AMA Hall of Famer Bill Baird died early Wednesday, July 12, as a result of injuries he sustained from a previous fall. He was 88.
Mr. Baird was the leading AMA National Enduro Rider from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s and won seven consecutive national enduro championships during that time. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.AMA Enduro Rider Bill Baird“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Baird family. It’s a sad day for the American Motorcyclist Association and for motorcycling,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Bill Baird, with his wife, Millie, was a strong supporter of the AMA and played a key role in getting the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation started.”In addition to being a top competitor, Mr. Baird was also a key figure in the AMA, serving on the Board of Trustees for 21 years and being one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum through his activities for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation.Mr. Baird also was an avid motorcycle collector. Several of his machines have been displayed at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.Visitation is scheduled for July 21, with the funeral July 22. McDonald Funeral Home in Sterling, Ill., is handling arrangements.Mr. Baird’s AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame profile may be viewed at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.
