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 October
9, 2004 – A capacity crowd gathered Saturday evening at the Motorcycle
Hall of Fame Museum to honor this year’s inductees, who included such notables
as flat-track legend Steve Morehead, motocross champion Jeff Emig and long-time
motorcyclist rights activist Dal Smilie (right).
“It’s great to see such a group of enthusiasts gathered here tonight
to honor the class of 2004,” said Museum Director Mark Mederski. “After
all, these heroes are the reason why we’re here—their hard work helped pave
the way for motorcycling as we know it today.”
The event, hosted by Kevin Smith, editorial director of the Primedia
motorcycle and automotive group of magazines, headlined a weekend of activities
that included a motorcycle fashion show and reception on Friday and the
3rd Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Concours
d’Elegance on Saturday afternoon.
 All
the inductees had stories to tell, but inevitably they revolved around the
other enthusiastic and fascinating people they had met through their involvement
with motorcycles, whether they raced them, built them, sold them or just
spread the word of the joy of riding.
“Truly, over the years, it was all about the fans and the relationships
with all the people we met along the way,” said Morehead (above). “I'll
take some of those relationships to the grave.”
 As
the youngest member of this year's class of inductees, motocross and Supercross
fan favorite Jeff Emig (right) said he was a little awed by the years of
work his fellow honorees had devoted to motorcycling.
“To be part of the history of motorcycling and to be recognized for that,
it blows me away,” he said. “It's beyond me.”
And while every inductee gave thanks for joining the ranks of the Hall
of Fame, former Superbike racer Wes Cooley used the opportunity to acknowledge
another debt. When his career was ended in 1985 by a serious crash at Sears
Point, Cooley's medical bills were covered by the thousands of donations
sent in by fans.
"I never had a chance to say thanks for that," he said. So, Saturday
night, he did.
Among others accepting awards were Steven duPont, accepting for the late
E. Paul duPont, and Motor Maids President Brenda Thatcher, who accepted
the award for the late Linda Dugeau.
The 11 inductees in this year’s class join the 297 other racing champions,
industry leaders and motorcycle pioneers currently enshrined in the Hall
of Fame in the Columbus suburb of Pickerington, Ohio.
Nominations are being accepted through November 30 for the Motorcycle
Hall of Fame’s Class of 2005. For more information, see the
induction
process page.
Special Thanks to our Event Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Melbourne J. "Mike" and Margaret M. Wilson
Gold Sponsors
Yamaha Motor Corporation
MBNA America Bank, NA
Kawasaki Motors Corporation
Harley-Davidson Motor Co.
Dunlop Tire Corporation
Dave Mungenast MotorSports
Damon’s Restaurant of Pickerington
American Suzuki Motor Corporation
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Silver Sponsors
Victory Motorcycles
Dudley Perkins Co. Harley-Davidson
A. D. Farrow Co. Harley-Davidson
Bronze Sponsors
U.S. Classic Racing Association, Inc.
The Penton Family
Racer X Illustrated
National Auto Research - BLACK BOOK
Mark Mendell
Mark Blackwell
Freddie Spencer's High Performance Racing School
Associate Sponsors
Premier Pins
Bill & Millie Baird
For information on how you or your company can be a part of the
2005 Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, please contact
Dan Smith at dsmith@motorcyclemuseum.org
or (614) 856-1910 x1198.
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© 2004, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
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The class of 2004
Joe Bolger
Five-time New England Scrambles Champion, mid 1960s and 1970s.
Designer and manufacturer of motorcycle tools. Long-time contributing
editor for Cycle World, Cycle Sport; engineer and designer.
Willard “Red” Bryan
Eight-time National Hillclimb Champion, 1938 through 1951. Built
his own engines, made heads, cast cylinders, designed and built
frames.
Roy Burke
1947 Class A National Hillclimb Champion, 1952 Open Class C
Hillclimb Champion, 1955 Big Bear Grand Prix winner. Motorcycle
dealer.
Wes Cooley
1979 and 1980 AMA Superbike Champion. Eight AMA Superbike race
wins. Member of two winning Suzuka Eight-Hour endurance race teams.
Linda Dugeau
Pioneer and Founder of the Motor Maids of America, the oldest
motorcycling organization for women in North America. Motorcycle
rider and enthusiast throughout her life.
E. Paul duPont
Major investor and former President of the Indian Motocycle
Company in the post-Depression years from 1929 through 1945. Saved
the company from financial ruin.
Jeff Emig
Three AMA Motocross Championships, one AMA Supercross Championship.
1999 US Open of Supercross winner, 37 National victories, member
of six Motocross des Nations teams 1992 through 1997.
Johnny Gibson
Winner of 1956 Daytona 200 and over 100 dirt-track, road-race
and TT races. Helped organize speedway-racing revival in U.S.
Steve McLaughlin
Successful road racer in the 1960s and 1970s. Winner of the
first AMA Superbike race at Daytona, member of the Transatlantic
Match Races team, originated the World Superbike Championship in
Europe.
Steve Morehead
Career spanning three decades; dirt-track racer from 1972 to
1999. Upon retirement he was ranked tenth on the all-time AMA Grand
National win list, and fourth-ranked in half-mile victories. Currently
operations manager for AMA Flat Track.
Dal Smilie
Passionate advocate for motorcyclist rights throughout his 35-year
industry career. Longest-serving AMA Director, first American Motorcycle
Heritage Foundation chairman. Recipient of Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Award of Excellence for national safety leadership.
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