City of San Diego through the Commission for Arts and Culture.
