Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum announces Class of 2005
June 6, 2005 – The Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Museum, home of the nation’s only Hall of Fame honoring American
motorcycling’s legendary racers, inventors, promoters, designers,
enthusiasts and journalists, today announced 9 new members for 2005
induction. The annual Hall of Fame weekend, highlighted by a special
Museum reception, a world-class Concours d’Elegance and the popular
induction ceremonies is scheduled for October 7-8, 2005.
The Class of 2005 includes some of today's best-known racing
champions and industry leaders, as well as memorable individuals who
played a major role in creating and building the nation’s rich
motorcycling heritage. Induction into the exclusive Motorcycle Hall of
Fame ensures that inductees’ achievements, as well as the colorful
stories surrounding them, are preserved for the enjoyment and education
of future generations of riders, enthusiasts and all who appreciate
American history.
The weekend honoring the Class of 2005 begins with a Friday, October
7 evening reception at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Festivities
continue on Saturday, October 8 with the 4th annual by-invitation-only
Concours d’Elegance featuring over 100 rare vintage motorcycles. The
Hall of Fame weekend concludes with the induction dinner and ceremonies
Saturday evening. Attendance to all events is open to the public with
reservations required for the Museum reception and the induction.
"Each year we’re proud to honor the memorable individuals who helped
create such a vibrant and continuously expanding community of American
motorcycle enthusiasts," said Mark Mendell, chairman of the Motorcycle
Hall of Fame Museum. "Last year’s induction ceremony attendance broke
all records. We hope that an even greater number of industry members and
riding enthusiasts will help us honor the Class of 2005 this October.”
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2005 includes:
- Ralph Berndt — Dominant Harley-Davidson tuner from 1957
to 1967. Won four consecutive #1 plates with Carroll Resweber. Eight
mile, 14 Half-Mile, two short-track and four road-race
wins. Worked for over 30 years at Harley-Davidson Motor Company in
both the racing and experimental division. Helped develop the modern
frame Harley Lowboy.
- Jerry Branch — Master tuner of Harley-Davidson motors for
AMA Grand National Dirt Track racing as well as stock based engines
for the street. Owner of Branch Flowmetrics. Known worldwide for his
pioneering work on the flow bench with Harley-Davidson heads. Noted
author of many books on Harley-Davidson engine optimization.
- Tom Cates — Sales
rep for Honda motorcycles in early 1960s. West Coast BSA
Distribution Manager in mid-1960s, followed by BSA National Sales
Manager. Executive at K&N Engineering. Served on the Board of Directors of both the Motorcycle
Industry Council and the Trailblazers.
- Tom Christenson — Last successful campaigner of Norton
drag bikes in the U.S. National record holder in the 1970’s. Builder
of the 1,620cc "Hog Slayer," the motorcycle that represents the
bridge between drag racing’s early amateur days and today’s
professional sport. The “Hog Slayer” was retired to the National
Motorcycle Museum in England.
- Doug Henry — AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion: 1993
125cc East Supercross; 1993 & 1994 125cc Motocross; 1998 250cc
Motocross. 1998 AMA Athlete of the Year. Member of the United States
1998 Motocross des Nations team.
- Bill Johnson — First U.S. importer and distributor of
Triumph and Ariel motorcycles. Owner of Johnson Motors Inc. (JoMo).
Sponsored and promoted TT and flat-track racing with such legendary
racers as Joe Leonard and Skip Van Leeuwen. Pioneer in the
establishment and growth of British motorcycle sales in the U.S.
- Nick Nicholson — Competitor and sponsor of Catalina Grand
Prix, desert races, trials competition, scrambles, flat track and
road racing. Multi-time winner of Catalina Grand Prix and 1954 winner of
the 100-mile Daytona Beach race. One of the first Americans to
compete in the British Scrambles. In 1959, Nicholson Motors, Inc.
became the American distributor of Greeves Motorcycles.
- Scott Russell — (Top photo) AMA Superbike Champion 1992, AMA
Superstock Champion 1990-1992. World Superbike Champion 1993.
Superbike Rookie of the Year 1988. Athlete of the Year 1992. Won
1993 Suzuka Eight Hour. First five-time winner of the Daytona 200,
earning him the nickname “Mr. Daytona.”
- Gavin Trippe — Legendary promoter of virtually every type
of racing, including Trans AMA series, US Grand Prix Motocross,
Superbikers, Trans Atlantic Match Races, Ascot 1/2 mile dirt track.
Brought the 500cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross to America. Invented,
promoted, and trademarked the “Superbikers,” the foundation for
today’s “Super Motard” competition. One of the promoters of the
original ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers from 1979 -1985.
© 2005, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
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