The 2012 Celebration of the Motorcycle will be held Sunday, October 28, 2012 at the Del MAr Race Track Paddock, Del Mar, CA from 10 am to 3 pm (the same car event is on October 21) Now in its third year, the Celebration of the Motorcycle has set the new standard for antique and classic motorcycle events. It’s the event where “world legends really do gather.” For the past two years, the Celebration of the Motorcycle has been held in conjunction with the Del Mar Concours d’Elegance, producers of this event. This year, it will be held separately, a testament to the strength and popularity of this important day.
In 2011, over 135 historically significant, classic and antique bikes and their passionate owners converged from around the world to be showcased, judged and enjoyed. This year’s event raises the bar even higher with close to 200 motorcycles expected to participate, each hoping to win the coveted Best of Show award. Last year, it was a rare 1915 Henderson that took the top spot.
The 2012 Celebration of the Motorcycle will once again transform the Del Mar Race Track Paddock into a living museum where the finest examples of motorcycle design and engineering, spanning 1899 through the 1980s, will stand as proud as the owners themselves — each bike bringing its own story to tell and pedigree to show. It’s rich, it’s historic and it’s captivating, particularly when these incredible machines fire their engines. This year’s featured marquee will be Vincent Motorcycles. The 1948 Black Shadow was, at the times, the world’s fastest production motorcycle.
Among the other rare examples of motorcycles that will be exhibited at this event will be a 1913 Thor, a 1935 Brough Superior 100SS, a 191 Pierce-Arrow and a 191 Indian Dirt Track Racer. Once again, the Honorary Grand Marshals will be legends and AMA Hall of Famers, Ed Kretz, Jr., Bill Tuman, Dick Klamfoth and Bobby Hill who will captivate the crowd with stories, inside jokes and autographs. Also in attendance this year will be representatives of another AMA Hall of Famer, Arlen Ness, better known as the “King of Choppers.”
The Celebration of the Motorcycle is also very pleased to have Ed Gilbertson in the role of Honorary Chief Judge. Renowned motorcycle artist Scott Jacobs will also be a special guest at this event. He will be on hand to sign specially designed posters created for this event. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For tickets and complete information about attending this event and entering your motorcycle in the Celebration of the Motorcycle, the categories and judging, visit Celebration Of The Motorcycle. www.celebrationofthemotorcycle.com
Gre-a-a-te !
We get back from D.C. on the 27th. I think the last year this was held was 2003 or maybe last year, it snuck-up and was gone.
Riding to the event is a blast. If you’re showing, riders can enter the paddock from out of a tunnel. It’s a sweet venue doll-face. 🙂
Hoo-ka …… HOO-KA
For everyone that rides a motorcycle. Hemp …. a multipurpose, non-pesticide craving, weed that can make life better for all Americans, and was once THE patriotic crop to grow in early America, is now up for REVIEW…. after 75 years of mislabeling is now coming up for review. Support a new (old) way of thinking:
Hemp Farming Act
Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced S. 3501, the Senate companion bill to H.R. 1831, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011. If passed, the bill would remove federal restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis. The language of the bill mirrors that of H.R. 1831 which was introduced in the House this session. The full text of the bill, its status and a list of co-sponsors can be found at: http://votehemp.com/legislation.
“Introducing this bill is the first step toward a common sense policy on hemp that helps create American jobs,” says Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). “It is vital that all advocates for industrial hemp redouble their efforts to win support in Congress if we are going to reestablish this economically important crop.”
If the (west) parking lot is open, all of the old bikes usually enter through the Solana gate, a wide asphalt turn-down, midway on the south side of Lomas Sante Fe … headed towards the beach and park next to the fence at the west-end ticket kiosk.
People waiting in line then have a sea of old iron to gaze on. Chilly mornings right on the lagoon and easily the kind of event you’d stay the whole day at.
Holy crap I’m going to be in San Diego then…! I can’t believe it! pant pant
Seymour
Relax, it ain’t Pebble Beach
True. For all the old money that surrounds the place, people don’t make too many impulse buys.
And the old bikes are rarely seen on the streets, but a lot will show up in the lot.
It’ll be interesting to see how many people are drawn to a one-day event.
Gobs no doubt since everyone has advance notice.
I’m removing the (straighter) Speedster bars and installing a set of (reach back) Buckhorns. 🙂
I won’t! I won’t relax! LOL
Maybe it isn’t Pebble Beach but it is the Pebble Beach of motorcycles.
Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance has featured motorcycles for the past years. Think there will be a AJS Porcipine at San Diego?
Went to this event in 2004 I think, and it was one of the most incredible motorcycle weekends of my life. Tons of awesome bikes from old, perfectly restored honda mini trail 50’s to very rare historical and vintage bikes, to customs (met Jesse Rooke there). Great short track racing on Saturday night and good flat track racing on the mile track on Sunday. It was run by the Trailblazers that year. I went the following year and it was a completely different experience. The Trailblazers weren’t involved, there was no racing to speak of and after about 2 hours I’d seen all there was to see and split. Undeciced if I’m going to go this year.
Hey Rodent, Seems like I’m always havin’ to rattle your cage. This is a way better meet than Pebble Beach. To begin with, it’s completely dedicated to Antique, Vintage, and Classic motorcycles. Pebble Beach is usually a combination of cars and bikes, with entries often limited to a particular country of origin. Secondly, it’s a mutitude of various brands from the past, with no limit as to the number of bikes that can be entered. This means that there are way more entries than you will see at Pebble. Lastly, the venue in Del Mar is just as nice as Monterey, only warmer. Also not as expensive for those attending. Much more of a motorcycle event. Last year some of the rarest bikes in the world were there, early Hendersons (Steve Huntzinger’s ’13 won Best Of Show), Sears, Thor, Pope, Excelsior, Vincent, Brough, Indian, even a Joern’s! You won’t be sorry you went. Still love you Rodent, and hope to catch you out there someplace one of these days soon!
Hey Pat,
Seems like you and I debate more than those two idiots that Jim Lehrer moderated on the tube last week! I could mention the Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel Valley quaility and rarity of bikes but I won’t! Love ya anyway!
See ya’s in the paddock on Sunday. Ride your motor-sye-cul. Have some fun. 🙂
~ Perfect weather. Well attended. It was sure fun to crack the throttle. See you next year. Thanks for a great time. ~