The 2008 Legend of the Motorcycle
International Concours d'Elegance will be held at the Ritz-Carlton
Hotel, Half Moon Bay, California on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 10:00
am to 4:00 pm.
The yearly event is the "first concours d'elegance
exclusively for motorcycles", and approximately 150-200 of the most
unique and valuable antique and vintage motorcycles in the world
will be displayed and judged.
Famous Italian racing legend Giacomo Agostini will
receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 event,
Agostini, known to millions of fans worldwide as
“Ago”, is the world’s greatest motorcycle grand prix racer with 15
Grand Prix World Championship titles. While fellow Italian and
World Champion racer Valentino Rossi is close on his heels in terms
of career titles, no one has yet to match Ago’s incredible record on
the track.
Most closely associated with famed Italian super
bike MV Agusta, Agostini actually won his first championship in 1963
astride a Moto Morini. This win caught the attention of Count
Domenico Agusta, founder of MV Agusta, who added young Agostini to
his race team that included Mike Hailwood.
Ago’s tenure with Count Agusta’s team would result
in nearly a decade of successive victories and the cementing of
Agostini and MV as one of the greatest racers and machines of all
time.
Fittingly, MV Agusta is a featured marque of this
year’s Legend of the Motorcycle and a history-making assembly is
expected. Admirers of this revered motorcycle and fans of
Italian performance iron in general will not be disappointed.
Each year a person who has made an invaluable
contribution to the world of motorcycling is selected to receive the
Lifetime Achievement Award. The distinguished trophy presented
to this recipient is the signature God of Speed bronze sculpture.
Last year’s recipient was Willie G. Davidson of the eponymous
Milwaukee motor company. Agostini will be presented with this
award on stage at the Concours on May 3rd.
The third annual Legend of the Motorcycle Concours
d’Elegance will take place the first Saturday in May on the
breathtaking ocean-side golf course of the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon
Bay, California, just south of San Francisco. For more information
on this landmark charitable event, visit the
Legend
of the Motorcycle website.
Here is an at-a-glance list of scheduled happenings
at the third annual Legend of the Motorcycle on May 3rd:
Featured marques are MV Agusta & Norton. Over
30 MVs of various models assembled, including three ex-works racers
– one of them an Agostini TT winner and the 2004 Bonneville speed
record holder.
Special Norton models to include:
-
JPN
-
Cosworth Challenge
-
Ron Wood
-
Dunstall
-
Reg Pridmore
-
Seeley
-
Moocoque
-
Rotary
-
F1
Norton notable judges include George “Flat Tank”
Cohen; Ken “Kiwi” McIntosh; Kenny Dreer; Mike Jackson, former owner
of Andover Norton; current NOC President Brian Slark, Norton’s man
in America in 60s & 70s.
Over 200 vintage bikes to include:
-
Only known Ixion in
existence, 1914
-
Only known U-frame
Merkel racer in existence, 1908
-
Oldest production Indian
in existence, 1902
-
1 of 3 existing Husky TT
Replicas, 1934
-
Rare Waverly board
tracker, 1911
-
Rare DMW racer, 1964
-
ex-Rossi Yamaha GP (not
vintage but cool)
Honorary Judges to include Giacomo Agostini; Phil
Read; Malcolm Smith; Travis Pastrana (pending); Mark Wilsmore,
“Saviour of the Ace Cafe”. Industry Judges to include Erik
Buell, Founder Buell; Claudio Castiglioni, Pres. Cagiva; Matt
Chambers, Founder Confederate; Michael Lock, Pres. Ducati USA; Tom
Purves, Pres. BMW USA.
Custom bikes displayed by Jesse James; Paul Cox;
Billy Lane; Shinya Kimura and Roger Goldammer.
Sponsor Dainese will host an extensive exhibit
including 16 archive racing suits worn by such legends as Agostini,
Sheene, Lawson, Spencer, Roberts, Schwantz & Rossi; The D-Air
Project about the development of protection; The collaboration with
MIT for the biosuit for Mars exploration; The unveiling of the
Agostini replica helmet with Ago himself.
An $8500 limited edition JEANRICHARD MV Agusta watch
to be raffled for charity.
Bonhams motorcycle auction to include The Mike
Corbin collection; ex-Steve McQueen 1940 Indian Scout; several
ex-Bud Ekins bikes; ex-Evel Knievel 2004 H-D; 1909 Monet Goyon; 1903
John o’Groats Rex.
If you already haven’t bought tickets, they can be
purchased on the website (via PayPal).
Date: Saturday, May 3rd
Place: Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, California (just south of San
Francisco)
Tickets: $50 advance purchase / $65 day of
Info & Tickets:
http://www.LegendoftheMotorcycle.com
We are delighted with the outpouring of support from
motorcycle clubs and members around the country and the world.
Your willingness to volunteer and/or participate at an event whose
primary focus is to positively promote the love and lore of
motorcycling, as well as help raise funds for charitable
organizations, is most appreciated. Thank you!
