Laurel Allen to interview Erik Buell at Motorcycle Hall of Fame Fundraising Breakfast at Daytona March 11

The AMA to interview Erik Buell

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is pleased to announce that well-known moto-journalist and race paddock regular Laurel Allen will be on-stage to interview motorcycling innovator Erik Buell for its annual Breakfast at Daytona fundraiser. The Bike Week event begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 11, at an all-new location inside the Daytona 500 Club in the infield of Daytona International Speedway.

Allen, formerly senior editor of Road Racer X magazine and now a media and marketing consultant with AMA Pro Racing, will bring her insights and interviewing skills to the event, now in its 23rd year.

"As a journalist and writer, Allen has an enthusiast's view of all that Erik Buell has accomplished-and she knows that Erik isn't through making his mark on American motorcycling with the launch of his latest endeavors," said Jeff Heininger, the chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees fund-raising efforts for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. "She's the perfect person to interview Erik on-stage at our event."

Buell, a Hall of Famer and the groundbreaking engineer who turned his love of road racing and high-performance motorcycles into the American sportbike company that bears his name, has been, and continues to be, one of America's most free-thinking bike-builders. Whether you're a fan of motorcycle history or modern motorcycle mastery, Buell's perspective on the past 20 years promises to make the 23rd annual edition of the breakfast a one-of-a-kind event.

"Erik has already written some pretty impressive history, from his start as a successful club racer, to building up the largest American-built sport bike company in the country during his partnership with Harley-Davidson, to his latest project, which we'll discuss in-depth at the event," Allen says. "Talking with him as he embarks on this new chapter in his own history promises to show some real insights into one of the brightest minds in motorcycling."

The Breakfast at Daytona will take place on March 11 in the main level of the Daytona 500 Club inside the Daytona International Speedway. The event also includes a silent auction of unique items related to the Hall of Fame, and an autograph session with Buell and other Motorcycle Hall of Famers.

Tickets are available for $75. All proceeds support the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. For more info or to register, please call (614) 856-2222, ext. 1234. Click here to register online: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e3b2ybby81a652b1&llr=vw9ldxbab

AMA Racing Winter Dirt Track / Daytona Bike Week

American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) amateur dirt-trackers will compete at half-mile and short-track venues, including the Daytona Flat Track Stadium's world-class limestone oval, March 5-8 at the four-round 2011 AMA Racing Winter Dirt Track National Championships in Georgia and Florida.

Youth, vet/senior, the next generation's stars and vintage racers will all line up to battle for AMA Racing national No. 1 plates.

"There is no off-season in racing, and this winter's four-day championship event will show just how serious our amateur racers are regardless of the date on the calendar," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "We're looking forward to four days of intense racing at three incredible facilities during one of the biggest weeks in motorcycling: Daytona Beach's Bike Week."

Promoters Steve Nace of Steve Nace Racing and Dave Joiner of Fast Fridays are working with AMA Racing to ensure the AMA Racing Winter Dirt Track National Championships are run smoothly and provide all the excitement of a national-level event, from pre-entry to the podium celebration.

"I'm thrilled to be working with AMA Racing and hosting three rounds of this national championship event," Nace said. "I appreciate the efforts of Dave Joiner, as well as the AMA Racing team, to help lay the foundation for what will be a great week of racing. I can't wait for us to get rolling and determine the best amateur dirt-track racers in the country."

While Nace will promote rounds one, three and four, Joiner's Fast Fridays will promote the second round, held at the Daytona Flat Track Stadium on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway.

"This will mark the second time the AMA series will run at the Daytona Flat Track Stadium just outside the famed Daytona International Speedway," Joiner said. "Working with Steve Nace to make this a complete series with almost 20 amateur classes, we're happy to be providing something for everyone, from the 50cc PeeWee racer to the open twins. Our tracks will be well prepared, and the entire series will be a blast."
 
In addition to the modern national championship events, the vintage classes will serve as the first four rounds of the AMA Racing Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series. The full schedule and an updated rules package for the AMA Racing Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series will be announced shortly.