Sports Makes a Difference

CHARITY AUCTION KICK-STARTS “MOTOSTARS: CELEBRITIES + MOTORCYCLES” EXHIBIT GRAND OPENING

 

PICKERINGTON, OHIO – To celebrate the new  “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” exhibit, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum  is offering enthusiasts the opportunity to take a piece of exhibit-themed memorabilia home – and support a good cause.   The Museum will host a gala charity auction, featuring items donated by notable athletes, musicians, actors, artists, bike builders and industry leaders, on Friday, June 27, 2008.  Actor and enthusiast Perry King will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.  The auction, part of the “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” grand opening weekend, will be held at the Museum in Pickerington, Ohio.  For those who cannot make the trip to bid live on June 27, the auction will be open online May 21 – June 25, 2008, at http://www.motorcyclemuseum.cmarket.com.

 

Proceeds from the auction will benefit charities hand-selected by riders donating items, as well as the non-profit Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  One item sure to draw a number of bids is a “Joe Motocross” Snoopy statue. The statue, which stands five feet tall, was created to honor legendary “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz, who introduced millions of people to the sport of motocross in the book and movie, “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown.”  Donated by Ken and Ruth Chambers, who owned Jim & Jim’s, a motorcycle shop in Santa Rosa, California, for 40 years, and are longtime friends of the Schulz family, proceeds from the auction of the statue will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) and the organization’s national Ride for Kids® program.

 

The PBTF will also receive proceeds from the auction of a 2006 Honda VTX1300 ridden by actor Francesco Quinn in the Quentin Tarantino-produced biker movie “Hell Ride.”  Quinn, the son of legendary actor Anthony Quinn, launched his career in “Platoon” (1986) and has since starred in numerous movies, including “The Tonto Woman,” which was nominated for a Best Live Action Short Film Academy Award® this year.  Quinn will personally autograph the Honda for the winning bidder. 

 

Another item on the auction block that is sure to attract spirited bidding is an autographed guitar donated by Grammy-winning musician Keith Urban.  Urban has requested that proceeds from the auction of the guitar benefit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

 

Many riders showcased in the “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” exhibit are generously offering items for auction.  Guests at the Museum auction on June 27 will not only have the chance to bid on rare machines and memorabilia offered by “MotoStars”; they will be able to mix and mingle with celebrities, Motorcycle Hall of Famers and other enthusiasts. Advance tickets are required for attendance. Log on to http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org or call (614) 856 – 2222 to pre-register. Tickets are $100 and portion of the admission price is a tax-deductible donation to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” Welcomes Keith Urban

MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” Welcomes Keith Urban

 

PICKERINGTON, OHIO – “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles,” the new exhibit opening at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum on June 28, 2008, continues to add motorcycle enthusiasts from music, screen and industry.  Keith Urban is the latest rider to contribute an exclusive machine and personal memorabilia.  The multi-platinum selling artist is loaning his custom Vengeance Drifter, a signature Fender Telecaster guitar named “Clarence” and a special collection of personal photos to “MotoStars,” allowing exhibit visitors an in-depth look at his passion for motorcycling.

 

Urban is one of the country’s leading performers, consistently selling out arenas worldwide.  His first solo album in the U.S., 1999’s self-titled effort, went platinum.  Urban’s most recent albums, 2004’s “Be Here” and 2007’s “Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing,” both debuted at number one on Billboard’s Country Chart.  When not touring or in the studio, Urban often can be found out on a ride, clearing his head on one of his motorcycles.  A longtime enthusiast, Urban bought the Vengeance “7” Drifter to be displayed in the “MotoStars” exhibit on impulse at the legendary Sturgis Rally in 2006.

 

Urban will join a group of more than 100 prominent personalities contributing motorcycles and memorabilia to the “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” exhibit.  Notable actors, artists, athletes, musicians, CEOs, and bike builders have provided priceless machines and exclusive ephemera for the milestone exhibit.  Motorcycle manufacturers, notably Victory Motorcycles, have also given the exhibit significant support. 

 

“The goal of ‘MotoStars’ is not only to delve into the stories of the well-known enthusiasts, but to highlight the passion for motorcycling that unites all riders into a strong community,” said Mark Mederski, executive director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  “We are grateful for the support for all those who have contributed to ‘MotoStars.’  This is exhibit is sure to be one of the Museum’s most popular.”

 

Featured MotoStars, Motorcycle Hall of Famers, industry leaders and enthusiasts will gather on the grounds of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio, Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, 2008, to celebrate the grand opening of the “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” exhibit.  A VIP gala and charity auction will kick-start the weekend on Friday, June 27. The auction will feature items donated by many “MotoStars,” including a signed guitar from Urban. Proceeds from the auction of Urban’s guitar will benefit the non-profit Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  Saturday events will include a panel discussion with celebrity motorcyclists and the official exhibit ribbon-cutting ceremony.  All weekend events are open to the public. More information can be found at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

 

Play a Starring Role: How to Contribute

Following the exhibit’s installation at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, a national tour of “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” is planned. Manufacturers, builders, collectors or individuals interested in lending appropriate bikes or ephemera in support of “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” are invited to contact exhibit curator David Morris at damorris@motorcyclemuseum.org or (386) 852-9898.

 

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 Museum 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.