The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to welcome film, television and stage star Perry King as the Master of Ceremonies for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductions on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. King, a longtime motorcyclist and a member of the AMA Board of Directors, is excited about the event.
"I’m an actor, but the people in my life I’ve admired the most have been motorcyclists and racers," said King. "They’re some of the most honorable, courageous, loyal and humble people I’ve ever known."
King said he jumped at the chance to be part of the festivities. "When I was asked to preside over a gathering of these guys and gals, many of whom are good friends, and honor them as they should be honored, well let me tell you, I’d walk on fire to be there," King said. "It’s about the nicest present I’ve ever been given, and I know it’s going to be a high point in my life."
King’s presence heightens the air of excitement that already surrounds the annual event. This year’s ceremony will draw hundreds of movers and shakers in the motorcycling community — including more than three-dozen existing AMA Hall of Fame members — together to honor the AMA Hall of Fame Class of 2009.
This year’s inductees are industry innovator Robert Bates, off-road champion Randy Hawkins, motorsports giants Bob and Geoff Fox, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, longtime motorcycle safety proponent David Hough, legendary race team manager Gary Mathers and successful dirt-track racer and tuner Chuck Palmgren.
"We couldn’t be more pleased to have someone of Perry King’s stature emcee our 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Here’s a guy who has enjoyed great success and is very busy in his daily life, and yet he finds the time to be with us because he is a life-long rider and he understands the significance of what we are doing."
Added King: "When the AMA gave us the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, we finally went from stories around a campfire to a place and a premise that suitably honors our great heroes while teaching the rest of us how we might strive to join them. The AMA Hall of Fame shows upcoming generations and the whole world of non-motorcyclists some of the amazing accomplishments achieved by motorcyclists."
King, an avid rider who owns more than 30 motorcycles, also plans to attend the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, which will take place on Dec. 4 at the same venue. There, the AMA recognizes the champions from 2009 AMA Racing premier events and series and presents several special awards, such as the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year, the AMA Racing Sportsman of the Year and the AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year.
Tickets can be purchased for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, as well as the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Box Office on the day of the event. Ticket purchase includes dinner each night, and costs $59 (plus a service charge) per person per single event, or $99 (plus a service charge) per person for both events. Admission to the Hall of Fame autograph session and the Concours d’Elegance, presented by FOX Racing Shox, bike show is free.
