Viking Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America hosts "Re-Cycle the '60s" at the MN State Fairgrounds
The rich and colorful history of motorcycle racing in Minnesota comes alive when the Viking Chapter, Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Inc. hosts their national meet at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds June 12-13.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, April 30, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The rich and colorful history of motorcycle racing in Minnesota comes alive when the Viking Chapter, Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Inc. hosts their national meet at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds June 12-13.

The largest indoor display of vintage bikes in the Midwest is bringing it home this year by highlighting motorcycle racing in Minnesota. As they celebrate their 35th year, the local chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America will shift into high gear with their famous show of over 160 bikes covering models from all around the world and all across the twentieth century. Not only will there be there were old favorites such as Harley Knuckleheads, Indian Chiefs, and Triumphs but lots of rare bikes that most people have never seen, like Nortons, Condors and NSUs. And of course there will be Vincents.

Any motorhead that lived through the '50s and '60s will tell you that the Vincent was perhaps the most famous racing bike of the 20th century and epitomized the ideal of raw power and beauty. Straight off the showroom floor, it could beat any other factory bike. But tweaked by the speed junkies of the day, it crushed speed records and held them for decades.

The Viking Chapter hosts a special guest this year with a visit from one of the most famous Vincent racers ever - Marty Dickerson. The racing legend piled up records racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats back in the '50s and held the world Class C speed record unbroken for 20 years. Marty shared the salt with his friends Rollie Free and Burt Munro and consulted for the movie, World's Fastest Indian to recreate that exciting period in racing history. His contribution as the only living racer from that time gave the movie the authentic feel that you can get only from someone that has truly been there. Recently, Marty's Minnesota connections have returned him to the Salt Flats to race at the age of 81. This time, he was aboard the record setting Vincent of the gifted local builder, Steve Hamel. In 2007, Marty ran a two-way average of 151.685 with an astonishing 154.456 on the return run. At 81 years old! At the Viking Chapter National Meet, Marty will talk about his experiences on Friday and Saturday afternoon. Steve Hamel's bike will also be on display so you can see what one of the world's fastest Vincents looks like!

The rich history of racing in the Midwest will also be on display with the race bikes of local racing champion, Bob Crawford. Bob raced flat track and scrambles back in the '70s and was a Harley Davidson factory sponsored racer in the '80s. Bob opened St. Paul Harley Davidson and has a unique collection of racing memorabilia on display. The vintage race bikes of Minnesota flat track champion Bob Hoffmiester will also be there to give a picture of what racing was really like back in the day. The battle-scared BSA motorcycles of AMA Hall of Fame member, Jeff Smith, will transport you to the brutal Motocross and Enduro trails of the '60s. Jeff Smith raced during the Golden Era of Motocross and held many world titles: two-time World Motocross champion, eight-time gold medal in the International Six Day Enduro, and winner of the first two Trans-AM races ever held in America. Also on display, be prepared to be amazed by the world record setting bikes of local inventor, stunt man and drag race king - Ky "the Rocketman" Michaelson. Ky's twin-engine BSA drag bike was a fixture of the Midwest drag scene in the '60s and his rocket-powered Harley jumped 26 busses back in '76!

The Viking Chapter invites you to ride to the meet. But rain or shine, the meet is indoors so come on down and see the greatest antique motorcycle event of the Midwest! More details on our website: http://vikingmc.org

* Contact:*
Sean O'Neil
Viking Chapter, Antique Motorcycle Club of America
http://vikingmc.org/
moneil2@comcast.net 612-870-0766

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