Dirt Bike News – Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Museum’s 2005-06 Exhibit To Spin Off National Tour – Dirt Rider Magazine

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the premier museum and storyteller of motorcycling history in America, today announced a national two-year mobile tour to complement its next major exhibit, “Motocross America,” scheduled for a spring 2005 unveiling. The Museum’s newest exhibit will trace the evolution of the country’s original action sport from its 1920s roots to today’s wildly popular Supercross and freestyle events. At the same time, the mobile version of “Motocross America,” presented in a custom-designed 53-foot transporter, will bring the sport’s colorful characters and stories, its cutting edge technology and gear, and the high-energy lifestyle surrounding it, straight to the heart of the action—major U.S. market race track, stadium and consumer show events. During its 24-month cross-country schedule, “Motocross America” will connect with millions of motorcycle enthusiasts, including the 3-million-plus passionate fans who will attend major motorcycle races and shows. Clear Channel Entertainment – Motorsports is partnering with the Museum to bring the exhibit to AMA Supercross races beginning in early 2005 and continuing through 2006. “Motocross America” will also travel to select outdoor AMA/Chevrolet Motocross races, AMA/Chevrolet Superbike races and sponsor-selected venues. An additional partnership with Advanstar, the country’s leading motorcycle consumer show producer, is bringing the tour to major metro-market Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows, presented by Toyota Trucks.Mark Mederski, Executive Director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, considers the mobile tour invaluable for introducing new generations of enthusiasts to the Museum’s mission of preservation and education, as well as promoting the thrill of competition. “With the right encouragement, today’s young enthusiast could well be tomorrow’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame member,” says Mederski. “That’s why our traveling exhibit not only showcases the sport’s rich past and present, but features a comprehensive racing resource center with tips and tools for getting started in making racing history.”Inside the traveling version of “Motocross America,” enthusiasts will discover the sport’s deep roots, told through one-of-a-kind images, stories, memorabilia and artifacts. Here visitors will “meet” the heroes, innovators and legends that have transformed the sport into today’s entertainment spectacle. Enthusiasts can compare how early riding gear influenced today’s high-tech armor and trendsetting clothing, check out the design and manufacturing evolution of off-road motorcycles and learn how a European sport became a truly American form of entertainment and lifestyle.”Motocross America” will also showcase an exclusive group of sponsor partners, each a leader and innovator in products that fuel the passions of motorcycle and action sport enthusiasts. At each venue, the traveling exhibit will form the core of an action-packed hub where race fans, riders and enthusiasts can learn about, experience or even sample the latest goods and services created for their unique interests and needs.Exhibit visitors will not only take home an entertaining experience, but can walk away with an entire year’s worth of special savings on sponsor products and services, courtesy of the unique Motocross America VIP Pass. This exclusive card is available for $20 at all exhibit stops. It comes fully loaded with exciting sponsor incentive and discount offers, each designed to allow purchasers to recoup the cost of the card with as little as a single use at a sponsor showroom or web site.”We expect strong sponsor interest in ‘Motocross America” because of its highly measurable and retail-driven marketing opportunities,” says Fran O’Hagan, Executive Producer of the “Motocross America” tour. O’Hagan, who has a long history of brand management and marketing expertise for brand icons like BMW, Indian Motorcycle, Mercedes-Benz and Monaco Coach, also notes that the tour is a potent antidote to traditional media investments. “Capturing and keeping the attention of information-overloaded consumers, especially the 18 to 34 year old male demographic, is getting more challenging all the time,” he notes. “By initiating a relationship on a consumer’s preferred turf, at the time of their choosing, sponsors can connect with customers who are fully tuned in—not out.”For more information on “Motocross America” sponsorship opportunities, contact Fran O’Hagan at 831/648-1075.