PICKERINGTON, Ohio–The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that Motul, USA, has signed on as a sponsor for this week’s 24th annual Breakfast at Daytona to benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, featuring World Roadracing Champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Kevin Schwantz.
The company will sponsor the autograph session at the popular event, which is set for Friday of Bike Week, March 16, in the Daytona International Speedway infield at the prestigious 500 Club building.
“Motul has been a strong Kevin Schwantz supporter since his beginnings in AMA Superbike, and we’re psyched to have them step up and help support the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Kevin at this year’s event,” said Jeff Heininger, the chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises money for the Hall of Fame. “If you look at old pictures of Kevin, the fact that you see Motul logos on all his leathers over the years is no accident.”
Motul USA’s Dave Wolman was, in fact, a mechanic/machinist on the Yoshimura team in 1985, so his connection to the Hall of Famer is personal as well as professional.
“I have been in Kevin’s corner since his first interview and first tryout day with Yoshimura back in 1985, when I helped prepare his first Superbike to ride for the test,” Wolman said. “The test was a success, we had a new rider, and Kevin and I have been friends and business associates ever since.
Motul has been associated with Kevin Schwantz since 1986, and has supported his career every year since then. The company continues today by supporting the Schwantz School.
“When this AMA Hall of Fame event was announced, we wanted to support Kevin and the outstanding AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum which houses our industry heritage,” Wolman said. “Motul is very proud to be a supporter!”
Featured speaker Schwantz, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, rocketed to prominence as one of America’s best roadracers during the mid-1980s. By the end of the decade, Schwantz had moved to international competition in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championships. He was a perennial top rider in that series, and won the world championship in 1993. During his Grand Prix racing career, Schwantz racked up 25 500cc GP victories, making him second all-time among American riders.
At the breakfast, Schwantz will be interviewed onstage by race announcer and Bike Week mainstay Ben Cheatwood before fielding questions from the audience in a rare up-close-and-personal appearance. A few tickets are still available by calling 800-AMA-JOIN.
Several other individuals have signed on as sponsors of the event, including AMA Board Chairman Stan Simpson and long-time Hall of Fame supporters Mike and Margaret Wilson.
