PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is opening its doors to the local community as well as motorcyclists this Saturday, May 11, with half-price adult admission and free entry for those 17 and under.

This weekend’s visitors will be among the first to see the Hall of Fame’s latest exhibit, “2 Wheels + Motor, an International Art Exhibition.” A free moto-trials off-road motorcycle exhibition also will take place on the AMA campus this weekend.

“Not only is the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame a place for motorcyclists to appreciate our shared heritage, but it also showcases our inductees’ significance within society as a whole,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “Our Family Fun Day is an excellent opportunity for members of the local community to stop by and learn what we’re all about — and that includes our latest exhibit of motorcycle-inspired art.”

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Mark Blackwell, a pioneering racer in American motocross, a six-time AMA championship race team manager and a well-respected executive in the motorcycle industry, will be recognized as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend on Friday, Oct. 18, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Blackwell, an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer inducted in 2000, will be honored alongside the class of 2013 as part of the AMA Legends Weekend, hosted by the American Motorcyclist Association, on Oct. 18-19, at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino.

“Not only did Mark Blackwell rise to the top to become the 1971 American 500cc motocross champion, but he also raced internationally at a time when the Europeans dominated the sport,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame. “His grit, a win in Switzerland, and a podium finish in Germany earned him fans worldwide.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association announced today its AMA Motorcyclist of the Year: AMA member and president of KTM North America Jon-Erik Burleson. Awarded annually, the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation recognizes the person or persons who had the most profound impact within the motorcycling community in the previous 12 months.

“Jon-Erik’s innovation and leadership have positioned his company to take full advantage of what could only be described as a challenging environment in the motorcycle industry-an industry that is fighting back from its worst downturn in history,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “It is also important to recognize our honoree’s passion for, and commitment to, motorcycling. Jon-Erik exemplifies the motorcycle lifestyle. He was raised in a motorcycle racing family and has been around motorcycling his whole life.”

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Seven historic figures took their places among motorcycling’s greatest legends Friday, Nov. 16, at the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by KTM. The ceremony is part of the American Motorcyclist Association Legends Weekend, powered by Paul Thede’s Race Tech, held at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa.

Hosted by actor motorcyclist Perry King, the event honored the Hall of Fame Class of 2012: the late Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary; world championship roadracing tuner Nobby Clark; off-road racing champion Ty Davis; 1975 AMA Supercross Champion Jimmy Ellis; pioneering female motocrosser Sue Fish; world-class bike restorer Brian Slark; and the late iconic race starter Al Wilcox.

In addition to the class of 2012, the induction ceremony recognized the outstanding careers of two existing Hall of Famers as Hall of Fame Legends: 1998 inductees Mert Lawwill and Malcolm Smith. Harley-Davidson Motor Co., honored Lawwill’s recognition, while Tucker Rocky/Riders’ Choice sponsored Smith. Troy Lee Designs honored filmmaker and Hall of Fame member Bruce Brown, the director of the 1970 film “On Any Sunday,” which featured Lawwill and Smith.

Kawasaki Motors Corporation, U.S.A. was the sponsor for the dinner that preceded the gala ceremony. Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame, welcomed a sold-out crowd to the dinner and ceremony, voicing appreciation for their support.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to welcome KTM North America as the presenting sponsor for the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by KTM, on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev.

“With the late Rod Bush, who led KTM North America through its formative years in the United States, being inducted as a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012, we’re proud that KTM orange will be front and center at this year’s induction ceremony,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Famed Grand Prix motorcycle tuner Derek “Nobby” Clark has been elected to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in a supplemental vote, the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation reports.

“Derek ‘Nobby’ Clark stands shoulder-to-shoulder with roadracing’s most enduring legends, and played a key role in successes that will go down in history among the greatest of the sport,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the AMHF. “It’s time for Mr. Clark to take his rightful place among the many legends who embody the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

For 25 years, Clark was one of the world’s leading motorcycle race mechanics. In addition to being a part of 17 FIM Grand Prix world championships, earned in classes ranging from 50cc to 500cc, his teams won three Daytona 200s, one Daytona 100, four Imola 200s and eight Italian championships. Clark not only excelled at the highest level, but also worked with some of the greatest motorcycle racers in history, including Hall of Famers Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Kenny Roberts.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the fifth member of the induction class of 2012. The late Al Wilcox, a former motorcycle racer who went on to be a race starter for decades, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 16-17.

“Al Wilcox was a fixture at motorcycle races as a starter for more than five decades and a true ambassador for the sport,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of board of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame. “He was well respected, well liked and dedicated his life to racing. He is certainly missed.”

Born in Trenton, N.J., in 1919, Wilcox began riding motorcycles in 1936 and, following military service during World War II, began racing in 1947. His race career spanned 19 years — from 1947 to 1966 — and he held national No. 49. In addition to being a successful speedway racer for four years, Wilcox also finished well in TT, dirt-track and hare scrambles races over the course of his long career.

Wilcox began flagging races in 1959, increasing his duties after ending his racing career in 1966. He went on to flag the famed Daytona 200 motorcycle race for many years with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame flagger Duke Pennell, and also performed flagging duties for WERA roadraces for decades.

Wilcox became known as “Airborne Al” because of his unique flagging style that involved jumping up in the air at the end of a race during his 50-plus years of flagging.

Wilcox also was a race promoter from 1965 through 1974. He died Feb. 3, 2011, at age 92.

“I think it’s great! I really do,” said Joyce Markulec, Wicox’ daughter. “I just wish my dad was alive to see it. He would be on cloud 49. It was his true love, besides my mother. He had 70 years of involvement with motorcycles, riding, racing and flagging. My father was a true legend, not only with the motorcycling community but with his family as well. Rest in peace, dad.”

Wilcox is the fifth member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame class of 2012. He joins the late Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary; pioneering female motocrosser Sue Fish; 1975 AMA Supercross Champion Jimmy Ellis; and world-class bike restorer Brian Slark. The rest of the 2012 class will be announced shortly.

The class of 2012 will officially be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Nov. 16 as part of the AMA Legends Weekend. The weekend also includes the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d’Elegance on Saturday, Nov. 17, featuring many of the country’s most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles.

In addition to the current class, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony shines the spotlight on two previously inducted members of the Hall of Fame, reminding the motorcycling community of the amazing careers of these Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends. For 2012, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends will be 1998 inductees Malcolm Smith, a pioneer in off-road motorcycling and a star in the motorcycle documentary “On Any Sunday,” and Mert Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion whose title defense was the central theme of the timeless film.

Tickets for the AMA Legends Weekend are now available through this online registration form: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5r7zy8ea4316694&llr=vw9ldxbab or by calling (800) 342-5464.

The AMA Legends Weekend will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility’s expansive ballrooms provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends Weekend. Room reservations are available now at a special group rate by calling (866) 767-7773 and referencing group code RCIAME or AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST. Online room reservations are available at www.redrocklasvegas.com.

More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the fourth member of the induction class of 2012. Bike restorer extraordinaire and motocross pioneer Brian Slark will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 16-17.

“Brian Slark is a true renaissance man in the world of motorcycling,” said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the board of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises funds for the Hall of Fame. “Not only did he help create motocross in America, but he also created works of art while working at some well-known motorcycle museums. His expertise is second to none.”

Born in London, England, on Feb. 2, 1938, Slark was a moving force in the creation of a vibrant motocross-racing community in the United States during the 1960s. He helped organize motocross tracks, and promoted the sport by teaching famous people — including then-teen heartthrob Bobby Darin — to ride motorcycles. He also imported and built Rickman Metisse and Cheney motocrossers.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the next member of the induction class of 2012. Jimmy Ellis, the 1975 AMA Supercross 250cc National Champion, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 16-17.

“It would be hard to argue that any motorcycle racing activity has reached as many fans as AMA Supercross,” said Tom White, a member of the board of directors of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises funds for the Hall of Fame. “Today, stadiums sell out for AMA Supercross events across America, but it is important to remember that in 1975 the AMA Supercross Series Championship featured just four rounds. The featured event of that series was the Los Angeles Coliseum finale, which was televised nationally. Jimmy Ellis won the event. Ellis won all four rounds of the series in 1975. Jimmy, congratulations for being a pioneer in one of the greatest motorsports in the world and welcome to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA is pleased to welcome Spectro Performance Oils as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 AMA Hare Scrambles Vintage Grand Championships, taking place at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days July 20-22 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“The AMA Hare Scrambles Vintage Grand Championships, presented by Spectro Performance Oils, brings classic off-road racing to the coolest vintage motorcycling destination on the planet: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” said AMA Director of Operations Jack Penton. “We’re excited that Spectro Performance Oils, a leading motorsports oil company with a rich history that dates to the days when vintage bikes were current, is coming on board to support this event as well as the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which receives all proceeds from the AMA Vintage Grand Championships.”