AMA, Ducati Rev Up for Vintage Motorcycle Days

PICKERINGTON, Ohio, June 28 -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is making final preparations for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2005, to be held July 15 - 17 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

In celebrating Ducati, this year's "Featured Marque," AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will benefit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The event will feature exhibits of classic motorcycles and memorabilia, along with "Grand Marshal" Paul Smart, winner of the 200 Miles of Imola aboard a Ducati in 1972, and World Stunt-Riding Champion Christian Pfeiffer, who will perform on his Ducati.

The Mid-Ohio circuit will host American Historic Motorcycle Racing Association (AHRMA) roadracing; motocross, observed trials and dirt-track also are on the schedule. The racing is expected to attract more than 1,500 competitors.

  AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2005 also will feature:
   - Three vintage bike shows;
   - North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, plus new-product vendors;
   - Demo rides by Ducati, Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki,
     Moto Guzzi and Suzuki;
   - An auction of motorcycles and memorabilia;
   - A reunion of motocross legends, in conjunction with the Motorcycle Hall
     of Fame Museum's "Motocross America" exhibit; and
   - Tommi Ahvala's "Team Extreme" Trials Showcase.

The AMA MembersTour2005 tractor-trailer rig, parked just outside the Mid- Ohio infield, will be the center of AMA activities. The Tour's 18-stop schedule includes Daytona Bike Week, Americade, Laconia, Sturgis, Golden Aspen, and Biketoberfest.

This is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days' 11th return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Previous Featured Marques were BSA, Honda, Norton, Penton, Vincent, Indian, Spanish motorcycles, Harley-Davidson and BMW.

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is located at AMA headquarters just east of Columbus, less than 90 minutes southeast of Mid-Ohio. "Motocross America" will be dedicated on July 14, the evening before AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. For reservations for the dedication and the reunion of motocross legends, call 614-856-2222 or visit http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/.

Tickets for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days are available from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course at 1-800-MID-OHIO or http://www.midohio.com/. For more information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit http://www.amadirectlink.com/ or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with more than 260,000 members. The Association's purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at http://www.amadirectlink.com/, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN. For the latest news releases, visit the AMA News Room at http://home.ama-cycle.org/newsroom.