Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2007

Press Release by www.motorcyclemuseum.org

May 18, 2007, PICKERINGTON, OHIO - Twelve new members have been selected for induction into The Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Each new inductee has furthered American motorcycling through a lifetime of achievement. Induction ceremonies for the Class of 2007 are scheduled for the evening of Saturday, October 6, 2007, in Columbus Ohio.

Through induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, these champion racers and influential industry leaders are ensured that their stories and accomplishments will be preserved for the enjoyment and education of motorcycle enthusiasts for generations to come.

Each inductee will be honored with the distinguished gold Motorcycle Hall of Fame medal, and have his name permanently featured in the Museum's Hall of Fame gallery.

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2007 includes:

Rex Beauchamp - As one of the original "Michigan Mafia" flat track racers, Rex Beauchamp was a crowd favorite on his factory sponsored Harley-Davidson. Beauchamp was the winner of four Grand National races between 1973 and 1976. During all three years, he also finished in the top ten in the AMA National Standings. Beauchamp may be best known for his race with Kenny Roberts at the Colorado Springs Mile in the early 1970s. The wheel to wheel action photograph of Beauchamp and Roberts taken during the duel has become an iconic image of flat track racing.

Bob Greene - Nicknamed "The Old Greenhorner," Bob Greene gained national recognition as the editor of Motorcyclist magazine. After his tenure at Motorcyclist, Greene went on to publish numerous books on motorcycling. Throughout his life, Greene also regularly competed in desert racing events, speed trials, and scrambles. From the 1940s through the late 1960s, Greene was the chief organizer of the prestigious Greenhorn Enduro.

Pat Hennen - Always a competitor, Pat Hennen was the first American to win a 500cc World Grand Prix race. His victory at the 1976 Finland GP paved the way for a flood of American riders who would come to dominate the sport. Hennen began his career in 1972 as an AMA dirt track and road racing competitor. His career was ended prematurely by a crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1978, while he was battling Kenny Roberts for the Grand Prix title. Hennen's winning career continues to inspire Grand Prix racers.

Professor Hugh H. "Harry" Hurt - Award-winning author Professor Harry Hurt set the benchmark for motorcycle safety research in 1981 with a study titled "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures" that became widely known as the "Hurt Report." In addition to that groundbreaking study, he is the author of dozens of publications in the fields of motorcycle handling, safety, crash analysis, and helmet performance. Currently, Professor Hurt is president of the Head Protection Research Laboratory of Southern California and Professor Emeritus, Safety Science, USC.

Mike Kiedrowski - During his seven-year career as a motocross racer, Mike Kiedrowski won championships as easily as he did fans. Between 1988 and 1995, he was a four-time AMA National Champion. Kiedrowski's career included nine top-five season finishes in motocross and six top-five season finishes in Supercross. Kiedrowski was also a member of three victorious U.S. Motocross des Nations teams.