Nominees for 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame to be Announced on April 2

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame to announce 2012 nominees on April 2

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- March 26, 2012 -- On Nov. 16 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) will welcome a new class into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. This year, for the first time ever, the AMHF will announce not just the final class of inductees, but on Monday, April 2, will reveal the men and women who have been nominated for consideration of one of motorcycling's highest honors.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), tells the stories of motorcycling heroes and legends and preserves the history of motorcycling. Nominees for annual induction are selected from applications submitted by the public and members of the AMHF Nominating Committee.

"While in previous years only the inductees have been announced, this is the first time that we will announce the names of our nominees, each of whom is a worthy contender," said AMHF Board of Directors Chairman Jeff Heininger. "Supporters and fans of the Hall of Fame have encouraged us to do this, and the enthusiasm generated by these announcements is one more way for us to acknowledge the tremendous contributions each of these individuals has made to the sport, business and lifestyle of motorcycling."

Nominees are selected from a number of specialties within two main categories. The non-competition category includes ambassadors/industry, design/engineering and leadership/motorcyclist rights advocates, and the competition category includes flat track, motocross/Supercross, off-road, roadracing, and specialty competition.

A committee overseeing applicants for each specialty reviews the submissions, and determines which applicants meet the criteria to be considered as candidates to the Hall of Fame. The field of candidates is then narrowed by committee votes to select the nominees for a particular year. The voting group that selects Hall of Fame members is composed of experts in the various fields of motorcycling, living Hall of Fame members, and the board members of the AMHF and the AMA.

In the coming weeks, six new members representing the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be elected from the nominees announced on April 2 -- three from the non-competition categories and three from the competition categories. The Hall of Fame class of 2012 will be announced this summer, and the new members will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony on Nov. 16, at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., during the AMA Legends Weekend. Ticket information will be announced soon at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

"One week from today, we'll reveal who is in the running for induction into the Hall of Fame," said Heininger. "It's going to be a who's who of motorcycling's greats, and we can't wait to share the excitement with motorcyclists everywhere."

For more information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the induction process, please visit MotorcycleMuseum.org > Induction.

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 MotorcycleMuseum.org. 

Contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org

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