Jack Penton elected new chairman, to lead AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum fundraising efforts

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to

announce the results of officer elections for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation

(AMHF) Board of Directors, which raises money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Museum.

Jack Penton, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame off-road racer with more than 40 years

of industry experience, was elected chairman. Tom White, founder of White Brothers

and the Early Years of Motocross Museum in Villa Park, Calif., was elected vice

chairman. Jeff Heininger, founder of automotive travel product company Heininger

Automotive, was elected secretary/treasurer, an office the Directors also voted

to combine at the July 26 meeting.

Penton's current term extends through February 2011. White and Heininger's terms

expire in February 2012. AMHF Board officers are elected annually.

"The members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame are among history's greatest defenders

of motorcyclists' rights, the most skilled racers on track and trail, and represent

motorcycling's premier advocates in the court of public opinion," said AMA President

and CEO Rob Dingman, who also serves on the AMHF Board. "As the AMA expands its

support of the Hall of Fame, we're looking forward to working with the highly capable

and dedicated motorcyclists elected to these positions of leadership."

Penton said he's excited about the opportunity to advance the core mission of the

Hall of Fame and extend its cooperation with the AMA.

"Our mission is to preserve the history of motorcycling in America and celebrate

the individuals who lived that history," Penton said. "I feel a real urgency right

now -- a sense that there's much work to be done -- because we have such a rich,

living history available to us today that must be documented for tomorrow. I'm

looking forward to working with the fantastic group of people who make up the AMHF

Board of Directors to elevate the Hall of Fame among the eyes of both motorcyclists

and the general public."

Penton added that his immediate focus is the 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction

Ceremony, scheduled for Dec. 5 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The 2009 class of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame includes motorcycle apparel pioneer

Robert Bates, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, industry entrepreneurs and

technological trailblazers Geoff and Bob Fox, off-road racer Randy Hawkins, longtime

motorcycle safety proponent David Hough, noted race team manager Gary Mathers, successful

dirt-track racer and tuner Chuck Palmgren, and suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt.

The 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony follows the Dec. 4 AMA Racing

Champions Banquet, also scheduled for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where AMA

Racing's amateur champions will be honored for their 2009 accomplishments. The two-day

celebration will provide a unique opportunity for racers and fans to both honor

the accomplishments of racing's present and witness the elevation of individuals

from all of motorcycling's past.

Tickets to either the Induction Ceremony or the Champions Banquet are $49 per person,

or $89 per person for both events. Tickets can be purchased online now at TicketMaster.com/promo/xft9u7

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About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle

lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different

routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's

largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests

in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international

governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs,

promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle

recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive

money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services,

gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle

Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.