U.S. Hall inducts nine

From the American Motorcyclist Association

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Nine motorcycling legends took their place in history last Friday at the 2010 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by JT Racing, held at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa.

Hosted by actor and motorcyclist Perry King, the event kicked off the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend. It recognized the Hall of Fame Class of 2010: legendary two-stroke engine tuner Eyvind Boyesen, dirt-track racer Don Castro, sidecar roadracing champion Larry Coleman, off-road rights activist Clark Collins, AMA 250cc road race champion David Emde, competition apparel pioneers and JT Racing founders John and Rita Gregory, desert racing champion and team manager Bruce Ogilvie, and championship team owner and Pro Circuit founder Mitch Payton.

Jeff Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises money to support the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, welcomed a sold-out crowd to the induction ceremony and voiced appreciation for their support.

"This Motorcycle Hall of Fame is your hall of fame," Heininger said. "What we've done, we couldn't have done it without you -- the new exhibits at the museum in Pickerington, OH, and events like AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and of course this induction ceremony here tonight. Your support is so important, and we've got a lot more ideas and plans to keep this thing going and to spread the word of the heritage of motorcycling."

Also honoured at the event was Bob "Hurricane" Hannah. Hannah, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, was recognized as a Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. Hannah's immense popularity helped the sport of motocross grow by leaps and bounds in the late 1970s. He has seven AMA National Championships to his credit, and was one of only two riders in the history of AMA racing to win championships in 125 and 250cc motocross and Supercross competition.

"I was having breakfast this morning, and I was just kind of reflecting back and thinking about the guys who couldn't be with us tonight," Hannah said. "David Emde, Bruce Ogilvie -- one of the greatest off-road racers of all time -- and Eyvind Boyesen. Boyesen and I had a heck of a relationship. We both loved motorcycles, and we both loved making things better."

The 2010 inductees were honored with videos chronicling their careers, Hall of Fame rings and induction speeches given by a special person from their pasts.

Boyesen, inducted for his enormous contributions to motocross engine development, tragically passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 17, just two days before the ceremony. His sudden death, the result of illness, was marked by a moment of silence and remembrance at the event.