VMD Grand Marshal

[Paul Danik]

Hi, this should be neat ! !


AMA Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith to serve as Grand Marshal for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days


PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- One afternoon in the mid-1960s, a man walked into a Southern California motorcycle shop looking for someone to race an unproven motorcycle with a foreign-sounding name. Lucky for that man, he walked into the right shop and found the right racer. Malcolm Smith took Edison Dye's offer, and their partnership would help establish the Husqvarna motorcycle brand as a force in American off-road.

In recognition of Malcolm Smith's contributions to the success of Husqvarna, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Husqvarna Motorcycles North America are pleased to announce that Smith will serve as Grand Marshal at the 19th annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 9-11 in Lexington, Ohio. Husqvarna is the Marque of the Year for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

"Even today, decades after Malcolm Smith's racing prime, his fan base rivals some of the top names in the sport," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "To anyone who has met him, the reason for that is clear: Malcolm Smith is synonymous with everything positive about motorcycling -- fun, sportsmanship, and excitement. He will serve as an exceptional Grand Marshal at this year's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days as we celebrate the brand on which he became famous: Husqvarna."

Added Husqvarna National Sales and Marketing Manager Scot Harden: "When it came to honoring a Grand Marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Malcolm Smith was the obvious choice. We look forward to celebrating the storied history of Husqvarna with Malcolm, as well as a large number of other past Husqvarna legends and champions on July 9-11."

Smith says he's looking forward to meeting fans and enjoying the activities himself at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

"I was last at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days three years ago and had a wonderful time," Smith said. "I particularly liked walking around the large field where they sell all the old bike parts, buying a truckload and then figuring out how to get it all back to California. I'm spoiled. I like to ride new bikes, but I really enjoy working on old motorcycles. I work on them every day."

Smith said that he remembers the day he was introduced to Husqvarna motorcycles like it was yesterday.

"When Edison Dye brought me the bike, we laid out a track and some trail that went up into the hills," Smith said. "When I came back from that ride, I said, 'Mr. Dye, you have yourself a rider.' The bike was so far ahead of anything else available at the time, and so reliable."

Following his encounter with Dye, Smith's success and influence wasn't limited to the track. Smith's positive evaluation of those first Husqvarnas also persuaded Dye to become the U.S. Husqvarna importer in 1966. That decision paved the way for Dye to bring in reigning Swedish world motocross champion Torsten Hallman to race the bikes in the United States. Not only did that move further advertise the quality and speed of Husqvarnas and help Dye sell a lot of motorcycles, but it also established the sport of motocross on American soil.

In his role as grand marshal, Smith will participate in numerous fan-friendly activities, from autograph signings to discussions of his history with Husqvarna. This will be a rare and unique opportunity for Smith's thousands of fans to meet and greet the off-road legend.

As a racer, Smith gained fame for his accomplishments in the Baja 1000 and for his gold-medal-winning rides in the International Six Day Enduro competitions, but his notoriety reached well beyond the motorcycling community as the star of the influential 1970s motorcycle movie, "On Any Sunday." The scenes of Smith play-riding with his buddies, which included popular actor Steve McQueen, showed people across the country just how fun motorcycling could be. The movie helped launch an explosion in the popularity of off-road motorcycling in America.

Held at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features North America's largest motorcycle swap meet. Also on tap: educational seminars, bike shows, demo rides of current production bikes, motorcycling seminars, stunt shows, the new product Manufacturers' Midway, and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs.

Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The goal of the AMA Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, is to honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum's website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

For more information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2009, visit AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com. For tickets to the event, see MidOhio.com.


Paul

 
 

[Gordon Brennan]

WOW, That's great. I met him in 2007. He is one of the nicest famous motorcycle racers there is. Can't wait to go!!
Thanks for posting.

[Paul Danik]

Gorden,

   You sure hit the nail on the head with your comments.

   I am sure than many of you have Malcolm stories of your own, but I would like to share one at this time and hopefully you folks will do the same.

    Exactly one year ago at the Motorcycle Industry Council's "Breakfast of Champions", which took place during the Indy Dealer Powersports Expo, Malcolm was seated at the next table, along with his son and Bruce Brown, as well as several others. Their table was between ours and the stage which meant that they were in our line of sight for the entire morning.

   Many times during their breakfast I saw folks approach Malcolm to either just say hello or to have a special item autographed by him and Bruce. Each time the folks were treated as though they were long time friends, which possibly some were, but I am sure that many were not, but they were all welcomed with open arms and treated very courteously.

   The theme of last years breakfast was the ISDT and ISDE and eventually the veteran riders in the crowd were introduced and asked to make their way forward to the stage. Malcolm and I reached the stage at about the same time, he stopped short and took the time to extend his hand and express his very sincere greetings and ask a few quick questions. Other super heros of the sport who share Malcolm's ability to make the other person feel so welcome and special are John Penton and the late Dave Maungenast.

    Malcolm is more than a movie star, super hero rider, successful business man and ambassador for the industry and the sport, he is a very nice sincere person. I would encourage anyone and everyone to take the time to meet Malcolm at VMD, and may I say that if you hope to see our sport continue into the future you just might want to bring along a youngster.

Paul

   

   

[Gordon Brennan]

I met Malcolm at Pickerington in 2007.
My brother and I were at the museum. Malcolm was just walking around looking at the bikes. I knew it was him but couldn't believe it. I felt like a stalker, following him around, trying to work up the nerve to say hello. When I did, somehow he turned the whole conversation around to talk about me. He asked me questions and showed us his bikes. His daughter came over and asked if she could take our picture. So I have a picture of Malcolm, my brother and I next to the Husky, that was just on ebay last week. He also signed a Legends poster I had with me. I can honestly say, I have never met anyone like him. Can't wait for VMD.

[checkcrew]

Gordon, i was there in 07 as well, got to talk with Malcolm and Tom White {White Bros.} for about 10 mins. before they did the interview, as down to earth as anyone you would want to meet !!, here is a pic of Mike Jr., Malcolm and Tom.
Mike Jr. is holding an old MSR tool bag that Malcolm just signed !




regards,

Mike Gallagher, NJ.